Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-06-01 / 6-7. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 15 The President’s Page FLOOD IN HUNGARY AND TRANSYLVANIA Leaders of our Hungarian Reformed churches in America, realizing the need of joint efforts in alleviating the burden of our brethren in Hungary and Transylvania, issued the following letter to our churches: “The Almighty God placed a heavy burden on our Reformed brethren in Hungary and Transylvania when an unexpected and unprecedented flood in May destroyed a large portion of many towns and villages. At the present time, the exact extent of the damages is not known, but we do know that the fullest measure of our sacrificial sympathy is needed in order to meet the challenge of this disaster. “Due to the fact that the emergency aspects of the problem have been handled by the respective governments, we should be ready to initiate a long range plan for the reconstruction of destroyed or heavily damaged church buildings. For this reason we call our congregations to use the second half of the current year for special “Flood Relief” offerings in the following ways: (1) Special envelopes to be used each Sunday for a systematic “extra giving” until the end of 1970; (2) Special collections to be taken occasionally; (3) Special fund-raising events to be sponsored; (4) Allocating a certain portion of the general benevolent budget for this purpose; (5) Challenging church, fraternal and social organizations for a generous contribution. “Churches should send their contributions to their respective denominational or conference treasurer designated for “Flood Relief.” Uncoordinated, direct contacts with churches in the disaster area are discouraged; however, special donations to individual churches can be earmarked as such. “May God grant us the grace He granted to the Macedonian Christians of the first century who ‘gave according to their means ... and beyond their means of their own free will, begging ... earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. . . . And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance.’ (2. Cor. 8:3-4, 9:8)” In this spirit we urge our pastors, consistories and congregations to act wisely and without delay. As you know, one of our Synod Appeals is “Aid to Churches in Hungary” and this is definitely part of this appeal. Send your contribution to our Synod Treasurer, Rev. Joseph Marsalko, 107 South Cherry Street, Wallingford, Conn. 06492. (AFTER Sept. 1 the address may change!) SYNOD PRESIDENT ON VACATION While Dr. Butosi will be on vacation from August 4 to September 4, our vice president, the Rev. Arpad L. Beretz will assume the responsibilities of the president. His address is: 7520 Woodmar Ave., Hammond, Ind. 46323. Phone: (219)-844-8632 or (219)-845- 2288. NEW VACANCY Wallingford, Conn. (Call: Dr. J. Butosi, Synod President until August 4, after that date call: Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy administrator, 220 Fourth St., Passaic, N.J. 07055). Other vacancies include: Dayton, Ohio; Gary, Ind.; Niles, Ohio; Welland, Ontario. IN BRIDGEPORT, CONN. Our United Church of Christ dedicated their new “Parish Center” on June 21, 1970, at 3:30 p.m. followed by a dedication Banquet in the new auditorium at 5 P.M. Our heartiest congratulations to the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Böszörményi, to the energetic consistory headed by Mr. Alex Bero, Jr. to the other organizations of the church and to the enthusiastic members who enriched our American Hungarian Reformed life with another “miracle”: in a time of tight economy they ventured to build, for more than half a million dollars a most efficient building for education! ... The Hungarian Ref. Federation of America helped with a loan of $300,000.00. PERSONAL NOTES After a successful operation on May 25, Dr. Kalman Toth is now recuperating in his home at Lorain, Ohio. May God be praised! At the invitation of the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Dr. Tibor Bartha, presiding bishop of the Reformed Church in Hungary spent four weeks in the United States (May 18- June 16). He attended the denomination’s General Assembly Meeting in Chicago, the commencement exercises in Princeton, preached in several Hungarian Reformed churches, met the Hungarian Ref. pastors of the Eastern seaboard, and visited church leaders in New York and Philadelphia. His first hand report on the flood situation in Hungary was particularly timely and helpful. Dr. Tibor Chikes was recently hospitalized in Washington, D. C. He is now recuperating at home. The Synod President wishes to extend his sincere thanks to all those who expressed their condolences at the loss of his mother, Mrs. Michael Butosi, Sr. The Fairfield congregation remembered the 10th anniversary of Dr. Alexander Havadtoy’s ministry among them on May 24. Dr. John Butosi represented the Calvin Synod on the occasion. IN LIGONIER, PA. The By-Laws Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors “to study the operations of the Hung. Ref. Fed. of American and the Bethlen Home and the applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” and also “to prepare a proposed revision of the By-Laws of the Bethlen Home” — met on May 12, 1970. They discussed a proposed revision of the By-Laws of the Bethlen Home which will be presented to the Bethlen Home Board of Directors meeting in September. Dr. A. Moor and the Synod President participated in the discussions as advisors, making it clear that the crucial problem still needs further study, clarification and action . . . The publication of the “Ravasz Bible” was also discussed and approved.
