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THE EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH of LITHUANIA
UNITAS LITHUANIAE SYNOD
(ERCL -UNITAS LITHUANIAE SYNOD)
Introduction. The Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania as a united Reformed Church organization in Lithuania's church province can be counted from the year 1557 at the Synod in Vilnius on December 14th of that year. From that year the Synod met regularly forming all the church provinces of The Grand Duchy Of Lithuania, at first from two and later growing to six districts and representative district synods. The abbreviated name for the church is in Latin, Unitas Lithuaniae (shorter-UL) or in Polish, Jednota Litewska (Union of provincial Church in Lithuania). It sent its representatives to the General Polish/Lithuanian Synods; however in it's administration it was in fact a self-governing Church. The first Superintendent was Rev. Simonas Zacijus (Szymon Zacjusz, approx 1507-1591). In 1565 the anti- Trinitarian Lithuanian Brotherhood who rejected the learning of the Trinity separated from UL. The UL parish network covered nearly all of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Its district centers were Vilnius, Kedainai, Biržai, Slucke, Kojdanove and Zabludove later Izabeline. The Church in Lithuania grew weaker due to the effects of war and the counter-reformation. Up until the Second World War, The Reformed Church in Lithuania had about 10,000 believers. Now the Church has over 7,000 believers with parishes in Biržai and Biržai region, Vilnius, Kedainai, Klaipeda and the other large towns. The UL has, since 1924, been a WARC member and also maintained relations with the Reformed Churches in Germany, Switzerland, France, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Scotland, The Netherlands and The U.S.A. The Highest institution of The UL is the Synod consisting of the pastors (kunigai), catechists called also deacons (katechetai, diakonai), the secular, senior curates (kuratoriai) and delegates (delegatai) from the evangelical reformed congregations. An inter Synod institution works during the time between synod assemblies in Biržai consisting of the Consistory and the senior minister, the church (general) superintendent. Ministers are trained in the University of Klaipėda and abroad.
Information about structure, addresses and telephones
I. The SYNOD (SINODAS). The highest institution of the church. It chooses the senior clergyman, the General Superintendent and chooses the inter-synod institution, the Consistory. Decisions are made for ordination of the ministers and their mission, curates are chosen and items of church law are enacted and it is the final instance of appeal. The next assembly of the Synod is 25th-26th of June 2004. The dates for the Synod are decided by the Synod itself. An extraordinary meeting of the Synod affairs is invited through the Consistory. Those who have decision-making rights and who make up the Synod are:
a) all ordained ministers (kunigai) and catechists (katechetai / diakonai ):
1) Mr. Rimas Mikalauskas Minister, senior pastor of Biržai evangelical reformed congregation. Acting pastor (administratorius) for Švobiškis and Papilys ev. ref. congregations. Church (general) superintendent. Consistory member. Ph.: +370 686 66383. E-mail: senior @ ref.lt
2) Mrs. Sigita Švambarienė Minister, second pastor of Biržai congregation, acting pastor for Nemunėlio Radviliškis and Klaipėda evangelical reformed congregations. Chaplain of the children house "Vaiko užuovėja" in Medeikiai. Consistory member. Ph.:+370 681 66661. E-mail: sigita @ ref.lt
3) Mr. Tomas Šernas Minister, pastor of Vilnius evangelical reformed congregation, vice-senior and vice-president of Consistory. Ph.: +370 687 56846. E-mail: tomas @ ref.lt
4) Mr. Raimondas Stankevičius Minister. Second pastor in Vilnius ev. ref. congregation, acting pastor for Panevėžys and Kėdainiai congregations.
5) Mr. Romas Pukys Minister, acting pastor of Šiauliai evangelical reformed congregation. Ph.: (+370 41) 579421 or +370 650 50302. E-mail: romas @ freemail.lt
Please note: The Rev. Romas Pukys is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and serves as a parish administrator in Šiauliai for the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania-Unitas Lithuaniae by Synod invite and according to the Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church approval in accordance of the Concordat of Leuenberg and earlier (of the XVI c. and XVIII c.) agreements between the Evangelical Reformed and Lutheran Churches in Lithuania.
6) Mr. Tomas Sakas Minister, pastor of the evangelical reformed congregation in Kaunas. Ph.: +370 656 45016. E-mail: sakas @ ref.lt
NOT ACTIVE PASTORS OF EV. REF. CHURCH OF LITHUANIA :
8) Mrs. Gitana Gasiūnaitė Catechist. In mother vocation
9) Mr. Kestutis Daugirdas, Dr. Minister.
10) Mr. Petras Ernestas Čiapas Minister, emeritus pastor.
b) Curates (kuratoriai) chosen by the Synod for an unlimited period:
1. Mrs. Valerija Kubiliūnienė, N. Radviliškis,(+370 450) 55245
2. Mr. Vytautas Vegys, Biržai, +370 699 52597
3. Mr. Donatas Balčiauskas, Vilnius, +370 698 76500
4. Mrs. Palmyra Krikščiukienė, Biržai, (+370 450) 31808
5. Mr. Vytautas Variakojis, Biržai, (+370 450) 57665
6. Mrs. Lina Vyšniauskienė, Papilys, (+370 450) 58132
7. Mrs. Aleksandra Balčiauskienė, Biržai, +370450 31609
8. Mr. Algimantas Dagys, Kėdainiai, +370 687 70324
9. Mr. Dr. Arūnas Baublys, Klaipėda, +370 699 32895
10. Mrs. Dr. Renata Bareikienė, Vilnius +370 688 88632
11. Mr. Dr. Mykolas Mikalajūnas, Vilnius +370 611 40596
12. Mrs. Elzė Dagienė, Biržai
c) Delegates (delegatai) from evangelical reformed congregations by quota (Canon VI-1957) chosen to represent for one year at the Synod of Unitas Lithuaniae. (Those who were representatives at the Synod of 2008 are shown in Bold):
1. Biržai 8 delegates representing up to 1600 members
2. Vilnius 2 delegates representing up to 400 members
3. Papilys 2 delegates representing up to 400 members *
4. Kaunas 2 delegates representing up to 400 members**
5. N.Radviliškis 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
6. Švobiškis 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
7. Šiauliai 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
8.Klaipėda 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
9.Panevėžys 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
10.Kėdainiai 1 delegate representing up to 200 members
11.Salamiestis 1 delegate representing up to 200 members) ***
* Just 1 delegate was represented, because of not finished process of consolidation of the congregation
** There were no delegates elected. Process of consolidation started, in June 2008 Synod meeting pastor to Kaunas was appointed.
*** There are less than 10 members of that historical congregation. The elder Jonas Naktinis was present as not elected delegate.
There is certain unity crisis within the congregations with Synod in the Kaunas and Papilys congregations. The process of consolidation was started. Possible solution is to organize Synods established order for the election of parish elders and delegates to Synod (open announcements, advance notice of the established time and place, and secret ballot.) and to take into account the elected representatives recommendations with regard to Synods nomination of pastors to serve in every parish. The problem is the dearth of pastors.
II. The CONSISTORY (KONSISTORIJA). This operates between meetings of the Synod as a higher church collegium institution. It consists of three pastors members, three laymen and a layperson president and a pastor vice-president and is appointed by the Synod for a period of three years. Chosen at the Synod of June 2001 in Biržai the Collegium (Sinodo Kolegija) has been referred to as the Consistory (Konsistorija) from 18.11.2002.
Consistory (2007-2010)
1. Mrs. Dr. Renata Bareikienė (curate), prezident, +370 688 88632
2. Mr. Tomas Šernas (minister), vice-prezident, +370 687 56846
3. Mr. Rimas Mikalauskas (minister), +370 686 66383
4. Mr. Raimondas Stankevičius (minister) , +370 61482567
5. Mrs. Sigita Švambarienė (minister), +370 681 66661
6. Mr. Vytautas Variakojis (curate), +370 450 57665
7. Petras Romualdas Puodžiūnas +370 610 04399
8. Danguolė Kairienė, +370 68566756
III. GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT (GENERALINIS SUPERINTENDENTAS). The Synod elected the Rev. R. Mikalauskas, an acting Church superintendent (since 2003), to this position in 27th of June 2004. Ordination took place in 28th of August, 2004 in Biržai. General superintendents and Bishops of German, Polish and Hungarian Reformed Churches were present. The General Superintendent is the senior pastor, highest clergyman (Bishop) who is authorized by Synod to represent the Church, attend to church discipline and undertake the Synods decisions. At the Synod meeting in June 2007 Rev. Rimas Mikalauskas was reelected for next 3 years cadency (till 2010).
IV. The CONGREGATIONS (PARAPIJOS). The Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania-Unitas Lithuaniae congregations (parishes) self-government is upheld by Synod statute. Congregations are divided into those with up to 200 members and those that are larger. Small Parishes have only boards which undertake decision-making and, to some extent, executive functions. Larger parishes have councils of Elders (seniūnai)-the decision-making institution and the executive function is left to the board. Pastors appointed by Synod, who work alongside the parish boards and councils, which are represented, by their chairperson or senior Elder serve the congregations.
V. HONORARY CURATES (GARBĖS KURATORIAI). Friends and supporters of The Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania- Unitas Lithuaniae are granted the title of honorary curate for regular and heartfelt Christian care and support for the Reformed churches mission. The title of honorary curate awards the right to take part in Synod with consultative voting rights without being a member of the church, and to get full church information.
Honorary Curates:
1. Petras Jaunius, Lithuanian Reformed Church, Chicago,U.S.A, now lives in Vilnius
2. John Gillies, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Pharre, TX, U.S.A.
VI. INSTITUTIONS. ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae- Institutions formed by Synod and which Synod has a responsibility for.
The public institution "Vaiko užuovėja" was formed on 30.12.2003 and has been active from 04.02.2004. The enterprise code is 5532441 and address is Medeikiai Village, LT-41456 Biržai region, tel.: +370 450 58414. Director- Daiva Janonienė, mob.: +370 687 27057. VĮ "Vaiko užuovėja" undertakes its work alongside Biržai regional council according to a joint action and financial agreement and is the only children's home in Biržai region as well as only children's home in Lithuania supervised by Evangelical Reformed Church. At this time the home looks after 40 children and is served by a workforce of 20 workplaces.
Nemunėlio Radviliškis Evangelical Reformed congregation together with N.Radviliškis Roman Catholic parish formed the public institution "O.Milienės senelių globos namai" (O.Milienes home for the elderly) on 27.06.1996. Identification code no 9317889, address Alytaus g. Nr.6, Nemunėlio Radviliškis, tel. (450) 55243 and managed by Liudvikas Pleškys. The home for the elderly looks after 24 elderly people and has a staff of 9.
VIII. PATNERS. ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae international partners. ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae is a religious minority in Lithuania so it is very important to have international relations with Reformed Churches in Germany, The U.S.A, Scotland, Poland, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands and other countries.
The most partners are Churches:
1) The Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Synod Collegium (U.S.A.) President Curate. Dr Paulius Slavėnas 675 Central Ave., Deerfield, IL 60015, U.S.A, +1847 405 0794
The Lithuanian Evangelical reformed Synod Collegium is a part of ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae made up of Lithuanian immigrants who found themselves in Canada and The U.S.A after WWII. In essence it is of the same ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae traditions and rights continued through emigration. It was thanks to this organization that ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae membership of WARC was not revoked during The Republic of Lithuania's annexation and occupation.
2) The Lippe Church (Lippische Landeskirche)
3) The German Reformed Union (Reformierte Bund in Deutschland)
4) The Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A Mission Presbytery
5) Mission Covenant Church of Sweden
6) The Reformed Church of Hungary, the District of Debrecen
7) Evangelical Church of Liechtenstein
Organizations:
1) Gustav Adolf Werk (Gemany)
2) Partnerhilfe (Germany)
IX. WARC MEMBERSHIP. The Reformed Church is a world wide community which is represented by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) www.warc.ch ; www.reformed-online.org .There is a General Assembly every 7 years and in the summer of 2004 the General Assemblies 24th congress was held in Accra. The ERCL-UL delegate, catechist Rev. G.Gasiūnaitė took part in the Assembly. The Reformed Church regulates democratic Presbyterian-synodal or congregational self-government within its historical boundaries. However the Doctrinal or essential principle of the Reformation and its mission is in principle to combine in a free membership of one World organization. ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae has been a member of WARC since 1924 and belongs to the European Region of WARC. Gen. superintendent Rimas Mikalauskas took part in the WARC Europe meetings in Oradea/Nagyvarat, Romania in 2002 in 2005 Bern, Switzerland; 2006 Budapest, Hungary and the most recent WARC Europe Church leaders meeting in Paris, France in February, 2008. Delegates Rev. R.Mikalauskas and Dr.R.Bareikiene are elected in Synod'2008 for WARC-REC Uniting General Council in Julay of 2010 in Grand Rapids, USA.
X. LINKS TO NON-CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. Organizations with which ERCL-Unitas Lithuaniae Synod or individual parishes collaborate.
1. The Lithuanian Reformed Youth fellowship "Radvila"
2. The Lithuanian evangelical church music commonwealth (Litauischer Evangelischer Kirchenmusikverband), Web.: http://www.lebms.tinklapis.lt
3. The association for the history and culture of the reformation. Web.: http://www.reformacija.lt
4. The Lithuanian Bible association, Web.: http://www.biblijosdraugija.lt
XI. Legal Status. Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania is represented by:
Juridical person recognized by State as traditional religion named: Lietuvos evangelikų reformatų bažnyčios- Unitas Lithuaniae-Sinodas (The Evangelical Reformed Church in Lithuania-Unitas Lithuaniae Synod) State identity code: 192100594; Address: Reformatų g. 3a, Biržai, Lithuania
http://www.ref.lt
Contact e-mail address: birzai @ ref.lt
Ph.: +370 450 35100 ;
Handy: +370 686 66383
Fax: +370 450 31486
XII. The Bank account for Euro:
Beneficiary: Ev. Reformed Church in Lithuania-Unitas Lithuaniae Synod
Beneficiary's Bank: AB DnB NORD bankas
Branch: Birzai Branch
Bank Address: Kestucio 10, LT- 41176 Birzai, Lithuania
Account Number: LT174010041300081376
ABA or SWIFT CODE: AGBLLT2X
Correspondent Bank: Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt/Main
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Information updated 25.01.2009 by Rev. R. Mikalauskas
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