Magyar Egyház, 1998 (77. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9. oldal The Rev. Csilla Lucskai-Spelda on the roll of ministers of the Eastern Classis. Dean Torok, upon the information of the Secretaries, indicated to the Assembly that all present as elders or members from the constituting congregations would be seated as corresponding members of the Assembly. Adding up all the delegates and guests a total of 72 members were in attendance. The Assembly was greeted by the following individuals: Bishop Alexander Forro, Chief Elder Stephen Szabó, Bishop Francis Vitéz in behalf of the Calvin Synod, the Rev. Albert W. Kovács in behalf of the Eastern Classis of Calvin Synod, Mr. Leslie Martin in behalf of the Presbyters’ Association, Mrs. Helen Dodge in behalf of the Eastern area of the Presbyters’ Association, Mr. László Vanyi in behalf of the New York Classis. The official meeting of the Assembly proceeded with discussion of the minutes from last year’s Assembly held in March of 1997 in Perth Amboy. A motion was made to accept the minutes as prepared and distributed to all members of the Assembly. Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder of the Classis requested Dean Torok to make his official report to the Assembly. Dean Torok’s report was also printed and distributed to all those in attendance. Dean Torok indicated that this is his last report as Dean, since he submitted his resignation after serving 15 years as Dean. The Assembly will install the new Dean, the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws who fills the Ecclesiastical Secretary’s position at present. Dean Torok paused in his report on the life of all congregations and gave an opportunity to the pastor and Chief Elder or official representatives of each congregation to report on the most recent developments in their congregations. Dean Torok also requested the Assembly to confirm the call of the Rev. László Ujj to the Trenton, NJ congregation. The report of the Dean was accepted with many thanks and requested to be placed before the appropriate committee for further deliberations. Following the Dean’s report, Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder of the Eastern Classis report was read. The Assembly accepted also his report with thanks and placed it before the appropriate committee for further deliberation. The meeting continued with the report of the Treasurer, Mr. Andrew C. Lovász. His report also was accepted with thanks and placed before the appropriate committee for further deliberations. Dean Torok appointed the following committees: Nominating, Recommendation and Finance Committees, and ordered recess for the work of these committees. During the break, the host congregation’s elders and members hosted a wonderful coffee break with all the good Hungarian traditional finger foods of szalonna, kolbász, cheeses and cakes. We had a hard time to bring everyone back on time to the Assembly. The Committees completed their work and reported back to the Assembly. The Nominating Committee recommended filling the position of the Dean with Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan for the one remaining term in accordance with the By-Laws. The ecclesiastical representative position should be filled with the Rev. Peter Toth, upon the death of Bishop Dezső Abraham. Dean Torok requested Bishop Forro to administer the Oath of the Office to the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan. Rev. Toth was unanimously elected to the post mentioned before. The Finance Committee found all the books in order and made recommendations to assist the various causes. All motions were accepted. The Recommendations Committee made several Rev. Török greets the Assembly. Left to right: Mr Andrew C. Lovász, Treasurer, Mr Bálint Balogh, Chief Elder, Rev. Török, Dean, Miss Priscilla Hunyady, Lay Secretary, Rev. Dr Imre Bertalan, Ecclesiastical Secretary.