Reformátusok Lapja, 1971 (71. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-02-01 / 2. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 13 45th Anniversary of Dr* Bessemer’s Ordination On January 10, Dr. Stephen M. Bessemer, observed the 45th Anniversary of his ordination and service in Bridgeport. The Anniversary Banquet, held in the new auditorium of the Church, was attended by many church members and well wishers. Mr. Alex Bero, Jr., chief elder of the congregation, greeted the pastor in the name of the local congregation. Rev. Joseph Marsalko was toastmaster for the occasion, and Dr. Alexander Havadtoy said the grace before the meal. The menu was planned and prepared by various organizations in the church. Music was provided by the band of Stephen F. Nagy and several selections were sung by Mrs. Elmer Ondy. Guest speakers at the Banquet included Hugh Curren, mayor of Bridgeport, Dr. John Butosi, president of Calvin Synod, Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy, president of the Eastern Classis, Rev. Francis Vitéz, editor of the Reformátusok Lapja, representing Calvin Synod and Father Denes Szocs. The various organizations of the congregation greeted the pastor and presented their gifts. Mrs. Joseph Furjesz, Jr. prepared a cake depicting the pastor in the pulpit. The staff of the Sunday School collected data of the past 45 years of the Sunday School and presented it to the pastor. A short skit was presented by members of the congregation showing the different dress styles of the past 45 years. The Banquet was brought to a close with prayer by Father Francis Nemeth. Out of the gifts presented to the pastor, Dr. Bessemer loaned $2,000 interest free to the congregation for the new school. It is interesting to note that Dr. Bessemer is the only Hungarian Reformed minister who has served continuously in one congregation for a period of 45 years! Congratulations to the pastor and the congregation for their understanding and love to each other. Francis Vitéz DR. SCHOMER WORLD ISSUES SECRETARY NEW YORK, N.Y.: - The United Church Board for World Ministries, overseas arm of the two-million-member United Church of Christ, announced today establishment of a new staff post to deal with basic public issues which affect the international programs of the board. Named to the new position of World Issues Secretary was the Rev. Dr. Howard Schomer, New York City, executive director of specialized overseas ministries of the National Council of Churches. The Rev. Dr. David M. Stowe, executive vice president of the United Church board, announced that he took office at headquarters here on January 1. Dr. Schomer is currently on loan from the National Council to the World Council of Churches, serving as liaison officer for Indochina on the Church Commission on International Affairs, a specialized unit of the World Council of Churches. Dr. Schomer has a “long-standing relationship with the principal Vietnamese, Cambodian and United States diplomats involved in the search for peace in Indochina which,” Dr. Stowe said, “will be a priority concern of his new office.” “He will lead the staff and members of the board in efforts to bring Christian insights and world-wide ecumenical resources to bear on the points of conflict between nations, races and classes.” Through the new World Issues office, the United Church Board for World Ministries will strengthen its participation in the activities of the World Council’s international affairs commission, Dr. Stowe said. The position was created in consultation with the World Council, and it is expected that Dr. Schomer’s work will be sponsored jointly with the Church Commission on International Affairs. Formal confirming action by the World Council’s Central Committee is expected at its annual meeting in January. Another World Council of Churches’ unit, the Division of Interchurch Aid, Refugees and World Service has provided a grant in support of the appointment because of its special interest in the Indochina sector of the work. The World Council is comprised of 240 churches in 90 countries. Dr. Schomer has been executive director of the experimental Specialized Ministries Department in the Division of Overseas Ministries of the National Council of Churches since 1967. He has headed a team of specialists in planning for more relevant forms of overseas mission and service. From 1959 to 1967 he was president of Chicago Theological Seminary and associate professor of the History of Christianity. He was European Interchurch Aid secretary of the World Council of Churches from 1955 to 1959. From 1946 to 1955, while directing Congregational relief operations in Europe, he also taught history at the College Cevenol in France. During World War II, he served under the American Friends Service Committee as a conscientious objector. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1915, he was graduate from Harvard College in 1937. He continued his studies in Europe, at Harvard and at Chicago Theological Seminary, and was ordained in the Congregational ministry in 1941. Chicago Seminary awarded him the D.D. degree in 1954 and in 1966 he recived the L.L.D. from Olivet College. Dr. Schomer is the author of many articles in the religious press and is an editor-at-large of The Christian Century. He has taken part in three assemblies of the World Council of Churches and was a delegate-observer at the Second Vatican Council. Dr. and Mrs. Schomer live in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. The United Church Board for World Ministries supports mission and service work in 60 countries. The oldest overseas missionary board in the United States, it serves the United Church of Christ, a union of the Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed churches. OOC-UCC
