Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2008-09-01 / 9-10. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 the Heritage Center of the Bethlen Communities in conformity to its “Mission Statement” of 1999, and calls upon our member congregations and individuals to donate generously toward this project. 2. Executive Director Qualifications: Passed by the Annual Meeting was the following motion: “Whereas the Calvin Synod is a constituent member of the Bethlen Communities in Ligonier, PA., and has a vested interest for its successful operation, and Whereas, the Executive Director of the Bethlen Communities has traditionally been a Hungarian Reformed minister, and Whereas the skilled nursing care of residents at the Bethlen Communities is under the direct supervision of a professional Nursing Home Director. Be it resolved that the Calvin Synod directs its representatives at Bethlen Communities to vote in favor of retaining the current Bethlen Communities Constitution and Bylaws standards and requirements for the Executive Director’s position and encourages other Bethlen Communities board members to support this initiative. Church and Ministry Committee: a. “Licensure” was granted to Miss Lisa Keresztesi and renewal of “Licensure to Mr. Aron Trufan. b. Renewal of “Licensure” was granted to Mr. Wilburn A. Roby, Jr. and Mr. Lehel F. Deak, who are in the Lay Ministry Program. c. Accepted into “In Care Status” were Miss Kathy Donovan, Miss Lisa Kerestesi and Mr. Aron Trufan. d. “Privilege of Call” was granted to Rev. Dr. Ervin Betts and Rev. James James pending receipt of Recommendation. e. Renewal of “Privilege of Call” was granted to Rev. Melinda (Boros) LaMontagne, Rt. Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Rev. Dr. Attila A. Kocsis, Rev. Csaba Orosz, Rev. Anita Sipos. f. “Standing” was granted to Rev. Peter Maurer. g. Renewal of “Standing” was granted to Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Rev. Dr. David B. Bowman, Rev. George Cseh, Rev. Dr. Edwin Elliott, Rev. Anita Fogarasi, Chaplain Leila Havadtoy Gomulka (active military chaplain), Rev. Charles Paul Huckaby Sr., Rev. Gyöngyike Ludvig, Rev. Judit Mayer - Szobacsi, Rev. Dr. Coralyn Medyesy (active missionary), Rev. Dr. Laslo Medyesy (active missionary), Rev. Levente Molnár, Rev. Gabor Nitsch, Rev. William E. Nyerges, Rev. István Nyeste, Rt. Rev. Zoltán Szucs (active missionary), Rev. Zsolt Takacs, MD. 2008 Youth Camp Report: Date of camp: July 20-26, 2008. Small churches presentation: Rev. David Schoen (of the UCC) gave an excellent presentation on “small church revitalization” and offered materials we can access as members of the United Church of Christ. Discussion ensued about Congregational Vitality as understood by those present, such as: younger generations, activities, generous givers, leadership, dynamic worship, ability to give spiritual strength in everyday living. Newer generations like tradition and ritual. Calvin Synod churches have a great heritage in liturgy and valuable traditions. Mr. Schoen introduced the Ready Set, Grow program of the UCC on church vitality presenting the practical materials available on the UCC website on vitality (www.uccvitality.org). UCC Meeting Reports: Reports were given by Jim Balias, Rev. Bela Poznan, Rev. Ilona Komjáthy, Mr. Lehel F. Deak, and Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig. Conference Council recommendation on proposed “Non-Geographic Classis”: Conference Council felt this is not a preferred solution and suggested that congregations be accepted into Calvin Synod on an “individual basis” upon application to and review by Church and Ministry Committee, if their belief is in accordance with our Reformed theology and confessions. Literary Contest for Calvin Year in 2009: Conference Council announced organizing separate competitions for the Calvin Year among young persons under 16, young adults between 17-18, adult laymen to prepare an essay or poem, and ministers to prepare sermon or essay with the theme of “What does it mean to be a Calvinist?” Essays would be not less than 1 page and not more than 4 pages, 10 point, double spaced format. The essays could be written either in English or Hungarian. A committee would judge the competition and announce award-winning submissions at the 2009 Calvin Synod May meeting. Awards for adults and ministers would be $500 for first prizes, $300 for second prizes, and $200 for third prizes. Young adults 17-18 years awards $100 first prize, $75 second prize. 16 and under awards $ 100 first prize, $75 second prize. Participants would have to be members of a Calvin Synod congregation. Judges will be Rt. Rev. Vásárhelyi, Mr. Lehel F. Deak and Rev. Zsolt Otvos. Due date January 31,2009. Challenges Facing Local Congregations: a. Bishop Ludwig presented several Constitution and Bylaw revision suggestions for discussion and handed out pertinent material. b. Correspondence, materials and information were distributed for discussion regarding ministerial income and benefits provided by congregations. A committee was formed to review the health care benefit packages for ministers. Appointed committee members are Rev. Dr. Irvin Betts, Rev. Peter Maurer, Mr. Julius Pongracz, Mr. Gene Rutkowski. Motion passed. Documentary Film: The Hungarian Cultural Center of New York is organizing an exhibition and creating a documentary film about the history of Hungarian immigrants to the United States between 1891 and 1941. The goal of the proj ect is to tell the individual and collective stories of the 1st and 2nd generations of immigrants. The American Hungarian Foundation is assisting by collecting pertinent photos and documents. Materials are requested and have to be received before May 31, 2008. Bethlen Almanac: Church reports will be needed by the end of October, 2008. Reports cannot be longer than two pages news and one page photos. The e-mail address where church reports can be sent: bethlennaptar@hotmail.com. Internet: Calvin Synod appointed the Rev. Charles Paul Huckaby, Rt. Rev. Joseph Vásárhelyi, Sr., Ms. Tünde Garai, Rev. Dr. Edwin Elliott and Ms. Sandy Mansell to “develop solutions for the questions raised about the direction of the Internet availability of the Calvin Synod Herald and to interact with the publication staff of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America.” Reformed Church Synod in Hungary: The Annual Meeting authorized Rt. Rev. Joseph Vásárhelyi, Auxiliary Bishop, to represent Calvin Synod at the upcoming Reformed Church Synod in November 2008. Home and Overseas Mission Committee: 1. Conference Council’s initiative about $2000 grant made available for congregations for church growth was the 2007-2008 Home Mission project. 2. Calvin Synod supports Csángó Students in Transylvania. $1000.00 financial support will be sent quarterly to support Hungarian religious education among Csangos. Buenos Aires Hungarian Reformed Church will receive $500 support a month. 3. The Davison, MI. Congregation offered $600 support to the pastor of the Nagyterem Hungarian Reformed congregation in Transylvania. The Annual Banquet was held at the “Penn Scenic View” facility of
