Reformátusok Lapja, 1971 (71. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-10-01 / 10. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 INSTALLATION & DEDICATION OF FIRST BISHOP The Right Reverend Arpad L. Beretz, pastor of Faith United Church of Christ, Hammond, Indiana, was Installed and Dedicated as First Bishop of Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ on September 6, 1971 at 7 p.m. in the Church of the Bethlen Home, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. More than forty-five clergymen from the United States and Canada attended the special service and installation ceremonies. Also present were over 200 lay delegates from local congregations and national church bodies. The Reverend Dr. Joseph Zsíros, a former professor of the newly installed Bishop, former president of the Sárospatak College and Seminary, and presently pastor of The Hungarian Reformed Church, Flint, Michigan, delivered the Installation Sermon. He was assisted by the former presidents of Calvin Synod: The Right Reverends: Matthais Daroczy, Dr. Stephen Szabó, Dr. Stephen Bessemer, Arpad George, and Dr. John Butosi. The Service of Installation was led by the Reverend Joseph Kecskemethy of Passaic, New Jersey, chairman of the Synodical Committee for the Installation of the Bishop. He was assisted in the Examination, Installation and Dedication by the members of the Synodical Council: The Reverend Aaron Elek, Deputy Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, The Reverend Joseph Marsalko, General Secretary of Wallingford, Connecticut, and Mr. John Nemes- nyik, Synod Presbyter of Passaic, New Jersey. Mrs. Joseph Kecskemethy of Passaic, New Jersey presided at the organ and rendered the following selections: The Prelude: “Maestoso” (from Fourth Concerto) by J. S. Bach; The Offertory: “Jesu, Thou Art Mine” by J. S. Bach; The Postlude: “Allegro” by Martini (1706-98). Words of greeting by the representatives of Hungarian churches and organizations were given following the Service and at a reception in the Bethlen Home. Also present were members of Bishop Beretz’s family, including his seventy-seven year old mother who resides in Stratford, Connecticut. THE RESPONSE of the Rt. Reverend Arpad L. Beretz delivered during his installation and dedication service as Bishop of Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ on Sept. 6, 1971, Ligonier, Pa.: Fathers and Brethren The office and the task to which you have called me is at once truly magnificent and truly awesome. At this moment, I feel only humility. Knowing, as I do, the challenge of the secular world to the whole church of Jesus Christ, the fears and the anxieties of man for his life and future, and knowing, also, the great expectation and hope with which our brethren, both here and abroad, look to our Calvin Synod Conference for spiritual guidance and material support, and knowing, too, the meagerness of my own resources to face the cruical and, perhaps, decisive issues confronting mankind, I turn only to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, my help and my guide. Bishop László Ravasz in the Agenda (Book of Worship) of the Reformed Church in Hungary speaking of the office of the bishop writes: “the bishop receives no power, dignity or charisma that he did not already receive at the time of his ordination. It is, therefore, the ordained servant of God who is called to minister as bishop.” Later he adds these words: “Reformed pastors are in possession of Apostolic Succession, correctly understood, by virtue of their ordination.” Fathers and Brethren: I call you, therefore, to share with me this office. Your prayers, your advice, your willingness to serve, in any capacity, when called upon, your faithfulness to and your respect for the office of Bishop, even when you find it difficult to do so, will make our office of Bishop an instrument of God’s will for us and for our congregations. May I be allowed a brief personal word at this time. It is a great joy for me that God in His grace and mercy allowed my family and my friends to be present at this service of Installation and Dedication. Especially, my mother, who in the midst of the Great Depression insisted that I go to Sárospatak, Hungary to study for the Ministry even though my finances were uncertain and my status as a student unknown. My father was a godly man, who sang in the choir with his two boys; who attended church faithfully; who on Sunday morning prepared himself for church by humming or singing hymns; who accepted the office of Presbyter most reluctantly because he felt that he was not worthy of the office. Yet, it was my mother who cast the deciding vote for the trip to Hungary and the ministry. How do you say thank you to mother, wife, brother, child, co-workers and friends, especially to my teachers and friends at Sárospatak? Of course, words cannot adequately express one’s feelings and emotions at a time such as this. I say to them and to you only this . I shall remember you in my prayers with love and affection. I ask that you, also, remember me in your prayers.
