Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-06-01 / 6-7. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD light of long-range inflationary forecasts. Although last year many of our congregations considered the financial plight of our pastors in a favorable light, yet the continuing deterioration of congregational and pastoral support is a most worrisome matter. Synod should alert our congregations and our denomination to the serious plight of our retired ministers and to seek additional assistance for them in some form. One way might be to adopt the parsonageequity plan of our Massachusetts Conference which provides funds by which a pastor may purchase a home for his retirement. Our denomination should also be urged to seek new ways of providing for the needs of both the active and the retired minister. During the past year we have had no official contact with the Reformed Church in Hungary. Following our Annual Meeting last year, the Reformed Church in Hungary expressed its appreciation to Synod for the kindness and fraternal love with which we received Bishop Tibor Bartha during his visit here. It is our hope that official contacts with the Reformed Church in Hungary can be mutually initiated and that a representative delegation of our Reformed leaders might visit in Hungary as Dr. Robert V. Moss, president of our denomination, together with three other leaders did to the Evangelical Church of the Union in East Germany. On the home ecumenical scene, it was most distressing to find that the Hungarian American Reformed Ministers Association has become involved in matters of distinct political overtones. We hope that the Ministerial Association will act promptly to prevent anyone from using that organization as a forum for individual views and opinions. It is my feeling that our future participation and membership in the Ministerial Association will be determined by its response to this serious breach of love and fellowship affecting all its members. Official talks with our brethren in the Hungarian Reformed Church in America were begun immediately after our Annual Meeting last year. On February 11, 1974 in Passaic, New Jersey an agreement was reached by the official bodies of the participants to form a United Hungarian Reformed Church. This agreement will now require official action by both church bodies. The meetings of the two groups was in every respect open, frank and honest. Christian love and concern for the welfare and well being of the other was always present. Neither group wished to embarrass or to hinder in any way our common work and witness. The antagonisms of the past were laid to rest. It is my fervent hope and prayer that no matter what the outcome of our present unity aspirations, we will never again return to our former ways. As we prepare to discuss and vote on this historical matter may we be guided by the mind of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is also my hope that other Reformed church bodies and congregations will seek to join with us in the formation of a truly united church. The problems of the local congregation became increasingly apparent during our Fall Synod meetings. For the most part this new opportunity to meet and fellowship was accepted and welcomed. It proved to be a needed opportunity to discuss problems and questions facing the local churches by and with lay people from sister churches. It became clear that we can no longer avoid facing up to the reality of our problems. Many of our congregations are in large metropolitan centers and in changing neighborhoods. For many, re-location is the only answer. Yet, for the most part, these congregations are not even willing to consider Cjraduate á grayer Dear Father, guide me in the path Of honest upright youth; Help me to work and live and learn To know and love the truth. Help me to progress up and on Though toilsome be the hill; Help me to reach my longed-for goals If such it be Thy will. Help me to thank my parents In my conduct, words, and deeds; Help me to know the joy that comes From helping those in need. Help me to live the kind of life That I should live, and then Oh, let me come and live with Thee! This is my prayer — Amen. —Author Unknown. re-location. As membership dwindles and financial support evaporates these congregations face a dim future. We must help them to evaluate their situation and to make the right decisions regarding their future life and work. In some areas it is already too late to help. The only solution is to organize new churches; following our people before they break their ties with their spiritual roots and faith. This is not an easy task nor is it one that can be successfully undertaken without adequate funding. Yet, in the spirit of our founding fathers, we too can make plans to save our dying churches in the central city and to begin new work in carefully selected suburban areas. A special Advisory Comittee on Church Re-location and Extension should be elected or appointed immediately if we are to be of help before it’s too late. A great need for the near future is the training of pastors for the bi-lingual ministry. We have been at a disadvantage since the closing of the Hungarian Department in Lancaster and Bloomfield Seminaries. Now we must provide our own program such as a three month internship to recruit and train young people for the bi-lingual ministry. Since this is a need common to all Hungarian Reformed church bodies, it ought to be an ecumenical efort. It is with great sadness in our hearts that we remember those who have passed on to their reward: The Rev. Charles Bogár (74) died on July 20, 1973, Mrs. Charles Papp née Anna Ruzitta (75) died on November 7, 1973, Mrs. Louis Becske née Maria Pentek (59) on December 25, 1973 and Mrs. Miklós Szolga née Irene Szabó on April 23, 1974. Their ministry amongst us will remain as a shining memorial to their abiding faith and loyalty to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s Holy Spirit console the sorrowing and the bereaved. We pray that God in His mercy may find us worthy vessels and instruments of His will. Blessings and Peace. Arpad L. Beretz, Bishop
