Calvin Synod Herald, 2010 (111. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-11-01 / 11-12. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Ordination of Bishop Bela Poznan Synod Rite at Fairfield Church Church of Christ, by Dr. Deckenback. A new gavel also was given to their pastor by the Calvin Brotherhood of the Fairfield Church, presented by Mr. David Heady, President. The Rite of Ordination of the Rt. Rev. Bela Poznan, as the new Bishop of Calvin Synod, was conferred upon him at Calvin United Church of Christ, his pastorate in Fairfield, CT, on Saturday afternoon, September 18th, at 3 o’clock. The office was administered by the Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, bishops emeriti. A sermon in English by the Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, described an essential task of the Church to be a transforming presence in the world. He asked the congregants to imagine the world without the Church and suggested what a tragedy that would be. He remarked that the role of a bishop requires him to personify the witness and the unity of the Church, as he and the churches exhibit God’s creativity, mercy and love. The Rev. Dr. Attila Kocsis also offered a sermon in Hungarian, citing Isaiah 58:1, urging the new bishop to be forthright as the prophets. He cautioned against mere loud pronouncements and argumentation, noting that an unpleasant manner can turn people away. Rather, the bishop in his prophetic ministry should speak up boldly what God was saying to His people. The Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback, the UCC’s Central Atlantic Conference Minister opened the worship. A significant aspect of the special service was its emphasis upon connections and the Church’s unity, a characteristic of authentic Calvinism. The Rev. Dr. Zsolt Kadar, Dean at Eger (Hungary) and General Secretary of the Collegium Doctorum represented the Hungarian churches abroad. The familial connection of the Hungarian Reformed churches in our land was affirmed, as well as revered ties with traditional polity, with the Rt. Rev. Sándor Szabó assisting with the Hungarian form for the bishop’s vows (“A Puspok eskutetele”). The participation of the Rev. Fr. Louis Pintye, pastor of St. Emery’s R. C. Church, emphasized the neighborly relationships among our churches at home and abroad. In his Pastoral Prayer, the Rev. Albert W. Kovács spoke to Bishop Poznan’s roots in Nagybalog, as a son of a church whose pastor suffered as a galley slave, and sent him to build upon the labors of the saints of many years, even today as a fisher of men called by Christ. The Hon. Zsófia Trombitás, Consul in New York of the Republic of Hungary, extended the greetings of the office. The Dean of Hungarian Reformed churches in Canada, the Rev. Zoltán Vass, offered congratulatory remarks and participated in the Service. Lay members of the Conference Council also participated, with readings in the Holy Scriptures, both Mrs. Lisa Toth-Maskarinec, Synod Treasurer, and Mr. Lehel Deák, Synod Presbyter. Prior to his ordination, a new Palast was donned by the bishop, a gift of the Rev. Tibor Király, of the local church. The traditional presentation of the Bible and Synod Seal was made by Bishop Ludwig, and the Conference Minister Medallion, of the United Reformed church clergy participating the Service included the Rev. Dr. Erwin Betts, Rev. Anikó Kocsis, Rev. Dr. August Molnár, Rev. Stefan Torok, Rev. Csilla Toth and Rev. László Ujj. From the area, UCC clergy and others joined the Service participants in the Laying on of Hands, sharing scriptural admonitions, blessings and prayers. The William Penn Association and the Hungarian Reformed Federation, supportive fraternal societies, also tendered greetings. The attending congregation heard several vocal solos by Ms. Barbara Gall and Mr. Dennis Boskello, with Mr. Oliver Valu leading the “Himnusz.” The organist for the Service was Mrs. Julianna Vitéz Poznan. Two hundred clergy, church members and guests attended the mid-afternoon service. Afterward they enjoyed a traditional Hungarian church dinner in the church’s Calvin Hall. Rev. Albert W. Kovács Group Photo of Ministers in Attendance, Bishop Béla Póznán, first row, right of center
