Calvin Synod Herald, 1999 (99. évfolyam, 2-4. szám - 100. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1999-11-01 / 11-12. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Hungarian Reformed World Federation will meet in 2000 The Executive Board of the HRWF met in Félixfürdő, Transylvania on August 12, 1999. At the turn of the Second Millennium and also at the turn of the first Millennium of the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary in the Carpathian Basin, the Federation will meet and profess that “Our nation lives in faith”. The aim of the HRWF as expressed by its president László Tőkés is to be renewed in faith to face challenges of the future, and to thus prepare ourselves is the agenda of the HRWF meeting. The previous meetings of the HRWF in 1991 and 1996 prove that these gatherings in the Carpathian Basin are an ecumenical challenge of the involved and a spiritual challenge for us and for our neighbors. The HRWF unanimously accepted the Agenda of the meeting to be held in Budapest, Hungary. The meeting will begin in the Sport Aréna of Ferencváros on June 30, and will end on July 15 at the Hősök Tere - Heroes’ Square. On July 22nd we gather in Geneva in front of the Bocskai statue, will visit the headquarters of the Reformed World Federation, and will attend a service in Calvin’s Church. This occasion is a celebration of all Hungarian Reformed people in and outside Hungary. This event is a Home Coming celebration for all sections of all sections of Hungarian Reformed people living under any circumstances and situations. We express our deep concerns for all our brethren all over the world smitten by natural and man made disasters which threaten the existence, identity, survival and future of our dispersed brethren. For their future well being we pray and we want to help them in any possible way. The Executive Committee expresses its thanks to the Hungarian Government for their assistance and wholehearted support to the Hungarian Reformed Consultative Synod. We invite you cordially to attend the Fourth Meeting of the Hungarian Reformed World Federation. Dear brothers and sisters in any land, plan to come and attend the celebration of the HRWF meeting in Hungary, and support and pray for its success!!! The Executive Committee of the Hungarian Reformed World Federation New “Home Missions” Challenge Each congregation of Calvin Synod is being asked to contribute one percent (1%) of its income for a special “Home Missions” fund. Its purpose is to provide emergency help to churches, or ministers, in urgent need here in America. “The work of the Church and Ministry Committee calls it to look at the need of the Synod’s churches in other areas than that of ministerial relations, which takes up most of its time. We have been increasingly faced with changing circumstances to give greater consideration to small, struggling and distant churches. We have heard their pleas for help and we are driven to ask how our Synod, a family of faithful Christians, can be of assistance to our kindred.” - Committee report. The Rev. Albert W Kovács, Chairman, raised the question in giving the report to the Synod, “Do we wish to bemoan our inability to help our friends in need, or will we take up the challenge and provide the assistance they need to do Christ’s work where they are?” The Committee requested a two percent (2%) increase in the assessment of each church. The Synod’s delegates, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, voted instead to hold the assessment at three percent (3%). It suggested that each congregation be challenged to contribute voluntarily an additional one percent (1%) for a separate “Home Missions” fund. This was approved by the delegates at the meeting. It means adding an extra one-third of the assessment for this second-mile effort, to meet the church’s challenge goal. A number of the Synod’s churches are still providing a meaningful ministry to their members and community, often to the elderly who have not fled the urban cores or country villages. In recent years the Synod provided essential help to Johnstown, PA, and Buffalo, NY, for roof work. As the apostle Paul went to the churches of Europe and asked their help for the poor churches of Asia Minor, such as Jerusalem, the call now is to continue this Christian effort. Each church is asked to contribute according as the Lord has blessed them. It also requires that the contribution be given willingly in obedience and for love of Christ. The Synod Treasurer, Mr. Wilburn A. Roby, Jr., will be looking for the check from every church marked “Home Mission.” “The Holy Supper is kept, indeed, In whatso we share with another’s need; Not what we give, but what we share, For the gift without the giver is bare.” James Russell Lowell c \ Looking back. THANK HIM Looking ahead. TRUST HIM Looking around. SERVE HIM Looking Up. EXPECT HIM v J
