Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 Greetings To All In This Blessed Easter Season! During this time we are again reminded of the new life we have been given us by the Grace of God through the love of His Son Jesus the Christ. During this season we have the opportunity to concentrate on building and growing in our personal spiritual lives at the same time we work for the growth of our local congregations. Let us not forget that Christ s sacrifice was given us to free us from those encumbrances that prohibit us from living life as fully as our God created us to be. When we personally come to know the liberation of Christ Jesus in our lives, then we begin to experience the saving grace he offers each of us. When the Risen Christ is part of our lives, life will no longer be the same as yesterday. When we do not accept and receive his blessings in our lives personally, when the Risen Christ is not a reality for us, we become like those whom the Apostle Paul referred to as “we are of all men most to be pitied" (I Corinthians 15:19). For even though Christ has been resurrected, if we do not accept Him, for us He is still dead. These past few weeks we were met with the news of the serious illness of Pope John Paul II, andfinally the receiving of his final reward in the presence of his maker. The leader of a billion Christians in the world, he was revered by many of his followers, but was genuinely respected by leaders of otherfaiths throughout the world. This was due to his adherence to Christ’s teachings of love and peace. Pope John Paul II made a tremendous difference in the world because he also continued the reformation efforts of Pope John XXIII, begun on October 28, 1958. Elevated to the papacy on October 16, 1978 and serving in that capacity until April 2, 2005 meant that Pope John Paul II was the only pope many of today s young Catholics knew. It was during this time that the Catholic church s stance toward other Christian bodies changed from not allowing Protestant clergy into Catholic cemeteries - even for a funeral - to including them in “mass ” being celebrated by a Catholic bishop. Putting into action Jesus message of the “Good Samaritan, ” recognizing the brotherhood of man not based on “denomination” or religion but on our common Father and Creator. Interestingly, many American Catholics, at the same time revering him for his commitment to his ideals, speak openly and outwardly about the desire to have a new pope who would “lighten up ” on issues of the faith they personally disagree with. Yet his dedication to those ideals was why they - supposedly - revered Pope John Paul II. We are very often just like our aforementioned brothers. We “idealize ” our Lord and Savoir Jesus the Christ, but at the same time we revere His dedication - even to the point of His death in are still needed. If people can develop new interests, new skills, and relationships, self-respect and self-confidence will not fade away. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Király (Retired Pastor and Former Bishop) Lakeland, Florida E-mail: rbzlyl9@juno.com our behalf - we disregard the very ideals, the very teachings, the very love, which were His message to us. As we approach the celebration of Pentecost, let us be mindful of the reason Christ Jesus gave his life. It was not so that we could have our own congregation, an exclusive club-house for the children of our ancestors. His final message tells us our mandate: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... ” Let this Pentecost be more than a commemoration of a day some two-thousand years ago: let this day be the day we recommit ourselves to the ideals, the teachings and the love the Lord Jesus Christ so willing gave his life for, and his words “...lo, lam with you always, to the close of the age, ” will be the strength and promise which sustain us. Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig, Bishop Call to The 63rd ANNUAL MEETING of the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ, to be held May 17 - May 20,2005, at the Ramada Inn in Somerset, Pennsylvania. All Congregations of the Calvin Synod are expected to be represented by their pastor and duly elected delegate. Please remember that at least one-third of the Congregation’s yearly support to the Calvin Synod must be received prior to the Annual Meeting. The meeting will begin on Tuesday, May 17, at 9:30 AM with the Service of the Word and Holy Communion at the Bethlen Home Chapel in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Amongst significant items on the Agenda are the presentation of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee proposed revision of the Calvin Synod Constitution and Bylaws and the Classes By-Laws, and a report by Rev. Csaba Kokai on the Debrecen, Hungary, Chaplaincy Program which Calvin Synod has co-sponsored these past 4 years. The Synod has again negotiated a “special rate” of $59.00 per night for lodging, and to receive this special rate it is suggested that reservations be made by April 25th. The Church and Ministry Committee will meet prior to the opening session on Monday, May 16, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Ramada Inn, and it is expected that all Church and Ministry Committee members will be in attendance. Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig, Bishop
