Magyar Egyház, 1998 (77. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998 / 3. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 3. oldal MEETING OF THE BISHOP’S COUNCIL The Bishop’s Council of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America held its annual meeting on June 20, 1998 at the Magyar Reformed Church in Linden, New Jersey. The opening devotions were held by Bishop Alexander Forro on the letter to the Romans 12:6- 20. Bishop Forro offered the opening prayer. Scripture was read by the Chief Elder of the Synod Mr. Stephen Szabó. All in attendance sang hymn number 374. “Szállj alá óh áldott Szent Lélek.” The following members of the Bishop’s Council were present: Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop, Mr. Stephen Szabó, Chief Elder, Rev. Stefan Torok, Ecclesiastical Secretary, Mr. Zolten Ambrus, Lay Secretary. Miss Priscilla Hunyady, Treasurer, representing the Western Classis Dean the Very Rev. Andor Demeter, representing the Eastern Classis Dean the Very Rev. Imre Bertalan and Mr. Balint Balogh, Chief Elder, representing the New York Classis Mr. László B. Vanyi, Chief Elder. Honorary member Mr. Anthony C. Beke, Chief Elder Emeritus. Guests included the following: the Rev. Ambrus Batiz, host pastor, the Rev. Barnabas Roczey, the Rev. Peter Toth, the Rev. August Molnár, President of the Hungarian Studies Foundation, Mr. Les Martin, Seminary Student from Princeton, and co-chair of the Bethlen Home Strategic Committee, Mrs. Helen Dodge, Vice President of the Hungarian Presbyters Association, Mrs. Eva Szabó and Mrs. Jacqueline Vanyi. Greetings were extended by the host pastor, Rev. Ambrus Batiz, on behalf of his congregation, and the Rev. August Molnár, on behalf of the Hungarian Studies Foundation. Minutes of the 1997 Bishop’s Council were read by the two secretaries and were accepted with minor changes. Treasurer, Miss Priscilla Hunyady reported on the financial affairs of the denominations as follows: General Fund Mission Fund Magyar Egyház Youth Camp Income in 1997$4,848.85 $5,013.00 $4,260.25 $24,553.1 1 Expenses in 1997 $9,016.90 $2,000.00 $5,740.00 $22,001.75 The meeting continued with the report of the Bishop, which was prepared in writing and distributed to all in attendance. Bishop Forro prepared his report in Hungarian and will be made part of the actual minutes of the meeting. In his report, Bishop Forro gave an account on the state of the life of the denominations as well as of his many activities during the year. The Council accepted his report with thanks and it was motioned to be made part of our deliberations. The meeting also heard the report of the Synod Chief Elder Mr. Stephen Szabó as well. The Council also expressed its thanks and appreciation for his report. Continuing the meeting, Bishop Forro requested the Deans as well as Chief Elders to report on the state of the condition of life in the Classis. Rev. Imre Bertalan stated that at the last meeting of the Eastern Classis upon the resignation of Dean Rev. Stefan Torok, he assumed the duties of the Dean. He was installed to the office by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro. He also indicated that all our congregations live in peace. Special mention was made of his personal visits to the following congregations: Trenton, and Roebling, NJ where he also visited Mrs. Margaret Abraham, wife of our former Bishop the late Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham, He also visited with Mrs. Margaret Harsanyi, the wife of the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi. Dean Bertalan also made mention of his visit with the former pastor of the Trenton congregation the Rev. Stephen Kovács. He also made mention of the up-coming 50th Anniversary celebration of the First Hungarian United Church of Christ in Miami, Florida which will be held in the later part of the year. The Council expressed thanks and appreciation for his report. Mr. Balint Balogh reporting on his duties as Chief Elder of the Eastern Classis indicated that this is the 12th year of his service as Chief Elder. During the year he was able to visit some of the member congregations, and the greatest joy of his service was to host the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Classis at his home church. The Council expressed its thanks and appreciation to Mr. Balogh for his report. On behalf of the New York Classis, Bishop Alexander Forro gave a report. He indicated that even though no regular meetings were held in the Classis, he acted as supervisor in its congregations. Bishop Forro indicated that, thanks to the Lord the New York congregation elected and installed its new pastor, the Rev. Arpad Drotos and they look
