Reformátusok Lapja, 1963 (64. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)
1963-08-01 / 7. szám
18 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA past we sent representatives to many meetings to have Magyar Synod’s status recognized by the United Church of Christ. All our efforts had been in vain until the present General Synod meeting. Dr. Herbster, president of the United Church of Christ, came to our last two annual Magyar Synod meetings to get first hand information about our unique problems. As a result he gave our Synodical Council an opportunity to argue our case before the Executive Council. We again fought wholeheartedly for the rights we had enjoyed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, and succeeded in convincing the Executive Council members that our special problems need special consideration in the new legal framework of the United Church of Christ. A resolution was agreed to by both parties and Dr. Herbster volunteered to present its favorably to the General Synod. Magyar Synod thanks Dr. Herbster for his understanding attitude and his willingness to help us at all levels and forums where decisions had to be made in our case. New By-Laws The adoption of the resolution by the General Synod enables Magyar Synod now to proceed with the drafting of its new By-Laws as an acting conference. Our highly trained clergy and dedicated laymen must plan such By-Laws for Magyar Synod which will be a true reflection of the faith, mentality and feelings of our constituents, and will be acceptable to our congregations. In August I had sought the counsel of Magyar Synod’s former presidents. In September I had requested the opinions of the Synodical Council members and the presidents of the four classes. Material had been mailed to the pastors and consistories. At the Fall Work Conferences all the men and women delegates will be asked to tell their respective points of view about the type and kind of By-Laws they have in mind for Magyar Synod. This material will be presented for further consideration and evaluation to the By-Laws Committee. The By-Laws adopted by Magyar Synod will be sent to the congregations for ratification. “Reformátusok Lapja” General Synod discontinued the publication of the “Reformátusok Lapja” and transferred its ownership to the Magyar Synod. We used this opportunity to try to merge the three Hungarian Reformed monthly papers in the United States into one. An agreement was made by the representatives of the three interested parties pending the approval of their Judicatories. According to the agreement, the three organizations would jointly publish the new journal with Dr. Harangi as full-time editor. Magyar Synod’s financial share for its annual publication would have been $7,000.00. The Supreme Council of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and Magyar Synod approved the text of the agreement without any reservation. The Bishop’s Council of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America also approved the agreed merger plan, provided Magyar Synod was willing to meet five new requests. The first request demanded our withdrawal from the United Church of Christ. Needless to say, this demand brought an immediate end to our dreams of merging all our papers into a single Hungarian Calvinistic Journal in the United States. We have met many times with Dr. Harangi in order to persuade him to edit the “Reformátusok Lapja” on a part-time basis. We were told to our great sorrow and disappointment that his new position at Baldwin College made this impossible. We rejoice that the Right Reverend Dr. Stephen Szabó, President Emeritus of Magyar Synod and pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Cleveland, accepted the position of editor of the “Reformátusok Lapja” for an interim period until final plans will be made for its publication by Magyar Synod. We are grateful to Alexander Babos, Francis Endrei, Győző Orth, Julius Paal and Dr. Francis Újlaki, distinguished members of our clergy with journalistic talents, for pledging their help by accepting the writing of a column in the new “Reformátusok Lapja” which shall be bi-lingual in the future and will serve the interests of our congregations, Magyar Synod and the United Church of Christ. Arpad George, President of Magyar Synod TEN TEENAGE COMMANDMENTS 1. Stop and think before you drink . . . and then don’t. 2. Don't let your parents down; they brought you up. 3. Be humble enough to obey. You may be giving orders yourself some day. 4. At the first moment turn away from any unclean thought. 5. Don’t show off when driving. If you desire to race, go to Indianapolis. 6. Choose a date who would make a good mate. 7. Go to church faithfully. God gave you a week. Give Him back at least one hour. 8. Choose your friends carefully. You are what they are. 9. Avoid following the crowd. Be an engine, not a caboose. 10. Remember the original Ten Commandments.
