Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 7 Norridge UCC Update I started my last year’s report with a Good News of Church Construction. Those plans were sadly interrupted when Mr. Attila Demeter’s design turned out to be way too expensive for our small congregation. Even the bravest dreamers did not vote for the budget needs of that building. Our Building Committee began a new search for an architect in September. If our congregation votes for the new plan once again, the old dream of a new church will be present in our midst. We believe that our faith deserves a place of worship in this metropolis. We will keep the supporting public posted about the developments. Our church has a greater part in Chicago Hungarian life than one may expect considering the numbers of our membership. We have organized cultural events, such as a concert for the Saska Hungarian Folk Music Band, or evenings for our Poem reciting actor pilgrims, the Peterfys from Nagyvarad, Transylvania. The highlight of the last year was when the presiding bishop of the Reformed Church of Hungary, Dr. Gusztáv Bolcskei, visited our small church. He rededicated our old church bell - which had been silent for the past 40 years - with the hope that it may call Christians to worship after a new sanctuary is built upon our property. The Right Reverend was accompanied by our old friend, the Rev. Zsolt Angyalosy, for this trip to the U.S. It was a good opportunity to have an open air worship service with us in August. The event was well attended, and the different Hungarian organizations were represented at the event. Hungarian Literature: Undoubtedly the greatest event dedicated to our culture was when our very own Dr. Adam Makkai, author and university professor, and his wife Agnes Arany had a book signing lecture in our small sanctuary. Folk Dance: Our Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble “Toborzo” is organized and instructed by Gabor Balazsi whose knowledge and enthusiasm is well appreciated by all concerned. They perform at Hungarian events, the latest being the Hungarian Day that Maria Pappas, Treasurer of Illinois, a candidate for US Senate, organized. Our Youth Bible study is attended by eight. My hope is that not only university graduates feel the urge to attend this event. However it is one great fact that we have this Friday night opportunity to gather around the Word of God. Our Ping Pong fellowship night is Thursday when four or five of us compete; however the social time’s highlight is the conversation of course. The center of our Church life is the Sunday worship service when we have 35-40 witnesses of Christ’s Gospel. Soli Deo Gloria! Rev. Peter L. Toth Norridge United Church of Christ Norridge, Illinois Proposed new architectural model for Norridge UCC New Reformed Sunday School Curriculum and Church Growth The following are excerpts of recommendations shared by Rev. István Nyeste at the recent Lakeside Classis meeting: New Reformed Sunday School Curriculum I recommend to all pastors and Christian educators to review and adopt the curriculum which comes out for the Fall of 2004, published by Reformation Press in partnership with David C Cook. The title of this curriculum is “Bible in Life.” It is based on the Biblical truth, and on the creeds and confessions of the Reformed Church. It should be reviewed by all, and used alongside of the programs each church uses right now. To have the same Sunday School curriculum included in every church, could provide for theological unity and continuity in our churches. For more information about this curriculum call 1- 800-323-7543, or go online at www.cookministries.com/ reformationpress. You can also read about this curriculum in the February 2004 issue of “The Layman,” a publication of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. Church Growth and Decline Secondly, I wanted to recommend to all ministers and lay leaders of our churches to read and discuss the book, “Renaissance or Ruin” The Final Saga of a Once Great Church. The author is Britt Minshall, D.Min. It was published by Renaissance Institute Press. You can order the book by writing to Renaissance Institute Press, 2229 Pelham Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21213. This book analyzes (Continued on page 8)
