Calvin Synod Herald, 1977 (77. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-07-01 / 7-8. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD NEWS ITEMS BOOKS The Unity We Seek, A Statement by the Roman Catholic (Presbyterian-Reformed Consultation, ed. by Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler and Dr. Andrew Harsanyi. Paulist Press, New York Ramsey) Toronto, 1977. Pp. 135. $4.95. This book is an official report sponsored by the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian-Reformed Churches which lays the groundwork for what could be the “concrete goal of the Christian unity’’ of their communions. It is the product of four years of intensive discussions among American theologians and Church leaders who explored and drew up recommendations on the nature of the Church, Christian belief, Church structure, and worship. The joint statement enumerates a number of practical steps which could have a profound impact on the lives of grass-roots congregations. Among its recommendations are proposals for shared ministries, a shared Eucharist on some occasions, democratization of Church structures, covenant communities at a local level, and stepped-up education programs among the faithful. At the same time the experts pledged themselves to a deeper study of ecah other’s creedal statements and of the other remaining barriers to unity. The authors of this statement declare that the unity they seek is a “communion of communions,” a Church made up of Churches, each with its own history and traditions, gathered together in the name of Christ by faith and baptism. Margaret Fekete Csóványos, A New Bouquet, Exposition Press, Inc. Hicksville, N.Y., 1977. P. 88. $7.50. Photographs by László Csóványos, M.D. Margaret Fekete Csóványos shares the garden of life with the readers of A New Bouquet. She picks the springfresh flowers of childhood happiness and preserves them in her poetry, as she has the autumn-sorrow of parting with a loved one, and the lasting rose of love. Her poetry is a varied bouquet; it speaks equally well of whimsy, love, faith, home, and death. She draws the reader into her poetry, making him feel — as well as understand — what she says. In her work, Margaret Fekete Csóványos continually expresses a deep and lasting faith in the value of life’s most tragic experiences. She demonstrates that talent in her poem “Mother’s Last Words.” All in all, Margaret Fekete Csovanyos’s poetry is from the garden of life with a spring of bittersweet tied up in its bouquet. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The daughter of Hungarian parents, Margaret Fekete Csóványos was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. When she was four, her famiy moved to nearby Fairfield, where she was graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School. She began her writing career as the author of a movie scenario, at the age of fifteen. Today Margaret Fekete Csóványos is a medical assistant to her husband, who is a physician. They live in East Norwalk, Connecticut. In her spare time she writes and enjoys her hobby of growing orchids. She also serves on the Church Council of the Hungarian Reformed Church of South Norwalk, and participates in patriotic and civic affairs. Margaret Fekete Csóványos is the author of a novel, Widow Julia, and a small volume of poetry, My Verse Book. * SPOTLIGHT: ROOTS OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST With all the interest today in finding one’s “roots,’’ you should be aware of one of the monographs in the Heritage Series, which was recently published by the United Church Press: European Roots of the United Church of Christ by Lowell H. Zuck. Professor Zuck, Professor of Church History at Eden Theological Seminary, traces the varied rootage of the UCC to the several Reformation traditions in Germany, Switzerland, and England. He notes a variety of ways in which the roots of our four predecessor denominations overlapped in early years. And he concludes by noting that our rootage is not only in Europe but firmly in the life of contemporary America. European Roots of the United Church of Christ, in 18 brief pages, sketches where we came from and how we got here. While it is church history, it is church history for the average reader. Notes are appended at the end for the more serious student. Ed’s Cipsheet, May —77 LIGONIER Elders conference: September 4-5 Ministers conference: September 5-6 Be sure to attend! $10 MILLION '78 BUDGET APPROVED GS11 voted the following budgets for 1978: Board for World Ministries $2,360,000 Board for Homeland Ministries 2,210,000 Stewardship Council 900,000 Executive Council 850,000 Contributions .......................... 107,000 Pension Boards 850,000 Office for Church Life and Leadership.......... 850,000 Commission for Racial Justice ................................. 775,000 Office for Church in Society 400,000 Office of Communication .... 350,000 A.D.................................... 198,000 Reserve ..................................... 150,000 TOTAL ................................. $10,000,000 A projected budget for 1979 of $10.5 million was also voted by GS11. WHY PASTORS QUIT Three to five years after seminary, the idealism evaporates. At age 40, longheld goals may still seem unattainable, and the early 60’s bring fear of retirement. These three crisis points are the most common times that pastors quit, according to Southern Baptist pastoral consultant Bob Dale. Mr. Dale’s observations were cited in “Why Pastors Drop Out,” in the January 7 issue of Christianity Today. The article also cited a 1970 UCC study, Ex-Pastors: Why Men Leave the Parish Ministry. That study pointed to conflict with the congregation, distortion of the pastor’s role and personal problems as the main trouble areas. The article also noted that the rise of professionalism in other fields had eroded traditional respect for pastors, leaving many with a sense of inadequacy. Kyp-March 1, 1977 %
