Magyar Egyház, 1959 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-03-01 / 3. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ A MESSAGE TO WOMEN When asked by our Church leaders to represent the Hungarian Reformed Church in America at the Women’s Division of the National Council of Churches, namely, the United Church Women, I was honored and pleased to accept. I looked forward with great anticipation to the meeting of denominational representatives, which I attended at Buck Hill Falls, Pa. Now, I would like to share with you a few thoughts. We have a great deal to benefit from membership in this organization of active church women of the various branches of Protestantism in America. But, if we are to be of any benefit to the United Church Women we must think strongly of organizing ourselves. At present many of our Hungarian Reformed Churches have very active Women’s Groups, but except for occasional social gatherings each works independently to aid its own church program and not for any united purpose. As the various women spoke it was apparent that the Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and others all have central organizations, which govern the work of their various church women’s groups throughout the country, setting down for them aims and objectives to be strived for in addition to their local programs. I realize that our denomination is comparatevely small, but if we are to play an active role in United Church Women, we too, must think in this direction. These women spoke of such problems as world missions, which I am happy to see, our church is now supporting more strongly; they spoke of the problems, of race relationships, housing and such issues as immigration, delinquency, public education and others. They spoke of the importance of knowing what we believe in, and speaking up for our convictions: the value of prayer circles and study groups. One stressed the importance of not just being better Women’s Guilders, but better members of the church of Jesus Christ. As we reflect for a moment on our own meetings, how do we compare? Have we not a long way to go? We have more to do, than just raise funds for our own local church work, although I readily admit that to be an important part of our work. But we must accept the challenge and look beyond our local programs and witness for the universal church of God. May we discuss our problems soon at a conference, when all the women of our churches are gathered together. Elizabeth Tóbiás Dudich (Mrs. Peter Dudich Perth Amboy, N. J.)-----------o----------ENROLLMENT AT THE REFORMED SEMINARIES IN HUNGARY In the remaining two theological academies of the Reformed Church of Hungary there are 163 students in the present school year, 74 at Debrecen and the rest at Budapest. Of the students in Budapest 84 are candidates for the ministry of the Reformed Church. Of the other five students two are Greek Orthodox, one is a Baptist and one a Methodist. Annual Assembly of the Eastern Classis The Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America will hold its Annual Assembly in the Cliffside, New Jersey church (11 Manhattan Place, Cliffside Park, N. J.) on Sunday, April 12, 2:00 P.M. The Annual Assembly is composed of the elected officers of the classis as well as of all ministers and of one reperesentative of each congregation. Recommendations of the congregations should be submitted to the recording secretary of the classis, the Rev. Aladar Komjáthy, 134 Norman Avenue, Roebling, N. J. before April 10. Albert St. Miklossy Gabor Csordás Chief Elder Dean-----------o-----------ELDERS' CONFERENCE IN PERTH AMBOY New Elders' Association Formed A record number of 138 elders came out to the first Elders’ Conference of the Eastern Classis which took place on March 1st in Perth Amboy. After opening devotions in the church the elders were divided into two groups according to languages. Both groups, then, heard excellent keynote addresses by Dr. Imre Némethy and Mr. Paul Pócsi, respectively. An hour was spent in workshops where experiences were exchanged about the elder’s different duties and responsibilities in the life of the congregation. Their findings were presented and discussed at another plenary session. Board meetings are very important, they agreed, but the elders’ job doesn’t end there. The elders are co-workers with the pastor and there are many jobs which should be taken care of by the elders, or in which the elders should assist the pastor extensively. Supervision of church buildings, financial administration are in the sphere of the elders’ duties just as to provide a greeting committee at worship services, to undertake regular visitation program of church members, or to promote the Church’s missionary projects. Elders should teach Sunday School classes, they should even be able to substitute for the pastor in case of emergency. Having such responsibilities it is self-evident that elders must be chosen very carefully from dedicated men of the Church who are fully aware of the fact that they are serving not men but God. The Rev. Alexander Daróczy, director of Bethlen Home, Ligonier presented the expansion plans of the Old People’s Home. At the fellowship dinner where Bishop Béky, the Rt. Rev. G. K. Borshy and Dean Csordás addressed the elders, a new Eastern Classis Elders Association was formed with the following temporary officers: István Bodnár, president, Frank Nagy, English secretary, Sándor Kiss, Hungarian secretary, Julius Borcsik, treasurer and Géza Megyesi, auditor.
