Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-05-01 / 5-6. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD tions submitted THROUGH THE CONFERENCE TREASURY to United Church Board for World Ministries for the support of our Hungarian diaspora work in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, will be credited toward our Basic Support allocation of $10,000. (c) Let me call your attention to the renewed union talks of the UCC with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We should seriously study what it means for us if the 1.3 million member Disciples of Christ unite with UCC by 1983. We are already asked to suggest Conference contact person and persons for the Speakers Bureau. (d) The 11th General Synod, held on July 1-5 in Washington, D.C., unanimously accepted our ‘Resolution on Human Rights with special emphasis on Rumania” (I will report on it in connection with “Erdély”); elected Rev. Dr. A. Ludwig and Mrs. E. Virgulák as corporate members of UCBHM; and spent considerable time in discussing “Human Sexuality.” Our Synod delegation joined the minority resolution on this latter subject, but it is not clear yet how we can participate in the work of the minority caucus and how should we guide our churches in this issue. (e) I was unable to attend several meetings designed for conference ministers on account of our stringent financial policy. I am not sure this is good for us! 5. ERDÉLY. Because of its special significance for us, I have to deal with this issue separately. It has at least 3 levels. (a) EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. It is well known that our Synod was the first church body to call attention to the earthquake damages suffered by the Reformed Church in Romania on March 4, 1977. Since then, not only our churches responded to our call generously, but we became the trusted channel of assistance for many others as well both at home and abroad. This work is far from being completed! And we shall not rest until the work is done. Our Church World Service also stands ready to help. We plead for your continued trust and support! (b) HUMAN RIGHTS STRUGGLE. While we are in close cooperation with all those who emphasize the political aspects of this problem, our special concern is to mobilize church communions for the support of the thrice oppressed Reformed churches in Transylvania. I am happy to report that the human right issue, with special emphasis on Romania, Philippines and South Korea,, has become one of the ten priorities in the UCC, which means that the Executive Council is obligated to implement it. I was already notified that Gretchen Eick is the new policy advocate in the Washington Office of the Office for Church in Society assigned to human rights issues, and the Conference Council formed a committee (J. Butosi, A. Harsanyi, A. Havadtoy, L. Hamos) to assist her and help the Office to prepare a pronouncement on human rights for GS 12. — In addition to UCC, the Hungarian Ref. Church in America and the Gen. Synod of the Reformed Church in America also passed resolution on behalf of the Erdély cause. As UCC representative to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches I presented our Romanian resolution to the North American and Caribbean Area Council early this year in Princeton, and the Council not only endorsed its concern, but also charged Gen. Secretary E. Perret personally to convey it to the Church in Romania. Of course, prayer, “consciousness raising, work must continue here, too! (c) VISITATION. Although Bishop László Papp of Nagyvárad invited many of us for a quick visit, we did not follow his suggestion. Our Conference Council discussed this question in details and set conditions for such visit. (See X:D/9/77) Our first condition was that “the invitation must come in a formal, written form: who is inviting us, for what purpose, under what condition, when, etc.” On July 9, 1977 the official invitation arrived setting the date of the visit for September, 1977. Because a similar invitation was sent to Drs. I. McCord and W. Thompson of the UPCUSA, we jointly declined the date, but left the door open provided that our conditions were met. We agreed that we do not want to make a trip to Romania that could be used as a propaganda victory, on the other hand, we do want to do everything that is possible for our people. Bishop Papp recently replied to our letter and a visit is now imminent. I would appreciate the guidance of the Synod in this THE TOLEDO CHURCH celebrated ils Diamond Jubilee on April 30, 1978. THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA has official meeting in May. Pray for God’s blessings on them! THE PALM SUNDAY CONFERENCE OF EASTERN CLASSIS WAS HELD in English and in Hungarian for men, women and young people on March 19, 1978 at the Bridgeport, Conn. Church. The opening devotion was held by Rev. Alexander Babos on the occasion of the 25 th Anniversary of the First Palm Sunday Conference of Eastern Classis. The topic: “God extends a personal call to you through Jesus Christ” was presented by Dr. Alexander Havadtoy with an evangelistic personal challenge with regard to the 25th Anniversary. This was followed by various group discussions guided by Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butosi Bishop, Dean Zoltán Szabó, and the Rev. Zoltán Király, where a need for having Bible study groups was expressed. The closing devotion was held by Dean Zoltán Szabó with the participation of the Choir groups of our Bridgeport, Fairfield, and South Norwalk, Conn, churches. A delicious fellowship supper was served by the host church in Bessemer Hall. It is interesting to recall that the first Palm Sunday Conference of Eastern Classis was held on April 11, 1954 in the Fairfield Evangelical and Reformed Church, and it started with Bible Study classes conducted by the Rev. Stephen M. Böszörményi, the Rev. Arpad Beretz and Miss Margaret Kováts. The topic of the Conference was “Christ is our only Hope,” and the speakers were Mr. Alexander Csik of South Norwalk, Conn, then Vice-President of the Hungarian Elders’ National Conference, and Miss Margaret Kováts. After the Workshops guided by Rev. Maria Babos, Mr. Ambrosius Cikay and Miss Jean Parker, a fellowship hour followed in the Sanctuary. The supper was offered by the host Church in Calvin Hall. The 1978 Palm Sunday Conference drew an interested group of about 140 people from six churches. Participants left with a feeling that a revival of our Palm Sunday Conferences and Church life is imperative to face the serious problems of our age. Dean Zoltán Szabó NEW BISHOP The Reformed Church of Carpatho- Ukraine (fjSSR) has a new bishop. He is the Rev. Paul Forgon of Beregovo
