Calvin Synod Herald, 1977 (77. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1977-03-01 / 3-4. szám

4

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

FOUR WEEKS OF “KAIROS” FOR OUR SYNOD

The original language of the New Testament uses two words for “time.” One is chronos. This is clocktime, measured in hours, days, weeks and years. The other is kairos. This is clock-time plus. Time plus opopportunity. A period of grace during which certain tasks can and should be done. The Apostle admonishes us to “make the most of kairos, because the days are evil” (Ephasians 5:16).

It was the ticking of kairos, and not of chronos, your acting editor could hear as he listened to the summary of the actions taken by the Synodical Council during its March 7-9 meeting in New York City. These coming four weeks will be tremendously important in the life of Calvin Synod, and if we use our kairos wisely, however evil these days be, the Synod’s tomorrow could be a brighter one.

THE RETREATS

The 1976 resolution of Synod has been implemented by Council, and the churches of the Synod will meet in two groups “to identify and analyze some of the factors that are influencing the current situation in our congregations, Synod, and personal lives.” Pastors, their spouses, officers of the consistory, church organizations, especially the Sunday School teachers should make special effort to attend.

The Western, Lake-Side, and Central Classes’ retreat will start on Monday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. in the Holiday Inn, Cleveland-South, 4742 Brecksville Road, Richfield, Ohio (which is '2 mile south on US Route 21 at Ohio Turnpike Exit 11), and will close at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. In the afternoon Dr. Stephen Szabó will speak on the topic “What does our past experience teach us?” The R. Rev. Arpad Beretz will speak on “Dangers and opportunities ahead of us.” On the basis of these two presentations the participants will try to make an honest survey of the situation in the congregations and in Synod, and try to formulate a clear diagnosis. The evening session will try to visualize the direction in which we should go, analyze the possibilities, and formulate recommendations that would go to the Classes and to the Synod in April. The following morning we will examine where we are in our ministry, the joys and frustrations of both ministers and lay-leaders, try to decide with openness and trust how we can help each other in our mutual ministry. A communion service will end the retreat around noon-time, which will emphasise the fact that we examine our problems, seek solutions as the People of the Covenant, responsible for each other, bound together by the precious blood of our Lord.

The Eastern Cfassis will meet for a full day retreat on March 26th, Saturday from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening at the Manville, N.J. church. The topic will be the same. The resource person at

this meeting will be the Rev. Richard B. Griffis, Assistant to the UCC President.

PALM SUNDAY CONFERENCE

On Palm Sunday, April 3rd, the Eastern Classis will hold its traditional Palm Sunday Conference at the South Norwalk Church. The program of this 24th conference in an uninterrupted row will be as follows:

2:30-3:00

3:15-3:25

3:30-4:45

5:15-5:50

6:15

Registration in the Auditorium Opening moments in the church, Rev. Zoltán Szabó, South Norwalk, Conn. Presentation and Discussion:

“Whence and Whereto—With Christ” Speaker: The Rev. Nathaniel M. Guptill, Hartford, Conn.

English Group — Moderator Rt. Rev. dr. John Butosi, Bishop Hungarian Group — Moderator Rev. Leslie Egry, Woodbridge, N.J. Youth Group — Moderator Rev. Andrew Hamza, Manville, N.J. Devotion in the church Rev. Leslie Egry, Woodbridge, N.J. Supper in the Auditorium

THE HOLIDAYS

The eight days from Palm Sunday to Easter Day form the richest and most meaningful period in our Christian calendar. The Synodical Council and the Editorial Board of CSH wishes you all the peace, hope and courage that spring from the glorious event on Easter morning. “The Lord is risen indeed!” “Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

THE 39TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CALVIN SYNOD CONFERENCE

The place is Ligonier, Pa. in the Holiday Inn, the time: April 18-20, from Monday 1:00 to Wednesday 1:00 p.m.

Besides transacting official business prescribed by the constitution, the main objective of this meeting will be the seeking of valid answers to the question of survival of our congregations and our Synod. The meeting will receive the findings and recommendations of the two retreats, debate them, and will make concrete plans to implement them. In short: the meeting will search for the new life-style that will assure the survival and the more effective witness of our Synod and the local congregations.

At 1:00 Monday afternoon Dr. Joseph Piri, Synod Presbyter, will give the key-note address, the topic being, “The Importance of the Survival of Our Synod and the Future of the Upbuilding Service of Our Con-