Calvin Synod Herald, 1997 (97. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1997-09-01 / 5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 4 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA THE UNITED CHURCH OE CERIST REACHED ITS EORTIETE ANNIVERSARY LAST SUMMER1 11, c sm • mm The day of establishment was June 25, 7957 in Cleveland, Ohio. The picture above shows the actual participants at the 30th Anniversary held in 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. General Synod ‘97 General Synod XXI of the United Church of Christ took place in Columbus, Ohio from July 3-8,1997. The chosen theme for this year’s Synod was “For the Healing of the Nations”, which further explored the “Pronouncement passed by the Nineteenth General Synod, calling the United Church of Christ to become a Multiracial and Multicultural Church. ” On Sunday evening, July 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., United Friends for Life, jointly with Biblical Witness Fellowship and Focus Renewal Ministries, held a special Concert of Prayer. Held at the local Hungarian Reformed Church in Columbus, this prayer service was dedicated to repentance for the sins of the church, and intercession for a refining fire to sweep through the United Church of Christ, bringing renewal, re-dedication to Biblical truth and an enthusiasm to pursue obedience to God’s word. With only an estimated 10 votes in opposition, General Synod 21 voted to declare full communion with the Evangelical Church in America. Now the UCC and its two Reformed partners - the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed Church in America - received the “full communion” vote at the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly meeting in Philadelphia on August 15-20. The 700+ Synod delegates also voted overwhelmingly to “reaffirm that the standard for sexual and relational behavior for members of the United Church of Christ is fidelity and integrity in marriage and in other covenanted relationships, or singleness, and in all relationships of life.” U.C.C. News EDITOR’S NOTE: All these historical actions of this past year might bring “the dream of a prince that could not become a reality” to a complete fulfillment at the end of this century. Read the “Ninth Miniature” on the Marburg Colloquy in the “March of Truth". Episcopalians appeal Historic agreement between Lutherans For nearly a thousand years, ethnic rivalries, theological disputes, battles over church leadership and even murderous hatreds have torn at the soul of Christianity. But as Christianity’s third millennium approaches, church leaders from Pope John Paul II to national and international Protestant assemblies are poised to usher in a new era far different from the holy wars of the old. Lutheran leaders voted on the same measure, which recognizes the validity of each other’s churches, ordained clergy, sacraments and ministries. Certainly, formidable divisions remain among many Christian churches that undoubtedly will spill into the next century, among them differences over the role of women and gays in the church. But not since the heady days immediately following the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, which kindled a blaze of ecumenical activity, has hope burned as brightly for ending - or at least playing down - divisions among Christians of all denominations. MESSAGE TO AMERICAN HUNGARIANS by Emil Ábrányi So live you over there in that far-away Land, Before your pilgrimage will come to an end, As to bring true fairness to the Name of our Nation, In you magyars revered at sad destination. Enough of mean disputes of opposing factions? Rude hatred, revulsion and avenging actions! You, there and far-removed, love our nation so dear, Exceeding us back here with firmer, greater zeal!
