Magyar Egyház, 1995 (74. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1995 / 1. szám
MAGYAREGYHÁZ 9. oldal MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP Dear Brothers and Sisters. May I convey my heartfelt greetings to you in this first issue of our denominational newspaper in 1995 and may I call your attention to a few important subjects concerning everyone in our denomination. 1. I kindly urge you to support our newspaper “The Magyar Church” to the outmost of your ability, since without your generous contributions we are in serious difficulties. Send in your ideas and Mr. Stephen Szabó chief elder and editor and I are promise to you, that your voice will be heard and your opinions will be appreciated. 2. In the past years, under the leadership of our beloved former bishop dr. Andrew Harsanyi, we made great strides to update our 1975 constitution and bylaws book. You have contributed with inspired insights and recommendations to amend our bylaws in several ways. But, I think, we need further discussions on the matter and you are encouraged to send your ideas for still newer, additional amendments to the Bishop’s office. Then - and it may take several months or perhaps even longer, we can, after 20 years, print a new bylaws book. 3. In biblical spirit we have to keep in mind and make the necessary efforts toward the unification of our Calvinist congregation with our rich Hungarian heritage in North America. I am thinking mainly of the unification with our sister denomination, the Calvin Synod. Not, that we did not have enriching cooperation in the past, indeed we have had manyfold experiences, but now we have to go further. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi and dr. Francis Vitéz Bishops,with great spiritual insights have already outlined their main plans for unity in our respective Synod-meetings and newspapers. They are precious ideas and worth to contemplate upon. I know well, after 35 years service in the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, that there will be difficulties to reach this goal; not only because we are independent and the other congregations belong to American denominations, but, in my opinion, because of the growing differences between the completely Hungarian speaking congregations and the second, third generation Hungarians, who scarcely or not at all understand our ancient language. But we have our common and blessed purpose: to spread the good news of the gospel among men and gather disciples for our Lord and Master into his Church. He said: “I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just so as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, that the world will believe that you sent me.” (John 17:21) No denominational commitment or language barrier can hinder this divine purpose. With these thoughts I great you and wish you a blessed Lenten season, that you may grow in Christ inwardly and a Happy Easter, that you may ever rejoice in His glorious resurrection! Fraternally yours, Alexander Forro, bishop. RESURRECTION Words have meaning “in” and “of’ themselves. There is a portion of word meaning that is given by the context. The word “resurrection” in the Latin form means “to rise”. This is the term that God, the Father, used to describe His Son’s return to life. What does this have to do with the Church? The Holy Spirit uses the power from this event to move his people (His Church) to reach all nations. Not just the English-Americans like myself or the Hungarian-Americans like yourselves - but all nations. Our communities need the rich unity and diversity of our churches. Here in Allen Park, Michigan, we are attempting to develop unity among the diverse peoples within our local community. One way in which we are doing this is to have another church in our neighborhood join us in doing Vacation Bible School. Also, we recently hosted a Men’s Breakfast and included men from a neighboring church. In the future, we are planning a “Friendship Dinner”; for every ticket purchased by a member for the “Friendship Dinner”, a free ticket will be given for the purpose of bringing someone from the community. The resurrection of Our Lord is much more dramatic than these examples. However, these are our attempts to be “salt and light” in our community as we look to God for that resurrection power. This Easter season as we remember our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection, let us share this good news with all who He draws to us. Thomas Burbridge senior pastor, Allen Park, Michigan.
