Reformátusok Lapja, 1971 (71. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-03-01 / 3. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 13 warfare lies in the human heart, then the solution must begin in the hearts of men, too. Instead of demanding advantages for ourselves we must repent, give, serve, bless, and heal. As Christians we must pray and work for peace and press for policies which seek to relieve tensions, help the suffering, and aid the weak toward honorable independence. Ellen Nemesnyik THE PRINCETON SEMINAR, the second one in the Continuing Education Program of the Hungarian Ref. Pastors, will be held on May 17, 18, 19, 1971 (Monday evening through Wednesday noon). The program will include a round table discussion with prominent laymen, an analysis of sermons delivered on national holidays, and a theological orientation in “A Plan of Union.” Bishop Abraham and Rev. Bertalan were asked to work out the details and send out the invitation. Our pastors are urged to attend this meeting! MORE TIME FOR STUDY Consultation on Church Union has extended the time for churches to study the draft plan of union for the nine participating denominations from the end of 1971 to June 1972. From conferences with regional leaders around the country “the message has come loud and clear,” according to General Secretary Paul A. Crow, local church people want more time to study and prepare their criticisms and suggestions. K.Y.P. CHURCHES ORDAIN WOMEN AS SECOND-CLASS CLERGY Seventy churches around the world approve the ordination of women to the full ministry of Word and Sacrament, but discourage them from full participation in ruling bodies. This was the conclusion of a recent consultation on the ordination of women sponsored by the World Council of Churches. Most of the churches which ordain women have come to it in the last 10 years, but a parallel movement toward integrating the women into the power structure has not taken place, the participants said. Secondary forms of leadership are offered to women wherever possible. Recommendations to the WCC included a short-term research project on involvement of women in ministries of member chuches, and appointment of more women to WCC committees. K.Y.P. STRATTON SCHOLARSHIPS Bangor Seminary has established a scholarship fund in memory of Genevieve E. Stratton, a neighbor and friend of the seminary for many years. Much of the income from her bequest of more than $375,000, largest in the 154-year history of the school, will go to the scholarships. K.Y.P. UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY has elected its first woman chairman, Mrs. Horace Havemeyer, an Episcopalian of Dix Hills, N.J., and its first Catholic board members, Msgr. Myles M. Bourke and layman James B. Griffin. K.Y.P. POLLUTION GETTING YOU? A number of churches in fresh air country are looking for part-time residential, pastoral assistance for visitation and teaching ministries. They offer housing, car allowance and salary to supplement social security and annuity. All the churches are in Arizona. If you are retired but not tired, write: Southwest Conference, 10 East Roanoke Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85004. K.Y.P. CONFERENCE VOTES FUND FOR BLACK ENABLEMENT Washington-North Idaho Conference voted to raise $75,000 for a Black Enablement Fund to be raised among UCC members and administered by a committee of black churchmen. John Cannon, Seattle layman and moderator of the conference, will help administer the fund. James R. Smucker (then W-NI conference minister, coming soon to New York Conference) said the fund was designed to encourage the black community “to strengthen its own efforts and to solve its own problems.” He said the black community “knows its needs better than anyone else and we will not try to control them by putting strings on the money we raise.” The conference delegates also voted to endorse a proposal to liberalize the State’s abortion law. K.Y.P. TEXAS STRATEGY CAN HELP YOU DO A BIG JOB The United Campus Christian Life Committee (UCCLC) of Texas recently proposed a way in which Texas congregations could participate in a ministry to college students in situations in which there is no professional staff. While their suggestions may help your congregation if it finds itself in the same situation. The Committee proposed that a congregation enter into a relationship with UCCLC by designating a lay person as an Associate in Campus Ministry and then forming a committee for campus ministry composed of members of the congregation who are also faculty, students, administrative persons at a nearby college. The State association of Christian Campus life in return would: 1. Invite the associate campus minister or committee representatives to its meetings. 2. Provide professional consultations on the local situation. 3. Include the associate campus minister as a staff member of the UCCLC. 4. Make available special training events. 5. Send occasional mailings, regular and special resources, and notices. The relationship would be renewed at least every two years. A congregation will receive no regular financial assistance from the UCCLC, but funding requests for specific projects are given serious consideration. (Editor’s Clipsheet) INDIAN AMERICA: HOME OF THE BRAVES “. . . a courageous Italian, lost at sea, collided with a continent. Thinking he was in India, Columbus misnamed the inhabitants of the unexpected land. Misunderstanding, disrespect and deception have been the marks of the white man’s dealing with the original American ever since.” This is the beginning of an honest, revealing article seen in the September issue of United Church Herald that is important reading and program resource material. It contains, in addition to honest confession of our horrible treatment of the American Indians, some illuminating passages about what we can learn from them: “Whites have been slow to accept and respect the natural balances of life; the red man is an accomplished ecologist. Canadian Indians have long admitted, “My environment is stronger than I.’ ” “Menominess in Wisconsin still plant a tree for each one cut.” “But the most beautiful of their offerings — living with, rather than on, the land and sharing, rather than stealing, a brother’s dream — were not accepted.”
