Calvin Synod Herald, 1977 (77. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Dr. James /. McCord, new President of tC ARC. CONSULATION MARKS WARC CENTENARY St. Andrew, Scotland — Despite a goslow action by British air traffic controllers, delaying arrivals, some 200 representatives from churches in 43 countries met in the ancient university here, August 22-28, 1977, to celebrate the hundreth anniversary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (Presbyterian and Congregational). Formed in 1875 by a mere 21 Churches mainly from North American and European countries, the alliance had its first full assembly, also in Scotland (Edinburghú in 1877. when the only language used was English. Today, this world-wide family of Reformed churches has grown to 144 member churches spread all over the world, and its official languages now also include German, French and Spanish. The Centennial Consultation in St. Andrews replaced a world assembly, which should have been held this year, but which was cancelled for reasons of stewardship and finance. Two major addresses opened the Consultation on August 22. Dr. James 1. McCord, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, gave the keynote theological address on the main theme: “The glory of God and the future of man.’’ The other opening speech was by retiring WARC president Dr. William P. Thompson, who affirmed the ongoing commitment of the Alliance to the unity of Christ’s Church and hence to the ecumenical movement. Group discussions at the Consultation centered on three sub-themes: the glory of God in Jesus Christ, in the Church, in the World. Participants also active in five workshops — “Worship and the witness of the Word in today’s world”; “the church and the meaning of community”; “interconfessional dialogues”; “theology and human rights”; and “worship, song and celebration.’’ The Consultation was preceded and followed by meetings of the old and the new executive committees. RPS, Sept. 77 Calvin Synod delegates at the 11th General Synod SPOTLIGHT: HALF-A-BILLION PERSONS FACE HUNGER While world food-production is up, there are nevertheless a half-billion persons faced with food shortages, malnutrition, or starvation — hunger — today. A new Guide for Local Church Hunger Acton, distributed to U.C.C. congregations this month as part of the Hunger Action Fund Packet, describes hunger around the world, region by region, and outlines a four-week Hunger Action Program which can be used by congregations large or small. The program is based on the six goals adopted by the Tenth General Synod in response to the world food crisis and reaffirmed by the Eleventh General Synod this summer: consciousness-raising, life-style modification, citizen-action, fund-raising, resource-allocation, and theological and ethical studies. The Guide, in addition, reports on the 1976 Hunger Action Fund and lists Hunger Action resources which are currently available. Congregations are urged to engage in the four-week Hunger Action Program sometime after October 2nd (Neighbors in Need Sunday) and before November 20 (Family Thank Offering Sunday in many churches). The theme suggested for Hunger Action programs this year is “I was hungry...’’ (Matthew 25:35). A poster, featuring this theme, and an order card for materials are included in the Hunger Action Fund Packet. Ed’s Clipsheet, Oct. 1977 * The recently published poetry book, A NEW BOUQUET, by Margaret Fekete Csóványos, has been selected for exhibition at the greatest Annual Book Event in the world, The International Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt, Germany, October 12-17, 1977. This exhibit will offer an opportunity to authors whose books will be on display, to be considered by publishers, distributors, editors and reviewers to buy translation and/or foreign publication rights to books.
