Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

Kálvin Egyházkerület

DEAN’S REPORT FOR 1996-1997

Classis Secretary: Cathy Smith; Treasurer: Rev. William Nyerges;

Classis Elder: Mrs. Grace Shupp.

The Lakeside Classis is a different place lately. Two of our pulpits are vacant: Walton Hills and Dayton.* Walton Hills has a wonderful new worship center that is now complete with the new sanctuary. Fairport Harbor is in the planning phase of new Sunday School class rooms; Lorain is planning its 95th anniversary this fall; the West Side Cleveland church celebrated its 90th anniversary recently. The Columbus church is in a phase of self evaluation and seeking the direction for the next century.

As of this date I have not received any material to be included in this report from the Toledo, Ohio church, from the Walton Hills, Ohio church and from the Buffalo, New York church.

Although the Buffalo church belongs to the Lakeside Classis, due to geographical distances to the other churches of our Classis, it is very difficult to keep in touch with each other. The Toledo church belongs to the local Association of the UCC, however, we always invite them and welcome them to our Classis meetings.

Before I will present the individual reports of our churches, I take this opportunity to congratulate the U.C.C. Review Committee for their good work since last May. At the same time, I would like to echo some of the warnings of Bishop Vitéz. I agree with our dear bishop wholeheartedly in the idea that we should not make a hasty decision about the future of our Synod. I feel that if we would make any definite decision this year, it would be a hasty decision. Let us all listen carefully to the presentations; let us take home to our congregations all that we leam here; let us discuss it in our consistories and congregational meetings, and after all this has taken place, let us come back next year with propositions from our churches. Perhaps we can vote on the issue then. May God guide us on our narrow path.

Rev. István Nyeste, Dean, Lakeside Classis

* The Walton Hills, Ohio pulpit has been filled in June of 1997 by the Rev. Steven Geczy and the pulpit of Dayton, Ohio will be filled by the Rev. Gabor G. Nitsch in February of 1998.

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