Calvin Synod Herald, 1994 (94. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1994-03-01 / 2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- k -REFOMÁTtISOK LAPJA Our Bishop's Easter Greeting ^ Dr. Francis Vitéz J My dear brethren, On the first Easter morn, the miraculous promise was fulfilled: Jesus rose from death! He told this to the disciples but they did not realize the happenings that came along. He rose from the tomb - life was in Him and He was life itself! He said: "I am the resurrection and the life!" Jesus is the very source of life. He was there from the beginning and He will last to Eternity. This life lives even in the grave. He calls us to Himself so that we might share in the life which is in Him. He wants to share this life with us, that from death we may arrive to life with us, that we might live in Him, with Him and through Him. Calvin Synod for me was my home, my bulwark and my country in which I lived, moved and had my being. I pledge allegiance to my Synod. My plans for the Synod: I.) I would like to visit our congregations yearly and spend a week in each Classis. 2) I plan to share the work with the Conference Council members and raise the number to six officers, including the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. ) I would like to be thrifty, but where it is necessary, to be very generous. 4. ) I would like to call on all of you to help; little will be dome if I am left alone; stand by me and hold up my hands and heart. 5. ) I would ask for fairness to me and obedience to our Lord. 6. ) We have local, Classis, Synod and UCC Bylaws and Robert's Rules. I would like to replace them with the Bible. ■ 7. ) In this "sunset" of our Hungarian Reformed Church life, I would like to see our churches united and federated, to prepare ourselves not for a dark night, but for a new dawn. 8. ) I ask you to help and to care for our Jesus gives life. Everything comes from Him - we too come from Him. We not only exist, but we are living and He wants to keep us alive. He gave Himself that we might live in Him forever. How can this life be ours? First, we must confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. Ask for His help and guidance and tell Him that you wont to live in Him. Let your life be engrafted in His life and live in Him and through Him. What can we do with our lives? First, give thanks to Him for your renewed life. Receive it from him and stand among His own. Life in Christ makes you a witness for Him. Then, try to be a guide for others who seek Jesus and life in Him. Try to lead your brethren to the source of life - to Jesus. Your encounter with the Risen Lord on Easter makes you say: He is risen! Come to Him for life! On Easter, the Day of Resurrection, let us come and meet Him at His open grave. Let each and every one of us come, all our Church members, all our ministers, all our congregations and above all, our nation, so that the hope of resurrection would be realized. Christ lives, we will live also and there will be Resurrection and Life. May our Risen Lord continue to bless us in this Easter time and always. Dr. Francis Vitéz, Bishop Hungarian Reformed heritage and to transmit our values to the coming generation. 10) I do not have all the answers to our problems but I know the One who does and I have a "hotline" to Him. 11. ) I want to be as close to you as your telephone or as your heart. 12. ) I would urge you to excel in your commitment, not cling to mediocrity. Mediocrity is not a substitute for excellence. If you disagree on something, remain a loyal opposition, not to be just critical, but offer help and pray for the Bishop, Council and Synod. 13. ) I want to be - not bishop - but under shepherd to our Lord Jesus Christ 14. ) I would urge you to be busy in the Lord's vineyard, industrious, generous and sacrificial just as our Lord was. 15. ) I would like to replace words with deeds. 16. ) I would like to substitute "majority wins" with common consent and support. 17. ) I will hold all of you in my prayers. 18. ) I would like to be the smallest among you on my knees and the tallest when storms may come because you were entrusted to my care. The Calvin Hungarian Reformed Church, Fairfield, CT, elected the Rev. Béla Póznán, Dean of the Eastern Classis, as their minister on January 31 st. He will be leaving our New York Congregation on March 15th. □ □□ The Church and Ministry Committee met on February 28th and March I st, in Ligonier, PA. The Conference Council also met in Ligonier on March 2nd and 3rd, for its regular quarterly session. □ □□ Congregations that have not yet sent in their reports and pictures for the Bethlen Almanac are asked to send them without delay to Rev. Paul Kovács in Ligonier, PA. □ □□ Bishop Vitéz attended the Conference of Ministers Meeting in Orlando, FL, February 2-7. While in Florida, he visited the Sarasota congregation. He preached at the Worship Service, with about 85 in attendance, and took part in the Congregational Meeting. As you already know, the Congregation is asking for reception into the Calvin Synod. □ □□ Everyone is aware of the devastation of the California earthquake. We are asking for your donations to help the victims and for our Church in Reseda, which holds dual membership with our Synod. □ □□ Our Bishop's Guidelines for the Administration of Calvin Synod
