Partner Churches

The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax's Partner Church Circle (PCC) is to develop long-term mutually supportive relationships with our fellow Unitarians in Szentgerice, Transylvania, Romania, and in the Khasi Hills of India.

The PCC works toward this mission by:

• Strengthening the bonds of friendship between members of UUCF and the people of Szentgerice and Puriang;
• Promoting an exchange of people and ideas;
• Providing funds and other forms of assistance to help directly the Unitarian churches of Szentgerice and Puriang; and
• Providing funds and other forms of assistance to both village communities to improve the quality of life of all inhabitants and foster economic development.

For more information on the Partner Church Circle or our partner churches, check out the menu boxes at right.

Szentgerice

UUCF has been a partner with the Unitarian church in Szentgerice, Transylvania, Romania, since October 1990.

Puriang

UUCF's partner church in India is in Puriang, a small village of about 1400. It is located in the remote Khasi Hill of northeastern of India, in the state of Meghalaya--directly north of Bangladesh and south of Bhutan.

About a quarter of the villagers are Unitarians with most of the others attending Presbyterian and Catholic churches in the village. The villagers speak Khasi, and some speak English, as well.

Puriang is a farming community. The village has electricity but no running water. In fact, the nearest source of water is 8 km away. The people are warm and welcoming.

Our partner church is a simple concrete building marked by a flaming chalice on the top. Next to the church is a Unitarian school that serves about 300 students. The students come from Puriang as well as six other villages. Conditions at the school are bleak with overcrowded classrooms, no bathroom or outhouse, and no school bus (with some of the children walking up to 2 hours each way).