The Partner Church Team at OUUC is committed to living out our UU values through our covenant with the Unitarian congregation in the village of Kissolymos (prounouced, “KEESH show-ee mosh”) Transylvania, Romania. We pledge in part to, “promote enduring relationships with the people of our partner congregation, to grow in our faith, and to build the worldwide community of Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist congregations around the world.”
The Partner Church ministry of OUUC began over 30 years ago and has grown and nurtured a mutual and supportive relationship with the Unitarian congregation in Kissolymos. Unitarian Universalists share a history with Unitarianism in Translyvania that goes back to the 16th century. For a summary of this history, see Rick Brandt-Kreutz’s talk here.
OUUC works in collaboration with the UUA Global network which aims to bring global U/Us together in new ways. The former organization, the UUPCC, was dissolved 12/31/2021. However, you can still access the resources and information from the former website at: https://uupcc.org.
Our ministry sponsors multiple activities to support our mission. These include:
- Providing scholarships for students from Kissolymos to attend high school and college
- Financially support projects benefitting the Unitarian congregation in Kissolymos through share the plate offerings, special events, and sale of Kissolymos handywork
- Sponsoring individuals from Translyvania to travel to Olympia for a time of fellowship and mutual learning
- Educate and inspire OUUC members and friends about Partner Church through Sunday worship services and other educational gatherings
- Organizing historical pilgrimages of members and friends of OUUC to visit Transylvania, Romania. We work in coordination with ministers and staff of the Hungarian Unitarian Church. Our purpose is to learn about the roots of the UU religion and make personal connections with the Kissolymos congregation and minister.
Our most recent pilgrimage was in the fall of 2025. We organize pilgrimages as there is interest in the congreation and leadership in place. To learn more about these pilgrimages, you may want to view the Translyvania portion of Rick Brandt-Kreutz’s presentation from the 2026 “Travel That Transforms” class.
Join the Partner Church Ministry Team! You can contact Richard “Rick” Brandt-Kreutz at rleebk@gmail.com, or find contact information on Realm/OUUC Connect. New team members are always welcome! We meet throughout the year and as frequently as needed depending on the projects at hand.
