Calvin Synod Herald, 1986 (86. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-02-01 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 2 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA LIMPING ALONG by Béla Vassady “It is better to limp along the path of God’s word than to dash with all speed outside it,” wrote John Calvin in his Institutes; Béla Vassady has borrowed Calvin’s words for both his life’s motto and the title of this fascinating autobiography. More than just a collection of remembrances, this book is a theological autobiography — a confession and a profession of God’s grace and power in the life of one man and his family. When he arrived in America in 1946 at the age of 44, Béla Vassady was already a well-known and respected theologian in his native Hungary. He and his family had just lived through the long bombardment of Budapest, which drove them for months into unsanitary cellar-shelters while the Russian Communists and the German Nazis fought each other from street to street and from house to house. In America he continued his distinguished career with teaching positions at several prestigious seminaries, including Princeton, Fuller, the University of Dubuque, McCormick, and Lancaster. During the seventies he served as resident theologian at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has lectured and preached widely and has worked tirelessly for evangelical and ecumenical causes in a variety of organizations. With a cast of characters that includes some of the leading names of this century in theological and ecumenical circles, this book will be of particular interest in theological and ecumenical circles, this book will be of particular interest to ministers and theologians; but Vassady’s illustration CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Official Organ of the Calvin Synod, Conference of the United Church of Christ Rt. Rev. Zoltán Király, Bishop 220 Fourth St. — Passaic, N.J. 07055 Telephone: (201) 778-1019 MANAGING EDITOR: Paul Kantor ADMINISTRATOR: Charlotte K. Kantor PUBLISHING OFFICE: 365 E. Woodrow Avenue, P.O. Box 07812 Columbus, Ohio 43207 Telephones: (614)444-1473 or 444-1319 PRINTING OFFICE: Classic Printing Corp. 9527 Madison Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio44102 Telephone: (216) 631-3626 Published bi-monthly Individual Subscription $6.00 Group Subscription $4.00 yearly Postmaster: Send change of address to: P.O. Box 97812, Columbus OH 43207 Second Class postage paid at Columbus, Ohio ISSN 0161-6900 of what it means to live a truly joyful Christian life in the face of challenging circumstances makes the book appealing to general Christian readers as well. “In this autobiography. Hungary’s noted ecumenical theologian shares his rich insights into the meaning of Christian unity, while telling of his exciting adventures under political upheaval, his travels and associations with famous Christians. He adds important historical information about the great generation which founded the World Council of Churches. The narrative is readable, the confession inspiring. It deserves a wide reading.” — J. Robert Nelson, Director The Institute of Religion, Texas Medical Center “Did you see Him?” Our annual congregational meeting is history and from many of us this brings a sigh of relief. On the surface, this meeting reflects tension and distress. Some deliberately avoid coming to it because they don’t need the extra aggravation. Yet underneath the surface, our congregational meetings say a lot to the discerning eye or ear, Through our actions and reactions, through the tone and content of our reports and commnents, we reveal a great deal about our priorities, our love for church and each other, our love for the Lord, and our understanding of His ways. Specifically what did our Jan. 26th meeting show about Calvin Church? Well, on the human level, it showed the diversity of our fellowship. We had moments of celebration and laughter, and we had moments of confrontation and anger. Which taste remained with us after the meeting depended a lot on the attitude we brought into the meeting. And concerning our understanding of Christ’s ways, there are two sources to which we can turn for evaluation. This first is: our new members: those who attended the congregational meeting for the first time. We “old timers” do well to talk with the newcomer and to see how we came across in their eyes. Then there is the second source. He was at the meeting too, but 1 wonder how many noticed Him. He sat quietly at one of the tables, once or twice raising His hand to speak. This Person, of course, was our Lord, Jesus. Did you see him? We all do well to talk with the Lord and to see how we came across in His eyes. My guess is that there is a good deal about Calvin Church (His church) He will praise... and there will also be a great deal that we still have to learn... God’s blessings upon us and His church! Imre Bertalan Toledo, Ohio One Great Hour of Sharing In 1986, One Great Hour of Sharing will be observed in most United Church of Christ congregations on Sunday, March 9. Approximately one third of our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are used by Church World Service to meet a variety of emergency and continuing needs overseas. This year, Church World service provided food and blankets, medicine and tents, to starving people in Ethiopia, and homeless people in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Two-thirds of our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are retained by the Division of World Service of our own United Church Board for World Ministries. Their projects fall into four categories. Disaster Response provides emergency relief to victims of earthquakes and hurricanes, floods and mudslides, not only overseas but also in the United States. In 1984, we responded with assistance in 35 disasters. Development projects account for the largest share of the Division of World Service budget. Agricultural and water resources development programs are top priorities. Helping people help themselves is the guiding principle, whether the project is in Africa, the Middle East, or Latin America. Most United Church of Christ congregations will observe and celebrate One Great Hour of Sharing on Sunday, March 9. This appeal for support of our relief and development ministries overseas comes only once a year. But the work goes on every day. Some of our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are used by Church World Service to meet needs overseas. It is no accident that Church World Service personnel are rarely seen in television news pictures of relief efforts. Our gifts are used to empower local churches, most of which are already at work with the people in need. Human needs worldwide continue to exceed our available funds. One Great Hour of Sharing makes maximum use of our gifts by concentrating upon the causes rather than the symptoms of hunger and sickness, and by cooperating with partner churches abroad. The One Great Hour of Sharing appeal goes out only once a year. Thanks to our generous response, the service to humans in need continues every day.
