55th Day - September 1st: Totkomlos - Impressive Diaconal work of the church community

Today on September 1st, I could sleep a little longer because the appointment with Pastor Janosch in Oroshaza didn't start until 9:30. Julia, the diaconal worker, had organized a translator for me. Pastor Janosch explained the background of why there are 4 pastors working in the city. This is historically justified. Because the city was newly founded by Lutheran Christians after being destroyed by the Ottomans, there are still several Protestant churches today. Furthermore, because the church community operates an Evangelical school and a kindergarten, and there is social diaconal work, there are so many pastors working in the city. Pastor Janosch is responsible for the branch churches on the outskirts and nearby.

Another area of his pastoral work is working with the Roma and their families on the outskirts of the city. Although the Roma are Catholic, the Protestant community takes care of this ethnic group with their specific problems. The interesting conversation about the diverse pastoral and social work in Oroshaza lasted over two hours. Then I packed my things and loaded my bike because my destination for the day was the small town of Totkomlos, not far from the border with Romania. However, the city is characterized by its historical bilingualism, influenced by Hungarians and Slovaks.

I arrived there in the afternoon after about an hour because it is only 18km from Oroshaza and I pedaled hard in the light continuous rain. On the way, I passed the small Evangelical village church of Kardoskut, which is cared for by Janosch. Upon arriving in Totkomlos, Pastor Atilla and his vicar greeted me very warmly and I briefly introduced myself, my sabbatical, and my journey. Shortly afterwards, I was provided with a sleeping place in the diaconal social station and I was able to take a shower. What a relief after the ride in the rain.

Afterwards, a longer tour of the church and the city with its many diaconal institutions belonging to the Protestant church community began. Unfortunately, the church community lacks the necessary funds to renovate the major damages to the masonry of the baroque town church, but the work for the people on site is all the more important. Right next to the church with the Luther banners for the historic Reformation anniversary in 2017, there is a large diaconal day station of the church community. It is open daily and there are various leisure and therapy offers for formerly drug-dependent individuals, men with alcohol problems, and socially disadvantaged people. A strong team of dedicated employees organizes and shapes this important social work under the leadership of Pastor Atilla. Various workshops, such as pottery and sewing, provide people with a meaningful way of life. Diakonie also includes the breeding of typical Hungarian sheep, which are taken care of by a woman who used to live on the streets and has now found a valuable task with it. We drove to the diaconal nursing home, visited the staff, and then continued to the Protestant kindergarten. Next to the kindergarten is a historic country house where a new diaconal project will soon begin. Overall, the diaconal work in the city employs around 100 volunteers and paid employees. The administrative director is Pastor Atilla.

There are three church services every Sunday. One in Slovak language, one in Hungarian language, and another one in the diaconal station. Bible studies, youth meetings, and various devotions in the social station, nursing home, and kindergarten are part of his weekly workload. When I asked when he prepares the Sunday sermon, he answered with a smile, 'Sunday morning at 4 o'clock.' I was amazed by the strong diaconal work in the small town of Totkomlos. This work is thus the 'flagship' of the Lutheran church community in the city. The symbol of the Luther rose can be seen everywhere as a sign of recognition of the Protestant church. After dinner, we continued talking, I showed photos of my work, and we agreed on the breakfast time for 7 o'clock because the social station opens at 8 o'clock and he greets the staff and makes arrangements for the day. Deeply impressed by the diaconal work of Pastor Atilla and the Protestant church community, I went to my sleeping place.