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

1979-07-01 / 7-8. szám

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CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

bilingual ministers. We are the only Hungarian Reformed church body in America which has annual meetings, active conference council, regular newsletter and church paper. Of course, we can and should improve, especially making our paper committees viable tools of ministry, but do not despise the Synod administration. It is His benefit!

(b) DIAKONIA. In addition to the heart-lung machines which are still

supported by the Cleveland East Side Church, the Synod helped the Johnstown flood victims not only financially ($5,688.28), but also administratively through the compassionate work of the Rev. A. E. Antal, and others. I know that the

Central Classis churches are helping the Nursing Home at Ligonier in the spirit

of true diakonia. But let me call your attention especially to our diaspora ministry in South America.According to the Rev. Imre Szabó, our pastor in Argentina, this work would collapse without our aid. Do not forget them and if possible let us find workers for Brazil and Uruguay — in His ministry!

(c) ERDELY. Last year I reported on this ministry in greater details, because it must be close to all of us. Now let me add to it only the newer developments.

(1) THE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF is still going on. Part of our contributions have alreadv reached our Transylvanian churches, and the balance is in the process of reaching its destination. But since the Romanian government officially denies the fact the earthquake of March 45, 1977 hit Transylvania, we have to be careful and diplomatic if we want to reach our goal. We made the State Department aware of this problem!

(2) THE WHEEL CHAIRS were added to our Transylvanian projects by the request of trustworthy leaders. We wanted to send them from Switzerland through HEKS. Do you know how much would it cost? One wheel chair would cost about $1,000, with transportation $1,175. But that is not all! The Romanian customs would be equivalent of the value which means another $1,000. Thus the two wheelchairs would cost us about $4,350 ... Evidently we have to find other ways or abandon the project.

(3) THE HUMAN RIGHTS struggle is moving on three levels. First, “The Committee For Human Rights in Rumania” continues to render a valuable service and we support them morally and financially. Second, the Subcommittee on International Trade is exercising more and more pressure on Romania at the renewal of the Most Favored Nation status, due to the conscientious work of the Connecticut citizens in general, and the Rev. Dr. A. Havadtoy in particular; of course the Synod leadership is supporting him in this work morally and financially. Thirdly, our own denomination is preparing a pronouncement on Human Rights, and Dr. Havadtoy and myself worked hard that the document would be as good as possible. I kept the issue alive at the Reformed Alliance as well.

(4) THE VISITATION has not materialized, not because shortly after our last meeting a widely circulated, ill-conceived open letter tried to intimidate me (I consider such an attitude distasteful, destructive and detesting), but because circumstances were not favorable. However, I regret that I could not go as it would have been a great help for all to rely on newer personal data in our struggle for Erdély.

It is my firm conviction that we should not only continue, but intensify our vigilance and efforts in regard to Erdély. Now that the official support of Hungary is again muted, while the Romanians are preparing to celebrate their myth of 2,000 years at a Daco-Roman Congress next year in Bucarest, we should be even more alert and active in this crucial ministry.

4. BLESS THE LORD THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED TOGETHER IN HIS MINISTRY IN COOPERATION WITH OTHERS. The Erdély case in an illustration of this fact, but let me mention two other areas as well.

(a) TAKING PART IN THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF OUR DENOMINATION. During the time of 3 UCC President (R. Moss, J. Evans, A. Post) our Synod achieved acceptance, understanding, appreciation, freedom to be what we are, opportunity to serve in covennantal fellowship. After my term expired in the Executive Council, the 10th General Synod elected another member of our Synod, Chaplain Maj. Dr. John Szilvasy to this august body and the Rev. Margaret Beretz to the Nominating Committee, while the 11th General Synod elected 3 members of our Synod to corporate membership in the Board of Homeland Ministries (L. Antal, A. Ludwig, S. Virgulák). Never in our history have we achieved such representation in our denomination! As a matter of fact, I am representing the denomination in the North American and Caribbean Area Council

len Home cannot obtain Zoning Board approval, Synod is interested in purchasing the building (but not with the present Synod funds) ;

(b) Synod opposes the dividing of the Bethlen Collection and seeks ways to save it together (starting negotiations with the American Hungarian Foundation) ;

(c) The minimum base salary of full time pastors be raised to $11,000;

(d) The Conference Council is to use other than reported membership number in submitting to each member church a suggested quota.

— The budget of $52,772.00 was accepted with the note that travel equalization needs re-evaluation.

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THE REV. ATTILA WM. KISH passed away on May 8 in Kalamazoo, Mich, at the age of 40... Synod expressed prayerful sympathy to his mother.

The Rev. Margaret L. E. BERETZ was ordained on April 8, 1979 in Hammond, Ind. by Bishop Butosi.

THE RT. REV. ARPAD L. BERETZ was hospitalized during Synod Meeting: a letter of good wishes was signed by the delegates.

INSTALLATIONS; The Rev. Nicholas Novak on April 22 in Pittsburgh, Pa. and the Rev. Dr. László Medyesy on May 6, 1979 in Wallingford, Ct. were installed by Bishop Butosi.

FUNERALS: Mrs. Louis Varga, widow of Rev. L. Varga on April 3, 1979 in Ligonier, Pa.; Bishop Dr. Lajos Bakos on May 4 in Veszprém, Hungary. (Died on April 26, age: 74.)

TRANSFER: Rev. Elizabeth Nitsch to Presbyterian Church of Canada. (Director of Anishinabe Fellowship Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba.)

VACANT CHURCHES:

1. Lorain, Ohio, Hungarian Reformed. Call Dr. J. Wagner, Western Reserve Assoc., 4277 Pearl Rd., Cleveland, Ohio or the Bishop’s Office.

2. Toledo, Ohio — Calvin UCC. Call Rev. R. D. Perl, Northwest Ohio Association, 33 1/2 So. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio or Bishop’s Office.

3. Kalamazoo, Mich., Hungarian Reformed. Became vacant with the death of the Rev. Attila Wm. Kish. Call Bishop Parragh: 312-456-3398.

4. Johnstown-Vintondale-Windber. Call Bishop Parragh!

CELEBRATIONS: Our Gary, Ind. church celebrated its 65th anniversary on April 29, the Ladies’ Aid Society of So. Norwalk their 60th anniversary on May 13, and the Ladies’ Aid Society

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