Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-06-01 / 6-7. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD to do with love and respect for the aged. Secondly, it attacks racial bigotry. The music moderately disonant with oriental flavor. Easily communicate with the listeners. The main soloists were Joan Hunkin, soprano, Paula Clarke, alto, Kenneth Daubner, tenor. Also Julee Andree, soprano and Louise Luschek (speaking part), members of the First Hungarian Reformed Church, Cleveland, Ohio. The short opera composed for soloists, chorus and chamber orchestra. (D.C.) Short Synopsis of the Opera Time: Biblical time tents. Place: Bethlehem of Judea Naomi, a widow, is returning with Ruth to her village, which had experienced years of famine while she has prospered. Ruth, daughter-in-law of Naomi, is quickly discerned to be an outsider, a Moabitess, because of her strange sounding accent and foreign garb. Insults follow ruthlessly. Naomi, frightened for Ruth’s safety, bids her return to her home. Ruth replies simply, “Do not bid me leave you. Your people are my people, your gods, my gods. Beside you in death let me lie.” To this violent scene approaches Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman, a man of great wealth. He stands up for Ruth and tells them she has been a faithful gleaner in this fields, at all times modest, and devoted to her mother-in-law. He also warns them of the Jew’s law as written, “when the stranger comes within our gates, don’t refuse her or him. Open your hearts with mercy and love. And your accusation, “She is a Moabitess, she came from another race. Can you be sure of your family tree? Mercy and love are more important than tradition.” Boaz takes her to wife. PALM SUNDAY CONFERENCE The twenty-first Palm Sunday Conference, under the theme heading of “Christ and Our Christianity,” was held at John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, with several hundred people attending from various geographical points of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D. C. Men, women and young people had an opportunity to hear and discuss lectures in both the Hungarian and English languages during the afternoon’s presentations which culminated with a capstone devotional hour of diversified contributions. These creative selections evolved into a highly meaningful and soulsatisfying program which included well-known and beloved hymns of all time, among which, appropriately enough to this Conference, was one written by John Calvin; the guest organist, Mrs. Imre Bertalan (who is also known as Councilwoman Margaret Kosa Bertalan, of New Brunswick, N. J.) especially doing justice to all in the musical accompaniments and portrayals. Relevantly stirring literary excerpts were proferred throughout the early afternoon session by the Reverend Dr. András Harsányi and Bishop Dezső Ábrahám as well as the Reverend Zoltán Király. Quotations of historical and theological significance were also given by Reverends Ferenc Vitéz, László Egry and András Hamza, the latter’s presentation of a prayer by Karl Barth being particularly noteworthy to the occasion. Solo renditions by the Reverend Imre Bertalan were most uplifting auditorily and spiritually—as also were the immensely gratifying choral works by the Adult Choir of the Passaic church under the capable direction of Mrs. Frigyes Kormann, and anthems by the Adult Choir of the Woodbridge church together with their organist-director, Mrs. László Egry. In fitting acknowledgment, it can truly be said that the entire presentation of the worship service, coming under the theme of “Faith of Our Fathers”, which was derived from the one thousand year old Hungarian Christian literature, unfolded in beautiful format and tended to depict an extension of a Christianlike gesture of hopeful, universal altruism. The program was compiled by Rev. Vitéz. It undoubtedly touched most, if not all, of those who attended and it seemed as if everyone came away genuinely moved with soul-satisfying feelings and anticipatory outlook of giving and experiencing more — much more of the same type of thing. The varied and aesthetic quality of this kind of creative program apparently leaves many individuals changed in some positive form, and possibly in the future, additional plans can include similar enjoyable presentations.—M. Takacs Barboe ORDINATION On May 26, at the Hungarian United Church of Christ, Laurel Ave., Bridgeport, Conn., the Rev. Anthony M. Szilagyi, Jr. was ordained. Bishop Árpád L. Beretz in conjunction with Dean Francis Vitéz performed the ordination ceremony. Dr. John Butosi, Dr. Alexander Havadtoy, Dr. Stephen M. Bessemer, pastor of the local congregation, Rev. Zoltán Király, and Father Dennis Szőcs took part in the Worship Service. Following the ordination, the Szilagyi Family presented a robe to the newly ordained pastor and on behalf of the Bridgeport congregation, Mr. Joseph Poruban presented a Bible to him. A reception given by the congregation in honor of the new pastor followed the Worship Service. HONORARY DEGREE FOR WARC SECRETARY AT KOLOZSVÁR On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the United Protestant Theological Seminary—Hungarian Reformed Theological Faculty—honorary degrees were conferred on a number of Reformed and Lutheran churchmen, among them the Rev. Edmond Perret, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. The other Reformed churchmen who received an honorary doctorate of divinity are Dr. Tibor Bartha, presiding bishop of the Reformed Church of Hungary, who is a member of the executive committee of the WARC, Bishop István Csete of the Reformed Church in Yugoslavia, and Dr. James I. McCord, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, USA, who is secretary of the North American Area of the WARC. Lutheran recipients of the degree include Dr. Mikko Juva, Finland, president of the Lutheran World Federation, and LWF staff member Dr. Paul Hansen. At a special convocation of the Institute’s senate and governing council on May 14-15, Mr. Perret and Dr. McCord were among four speakers who highlighted various aspects of theological dialogue between Protestants and Orthodox. The Kolozsvár Institute trains ministers for the Reformed, Lutheran and Unitarian churches in Erdély (Transylvania). Prior to 1949, the Institute, which is affiliated to the University, served the Hungarian Reformed Church only. Following the celebrations, Mr. Perret was the guest of the 800,000 strong Hungarian Reformed Church in Transylvania. He visits a number of congregations and had discussions wtih churchleaders in the country. rps
