The Rev David Sinclair describes an exchange between the Church of Scotland and ministers in the Czech Republic.

FOR the last five years, ministers from the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) have been serving for short periods in Church of Scotland parishes.

This arrangement has been writing a success story that many in the church have yet to hear, but the parishes of Stromness, Annan Old and Dornock, and most recently Thurso West, have all enjoyed the experience, as have the ministers.

In 2013, Magdalena Trgalová and her family arrived in Stromness for one year – but they stayed for two.

‘The people in Stromness Parish Church were welcoming, the town picturesque, the manse spacious and the local school very nice. I admired the people for being brave enough to accept us for a year,’ writes Magdalena; ‘the possibility of extending our stay to two years was not considered at the beginning but was appreciated by us – it proved that everything was working well.’

Magdalena remembers the novelty for her of weekly children’s talks, or the use of modern readings in worship; she remembers introducing an alternative style of communion service; she remarks on the willingness of people to have the minister close to them as death approaches, rather than wait until there is a funeral to arrange; she remembers the week on Iona with a group from the congregation. And she remembers it all with fondness and gratefulness.

Ishbel Borland, from the congregation, writes: ‘When Magdalena came to the Stromness manse with her husband and lovely children she brought light and love to what had been an empty space.

“Their time with us is remembered fondly for a time of new ideas, new ways of doing things, for a lot of fun and laughter as she grappled with not just English but Orcadian dialect! It was a special time for our congregation and lasting friendships were made. ‘

Petr Peňáz and his family went to Annan Old and Dornock. ‘My first step into both communities,’ he says, ‘brought a feeling to us that we were part of a family and had known each other for our whole lives.’

The warmth of the welcome and the feeling of family only increased when one of their children became seriously ill and, as with Magdalena, friendships were forged that have continued after their return home.

Petr remarks that meetings starting and finishing on time were for him a novelty; he remembers the joy of being a school chaplain, and his positive experience with funeral directors. He thinks that his Scottish parishioners were more open to deep conversation than their counterparts in the Czech Republic. Most of all, Petr gives thanks for the opportunity to serve in these two congregations – and for the prayers of the members, which sustained the family then and continue to sustain them now.

Most recently, Ida Tengler has been in the parish of Thurso West. Ida writes: “To come to a foreign country is a huge move in life, but always a great formative experience. So I was grateful when the invitation from the Church of Scotland came.

“The congregation of Thurso West Church was very close to my own church in the Czech Republic in terms of religious ways, theology and its warm personal relationships. I dare say that there was a little necessary adjustment on both sides but a lot of inspiration and joyful sharing.”

“When Ida was inducted to Thurso West,’ the Session Clerk writes, ‘the congregation promised to “devote ourselves with you to worship, witness, mission and service in this parish”.

“Whilst we have lived up to our promise, it has been more than reciprocated by Ida and her family. We have shared our culture and practices; and we have learned from Ida’s culture and practices, including two Czech style communion services, a Seder meal at Easter and an exciting Christmas play. It is an experience none of us will forget.”

Three Czech ministers, three charges, three life-changing, faith-inspiring, uplifting moments to challenge and encourage the church to reach across the boundaries of sea and border and history and culture, to find new things that God might have in store for us.

Another Czech minister and his family are ready to come in 2019. The only question is: where?

The Rev David Sinclair is Mission Partner with the staff of the Ecumenical and International Department of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.