Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1978-05-01 / 5-6. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

5

The total reported membership is 5,207. In 12 churches the membership is under 50, in 8 from 50 to 100, in 9 from 100 to 200, in 6 from 200 to 300, in 2 from 300 to 400, and in 2 from 400 to 500. This means that more than half of our churches have less than 100 membership (51.28%), and only 25.6% have more than 200. This “small church” symptom is reflected in our Sunday School figures. We have only 1,063 persons in our church schools, including teachers, officers, cradle roll. In exactly one-third of our churches (13) there is no Sunday School, in eleven the enrollment is under 25, in six from 25 to 50, in four from 50 to 75, also in four from 75 to 100, and only one reported 145 (Fairfield). If you ask the hard question, “What is our future under such circumstances?”, let me call your attention to the “Small Church Project” of our denomination, a two year project, completed in June, 1977 with the primary goal of experimenting with ways of strengthening small churches and increasing their viability. I hope the Christian Education Committee will bring practical recommendations as to how we should utilize this valuable document.

3. OUR SYNOD. The reports of the deans and the Conference Council give an indication of where we are in regard to our synodical life. However, I would like to call your attention to a few special issues.

You all know the heartwarming response of our people to two emergency situations: for the Erdély Earthquake Relief more than $13,000 and for the Johnstown Flood Relief close to $6,000 were received by our Treasurer. This is almost $20,000 for emergency relief! This shows that we give as we understand, and we HAVE money for worthy causes!

On the basis of this fact let me express my strong conviction that our basic problem is not money, but the arrested development of our corporate life. By this I mean that just as the Hungarian Reformed Church in America claims to be a denomination, but fails to provide denominational program, we as Calvin Synod claim to be a conference of the United Church of Christ, but fail to provide the services necessary for the growth and welfare of our constituency. Just read in the UCC By-laws (§143-162) what a conference is expected to provide: coordinating the work and witness of the local churches and associations; rendering counsel to local churches and ministers in situations calling for help beyond their own resources or with reference to pastoral placement; sponsoring in-service training for ministers; conducting conferences, retreats, clinics and workshops; maintaining relations with other Christian fellowships; establishing and maintaining Conference offices, centers, institutions, and other needful agencies; employing such salaried personnel as its program may require; etc. And now ask the questions: Are we doing it? NO! Must we do it? YES! Can we do it? YES! I think it is providential that just when we existentially struggle with these questions, our Synod was granted with funds whose INTEREST would, in my opinion, be sufficient to initiate the necessary steps for a continued growth as a conference of the UCC. Therefore I would like to see the 1979 budget prepared without using the interest of the Synod Fund for items hitherto carried by assessment money, and using the interest to work out a plan for making our Synod a truly “acting” conference of the UCC.

We can no longer afford the luxury of criticizing the UCC, but never developing the “better” way in education, evangelization, worship, social action, newspaper, polity, etc. It is not enough to talk, we have to act! It is not enough to act, we have to be faithful servants of the Kingdom of God, or else it will be taken away from us and given to those producing the fruits of it (Mt. 21:43).

4. DENOMINATIONAL MATTERS. Several matters deserve our attention.

(a) The Rev. Avery D. Post became the fourth President of the UCC. At his installation, Deputy Bishop Desmond Parragh represented our Synod. We congratulate him, pray for him, and hope that, at our next meeting, he will be our guest.

(b) I am also happy to report that we succeeded to list the “Hungarian Reformed Diaspora” among the UCC “Projects for Designated Giving with Basic Support Credit” (A-14/a). This means that contribu-IN OTHER ACTIONS, Synod called attention to the ÜCBHM energy saving program which gives low interest loans (4%) up to $10,000 repayable within 5 years; to the “Small Church Project”; adopted the budget of $57,- 983.00 for 1978. The travel expenses were paid on 15 cents per mile basis using the savings from last year.

GREETINGS were sent by the Synod delegates to the Rev. Avery Post, new UCC President; to the Rev. A. Babos who recently underwent a double operation; and to the Rev. Dr. A. Ludwig who is recuperating after a serious heart attack.

REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS of other committees will be published in the Synod Minutes which will be available to all of our churches.

OUR WALLINGFORD CHURCH bid farewell to Dr. & Mrs. László Berzeviezy on April 2. Upon retirement, the Berzeviczys plan to reside in California, while the congregation is looking for a new pastor. Revs. A. & M. Babos are the administrators, but those interested in the vacancy are to call the Bishop.

THE PHOENIXVILLE CHURCH has elected the Rev. Eugene Z. Szabó (Cleveland) as the new pastor. The Szabos plan to move in June.

PASTORS are asked to mail a copy of their Annual Reports to the Bishop’s Office. Thanks!

IN HAMMOND our Faith Church dedicated an Allen Digital Computer Organ on Feb. 26, 1978.

THE PALM SUNDAY CONFERENCE of our Eastern Classis had its 25'h meeting in our Bridgeport Church on March 19 with 130 in attendance from 6 churches.

MISS S\RA KOYATS is recommended for lay mini-'ry on conditiion that she receives a suitable call.

“THE DOVE OF HOPE” a filmstrip on the Guatemala earthquake is available at the Bishop’s Office.

THE UCC NATIONAL MEETING OF WOMEN for Leadership Development is scheduled for Jan. 10-13, 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (See May A.D.)

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONTEST is sponsored bv Christ Church, Bethlehem.

TURNING BELIEFS INTO PUBLIC POLICY. 12 pamphlets on important issues (such as Human Rights), can be ordered from Office for Church in Society. (100 or more 5£ each.)

KEYPAK, a semi-annual packet of church program materials, replaces the Stewardship Council Packets. Free sample will be sent to each congregation.