To help one another – To learn from one another Fund for Mission in Europe Project List 2019 Bank Information EmK-Weltmission Account Nr. 401 773 BLZ 520 604 10 Evangelische Bank IBAN: DE65520604100000401773 BIC: GENODEF1EK1 Verein Hilfe im Sprengel Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche Badenerstrasse 69 / Postfach 2111 CH-8021 Zurich 1 (SWitzerland) Bank: UBS AG, Albisriederplatz 8, CH-8004 Zurich (SWitzerland) IBAN: CH570026726784963360F (EUR-Account!) CH830026726784963361T (USD-Account!) BIC: UBSWCHZH80K Mission in Europe 2 Dear Friends The praying mantis in the car park We had some Wonderful days in Croatia – Warm sunshine, really clear Water in the sea, a lot of time to discover a Whole neW World. One day We Went on an excursion to a nature park. The fascinating coast invited us to jump from one stone slab to another. The trees looked as if they had Withstood many a storm, and then came open spaces With a su- perb panoramic vieW toWards the sea, Which sent Wave after Wave to the land. We had parked our car on a graveled car park. No sooner had We got out of the car, then We had a very special encounter: there Was a praying mantis Walking around on the car park. There Was something strange about it: for the first time I Was seeing one of these fasci- nating insects With its very distinctive appearance – in an ordinary car park, of all places. But it may be that this is a good symbol. In German, these insects are called «Gottesanbeterin», Which means «Wor- shiper of God». Perhaps What our World needs most is not more people Who go to church once a Week to pray and then, during the rest of the Week, think, speak and act as if they had never been in the church. Per- haps What is really needed is people Who live their faith, hope, and love in everyday life. If they are Worshipers of God, they Will be Worshipers in the car park. There are many Methodists all over Europe Who really live their faith not only on Sun- days, but also on Mondays and the rest of the week. Their faith becomes tangible in every- day life. Their hope opens up neW perspectives for other people. Their love is a force for good. This brochure of the Fund for Mission in Europe is an attempt to shoW something of the good that can be achieved under various differing circumstances. The Fund for Mission in Europe thus sees itself as an invitation to you to be encouraged by people in other European countries to live faith, hope, and love in everyday life, With the gifts and possibilities at your disposal, and trusting that God Will go With you on your Way. But the reverse is also true: the people reported about by the Fund for Mission in Eu- rope need you! When you share What you have, you help to make it possible for faith, hope, and love to be lived in many places in Europe. And so We ask you please to give, or continue to give, your financial support to the Work of the Fund for Mission in Europe. Through your donation you Will become part of projects and programs Where faith is lived in everyday life, and because of this, changes the World in some Way. Thank you very much for your help. Urs Schweizer Manager of the Fund for Mission in Europe Mission in Europe 3 Giving and receiving There are three things Which cause me to be deeply grateful When I consider the Work of the Fund for Mission in Europe. Firstly, I am moved When I see hoW creatively people in completely different situations live their faith, from Eurasia to Spain and from Albania to Estonia. I rejoice to be a part of a Methodist movement that causes the life of many people to blossom as part of God’s mission. Secondly, When I remember that the Fund for Mission in Europe received gifts of about EUR 240,000 in 2018, I am also very grateful for the trust placed in us by you as givers in the past and going forWard. Thirdly, I am particularly happy that the Fund for Mission in Europe is not a one-way street. It has long ceased to be true that some people alWays give, While other alWays only receive. On the contrary, the number of countries of origin of the givers is continually increasing. It is really true that everyone is invited to contribute and share What he or she has – and everyone can receive and learn from the others. This is very encouraging. Origin of 2018 gifts Use of funds in 2018 21 countries / total EUR 240,000 25 countries / total: EUR 245,000 Incidentally, 112 projects and programs received support from the Fund for Mission in Europe in the years 2014 to 2018. Almost one half of these (47%) has been successfully completed in the meantime, or is noW completely self-financed. This too is a reason for rejoicing. A further 45% of the supported projects and programs are still running, but rely on contributions from the Fund or financial support from other sources from abroad. I hope that Methodist churches in Europe Will continue to do good in the future and in God’s name, to change the World in some Way. It is a strong testimony of faith that We hold onto each other and our common task across national boundaries. Thank you for sharing in this by your prayers and your gifts. Bishop Harald Rückert Chairperson of the Fund for Mission in Europe Mission in Europe 4 Priorities of the Fund for Mission in Europe When Methodist church leaders in various parts of Europe Were asked about their prior- ities, they stated repeatedly the folloWing areas: Working towards sustainability à We would like to increasingly stand on our own feet in terms of personnel, content, as well as financially. Additionally, we would like to bring ourselves, as giving communities, complete with our own iden- tities and the wealth of our faith experienc- es, into the worldwide Methodist family. Theological education à In a time of tremendous social changes, we would like to engage in our mission tasks in creative, believable ways and be «the Church for others». In order to achieve this aim, we need well educated pastors and lay leaders. Being a learning church à We are not called to do today, what has always been done, while using those instru- ments, which have always been used. Rather, we aim to forge a reliable connection to new ideas and experiences, to learn from one another, and to find new activities, which bring the timeless message of God’s love to the people of today and tomorrow. Diaconal work à We cannot be a credible church without hearing the voices of those who cry out because of their needs. Without seeing those who already grew silent in their misery. Without helping people regardless of their background. Without awakening a new hope for a bet- ter future. However, we would not like to be engaged in ministry for the poor but in ministry with them. That’s Why the Fund for Mission in Europe primarily supports programs and projects related to one of these four priorities. Mission in Europe 5 Cooperation with Otto Per Mille Italian taxpayers have the possibility to desig- nate 8‰ from their annual income tax to a religious organization recognized by the Italian State or, alternatively, to a social assistance scheme run by the Italian State itself. Thanks to these designated funds, the Union of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches is able to support more than 1000 projects in Italy (50%) and abroad (50%). In order to be eligible for Otto Per Mille funding, the projects need to relate to one of the folloWing areas: • Social activities • Cultural activities • Health services • Humanitarian aid • Diaconal activities In 2014 the Fund for Mission in Europe has started an official cooperation With Otto Per Mille. As a result, the folloWing projects, approved by the Fund for Mission in Europe, will receive a financial contribu- tion from Otto Per Mille in 2019: • Trinity Program for People with Special Needs (Eurasia) € 12,000 • Ministries with Roma (Hungary) € 5,000 • Hope Center (Latvia) € 8,500 • Open Door Project in Kuldiga (Latvia) € 4,800 • Home Care Project in Strumica (Macedonia) € 14,900 • Kindergarten «KORAB» in Pivnice (Serbia) € 4,800 Total € 50,000 Otto Per Mille supports a variety of people putting love into action. We are grateful to the many Italian taxpayers making this gift of solidarity and hope possible! Mission in Europe 6 Projects AL-101 New Church Development in Albania (€ 7,000) The UMC in Albania currently comprises 4 local churches. Their leaders aim to «translate Methodism into Albanian» and to combine sharing the Gospel and addressing the challenges of today’s society appropriately and effectively. The development is encouraging: The Work in Durrës, Elbasan, Pogradec, and Tirana is groWing, there are many committed men and Women Willing to take over responsibility and to be trained for their service, and various social ministries have been established (seWing project, ministries with people With special needs including an Early Intervention Center, agricultural project, students’ home). AL-102 Summer Camp for Training Church Leaders (€ 2,000) The annual Summer Camp has proved to be a helpful instrument to identify and equip local leaders Who are Willing to take over responsibil- ity for the churches and for their transforma- tional role in Albanian society. It offers an oppor- tunity to relax, to enjoy felloWship, to groW in faith, and to have times of learning and sharing (e.g.