Calvin Synod Herald, 1987 (87. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1987 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 4 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Reverend Zoltán Király, Bishop of Calvin Synod, U.C.C. — “Accept our gratefullness for having a Home, a center from which all our fraternal activities could be directed . . . give us opportunities to serve communities, to build churches, institutions, to help families in building their dreams into realities, to help students to advance in their studies, to help the aged, the elderly and the retired, that they are not forgotten or lonelv . . . give us a mind to understand the aspirations and needs of others. . . we dedicate the building, all our life and activities to You, oh God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — excerpts from the dedication prayer. Right Reverend László Irány, Bishop of all Hungarian Roman Catholics outside of Hungary — “This celebration is dear to us because many of us, including myself, are active, interested members and thus our hopes for the future are strengthened with the ideas and manifested service of the Federation.” The highlight of the evening was the performance of the Budapest Sring Quartet which happened to be on a concert tour in Washington and the joyful presentation of the songs and instruments of the Hungarian Folk Ensemble of New York, under the leadership of Kalman Magyar captivated the hearts of the audience. Along with representatives of Washington’s Hungarian organizations and friends of the Federation the room was filled to capacity. 1’he HRFA has returned to the Washington area — every day it reminds the passer-by of the presence of Hungarian-Americans! Whenever you and your family visit the capital city of our nation, be sure to include a stop at the Kossuth House, Dupont Circle. You can’t miss it — the American and Hungarian flags fly from the top of the building. This building stands for the same ideals Kossuth proclaimed more than one hundred years ago — liberty and human rights for all people of all nations. (An Observer) Hungarian Folk Ensemble playing Kossuth songs. One Great Hour of Sharing Programs United Church Board for World Ministries: How to Give The most effective way to respond to worldwide needs is through the church. In most cases, One Great Hour of Sharing resources are already at work in emergency and disaster situations before they become news —ff they ever do. Many disasters affecting thousands of God’s . children are never reported through mass media. The UCBWM learns of them through the international and ecumenical church network. Through partner churches and agencies around the world, One Great Hour of Sharing resources enable a ministry in Christ’s name that is immediate and effective. Church agencies are not only among the first to arrive in an emergency situation —they are usually among the last to leave. Whole Earth Newsletter Clergy Find That Confidentiality Is No Longer Secure Once considered a clearly-defined, well-protected privilege, clergy confidentiality now faces legal challenges in some states. Clergy have been asked to testify in court in divorce cases involving couples they have counseled. Some states require clergy to reveal confidential information related to sexual or child abuse. “The intervention of the legal system has created conflict for ministers who want to adhere to a professional code of ethics which calls for maintaining confidentiality,” says James Ewing, American Association of Pastoral Counselors executive director. Dr. Ewing advises pastors to comply with the legal requirements, but to inform the person who received counseling if confidential information is to be revealed. “The minister is called to honor confidences so as to create relationships based upon trust. Clergy should reveal confidential information only as a last resort,” says James E. Dittes, professor of pastoral theology and psychology at Yale University. A third view is taken by Marie Fortune, director of the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence. She feels confidential information must be reported in child abuse cases to protect the victim, but persons being counseled should first be encouraged to report and get help themselves. Pastoral counseling centers can provide information about state laws on the issue.
