Establishment of the UMC in Romania

In February 2011 Bishop Patrick Streiff and Rev. Üllas Tankler, Europe Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministry of The United Methodist Church had visited the independent congregation «Way of Faith» in Cluj (Romania) – a congregation established some years ago and led by a Romanian pastor whose spiritual authority had been shaped by a former independent missionary from the USA with United Methodist background. After some other visits, many conversations and prayerful consideration the congregation finally decided in August 2011: We want to be part of The United Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Church in Romania was born during the morning worship service on September 4, 2011 in Cluj. The service was led by Superintendent Daniel Topalski from Bulgaria. Fifteen candidates were accepted as professing members and the Holy Communion was celebrated after the sermon dedicated to the importance of the Eucharist for the life of the church. After that the charge conference was constituted. The members of the conference elected a church council of five members and recommended Rares Calugar to be appointed as a local pastor and Samuel Goia to serve as a lay pastor for the ministry in the villages. The recommendations will be reported to the Board of Ordained Ministry in Bulgaria for supporting vote. The conference was closed with a prayer for the future growth of the UMC in Romania.

The work in Romania will structurally become part of Bulgaria Provisional Annual Conference and its future development will therefore be under leadership of Superintendent Daniel Topalski.

Source: Supt. Daniel Topalski, Russe / Office of Bishop Patrick Streiff, Zurich
Date: September 6, 2011