Greetings from Magyarszovat
and more items regarding BUF’s Partner Church, as of September, 2026
Left: Dr Robert Kokenyesi and Kevin Allen-Schmid at BUF beside the symbol of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church.
Center & right: Rev. Elöd Szöcs, new minister in Magyarszovat.
GREETINGS FROM MAGYARSZOVAT
A BUF Sunday Service, September 20, 2026
Kevin Allen-Schmid and members of BUF’s Partner Church Committee led the service with special guest
Dr Robert Kokenyesi, an expert on all things relating to Transylvanian Unitarianism, and a personal
friend of Rev Elöd Szöcs, the new minister of our partner church.
Robert has traveled to Magyarszovat several times recently and he brought us up to date on the life
of the congregation - their concerns and their projects – with stories and photos.
78-minute video of the complete service on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbW0KA8qF7o
Click here for the Order of Service 9-20-26
NOT FOR THE ONE WHO RUNS
An English translation of Rev. Elöd’s two-page 2024 ordination sermon, with an introduction
Rev. Balász Tamás sermon in Bellingham, August 2023
Words of gratitude & recognition, detailing our 32 years of partnership
THE PILGRIM’S JOURNEY, a lovely 14-minute video on YouTube (a blast from the past)
BUF 2017 Choir Pilgrimage to Transylvania https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYa4udE4Tjw
Old video of Rev Tamás introducing the Magyarszovat church and community
4-minute video in Hungarian by the minister who served from 1993 to 2023
At 2:00 see list of the 30 ministers who served the church since 1592 – what a history!
https://unitvideo.wordpress.com/tag/magyarszovat/
Dr. Robert Kokenyesi’s online resources
For more information email Robert at kokenyesi@unitariantorch.com
Unitarian Torch website https://unitariantorch.com/
About BUF’s Transylvanian Partnership
Since 1992 BUF has maintained a partnership with the historic Unitarian congregation in Magyarszovat, Romania. Through letters, financial contributions, and many visits by Bellingham congregants, we have built a deep connection with the Transylvanian descendants of the founders of Unitarianism.
In 2017, a 43-voice BUF choir toured Transylvania and spent several days in Magyarszovat, singing and eating together, while strengthening our bond of friendship.
In August 2023 BUF hosted long-time Magyarszovat minister, Reverend Tamás Balázs, and his wife Kato, in Bellingham. Rev. Balázs is now retired, and BUF is in contact with the new minister, Elöd Szöcs. Elöd is young and dynamic and has ideas for strengthening the partnership to benefit both congregations, especially involving the youth.
BUF’s Partner church committee meets annually to prepare a report, to plan a special Thanksgiving-time collection for Magyarszovat, and to present occasional Sunday services about the partnership. Committee members include Kevin Allen-Schmid, Kathryn Allen, Jeanne Bunker, Dominique Coulet du Gard, Barbara Ellis-Quinn, Andy Grimm, Jan Krouskop, Ann Lackland, Lisa Moss, Carl Nyblade, Ron Quinn, Jane Ronca-Washburn, Bev Smith, Allegra Ziffle and Reka Zoltan.
Magyarszovat Partner Congregation
Partnerships between UU and Unitarian congregations around the world forge connections and build lasting relationships that strengthen each other’s faith, opening all of us to new vistas of understanding. Since 1992, under the auspices of the UUA Partner Church Council, BUF has maintained a sister church relationship with the historic Unitarian congregation in the tiny village of Magyarszovat, Transylvania. Through letters, financial contributions, and occasional visits by key individuals we have been able to build a deep connection with the Transylvanian descendants of the founders of the Unitarian movement.
The beautiful Transylvanian house blessing, Szekely Aldas, is frequently sung in Unitarian Universalist services in North America.
Where there is faith, there is love;
Where there is love, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is blessing;
Where there is blessing, there is God.
Where there is God, there is no need.
Pilgrimage
In 2017, the BUF choir and associates, 42 in all, sang their way through Transylvania and spent two days as the guests of the Magyarszovat Unitarian congregation, strengthening our bond of friendship.
