Magyar Egyház, 1986 (65. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-11-01 / 6. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7. oldal DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN JESUS CHRIST! “In those days a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled” — so the Christmas Gospel begins. The world into which Christmas came was a world of power, a mighty empire with a smooth administration undergirded by a well-paid and disciplined military organization, the host of Roman legions. But God’s Christmas did not come into the world through this political and military power. “... and ... there was no place for them in the inn,” — so the Gospel story later says. The world into which Christmas came was a busy world, full of action, travels, festivities and gaiety. But God’s Christmas did not come into the world through these activities and places. God had His own way: a simple working man and his young bride. What kind of people were they? Obedient, for one — obedient to the Emperor’s order and to the voice of the angel. And courageous -—- they undertook the dangerous long journey and were not dismayed by the rejection in the inn. Today’s world far out-tops that old one: in the measure of political and military power; in materialistic thinking, in indifference toward human misery, in cruel oppression of people and races. God’s Christmas cannot come through these. God’s way and instruments are still obedient and courageous men and women who revolt against the murderous order of today’s world by doing all in their power to save it with the Gospel of Christ. As obedient and as courageous as the parents of Bethlehem. May this be our prayer and pledge this Christmas of 1986. The Lord’s grace and peace be with you all Bishop Andrew Harsanyi THE BISHOP'S COLUMN The ordination and installation service of the bishop and of the synodal officers and the subsequent banquet were moving, uplifting and memorable for all of us. The reports and communications of Magyar Church are but reflections of what was heard and seen although the full video-recording made them humanly enduring. I want all those who were with us in body and spirit to feel our gratitude: those who participated in the worship service, those who said or sent greetings, those who showed their love; I cannot list their names, not only because they were so numerous but also because that could be discrimination. You can read my Christmas message at another place in this issue. Here, however, I wish to draw your attention to two things. First of all: remember in your prayers the suffering of so many our Hungarian Reformed people and of all Hungarians living hardly pressed in body, mind and spirit, particularly in Transylvania and in what is now Slovakia. I also want you to know what the General Assembly of our Synod resolved, on my recommendation, that the Hungarian Reformed Church in America is willing to work together with all ecclesiastical communions and organizations which further and serve Hungarian Reformed consciousness. With brotherly greetings: Andrew Harsanyi, Bishop BISHOP'S ORDINATION It was a great honor in the life of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Carteret to see a Bishop’s ordination. It happened on Nov. 8, 1986. As an introduction let us state the fact that earlier this year the ballots were sent out to all congregations and each one of them voted in our customary, democratic way. The ballots were opened on August 2nd, 1986 in Carteret and the result was overwhelmingly in favor of Dr. Harsanyi except one vote. The date of the next General Assembly of the Synod was set immediately and also the details of the ordination and installation of other Synod officers was set. The General Assembly meeting was held on Nov. 8th from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Sunday School room of our Carteret Church. The meeting was opened by Dezső Trombitás with an enlightening meditation. The roll call was read by The General Secretary: Alexander Forro. The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Priscilla Hunyady, which was followed by the report of the Chief Elder of the Synod for the past 12 years John Nemish, who just retired from Carteret to Seminole, FL. Bishop Dezső Abraham thanked everyone who helped him throughout the 18 years when he was the bishop and asked God’s blessing on the newly elected Bishop and officers. Later Dezső Abraham was elected Bishop Emeritus, and John Nemish as Chief Elder Emeritus. Reports by the Deans followed, from the Eastern Classis: Stefan Torok, Western Classis: Denes Tamas, New York Classis, in the absence of Dean Gabor Csordás, Alexander Forro reported. On the state of the “Magyar Egyház,” official newspaper of the denomination, Gabor Nitsch and Stefan Torok, co-editors reported. The Nominating Committee presented the slate of officers elected by the congregations and those to be elected by the Synod, as follows: 1. ELECTED BY THE CONGREGATIONS: Chief Elder of the Synod — Anthony C. Beke Members of the Synodal Judicial Commission — Eastern Classis — the Rev. Imre Bertalan and Balint Balogh New York Classis —- the Rev. Dr. Louis Nagy and László Vanyi Western Classis — the Rev. Paul Mezo and József Szarka
