The traditional Unitarian emblem reminding us of the adage to be “as wise as the serpent and as peaceful as the dove” is seen in many forms throughout Transylvania.

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. 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.

Through the years our sister church has blessed BUF with many hand-crafted gifts. One is a distinctive needlework piece depicting of the Magyarszovat church, built on the site of Roman ruins with a separate bell tower.

Transylvania Partnership Offering

Others echo the beautiful Transylvanian house blessing, Szekely Aldas, which is frequently sung in Unitarian Universalist services in North America.

#1043 of Singing the Journey

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.

On the choir pilgrimage in 2017, we saw many examples of beautiful wood carving, including KOPJAFA (cope-yuh-fah), or carved wooden memorial poles, in church yards and public places. Our current project is to install our own kopjafa in the BUF memorial garden beside the Social Hall.

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