A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP
 
The Letohrad - Annapolis Partnership
“a success story”

The partnership between the Letohrad Parish of the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren (“ECCB”) and First Presbyterian in Annapolis, Maryland began before the the Letohrad Parish Church was built. The decision to form the partnership was mutually decided upon in 2000 during a trip when 17 members of First Presbyterian traveled to Letohrad to help in the construction of the new Church. The idea to partner came while the groups worked, worshiped, and had fun  together. The group of 17 from Annapolis were graciously hosted by members of the Letohrad parish during their visit. The Letohrad parish - ECCB church was the first protestant Church to be built in the Czech Republic since the fall of Communism. Letohrad is a small town of 6,000 on the Polish border.

Following the completion of the building, the two Church formed and ratified a partnership agreement. An agreement to “grow and encourage one another in faith and commitment to the Church through sharing of ministry and prayers.” The elements of the partnership center around worship, fellowship, witness to the body of Christ, and service to the World.

In 2001, to help support its mission to the community, the Letohrad parish asked First Presbyterian to send some its members to teach English classes. The classes have been a big success bringing in not only Church members but also people from the town (people that otherwise wouldn’t even consider stepping foot in a Church). First Presbyterians now send English tutors  2 times a year (Spring and Fall).

The partnership was extended recently for another six years. A new goal is to develop additional partnerships between churches in the Czech Republic and the United States. Its a dynamic relationship that continues to grow.http://letohrad.evangnet.cz/http://www.annapolis-presbyterian.com/http://www.annapolis-presbyterian.com/shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1
Letohrad - Annapolis 
Partnership - Timeline

2008    October - Letohrad Mayor
            officially recognizes 10-year 
            friendship between Letohrad 
            and Annapolis congregations.

2008    October - Annapolis
            partnership team
            along with ECCB co-host
            Partnership Conference in
            Prague & Janské Lázně

2007    The partnership was 
            overwhelmingly approved for     
            another 6 years with new     
            enthusiasm & expanded
            new goals.

2007    11 adults from the Letohrad 
            parish “the Letohrad 11” visit
            Annapolis - take part in the life
            of the Church; including 
            preparing traditional Czech 
            meal for congregation, old 
            workshops on Czech language 
            and traditional Czech music 
            and art. Take part in Sunday 
            worship service, travel and live 
            with and among the Annapolis 
            congregation.

2007    2 youth from Letohrad     
            parish spend 6 weeks with     
            Annapolis Church. One     
            attends Youth Triennium  at     
            Purdue University in     
            Indiana.

2006    Letohrad Parish &         
            Annapolis Church youth
             join ranks for Youth 
            Mission Work camp in 
            mentally handicapped 
             institution in Zampach
            Czech Republic.

2005    2 Youth from Letohrad
            parish join First Presbyterian 
            Youth group for work in
            Katrina hit state of 
            Alabama.

2005    Leader of entire Czech 
            National ECCB Church 
            visits United States & travels 
            with purpose to Annapolis to     
            greet members of First         
            Presbyterian’s Czech             
            Partnership tea

2005    English Tutors requested for 
            both Spring & Fall. Letohrad 
            Parish brings in many non-
            members from town to
            participate in classes. Head         
            Pastor from Letohrad and     
            Family visit Annapolis for 2 
            weeks.

2004    Youth from Letohrad spends     
            Summer in Annapolis taking     
            part in Church activities
             such as Vacation Bible 
            School.

2003    First of Annapolis sends 2 to     
            Letohrad to attend official 
            Church dedication &     
            celebration.

2003    2 Adults from Letohrad visit 
            Annapolis Church; take part 
            in Church & community life.

2003    More English Tutors are
            sent to Letohrad

2002    Youth from Letohrad-ECCB     
            Church join First     
            Presbyterian Youth in     
            Mission trip to the soup     
            kitchens of NYC.

2001    First English tutors from             
            Annapolis to Letohrad

2000    17 members from Annapolis
            travel to Letohrad to
            help in construction                 
            of new Church.


1990    Since 1990 10 persons from     
            First Presbyterian of Annapolis,     
            MD traveled on four
            experiences with the Presbytery
            of Baltimore and Synod of the 
            Mid Atlantic in the former
            “Czechoslovakia” 

The Letohrad Church Czech Republic - in the heart of Europe. Letohrad - on the Polish border “The Letohrad 11” - Sept 07’ in Annapolis Community Outreach both in Czech Republic and United States
Letohrad, CZ
Annapolis, Maryland USA
Bill Hathaway (Left) is congratulated by Letohrad Mayor Petr Fiala
Back Row (L -R) Bill Hathaway, Petr Fiala, Steve Hays Front Row: Yoshina Betty McGinnis, and Renata Popalova
English
Tutors Notes from 2008 Partnership Meeting in Letohrad ~ .pdf
~ Fall 2001 - Group of 17 from Annapolis Church visit Letohrad parish and lend a hand in building
Recognition by town of Letohrad commemorating 10 years of friendship between ECCB Letohrad Parish and PCUSA Annapolis Church

(click here for Letohrad News Coverage)
Tomas and Honza
Petra
October 2008 
“Around the Church” Letohrad, CZ
Fall 2001 - Letohrad newspaper picks up the story.
~ Summer 2006
Katka helping out in Baltimore at boys orphanage
~Summer 2004 Petra & Eva join Annapolis Youth in Louisiana doing Gulf Clean up work.
~ Summer 2005 - 10 youth from Annapolis join with Letohrad youth in working at mentally ill facility in Zampach, CZ.
~ Summer 2007  Honza and Kristina teach children at “Time with Children” during worship service
2008

Letohrad celebrates 700 years

Annapolis celebrates its 300th birthday Partnership Conference Successful
Joe; Ruml & Betty McGinnis - partnership conference 08’