Making Connections - Overcoming Boundaries

The 90th session of the Annual Conference Serbia-North Macedonia-Albania took place in Pogradec (Albania) from March 27 to 30, 2025.
 
The count of the meetings of the Annual Conference goes way back to the time when the country of Yugoslavia still existed - and when the current work in Albania did not even start. In many ways, however, it was noticeable that the togetherness in this constellation is still quite new. But the conference motto was taken very seriously. In view of the fact that the conference members came from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, supplemented by guests from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, the conference language was English in the sense of the highest common denominator. But there was also an effort to translate everything into the respective languages, even if this sometimes took time. And the songs that were included in the official songbook could be sung in all three languages. Important parts of the program - such as devotions and prayers - were distributed to people from all three districts, and women were almost always included.
 
Two devotions focused on relationships between Jesus and one person each: the woman at Jacob's well and Zacchaeus. Bishop Stefan Zürcher continued this series in the closing worship service with a sermon on the story of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus told a scribe. It became clear that Jesus is always in conversation with people. He speaks to them on an equal footing - a model for a successful relationship.
 
This could also serve as a stimulus for discussions among the participants. In a first group discussion, the participants met within their respective districts to discuss the three reports from the superintendents. In the Albanian group, it became clear that the UMC in their country is a young, learning church in which it is important to put faith into practice. In the North Macedonia district, the problem of many members of the younger generations leaving the country was addressed - a reality that also characterizes the Serbian district. Those responsible there want to take the way of dealing with one another described in the Acts of the Apostles as a model.
 
Last year's joint women's excursion in the footsteps of Lydia was mentioned positively as an idea for cross-district activities and recommended for repetition or expansion. A joint meeting of pastors and their spouses was also considered. Additionally, a pulpit exchange was mentioned as a plan. The youth camps in different compositions were also experienced very positively.
 
It was clear that efforts to strengthen relationships are an important concern. The motion to form an extended cabinet at the Annual Conference level was unanimously adopted in order to relieve the superintendents and to be able to exchange further ideas for a common path.
 
Although there are also question marks in the search for a common identity, the positive aspects of the cross-border annual conference were repeatedly emphasized.
 
The motto "Making Connections" was practiced in various ways during this conference. The breaks provided an opportunity to exchange ideas or engage in small talk - both were justified. A joint excursion was also organized. Unfortunately, the weather was not really favorable. Everyone just stayed at their respective tables in a café.
 
Every Annual Conference meeting also includes a closed session of pastors - and the Lord's Supper. The printed, multilingual liturgy served well for this celebration. And even if the discussion once became more emotional during the course of the conference, the celebration of communion was a sign of God's love, which accompanies everyone in their ministry.
 
On Sunday morning, the conference participants celebrated the church service together with the congregation and many people who had traveled all the way. The bishop gave the sermon and emphasized in particular in the parable of the Good Samaritan: to love means to have time! God has time for you when you need him, he does not pass by. He comes back and wants to stay in relationship. From the feeling of joy and gratitude grows the desire to follow the example of the Samaritan and to grow in love. In this service, Irena Stefanova was commissioned as local pastor in North Macedonia and all superintendents and pastors were confirmed in their ministry for the respective district or charge conferences.
 
Author: Regula Stotz, Basel/Switzerland