Pandemic Update
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| One of this summer's festivals in the Sighișoara citadel |
In June, when I sent my last e-newsletter, I noted that we were experiencing a much more optimistic feeling in Romania, as the number of COVID cases had significantly dropped and restrictions were gradually being lifted. With fewer than 100 new cases per day in the whole country, and no confirmed cases in Sighisoara, much of the summer months seemed as though life had returned to normal. All 3 of our churches returned to in-person services and discontinued streaming services online. Foreign tourists were permitted to return to the country, and Sighisoara hosted several festivals during the summer months. It felt like the pandemic was behind us.
By the middle of August, however, the number of new cases started to rise. In September, Romania set multiple consecutive records for new daily cases. Last week alone, Romania hit new records for the number of new daily cases, COVID deaths, and COVID patients in ICU. Here in Sighisoara, there are now more confirmed COVID cases than at any other point in the pandemic. As we enter the cooler months and people are spending more time together inside, these numbers are likely to continue rising.
All Romanians have access to the vaccines, but far less than half of the population has chosen to be vaccinated. As a result of low vaccination rates and growing case rates, restrictions are being introduced for the unvaccinated in those areas of the country with the highest infection rates. The gravity of the pandemic is impacting how our churches and other programs can minister now and in the coming months. Please pray for health and wisdom during these times.
EuNC Romania
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| The final class session of the final course required for ordination |
As we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, I ask for your prayers for the future of our learning center. This academic year is one of transition and reorganization. Two current students have requested a leave of absence for the present academic year due to other obligations. That means that we have no active degree-seeking students in Romania and will not be offering any courses this year! Instead, our focus will shift to identifying and recruiting new students, as well as developing our infrastructure so we can better serve future students. We plan to offer a full schedule of courses starting next year. Please pray with us throughout this process.
Our Upcoming District Assembly
To say that I’m looking forward to this year’s District Assembly would be an understatement. Not only will it include the Romania Learning Center’s first four graduates with EuNC’s Diploma in Christian Ministry and Romania’s first graduate with the Advanced Diploma in Applied Theology degree, it will also include the ordination of five Romanians – a significant milestone since there are currently no ordained Romanians serving on the district. However, as COVID cases have soared to record levels in the past few weeks, our celebration may have to be scaled back or pushed online, especially if our special guests, including a general superintendent and the EuNC rector, are not able to come. Please pray for our assembly – that we will truly be able to celebrate these accomplishments and that we may have wisdom as we plan the format that is most appropriate for the present circumstances.
Update on District Transitions
In my last update, I shared that the Herndon family will be relocating to work with the Church of the Nazarene in Italy. That move has been postponed until next year due to visa issues. Please continue to pray for them during this process, as well as for the Romania District’s upcoming leadership transition and organizational restructuring.
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