Košice Branch

View from street
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

We've been here in Slovakia for four Sundays now. We live in Prešov and are members of the Košice branch. Each Sunday we drive about 35 kilometers or a half hour to attend church. 

Most our drive we pass green pastures and walls of trees. This time of year, the wild flowers are plentiful. Along the way, we pass by small villages, farms, and churches. 

Interior entrance to
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Košice Branch 

Our first Sunday, approaching our new building and looking around. We had just barely crossed the threshold and put our feet inside the building when meeting our new Branch President, he pulled Greg aside and was asked to be the first counselor in the Branch Presidency.

Sunday worship services are held in rented office space located in downtown Košice. A green door welcomes members and visitors. The largest room is the chapel with tile floors and brightly painted walls. Although we don't have all the people of a ward, we have everything we need to worship our Savior and learn his Gospel. Our small spiral bound hymns books are in Slovak, but we always recognize the wonderful music.

Our first Sunday was Branch Conference. Greg and I were asked to bear our testimonies while someone volunteered to translate what we said; I told them how grateful I was to be in Slovakia and on a mission. I testified of the power of prayer. The meeting was followed by Relief Society and Priesthood. After church, our Branch President had prepared a delicious hot lunch and sweet desserts. 

This photo is our branch conference, held May 28, 2017. Most individuals in photo are missionaries and visitors. There were a few investigators, too.

Included: The Mission President Pohorelický & his wife, the District President & his wife, the Humanitarian Missionaries (us), the District Relief Society President & her husband and four Elder missionaries and two Sister missionaries. The Branch President, of course, is a branch member. There are no youth programs, because currently there are no children in the branch.

Just over the road from church is this lovely park. The church is seen between the trees on left of photo. Cat tails line the pond where schools of goldfish hid under water lilies. A few mallard ducks live at the pond.

The missionaries and Branch President of the Košice Branch. Back row from left: Elder Hammer from St. George, UT, Elder Mueller, from Vancouver, WA, President van Dalen, from Košice, Elder Cragun, from Pleasant View, UT, Elder Harp, from Mesa, AZ, Sister van Langeveld, from Provo, UT, Sister McDonald, from American Fork, UT, and Sister and Elder Schultz, from Las Vegas, NV.