Magyar Egyház, 1989 (63. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1989-07-01 / 4. szám

8. oldal

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

MEETING OF THE BISHOP'S COUNCIL

The Bishop’s Council of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America met for its regular meeting at the Perth Amboy, Magyar Reformed Church on July 23rd and 24th.

The members of the Bishop’s Council are as follows: Dr. Andrew Harsanyi Bishop, Mr. Anthony C. Beke Chief Elder, Rev. Dezső Trombitás Ecclesiastical Secretary, Miss Piroska Hunyady Treasurer.

The Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham, Honorary Bishop; Mr. John Nemish, Honorary Chief Elder not present; Mr. Alex B. Eger Esq., Law Counselor.

Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Dean of the Eastern Classis; Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder of the Eastern Classis; Rev. Alexander Forro, Dean of the New York Classis; Mr. István Szabó, Chief-Elder of the New York Classis; Rev. Andor Demeter, Dean of the Western Classis and Mr. Zoltán Kun, Chief-Elder of the Western Classis who could not be present.

In behalf of the Magyar Egyház the Rev. Gabor G. Nitsch, co-editor and the Rev. Gabor Csordás, member of the ministerial examination committee.

The meeting started with opening devotion by Dr. Andrew Harsanyi Bishop on July 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the meeting we heard the report of the minutes of the last meeting of the Bishop’s Council, and the report of the Synod’s treasury was made. The time spent at the meeting was spent on the life, difficulties and accomplishments of our congregations, as well as our association with other Hungarian church communities and the Reformed Church of Hungary.

We intently listened to the report of the deans of our classis, and particular problems existing in our congregations and pastoral changes. The Bishop’s Council seperately discussed the petition mailed to the bishop’s office by the Duquesne and Youngstown congregations. The Bishop’s office will inform them of the decision.

We have spend extra time on the need of Christian education for both young and old alike, discussed the need for training for our teachers. We have also discussed the problems of the Magyar Egyház — including the lack of financial assistance by our congregations. Our decision in the matter was to send a bill to each congregation according to the number of issue mailed.

The Bishop’s Council also acknowledged the election of Dr. Zoltán Szucs as the new Bishop of the Calvin Synod, and expressed its interest to work together with the new leadership for the benefit of our Reformed community. The Bishop’s Council also requested to extend a greeting to the Rev. Bertalan Negyessy on the occasion of his 30th anniversary, and to the Rev. Dezső Trombitás on the occasion of his 30th anniversary of ministry in their respective congregations.

We have spent additional time to the subject of our brothers and sisters, who are interested in coming to these United States and are already in Western Europe, and how to further assist our brothers and sisters who found their new home in Hungary from the oppressing regime in Rumania.

In speaking about the office of Bishop, report was made that the present term of four years will expire by the end of 1990, when according to our rules and regulations another election will he held. We expressed our thanks and

appreciation to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi for accepting the office and leading us as our Bishop.

Also we set time aside to discuss our relationship with the Mother Church of Hungary, where in these days many changes are taking place. The Bishop’s Council established that we should not take a stand one way or another in the present situation, but prayerfully ask the Good Lord to bring everything into fulfillment according to His Divine plan.

On the subject of the upcoming visit of the Bishop, Elemer Kocsis, we received information that the visit is being coordinated by Dr. Harsanyi, Dr. Szucs, Dr. Bertalan and Dr. Baksa. We will have an opportunity in meeting with him in Ligonier, also a special get-together on the east coast, in New Brunswick when many questions relating to our interest can be asked, such as: possibilities about the relationship of the Hungarian government and church in the future, also dealing with the Hungarian Reformed schools, the Rumanian (Hungarian) refugees, etc.

It was a joyous time to be together, even though the time is never enough. It is our hope and prayer, that our time together will produce fruits for the benefit of our members and to the glory of God.

We express also a special thanks to Mrs. Cynthia Torok and Mrs. Lillian Banyacski, who prepared delicious food for our enjoyment.

ABS LAUNCHES "GIFT OF LOVE" DRIVE FOR 1,000,000 USSR AND EAST EUROPE SCRIPTURES

The American Bible Society (ABS) joined with its partner Bible Societies around the world in launching a massive drive to bring 1,000,000 needed Bibles and New Testaments to the Soviet Union and parts of Eastern Europe.

ABS has taken on a commitment to provide a large portion of the $3,000,000 required for his major endeavor, much of the balance coming from fellow-members of the global partnership known as the United Bible Societies (UBS).

Funding is needed to cover both UBS production of the Scriptures, mainly in Western Europe, and their subsequent shipment to Eastern Europe, where they will he distributed to local churches for individual believers.

The campaign is intended to release a fresh supply of copies of God’s Word into the region, adding to the flow which began in 1985 with the gradual relaxation that resulted from glasnost — openness — in Russia.

In fact, the Bible Societies had been sending in smaller shipments officially during the years before glasnost.

The American Bible Society has chosen “Gifts of Love” as its theme title, because this symbolizes the spirit in which Americans traditionally rally to help those in need, says Dr. John D. Erickson, head of the International Relations Division at ABS.

He adds, “The import permits have been approved. Christians in Eastern Europe are waiting. And we have made the promise.”

“But production of the Scriptures can only begin when the funds start rolling in. Our brothers and sisters in that part of the world are looking to us with anxious eyes and yearning hearts.”