Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-07-01 / 7-8. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD develops their own mission and vision statement within one year. #2. Provide ways, methods, and materials that will help our congregations grow in love, spirit, faith, and numbers. There is a long term process and a short term process. We should start with the short term planning first in our Calvin Synod churches. The short term process includes: to start with the prayer groups in our congregations. In the process of strategic thinking the next is the mission and vision statement for each church. The Church Revitalization and Growth Committee continues to function to serve the congregations as needed. We will be available to assist in these tasks. The hope is that the majority of our Calvin Synod congregations will participate in this significant work and program, and as we begin the work and measure the success of the program, more and more churches will get involved and participate and will see and experience the fruit of revitalization and growth in their congregations. I would like to say thank you to the committee members for their dedicated and faithful work. May God continue bless our work and ministry in the life of our Calvin Synod congregations. Overseas and Home Mission Work: by Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai. Overseas Mission Projects: There were three major overseas mission projects in 2013: 1. In June of 2013 Hungary was warned that it could suffer its worst floods ever, as record levels were expected from the surging River Danube, which also inundated parts of Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. Many people were working to help flood prevention. Many were evacuated from a number of villages. Total donation collected was $1,390 to help the flood victims. The check was presented by Bishop Poznan to the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid. 2. School Fund is the most successful mission project in the Calvin Synod coordinated by Ms. Gabriella Nadas. The total amount collected was $131,869.32. 3. Rev. Peter Bodor donated $3,000 through Calvin Synod for the church bell for the Reformed Church of Arad-Gai in Transylvania. Three new mission support requests were added to the mission list published in the Calvin Synod Herald: 1. The Szekely Miko Reformed High School in Sepsiszentgyorgy is asking financial support for their school. 2. The Backamadarasi Kiss Gergely Reformed High School in Szekelyudvarhely is asking financial support for their school. 3. To support the widow of late Rev. Jenő Katona and his family. Home Mission Projects: The Calvin Synod mission projects are listed in our Calvin Synod Herald. We encourage our pastors, delegates, and representatives to review those projects and encourage their congregations to support them. Mission projects and appeal letters are sent to our congregations, to the Calvin Synod yahoo group, and to our official Calvin Synod web site. Committee members respectfully encourage our congregations and call their attention to read mission appeal letters and mission projects from the pulpit so our congregations will be informed and more will be aware of our mission work and projects. Elections: Offices and Committee Members. a. Editors of the Herald: Rev. Torok, Rev. Vásárhelyi. - Passed. b. Church and ministry Committee - Rev. Viktor Toth c. Recommendation Committee - (members listed) d. Judicial Committee members - Rev. Gabor G. Nitsch, Rev. Peter L. Toth, Rev. Albert W. Kovács; Ms. Jill Pongracz- Murrell, Mr. Jack Zakhar. e. General Synod of UCC - Bishop Poznan, Rev. Viktor Toth, Rev. Peter Toth; Alternate - Jill Pongracz-Murrell Bishop Poznan closed the meeting for the day, and invited everyone to the Banquet. The Annual Banquet of the Calvin Synod Conference was held at the Bethlen Home. During the evening the following presentations were made in acknowledgement of faithful and dedicated works in behalf of the Calvin Synod: 1. Ms. Gabriella Nadas, for her work on the Church School. 2. Mrs. Albinka Bodor, for her selfless and dedicated work as church organist 3. Mrs. Cathy Paksi, Editorial production, the Calvin Synod Herald. Friday, May 16, 2014 Opening Devotional: Conducted jointly between the Bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and Bishop Poznan, Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ. Special Presentations: On behalf of the Church Unity Task Force, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan laid out some of the events that are presently held together by the two church bodies. He also indicated that the Church Unity Task Force at this time is not looking for organic union, but desires to strengthen the cooperation of the bodies in the future. We acknowledge that this is the first occasion that the Bishop Council of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the Calvin Synod Conference are together at one meeting. This in itself is a great step. Bishop Sándor Szabó introduced the members of the Bishop’s Council. In the following, many comments and questions have been raised by the leaders of both denominations and a healthy discussion followed. Unfinished Business: Rev. Vikor Toth indicated that hotel expenses this year as announced in the invitation to the Synod will have to be paid to Synod Treasury. After an exhaustive three days all items being discussed the meeting was closed with a double benediction by Bishop Sándor Szabó and Bishop Bela Poznan. Respectfully, Rev. Stefan M. Torok General Secretary
