Even after the wave of emigration at the beginning of the 1990s, the parish of Großau continued to exist, albeit with a greatly reduced number of members. Originally, the parish of Großau was an independent parish that was subordinate to the district consistory of Hermannstadt. Together with the districts of Sighisoara, Brasov, Medias and Rio di Pusteria, they form the Evangelical Church A. B. in Romania (leadership: Bishop Rainhard Guib). Due to the small number of members, the parish of Großau is no longer independent. It has joined together to form a diaspora congregation with the parishes of Neppendorf, Hamlesch, Reußdörfchen and Kleinscheuern. The pastor in charge is Dechand Heinz-Dietrich Galter.

The 4 communities in the diaspora had the following membership figures in 2011:

Neppendorf: 107
Großau: 40
Hamlesch: 31
Reußdörfchen: 33
Current members in the parish of Großau (updated: 06.12.2020)
First members: 36
Second members: 19
Members with special status: 21
Expropriation and restitution

During the communist regime, several properties were expropriated from the parish of Großau in the post-war period. In 2003, the parish of Großau, which was still independent at the time, applied for restitution of the following properties:

School (land register): CF no. 447, Top 949 (A+3), currently CF 6065, 1044 m²
School and hall: CF no. 990, Top 950, 951 (A+2), currently CF 6065
School: CF. no. 447, Top 939, 940 (A+2), currently CF 6065, 958 m²
Kindergarten: CF no. 2423, Top 938 (A+3), currently CF 6065, 1033 m²
Steam butchery building: CF no. 3360, Top 718 a/1 (A+1), 288 m²
Post office and telephone exchange (former teacher’s apartment): CF. no. 447, Top 716 (716/1, 716/2)
All applications were approved by the “Comisia Speciala de Retrocedare” in Bucharest in 2009. The mayor’s office of the political municipality of Großau/Cristian then lodged an objection. Since then, the restitution case has been heard in court.

The HOG and the parish in Großau ensure that the chapel with its 176 m² and the path as well as the entire cemetery present an appropriate picture for visitors and that funerals can still be held.

Membership

In order to maintain and further strengthen the status of the parish of Großau, membership of the parish is of central importance. As part of the Protestant Church AB, it is basically up to our parish itself to deal with the challenges of our time. With many parishioners, we create the foundation and make ourselves heard. With this membership, we all strengthen the parish of Großau, ensure its survival and at the same time our access, use and preservation of the Großau fortified church as the collective memory of our ancestors.

In contrast to membership of the HOG, membership of the parish of Großau is linked to the church. As a member of the Protestant Church AB, the parish is bound by the church order with all the associated rights and obligations (see www.evang.ro). These relate to both spiritual life and secular circumstances.

.: Types of membership

Since 1995, it has been possible for emigrated Transylvanians to show their connection to their former home community through so-called “special status membership”. However, this type of membership was perceived by many compatriots as a second-class membership, as members with special status only had limited rights (e.g. no voting rights) and obligations. In 2013, a decree (LKZ: 3338/2013 with implementing provisions LKZ 836/2014) finally regulated the membership of foreigners anew. In addition to the conventional initial membership for Romanian residents, the following memberships are possible:

Secondary membership (full member with voting rights).
This is a full membership, but an existing primary membership in another Protestant church (e.g. the Evangelical Church in Germany) is required. This second membership makes you a full member of your home church with full rights and obligations.
Member in special status (restricted without voting rights).
This is a restricted membership, here too an existing initial membership in another Protestant church is required.

The church order of the Protestant Church AB generally regulates the rights and duties of parishioners. These include

• Whaling rights in the municipal council (first and second members only)
• The right to hold religious services (baptisms, weddings, confirmations, funerals) at the rates for parishioners.
• Right to information.
• Right to pastoral care.
• Right to a burial plot at the rates for parishioners.
• Right to diaconal assistance (on request).
• Obligation to participate in community life.
• Duty to live according to the Gospel.
• Obligation to pay an annual church contribution

The HOG Großau has a very great interest in strengthening the church community of Großau. Therefore, we support the application and administration of the parish membership with the following application form and a direct debit authorization. We would like to encourage all Großau residents to take advantage of this opportunity and strengthen our parish!