Magyar Egyház, 1995 (74. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1995 / 1. szám
10. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN CLASSIS The Annual Assembly of the Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America was held on Sunday, March 5th at the Hungarian Reformed Church of Roebling, New Jersey. Registration was held from 2:30 P.M. and the meeting was opened by Rev. Edwin Stern, Pastor of the host congregation with a devotional. Organist was Mrs. Georgianna Harkel. Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Dean of the Classis extended a warm welcome to everyone and asked the Secretaries to take a roll call of the official delegates. The following officers of the Classis were present: Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Dean Emeritus, Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Dean, Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder, Rev. Edwin Stern and Miss Priscilla Hunyady Secretaries, Mr. Andrew C. Lovász Treasurer. Commissioners to the General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham, and Mrs. Elizabeth Novak, Members of the Judicial Commission: Rev. Ambrus Batiz and Mr. Joseph Bartha. Official delegates from the congregations: Bethlehem, PA. Rev. Ronald Hari and Mr. Balint Balogh, Carteret, NJ Rev. Peter Toth and Mr. István Gergely, Linden, NJ Rev. Ambrus Batiz and Mr. Imre Toth, Perth Amboy, N.J. Rev. Stefan M. Torok and Mrs. Elizabeth Novak, Roebling, NJ Rev. Edwin Stern and Mr. Allen Birkholz, Trenton, N.J. Rev. Tamas Karla and Mr. John Estok. Washington D.C. Rev. Imre Bertalan. Dean Torok established that the quorum in accordance of the bylaws and constitution was met and declared the meeting legal. A motion was made to accept all members present as corresponding members. The motion carried. The following special guests extended greetings to the assembly: The Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop, Mr. Stephen Szabó, Chief Elder of the Synod, Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Titular Bishop, Dean Emeritus. Mrs. Helen Dodge, Vice President of the Presbyter’s Association-Eastern Area, and Mr. Zoltán Tarr Theological Student from Hungary presently studying at Princeton Seminary. Minutes of the 1994 Meeting was motioned for acceptance, since it has been prepared in advance and was made available to all those in attendance and was carried. The meeting continued with the Annual Report of the Dean, who gave an account of his work during the past year and also detailed report on the life of our congregations. At each appropriate congregation the Dean has asked the official representatives to update his report. Each congregation represented lived with this opportunity and either the Pastor or the Chief Elder from each congregation spoke to the assembly. A motion was made to accept the Dean’s report and place it for action before the appropriate committee. The motion carried. Chief Elder Mr. Balint Balogh also presented a report of his activities during the year. Motion was made to accept his report and made part of the minutes of this meeting. Mr. Andrew C. Lovász Treasurer, reported on the financial status of the classis. Motion was made to accept his report ,and to be placed before the appropriate committee. Special Lecture was offered to the Assembly by Dr. Andrew Harsanyi on the topic :”Cases of Language and Ethnicity in Churches in America and Hungary.” He spoke of the bilingual problems in our churches and also of the Reformed Church in Hungary. The assembly graciously expressed thanks for a very well presented lecture. Dean Torok appointed the following Committees: Ballot Opening Committee, Nominating Committee, Recommendation Committee, and Financial Committee. A recess was ordered for the work of the Committees. After the meeting has resumed first the Ballot Opening committee reported Chaired by Rev. Edwin Stern. In his report he indicated that 8 congregations sent in their votes and on a unanimous vote the following officers were elected to guide the life of the Eastern Classis: Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Dean; Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder, Members of the Judicial Commission: Rev. Barnabas Roczey, Rev. Ambrus Batiz, Rev. Peter Toth .Ecclesiastical, Mr. Joseph Bartha, Mr. László Ruszkay and Mr. Gabe Csapó Lay members. The Nominating Committee recommended the following Edwin Stern secretary, pastor of the host congregation, Bálint Balogh chief elder, Stefan M. Török dean, Priscilla Hunyady secretary. (Left to right.)
