Calvin Synod Herald, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)
1972-08-01 / 8-9. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 5 Golden Bull defined the constitutional responsibility of the King and empowered the nation to contradict and resist the monarch and his successors, without incurring a charge of treason, if an attempt was made to infringe upon the rights and liberties as defined by the law. The Golden Bull is frequently called the Magna Carta of Hungary. Its content bears a striking resemblance to that of the English Magna Carta, which preceded it by only seven years, and various parallels have been noted in the events leading up to the issuance of the two documents. L.C. Bulletin * Ten Commandments For Senior Christian Ministry written by Rev. Robert H. Calvert Protestant Chaplain, Erie County Home and Infirmary 1. Thou shalt make a significant place in the life of your church for Senior Christians; treat them with dignity and encourage them to utilize their strengths. 2. Thou shalt welcome the Senior Christian in deeds as well as in works, offer transportation, remove building barriers, and provide such aids as: large print Bible and an adequate public address system. 3. Thou shalt have a committee whose responsibility it is to study and develop programs with and for Senior Christians. These should complement and not duplicate existing community programs in which members may participate. 4. Thou shalt be familiar with agencies serving the Senior Citizen and knowledgeable regarding services offered. Appropriate supportive services will enable the Senior Christian to retain much of his independence. 5. Thou shalt work to improve the number and variety of services offered to Senior Citizens by the total community. 6. Thou shalt not stereotype persons over sixtyfive, but treat them as individuals with different desires and needs. 7. Thou shalt not forget the Senior Christians who are unable to attend worship or other church activities, but shall show your concern with regular visits and assistance when needed. 8. Thou shall not overlook the unchurched Senior Citizen in your neighborhood because he is likely to need more actual services than many of your own church members. 9. Thou shall not ignore the moral and spiritual dilemmas faced by Senior Christians, but re-examine them in the light of Christian theology. 10. Thou shall not expect programs and services to Senior Christians to be self-supporting, but plan realistically to share your time, talent, and treasure for this significant ministry. CHURCH UNION ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Shock at the withdrawal of the United Presbyterians from the Consultation on Church Union has obscured “heartening evidence” that the movement is very much alive, COCU leaders were told here. Speaking at the opening session of a three-day COCU executive committee meeting, Dr. Paul A. Crow, Princeton, N. J., the Consultation’s general secretary, said that the United Presbyterian action at the Denver, Colo., General Assembly cannot be minimized, but neither should it be exaggerated. He noted that the General Assembly itself voted 396 to 224 in Denver to reconsider the action, but this margin was short of that required for reconsideration. Turning to what he believes to be recent evidence of COCU’s strength, Dr. Crow cited: — “Overwhelming” approval by the United Methodist General Conference in late April for continuing in COCU “with a view to the perfecting of a plan of union.” — Action by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a COCU participant, affirming its ecumenical stance and establishing for the first time an ecumenical office. — An affirmative vote on COCU by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Board of Bishops. — Generally positive responses to the union plan from the Episcopal Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the latter to be voted upon by the Disciples’ General Board. — Continuing positive response from churches around the world, including a German evangelical church that has been studying the plan of union extensively. “I still believe God wills a united church for his people,” the general secretary asserted. “I still believe that the Consultation on Church Union is an instrument of his will.” Returning to the United Presbyterian action, Dr. Crow voiced his belief that the vote indicated a “tragic misunderstanding of the Consultation” as stemming only from top church leadership instead of being identified with the “little” people. “Church union is not a merging of ecclesiastical structures, but a search for a new community, unlike the church any of us has known in our past separateness, and which visibly expresses the oneness of Christ and his church for a broken world,” he said. “Such a Consultation (as COCU) surely carries the potential of rebirth.” The eight denominations now participating in the Consultation are the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ,) Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church U.S., United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church.
