Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD MARTIN LUTHER KING, SR. AND WARC STAFF MEMBER RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTORATES IN HUNGARY Debrecen — Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., a Baptist minister from Atalanta, Georgia, USA; and the Rev. Fred Kaan, a departmental secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, were awarded an honorary doctorate of theology by the Reformed Theological Academy here, on June 16, 1978. The awards were made by Dr. Elemer Kocsis, dean of the ancient Academy (founded 1538) in the presence of a several hundred-strong convocation which included Dr. Tibor Bartha, presiding bishop of the Reformed Church in Hungary, leaders of most of Hungary’s other denominations, faculty members and students, representatives of the national and regional ministries for religious affairs, and local guests. Dr. King, father of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Th.D. for “his struggle for the victory of love and justice,” and for proclaiming everywhere “the importance of social action which issues from the Christian faith and the mobilization of Christian conscience for a just economic order and for the necessary social changes.” Mr. Kaan received his doctorate “in recognition of his merits in the fields of hymnwriting and ecumenical relations.” The official citation refers to “his powerful interpretation of the social dimension of the Gospel, and the compelling call of his hymns on our sense of responsibility for the social problems of mankind.” Mr. Kaan’s texts have been incorporated in numerous English-language hymnals of different denominations around the world; they have also been translated into some fifteen other languages. While chiefly a theological institute for the Reformed Church in Hungary, the Debrecen Academy also cooperates in training students of other Hungarian free churches. The number of students presently enrolled is 107 —- 62 men and 45 women — with two students from the Netherlands, one from Yugoslavia. The election of the new dean for 1978-79 was also announced at the convocation. He is Dr. Janos Pásztor, who from 1970-1976 was on the staff of St. Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru, Kenya. RPS, Jul.-Aug. 1978 A "PEW" PROBLEM It seems that one is never without problems — even in the church. In recent years, St. Mark’s Church has encountered a serious problem with the pews. We bring it to your attention now, as the problem is quite likely to be aggrevated during the summer months. The problem centers on the fact that the pews appear to be drying out. With the subsequent loss of moisture, and therefore loss of weight, church officials are worried that the pews may eventually pull free from the screw nails that hold them in place and float free. You will appreciate the difficulties this could create, should the problem actually arise. The building is not without drafts, and should the pews be blown about, they could wreak havoc with our beautiful sanctuary. More serious, of course, are the problems it could create on Sundays. We certainly wouldn’t want our minister struck down by an empty pew, or have some parishioner sue St. Mark’s as a result of being crushed against the wall by a freefloating pew. As a result of these possibilities, a committee has been studying the problem. After much research, it has concluded that there is really only one solution to our problem. By filling the pews at least once a week with warm, moist objects, our problem can be eliminated. Not only will the weight assure that the pews stay in place, but they will soon regain the moisture they have lost, together with their former beauty and youthfulness. As you can see, this is a problem that each member can help to resolve. The ideal response to this threat would be for you to bring with you on Sunday a medium-density moist object in the form of a friend. Your help would be appreciated particularly during the summer months when our problem could become acute. (From “In Touch," the congregational newsletter of St. Mark’s Church, Don Mills, Ont.) Ed’s a. Oct. 78 Have you sent in your subscription to the Calvin Synod Herald? ORATORIO: SON OF JESSE “An oratorio ‘Son of Jesse” (life of King David) by Leslie Kondorossy had its first radio performance at the WBOE National Public Radio, Cleveland, Ohio on August 17. The biblical text adopted by Rev. Richard L. Glass and edited by Shawn Hall (Mrs. Kondorossy) . The performance by the Cleveland Philharmonic Chorus and a Symphony Orchestra, directed by William Appling. Soloists include Joan Hunkin, soprano; Paula Clark, alto; Edward Anderson, tenor and Frank Scott, baritone. This oratorio was performed two times in Budapest, Hungary in 1972 and 1973 at the Baross tér and the Pozsonyi út Reformed Church. Both times under the conducting of Dr. József Pungur.” If enough interest is shown the Synod will publish a Hungarian and an English booklet on the Hungarian Protestant Galley Slaves. Please notify the Bishop or editor if you are interested. MEDITATION It’s a busy world we live in, We get caught in the race, And sometimes our sense of values Slips a little out of place. It’s a good thing to pull over To the roadside now and then, And get our thinking straightened out Before we start again. This new day is given to us, uncluttered, fresh and clean. Yesterday’s troubles are in the past. Tomorrow’s may never be seen; God has granted us this new day to do with as we will... Let’s fill it with kindness and happiness, love, joy and good will!
