Magyar Egyház, 2002 (81. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)

2002 / 3. szám

4. oldal

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

MEETING OF THE BISHOFS COUNCIL

The Annual Meeting of the Bishop’s Council was held on June 22nd, 2002 at the Magyar Reformed Church of New Brunswick, NJ.

The meeting began with a short devotional by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop, based on the Gospel of St. Mathew 5:36-43, prayers were offered by Chief Elder of the Synod Mr. Stephen Szabó.

The following council members were present: Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop, Mr. Stephen Szabó, Chief Elder of the Synod, The Rt. Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Ecclesiastical Secretary, Mr. Zolten Ambrus Lay Secretary of the Synod, Miss Priscilla D. Hunyady, Synod Treasurer, representing the Eastern Classis, the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, Dean and Mr. Balint Balogh Chief Elder, representing New York Classis, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop as supervisor, Mr. László B. Vanyi was excused, representatives of the Central Classis, the Rt. Rev. Pal Mezo. Dean, Mr. Zoltán Kun Chief Elder was absent, representatives from the Western Classis, the Rev. Andor Demeter, Dean, and Mr. István Farkas Chief Elder, Ecumenical Secretary of the Synod the Rev. Ambrus Batiz. Mr. Anthony C. Beke Chief Elder Emeritus and comptroller of the Synod was excused. He extended a greeting to the Bishop’s Council in form of a letter. Also present were: the Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, Bishop of the Calvin Synod United Church of Christ, Mr. George Dózsa Chairman of the Board Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, the Prof. August Molnár, president of the Hungarian Studies Foundation, the Rev. Arpad Drotos, secretary of the New York Classis, the Rev. Barnabas Roczey host pastor,

Greetings were extended by the Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, Bishop in behalf of the Calvin Synod, Mr. George Dózsa in behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, by the Rev. Barnabas Roczey in behalf of the host Church. In behalf of the Hungarian Foundation greetings were extended to the meeting by the Prof. August Molnár.

Minutes of the last meeting of the Bishop’s Council were approved with some corrections. The Council expressed thanks and appreciation for the minutes especially to Mr. Zolten Ambrus who prepared the minutes. Rev. Stefan M. Torok Ecclesiastical Secretary wrote the article to the official Church Publication.

Treasurer, Miss Priscilla D. Hunyady reported on the Financial condition of the Synod, giving separate reports on the General Fund, Mission Fund, Magyar Egyház church newspaper.

The Council expressed thanks and appreciation to Miss Priscilla Hunyady for her report and offered it for examination to the Finance Committee.

The meeting continued with the report of Bishop Forro which was distributed to all members of the Council. The Council expressed thanks and appreciation to Bishop Alexander Forro.

Mr. Stephen Szabó Chief Elder of the Synod made his report to the Council. The Bishop’s Council also expressed thanks and appreciation to him for his report. Both reports were duly accepted and made part of this Bishop’s Council meeting.

In behalf of the Eastern Classis, the Very Rev. Imre Bertalan, Dean and Mr. Balint Balogh gave a report on the life of the congregations. Rev. Bertalan expressed the sad feeling of the classis over the loss of ministerial services of the Rev. Stefan Torok in the Perth Amboy congregation, but also the joyful feeling of his election as President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Dean Bertalan also informed the Council, that the Perth Amboy Church elected its new pastor in the person of the Rev. Attila Kocsis from Mezőtúr, Hungary. Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, Dean and Mr. Baling Balogh, Chief Elder of the Classis indicated that there is peace and understanding in the life of the Eastern Classis.

In behalf of the New York Classis, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop, Mr. Stephen Szabó Chief Elder of the Synod, who also is a member of the 82nd Street Church Council, and the Rev. Arpad Drotos, secretary of the New York Classis gave a report. Bishop Forro mentioned the difficulties of the Warrenville, Ct, congregation with the Rev. István Muzsi is the pastor, where the church building has been neglected for years and the city will take over the property. Bishop Forro also mentioned that he appointed the Rev. Leslie Martin to look into the possibility of perhaps gaining some financial compensation for the property. Bishop Forro also mentioned that the Staten Island, NY congregation request for transfer to the Eastern Classis is still on the agenda of the Classis and in the very near future when the Classis will officially meet the subject will be discussed even though the release of the congregation must be handled by the Synod.

In behalf of the Central Classis the Rev. Pal Mezo gave a report. He indicated that upon the resignation of Dean the Rev. Dr. Daniel Borsay, he took over the leadership of the Central Classis.