36th Synod of the ECCB

As it was the first session, the election of the Chairperson of the Synod and the other members of the Chairmanship took place right at the beginning. Brother Michal Kitta became the new Chairperson and was the only candidate standing for election. Michal Vogl and Štěpán Janča were elected from among the clergy, while Jana Grollová, Daniel Fojtů and Matěj Cháb were elected to the laity part of the presidency. The alternates from among the clergy were elected (in this order) Daniel Matějka, Filip Keller and Jiří Palán, for the laity Jana Brahová, Jakub Pavlis and Petr Hladík.

The report of the Synodal Council was presented by the Synodal Senior Pavel Pokorný: "We are in the same boat. Many are asking where we are going. We are a church that does not offer a product, does not offer a commodity, but lives together and serves. We are trying to listen to the gospel and explore it. We are not masters at it, but disciples. Christ speaks of following. About crossing over to the other side. We don't know what awaits us on the other side. Even the disciples didn't know - this is an inspiration for us not to stay to ourselves and at home."

The Friday morning session was devoted mainly to economic matters. The Synod also took note of the report on the reconstruction of the front part of the Hus House in Prague's Jungmannova Street. It also took note of the concept of investment in the Mountain Home Herlíkovice. With the reconstruction of the Kunzárna cottage, the Mountain Home will be able to accommodate up to 20 additional guests in five rooms and one apartment on the first floor of the building, use the lounge, kitchen and sauna area on the ground floor and other facilities. The reconstruction has managed to preserve the character of the original timbered building using modern technology. The total cost of the building is approximately CZK 7 million.

Debate on the reform of the seniorates  

A lively discussion was expected on the issue of the reform of the seniorates, which was initiated at last year's synodal assembly; the results of the ongoing church-wide discussion will be presented to next year's synodal assembly. Synodal Curator Schneider commented, "Our church is diverse, the current seniorates are very different. The main goal is to make things easier, to find ways to support the administrative functions of the seniorates, which are often a burden, while respecting the character of the particular seniorates."  

"It is a gradual, continuous and essentially never-ending process," said Adam Csukás. He also explained another planned timetable regarding the preparation of the reform of the Church's administration. He presented the example of the Church of Scotland, which has dealt with a similar issue in the past. The Synod resolved that the decision on the new division of seniorities would not be delayed any longer.

International guests from England and overseas

On Friday afternoon, foreign guests from the partner churches of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the USA, the United Protestant Church in France, the Presbyterian Church in South Korea, the Presbyterian Church in the USA and the United Reformed Church in England presented themselves. Bishop Felix Malpica of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the USA (La Crosse Area Synod) greeted those assembled and presented the Synodal Senior with a gift of a plaque in the shape of his home state of Wisconsin.

The new Director of Diakonia and members of the Supervisory Board introduced themselves to the Synod

Hana Sklenářová, the new director of Diaconia ECCB, introduced herself to the Synod. She took over the management of the second largest non-governmental organisation dealing with social services after Jan Soběslavský in April this year. Sklenářová has been working in Diaconia ECCB since 1991, for many years she was the director of the Diaconia centre in Sobotín. Her determination to become the first woman ever to head Diaconia ECCB was applauded by the Synodal Senior Pavel Pokorný: "We have confidence in you, we want to maintain a very close relationship between the Church and our Diaconia," he said.

The Synod was introduced to the members of the new Supervisory Board of Diaconia ECCB, who were appointed by the Synodal Council in April this year. The Synod adopted the Report on the Activities of Diaconia ECCB for 2022, the Report on the Activities of the Supervisory Board of Diaconia ECCB and the Report on the Activities of the Centre for Humanitarian and Development Cooperation of Diaconia ECCB.

The Ministry of Education authorised the establishment of an evangelical grammar school. Evangelical Academy schools have three new principals

Helena Wernischová, the coordinator of the Evangelical Academy schools, announced that on Thursday, 25 May, she received permission from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to establish a grammar school within the framework of the Brno Story School - Church Primary School. This school, better known as Filipka, provides primary education. The road to the opening of the grammar school is still long, but if the project is successful, Filipka will become the first grammar school in the history of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. 

The Synod was introduced to the three new school principals of the Evangelical Academy. Rostislav Konopa will lead the Brethren School in Prague from 2021. Dagmar Hamalová is the head of the youngest EA school, the Church Primary and Kindergarten School in Sudice. Petra Juřeníková will be the headmistress of the EA Secondary Medical School Brno from the new school year.

The Synod approved all resolutions concerning the Church's relationship with LGBTQ people

The Education Commission proposed a resolution on the item regarding the preparation of the conversation and the ECCB's position on the issue of same-sex marriage, which read, "The Synod notes with thanks the report of the Commission for Conversation on Cohabitation with LGBTQ People in the Church and supports its work."  

Extensive and thorough discussion was sparked by a motion from the debate regarding the possibility of blessing gay couples. Synodal Senior Pavel Pokorný put it this way, "I perceive that the situation in the church is difficult, but at the same time, the proposal is a good one. Only the wording needs to be adapted. I realized that this year there are almost no voices against blessing same-sex couples, yet we are taking these voices into account. I appreciate the generosity," he said. 

"What you are about to vote on affects me personally, I am gay. The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren was the only church that seemed like a safe space for me at the time I became aware of my sexual orientation. Now it's time - perhaps a little clumsily and unpreparedly - to tell people out there: We care about you, so come join us. So please, let's do it. Let's try to be brave and not be afraid of being unprepared," said youth delegate Ema Pospíšilová. Her words were met with applause.

"All those who bless same-sex unions make a very serious effort to reflect what God's Word tells them, and those who reject it do so with equal seriousness. With the proposed resolution, we are saying that those who desire the blessing and those who reject it have a place in the Church," emphasized Filip Keller. Some of the participants suggested postponing the decision on the motion, but in the end the opinion prevailed that the topic has been discussed in the Church for a long time and postponing it will not relieve the responsibility to decide.  

On a motion from the floor, the motion was voted on by secret ballot. A unanimous majority (47 votes out of 60) then approved the motion as follows: 'The Synod of the ECCB agrees to the possibility of blessing same-sex unions if they request it. The ECCB Synod acknowledges that views on this issue are not united in the Church and supports the work of the Commission on Cohabitation with LGBTQ People and the continuation of discussion in the Church on this topic. The Synod notes that no pastor is obligated to bless same-sex unions."

Adéla Rozbořilová, Jiří Schneider