Calvin Synod Herald, 1997 (97. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1997-09-01 / 5. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 7 -AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA UCC 2IÓT l^Nlral óyN^d LIÓTE.NE.P jo CALVIN The Calvin Synod’s delegates to the 21st General Synod of the United Church of Christ experienced a gamut of feelings from joy to disappointment at the meeting this past July in Colum­bus, Ohio's huge Convention Hall. Their success in presenting the Reso­lution of Calvin Synod from its meeting in May meant its voice would be heard throughout the whole church, and brought reaffirmation of the unique place it has in the denomination, ethni­cally and theologically. But their elation was heavily overshadowed by other actions in a continued pattern of “de­viation and distancing of our denomi­nation from biblical standards and (the) confessions so cherished by our pious predecessors.” The first important business of our delegates was to secure a place on the Agenda for the Resolution of Calvin Synod, passed at the Annual Meeting in Ligonier. With deep-felt concern for our future as a part of the United Church of Christ, it spoke to the latter’s tolera­tion, affirmation and encouragement of unorthodox beliefs and unholy lifestyles. There was only one opportu­nity to present it, at the first session, and it was impossible to gauge the sen­timent against it that might block its acceptance. When it was agreed to re­fer it to a committee, the whole delega­tion breathed a sigh of relief. But it was not over yet! Not one of our delegates was on the committee focusing on it. However, the Chairlady, who made every effort to give it afair hearing, granted Rev. Albert W. Kovács ample opportunity to intro­duce it and several occasions to clarify its substance and intent. It was finally decided, without necessarily approving or endorsing it, to recommend that the 21 st General Synod should receive the Resolution reported by the Calvin Synod Conference. Days later in the meeting, when it came to a vote by the 700+ delegates from the entire country, it was very late in the evening and only five minutes to the scheduled adjournment. Yet, the delegates voted to extend the time. One delegate from another conference even asked that the body do more than re­ceive it, but affirm it as well, an idea that never had a chance. We were all pleasantly surprised when another delegate took the micro­phone and declared that he did not agree with the conclusions of the Reso­lution, but he felt that Calvin Synod’s voice had a right to a respectful hear­ing by the whole church. He remarked that he was one of those who had scoffed and laughed two years before when Calvin Synod’s delegates were overwhelmingly voted down. The mo­tion of Rev. Albert W. Kovács, seconded by the Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, had been made to strike the words “gay and lesbian coalition” from inclusion on the church’s boards. He noted, as did oth­ers, that in a church which emphasizes its acceptance of diversity it was incon­sistent and insensitive to single out Calvin Synod, denying its right to be diverse, to speak to the church, and to be respectfully heard. Following com­ments by Rev. Kovács and Rt. Rev. Zoltán D. Szűcs, the motion to receive the Resolution was passed by a large margin. Although Calvin Synod had passed a by-law change in May which insists upon “fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness” for all its ministers and lay officers, one standard for all, it was not to be in Columbus where a similar resolution was shrugged off. Instead, a permissive resolution was passed 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." Those so-called “covenanted relation­ships” include homosexual and adul­terous partnerships named abomina­tions against God in the holy scriptures. A significant stride in ecumenical relations was the vote to approve full communion with the Evangelical Luth­eran Church of America. Previous votes to bridge the historical gap between Calvinists and Lutherans were taken earlier this year by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed Church in America. (In August, the Lutherans also approved intercommu­nion with the churches, while disap­proving full communion with the Epis­copal Church.) Numerous other actions were taken, but one of the most compelling calls upon churches and conferences to develop plans for the financial relief of seminarians. Students for ministry are being turned away by impossible debts, without prospect of repayment from low pastoral stipends, causing a severe shortage of well-qualified min­isters. The Calvin Synod delegation was led by its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fran­cis Vitéz, an ex officio Associate Del­egate. The voting Delegates were Mrs. Irma Y Carnevale (former Synod Pres­byter), Rev. István Nyeste (Dean of Lakeside Classis) and Rev. Albert W. Kovács (Dean of Eastern Classis). As a member of the UCC Executive Com­mittee, past Bishop Zoltán D. Szűcs also was a voting Delegate. The central Ohio congregations at Columbus and Dayton were visited by Calvin Synod’s representatives. On Sunday, Bishop Vitéz preached at both services in the Columbus church, where Rev. Nyeste is the Pastor. The Rev. Albert W. Kovács conducted the Lord’s Day Service in Dayton. The Rev. Dr. Paul H. Sherry was re­elected for a four year term and a new structure will be introduced by the year 2,000 A.D. Rhode Island Will host the next General Synod meeting in 1999. □□□ by Rev. Albert Kovács

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