The Unitarian Church of Kukullosard

Parohia Unitariana Soard, Comuna Vanatori Jud. Mures, Cod. Postal 547635

Community Profile: Kukullosard is a small, 700 year old Transylvanian village on the River Tarnava-Mare between the towns of Sighisoara (15 km) and Cristurul-Secuiesc (10 km.) The travel time to both towns is about 30 minutes. Three nationalities live peace fully together in the village; the Romanians, Hungarians and Rromas, each speaking their own language There are about 200 Romanians, and 200 Rromas belonging to the Orthodox Church The 100 Hungarians are evenly split between the Unitarian and Calvinist religions.

The village has a primary school; there is a secondary school in a neighboring village.

The citizens of the community are either peasant property holders or work as craftspersons in nearby towns. Community celebrations relate to the Christian Holidays.

The Congregation: The church is as old as Unitarianism in Transylvania, over 400 years old. The specific ancestors of this congregation are not known. The current congregation is an old one living their traditional church life. The small, but vigorous congregation is remarkable for their initiative in participating in voluntary work camps, both locally and in the region. They also occasionally help the members of their community be giving out medicines which they receive from their British friends from Urmston church. Their minister-led worship services are traditional and held every Sunday and on holidays.

The congregation numbers 58 individuals. There are 30 families, 5 unmarried young adults, 4 youth (aged 12-20) and 8 children (aged 11 and younger.)

The Minister: The minister, Ferenc Nagy, graduated from the Unitarian Theological Academy and was ordained by the church. He lives in Sighisoara (Segesvar) and serves only the congregation of Kukullosard. He accepts no compensation because he has his pension and does his work voluntarily from the beginning (1953) until now. During the 55 years of his ministry he has been involved in all aspects of community life.

Contact Person/s for this Partnership:For more information, contact: UUPCC Headquarters at 781-275-1710 or office@uupcc.org.

Why would the Unitarians of Kukullosard like to be in a Congregational Partnership? This congregation would like to be in a congregational partnership for improving the church life by any good effects a UU Partner might exert on a Transylvanian congregation- considering the mutuality as well. A good link offers many possibilities in both spiritual-moral and material growing. Knowing each other, then learning new ways to prosper in the matter of organization and teaching material. Correspondences, visits and all means, including material supports for new initiatives. For instance, the parish building could be developed for a guest home for our visitors from abroad and for some social aid institutions. In short: All depends on a good ambitious partner. It may be noted that the minister has many good friends in the USA and England as well. One of his best experiences he could impart with the Rev. Kim Beach and his wife, Barbara Beach, while establishing the prosperous partnership of Arlington-Segeszvar. We hope that the same will happen among those who will give life for a fruitful link between an American congregation and Kukullosard.