Reformátusok Lapja, 1968 (68. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)
1968-10-01 / 10. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 15 Rev. Dr. John Bütösi Our Mission Giving As we are fast approaching the end of the year let us pay particular attention to our mission giving obligations! There was a time when we really felt obligated to meet our “apportionment” quota: in the E&R system, there were times when we paid more than half of the portion that was assigned to our synod by the denomination. In the UCC system, the “voluntary stewardship” concept made us “congregation- alist” in the worse sense: the great majority of our churches feel little or no responsibility for the work we are trying to accomplish together as a denomination! Needless to say that we need more than “pep talk” if we are to recapture the true perspective of our “Basic Support” obligation. In my report to the synod, these words were included in this regard: “When our Calvin Synod has the dubious distinction of paying proportionately more on itself than any other conference of the United Church of Christ, we must face the question: is this the result of faith or faithlessness? We should understand that when we show blatant indifference to the plea of the denomination we risk not only OUR reputation and the work of our DENOMINATION, but we also risk the future of OUR OWN CONGREGATIONS! For if the church exists by mission just as fire exists by burning, then a congregation which neglects its mission obligations, revolts primarily not against the denomination, but against itr Lord and God.” Yes, I firmly believe that God’s election refers not to prosperous self-preservation, but to a mission, the Mission of God: the self-sacrificing redemption of mankind! In order to cultivate this spirit among us, our Synod accepted two recommendations in this regard: “(a) Mission and Benevolence Committee be organized in each congregation for the purpose of stimulating missionary interest, outreach and financial contribution for the world and homeland ministries of the United Church of Christ, (b) The mission assessment of our congregations be re-assessed in such a way that each congregation may realistically modify its assigned quota and include in it all non-local benevolent contributions.” May I now ask each consistory to implement these recommendations! Our Basic Support assessment amounts to $5.83 per member (which might be the lowest in our denomination). We ask our consistories to consider this amount as a guide: they may lower it, they may increase it! But let us do our adjustments with a true knowledge of the facts and with a prayerful heart! I am sure that knowing the facts with a prayerful heart will prompt our members to generous response, and no church will end the year without making some contribution for the work of our denomination! Of course, we should not neglect the administration, program and projects of our Calvin Synod either. As you know, the synod quota is $2.50 per member (which is again among the lowest figures in the conferences). In addition to this we ask you to support two of our special projects: (a) The Heart-Lung Machine Fund, and (b) The Debrecen College Fund. Both of them serve our brethren in Hungary! Yes, I ask for money: not to rob you, but to share with you the privilege of giving in God’s mission! Supply Pastors: (1) Rev. L. Meggyesi in Joliet, 111. as of June 15, 1968. (2) Rev. Dr. L. Berzeviczy in Union- town, Pa. as of June 15, 1968. (3) Rankin, Pa. by the Homestead pastor, due to Rev. I. Kovács’ illness. Vacant Pulpits: 1. Flint, Michigan. Contact administrator Rev. A. Beretz. 2. Johnstown, Pa. Contact the Synod President. 3. Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Contact the Synod President. 4. Los Angeles, Calif. Contact Mr. James Bodnar, 9420 4th Ave., Inglewood, Calif. 90305 5. Phoenixville, Pa. Contact the local church. News The two Hungarian Reformed churches in New Brunswick, N. J. will jointly observe their 65th Anniversary on November 10th. ★ The American Hungarian Studies Foundation announces that as part of the Rutgers University concert season, the Hungarian Quartet will perform for five consecutive Tuesdays in Voorhees Chapel, Douglas College, New Brunswick, N. J. commencing November 19th. A Post-Uppsala Prayer “God, our Father, who can make all things new, we commit ourselves to you. Help us —to live for others since your love includes all men, —to seek those truths which we have not yet seen, —to obey your commands which we have heard but not yet obeyed, —to trust each other in the fellowship which you have given to us; and may we be renewed by your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.” Rev. Francis Vitéz, Editor 493 Amboy Avenue Perth Amboy, N. J. 08861 Please enter my subscription for the Reformátusok Lapja Megrendelem a Reformátusok Lapját for one year ( ) or ( ) years ($3.00 per year), egy évre ( ) or ( ) évre Subscription enclosed $...................... Előfizetés mellékelve Change of address only ( ) enclose old 1?’ Name ..................................................................... Street ............................................................. City ...........................................State
