Reformátusok Lapja, 1971 (71. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-08-01 / 8-9. szám
Hungarian Reformed Religious Paper Founded in 1900 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CALVIN SYNOD — UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TO THE PASTORS AND CONGREGATIONS OF CALVIN SYNOD August 1971 It is generally known that our synod, which held its meeting at Buffalo in the month of April brought many historical decisions and passed many useful resolutions, all of which will influence the lives of our congregations and pastors. The first among these decisions is the one regarding the Conference Minister. Known heretofore as President, he will henceforth be honored with the title of Bishop, without change, however, in jurisdiction or functions of his office. It is also known that Calvin Synod, the largest Hungarian-American church body, elected its former vice president, the Rev. Arpad Beretz, pastor of the Hammond, Indiana Congregation, as its first bishop, who has already begun his official work along with the members of the elected Synod Council. Council at its first meeting decided to officially install our new bishop in a manner worthy of this office and to honor and strengthen him before God and man. The installation ceremonies will take place in Ligonier, Pa. during the annual ministers’ and elders’ meetings and festivities, on Monday evening, September 6 at 7 o’clock in the church of our Bethlen Home. (We have already received clearance from those in charge for this date.) In light of this please consider the invitation found below a cordial one to all churches of our synod, our pastors, church organizations; to leaders and members of our sister denominations to families and individuals. .. to all Hungarians. Come to Ligonier on September 6 to pray, celebrate, install our bishop and rejoice with us; to dream and plan together for a better future and to build the kingdom of God. The services will be followed by a reception in the dining hall of the Children’s Home. In order to make the installation of our first bishop a memorable occasion and a blessing for the future, Council decided to establish a synod mission fund: calling it “The Bishop’s Benevolence Fund,” honoring the present and future bishops. Money realized through this fund will serve to strengthen the effectiveness of Calvin Synod’s national and foreign missions benevolences, particularly toward our needy Hungarian brethren at home and abroad. Our Bishop and Council ask Synod’s pastors’ church members and leaders, as well as all friends who wish to contribute to this worthy cause in the Christian spirit of “bearing one another’s burdens,” to do so on September 6 by placing their gift envelopes in the collection plates or mailing them to the Synod Treasurer: Rev. Joseph Kecs- kemethy, 220 Fourth St., Passaic, N.J. 07055. Please make checks payable to: “Calvin Synod, Bishops’ Benevolence Fund.” All pastors are asked to attend the installation in their clerical robes. Looking forward to meeting you in Ligonier on this auspicious occasion, the members of the Synod Council and Installation Committee are, Your friends in Christ, Joseph Kecskemethy Chairman-Treasurer Aaron Elek Joseph Marsalko Deputy Bishop General Secretary John Nemesnyik Synod Presbyter P.S. As new treasurer of your synod may I respectfully ask for the kind cooperation and support of all our pastors and congregations requesting them for punctual payments of all synodical assessments (synod administration, travel, missions, all synod appeals, etc.). This synod is our synod, yours and mine. Therefore, it needs and deserves our whole-hearted support. Let’s give all we can for: “Giving is living,” the angel said, “Go feed the hungry sweet charity’s bread.” “And I must keep giving again and again?” My selfish querulous answer ran. “Oh, no!” said the angel, piercing me through, “Just give till the Master stops giving to you.” THE CALVIN SYNOD Conference of The United Church of Christ cordially invites you and your family to attend THE INSTALLATION SERVICE of ITS FIRST BISHOP The Right Reverend ÁRPÁD L. BERETZ on Monday evening, September sixth 19~1 at seven o’clock In The Bethlen Home’s Church Ligonier, Pennsylvania The Installation Service Is Followed by a Reception in the Childrens Home