Calvin Synod Herald, 1983 (83. évfolyam, 2-4. szám)
1983-08-01 / 4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 4 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA WOMAN OF THE YEAR Pittsburgh: Elizabeth Kecskemethy, Portland, ME, was honored here for her service and leadership in the United Church of Christ. She is one of 39 women from throughout the country recognized as outstanding leaders in the 1.75 million member denomination at its 14th General Synod in the Pittsburgh Convention Center. In a special “Celebrate the Gifts of United Church of Christ Women...A Living History” awards ceremony sponsored by the denomination’s Coordinating Center for Women in Church and Society, Mrs. Kecskemethy was cited for her “life-long work as a teacher and church and community leader” and for “unselfish and enduring contributions in building a cultural and spiritual milieu for Hungarian Reformed People in America.” The wife of a pastor from the Hungarian Reformed Church tradition, Mrs. Kecskemethy kept alive Hungarian culture through teaching and church and folk music in parishes in East Chicago; Passaic, NJ; Ligonier, PA; Chevy Chase, MD, and Portland, ME. She played the organ and directed the choir in her husband’s churches. In Ligonier, PA, Mrs. Kecskemethy met the challange of community opposition to the Reformed Church’s establishment of an orphanage and old people’s home. She became active in town activities, serving as director of the Methodist Church choir and the Ligonier Women’a Choral Club, founder of town library and president of the Women’s Club. Town hostility to the institution faded in light of her community spirit. Voted “Woman of the Year” in 1983 by the United Church’s Calvin Synod, Mrs. Kecskemethy attends Woodfords Congregational United Church of Christ, Portland. She and her husband, now retired, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in January. The award honors one woman in each of the denomination’s 39 state and regional conferences and racial/ ethnic caucuses and is given by United Church of Christ women in Mission, a national network of women in the church. Each conference and group selected its own recipient. Three conferences elected to honor all their women. The citation reads: For your vision of the church that helps others to see more clearly, For your ministry that inspires and challenges others, For your time, talent and energy that you give so unselfishly, The United Church of Christ celebretes your life and says thank you! It is evident to all who know you that God works through you. Thanks be to God! The United Church of Christ is a 1957 union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Long active in support of women’s rights, it ordained the first women in America in 1853. The 705 delegates meeting here at the church’s biennial General Synod set priorities, vote on budget and review the work of the denominational agencies. Thank You, Calvin Synod *** For the distinction of my having been named Woman of the Year, thank you Bishop Butosi and Calvin Synod Conference. This honor, followed on June 26 by General Synod's celebration of a distinguished woman from each of the 39 U.C.C. conferences, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event in my faith journey. I have been deeply touched. It is a joy to know that what I was able to give in service and leadership to our Hungarian Reformed Churches (U.C.C.) and our Bethlen Home, has been considered of lasting value to my conference in particular and worthy enough to be recognized by General Synod 14. The presence of our Calvin delegates and three members of my family gave me special support and encouragement. I continue reliving these precious moments and shall savor them for a long time to come. In giving I received much more than I gave. I am the richer for it... and grateful to have been, in a small way, a tool in God's hands. Again, for your consideration and esteem, thank you, dear Christian friends. God bless you. Elizabeth K. Kecskemethy Titles for Lay Ministry Changed in New Bylaws Extensive revisions in the UCC Constitution and Bylaws with respect to lay ministries, which have been under study by churches and association ministry commitees for more than four years, were adopted by General Synod 14 with almost no dissent. They provide for a new category, “licensed minister,” for lay persons who may be appointed by associations to a specific post for a limited time. The licensed minister is expected “to perform specified duties in a designated local church or within the association, mainly preaching and conducting services,” in absence of a pastor. The association may grant the licensed minister a vote for the duration of the appointment. The new term replaces the title “lay minister.” It will clarity the task of lay men and women who fill in at local churches where they are needed, according to Reuben A. Sheares II, executive director of the Office for Church Life and Leadership, and will clear up confusion that “lay minister” caused with the ministry of the laity in general. The title “commissioned minister" now replaces "commissioned worker.” It will be applied to a person “who has been called by God and commissioned for a specific church-related ministry." The new commissioned minister will have an association vote for the duration of the status. (Keeping You Posted) Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Kecskemethy.
