Calvin Synod Herald, 1979 (79. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-01-01 / 1-2. szám

4

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

CALVIN SYNOD ACTS TO SAVE OUR HOME

When our Synod had the first official opportunity to act on this problem, on April 18, 1978, the delegates of the 40th Annual Meeting unanimously passed the following resolution:

“In the spirit of our godly heritage which has made the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, the Bethlen Home, and our churches ONE family in the service of our people, The Calvin Synod Conference of the UCC wishes to use the Children’s Home bulidings of the Bethlen Home with option to buy them in 3-5 years, in order to create a HUNGARIAN REFORMED CENTER for the purpose of cultivating the ecclesiastical, scientific, cultural, educational, social and fraternal programs of our people. Therefore, the Conference Council be authorized to enter into negotiatonis with the HRFA regarding the use of the Children’s Home buildings of the Bethlen Home. After a suitable agreement is reached concerning maintenance, amortization mortgage payment, and a Council-prepared plan and budget, it is to be approved by a referendum vote of the delegates of the 40th Annual Meeting of The Calvin Synod not later than May 25, 1978. The approval of the referendum vote empowers the Conference Council to act on and execute the necessary official papers.”

This resolution reflects the determination of the Synod to keep that which is ours. The unanimous, courageous, constructive action was supported by the Hungarian Reformed Church in America on July 5, 1978. Now two Hungarian church bodies are on record to work for the future of our common heritage. Why?

A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

In the implementation of the Synod’s resolution, the Conference Council presented a written proposal to the Board of Managers of the Bethlen Home as well as to the Board of Directors of the same. This proposal spells out the detailed plan for the creation of a Hungarian Reformed Center with a full-time Center Director who would be primarily a publicrelation person, speaking and writing both English and Hungarian fluently, promoting the interest of both churches and Federation, meeting the new needs of our people for a viable future. Under his supervision, part-time professionals would work on the museum, archives and library projects. In short, the place, the person(s) and the program answer the question, “Why are we interested in this project so vitally?”

THE PLACE which is much more than property for us, would not be lost to someone else for money, but would continue to be a center of good will, a meeting place for all Hungarian chinch groups, a common ground for Church and Federation, a “shrine” of our past, an inspiring home in our present crisis, and a hope for a United Hungarian Reformed Church. We would have a place where the ever-increasing library, museum and archive material of our people

would be collected and made available to scholars, community leaders and all interested persons: an ethnic group of almost 100 years in present day American society can no longer ignore this problem. We would have a place where our church groups would be able to provide the services necessary for the growth and welfare of their constituencies: there is no future for us without such services! We would have a place which eventually can be a school, an academy, a seminary, a cultural fortress — like Nagyenyed, Debrecen, Sárospatak, etc. — where Hungarian heritage is not only preserved, but cultivated and transmitted to the ongoing generations: which community can expect to live without such a function? We would have a place where we are home again.

THE PERSON who would be the first, long overdue, full-time servant of OUR churches, is envisioned as a friend, a counselor, an enabler, a resource person, catalist, a facilitator, etc., working not only in Ligonier, but in our districts and congregations as well. In cooperation with the administrator of the Bethlen Home he may render greatly needed assistance in the Ligonier complex. In co-operation with the Federation leadership, he may provide invaluable services to the Federation. In co-operation with the bishops he may be the trusted worker of many joint ventures as well as the good-will-ambassador of particular ministries. We would have a person who would be the symbolic executor of our newly found oneness and determination to win the future.

THE PROGRAM would be developed according to needs and means, but the Home would be ours to use and utilize. Evidently, we can and we should develop OUR long-waited curriculum for our Sunday Schools in order to transmit the faith that was in our forefathers. Evidently, we should pay particular attention to our youth, elders, pastors, church workers and leaders. Evidently workshops that would concentrate on our vital issues, such as refugees, diaspora ministry, cultural pluralism, etc. can and should be undertaken. Evidently, conferences, retreats, reunions, etc. can also be sponsored by various groups in the Center. Refresher courses, short-term seminars, special presentations can entice persons whom otherwise we would never meet.

These are ideas of a few persons, perhaps you can add many more, but I hope that the concept is convincing enough to invoke approval, enthusiasm and — sacrifice.. . Yes, sacrifice! For the financial side is crucial in all this.

HOW MUCH WOULD ALL THIS COST?

It is not clear yet how much the Federation would be willing to sacrifice in this undertaking of great importance for their future, too, but it is understood that the mortgage which is now on the property would be their responsibility. Provided that the Federation as owner would also take care of repairs beyond normal maintenance, and rent the buildings to the Synod for