Meeting of the 36th Synod of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren

In addition to the synod members, synodal advisors, and other guests, eight foreign guests also attended some of the sessions. This time, the invitation was directed to the German-speaking partners of the ECCB. 

This year, the Presidium dedicated a lot of space to discussions. Numerous conversations were expected on the question of blessing same-sex couples. Last year's synod had enabled this practice in the ECCB congregations, which prompted numerous reactions in the parishes and at Seniorate meetings. Therefore, sufficient time was allocated to this topic during this year's session. Additionally, state legislation will change at the beginning of 2025, making it possible to establish same-sex partnerships (marriages) in churches that have so far only conducted marriages for heterosexual couples. This issue also had to be addressed by this year's Synod session. 
Proposals to revoke last year's resolution were not accepted. The resolution thus remains valid. Similarly, the Synod did not accept the thesis that it is a matter of church doctrine that would need to be discussed first in the parishes and then at the Seniorate level.
As for the legislative changes, the delegates decided to amend the church regulations to reflect these changes but not to allow ECCB preachers to assist in the establishment of partnerships before the State for the time being. The Synod will first seek the opinion of the congregations and Seniorates on this matter.

The meeting also focussed on preparing orders of service for the new Service Book. It adopted new liturgical forms for confirmation services and instructed the Synodal Council to ensure a clear and accessible publication of all previously adopted and currently valid orders of service as part of the ECCB's new Service Book.

This year's Synod session also had on the table the reform of the Seniorates, which had been prepared and intensively discussed over the past three years. The preparation process produced two options: The first was somewhat more radical – dividing the Czech Republic into only 6 Seniorates (compared to the current 14). The second option was somewhat less radical – it envisaged a total of 9 "church districts." The delegates ultimately decided on option number 2, the less radical one.

The Synod agreed with the open letter from the Synodal Council to the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches dated April 15th, 2024, and supports the Synodal Council in further negotiations with the World Council of Churches regarding the blasphemous statements made by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.

At the end of the session, the delegates adopted a public statement on the situation in Israel and Palestine.

"...let us seek sensitivity and empathy for those who suffer on both sides of the conflict. We need to put a face to the victims on both sides and listen to their stories," reads the appeal, which also invites joint prayer.

The chairman of the synod, Michal Kitta, spoke in his closing address about the diversity of the church and the importance of mutual dialogue. He expressed gratitude for the cultivated debates and the willingness to listen. He asked the delegates to testify in their communities to the diversity of opinions, experiences, and encounters during this year's sessions. The next Synod meeting will take place from May 15 to 17, 2025, in Prague.