Calvin Synod Herald, 1979 (79. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-03-01 / 3-4. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

7

to learn to be a useful member of society and to develop individual abilities.

to be brought up in a spirit of peace and universal brotherhood.

to enjoy these rights, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national, or social origin.

Everyone who casts his eye on this list will certainly say — “All that goes without saying.” But is it really so self-evident? Do we really always grant these rights without restriction to our children? Let us take the first of these rights, the right to affection, love and understanding. In our predominantly materialist world are children really always welcomed, are we prepared to restrain our demand for our share of comfort and wealth, to find the time in our hectic daily lives for their needs and troubles, to give them our love when they do not show love towards us, and be sympathetic to them when we feel we are ourselves misunderstood?

The object of the International Year of the Child is to stir up public opinion and hence to achieve a substantial improvement in all countries in the regular services provided for children. This can of course not be done through a unified program, because the needs of children vary from country to country; there is a wide field here for “do it yourself” initiatives. All countries have been invited to establish national committees to coordinate the efforts of individual organizations to bring about specific improvements in education, medical care, the law and so forth. But the setting up of new programs in favor of children implies' that new funds will be made available; and it is just in this respect that international solidarity has to come into play. Part of the effort of the developed countries needs to be devoted to improving the lot of their own children, and part should benefit the children in the developing countries.

National committees have been set up in some fifty countries to date, but it can be hoped that in the coming months this number will increase considerably. The committees work according to their own programs, but certain common themes are beginning to emerge such as child protection, the child and the family, the handicapped child, child labor, abuse of drugs by children, refugee children, and many more. The framework is very wide, and it is to be hoped that society will bring new thinking to its attitude to children and give them the important place due to them as tomorrow’s members of society. And society must not forget that children cannot wait. Everything that needs to be done for them needs to be done today, for with every passing day that a child cannot really be a child a day is subtracted from his childhood and he moves irrevocably onward towards adulthood. Today we know that the first years of a human being’s life are decisive for the formation of his personality. If we want the adults of tomorrow to be happy people we must see that the children all over the world today can grow up happy and carefree.

What is the commitment of the Churches for the International Year of the Child? The problem presents itself on two levels. Without doubt the Churches have a special duty to intercede in favor of the child, to try to ensure that his conditions of life in every society are improved, and to contribute to his physical well-being.

But the task of the Churches goes deeper than this. The Churches have to ask themselves what place they give to the child in church life, Are the Churches trying to do justice to children in the various forms of church life, do they offer the child teaching in Christian beliefs and worship which he is capable of understanding? Or are children merely small adults, marginally present at the liturgical celebration which does not touch their needs?

Ultimately it is a question of theological conception. What does being a child denote to a Christian? What do we mean when we speak of men as children of God? Is that simply a beloved Bible image, and should we not strive harder to understand the words of Jesus, when He said: “Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 19:14).

*

Information about the International Year of the Child can be obtained from:

IYC Secretariat, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017, USA

IYC Secretariat (Europe), Bocage-Building, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland

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and lay women. Too much emphasis was laid on liberation FROM at the expense of liberation FOR something. Would it be possible to have a Committee on Women at our next Synod Meeting? And a column for women in the Calvin Synod Herald occasionally? ...”

THE CONFERENCE COUNCIL met on February 13- 14 in Woodbridge, N.J. Items discussed include:

— Retreat evaluation and recommendation to continue it.

— Bethlen Home: Bishop will report on it to the Annual Synod Meeting.

— Synod Meeting in Bridgeport: visiting neighboring churches; workshops on congregational profile, youth and church; budget for 1979; persons to be honored; standing rule and other regulations; Galvin Synod Herald; worship service, etc.

— Youth Conference: theme, date, age limits, regulations, confirmed, etc. The Rev. Dr. László Medyesy was authorized to act as co-camp director with the Rev. L. Hies.

— Transylvanian Relief: Bishop reported on latest developments politically, denominationally and on Synod level. The reconstruction of the churches and sending wheelchairs are stiU on the agenda!

— The Rev. Dr. F. Vitéz represents the Synod at the Kovats Bicentennial Celebrations on May 6-12, in Charleston.

— UCC Gen. Synod XII, June 22-26 in Indianapolis, Ind. Recommendation to provide adequate pension for retired ministers and spouses.

— Diaspora Work: our South American churches desperately need our help.

— Treasurer’s Report: Income in 1978 was $50,406.08, expenses $48,610.47.

— Various personal and congregational matters.

VACANT CHURCHES:

— Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church. Salary range $10- 15,000.00. Negotiable. Call: Dr. Jacob Wagner, Western Reserve Association, 4277 Pearl Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, or Dr. Butosi.

— Toledo Calvin UCC. The Rev. A. E. Harto retires as of June 1, 1979. For further information call the Rev. Roger D. Perl, Association Minister, The Northwest Ohio Association, UCC. 33 1/2 South Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, Tel.: 419-447-8323.

— Johnstown-Vintondale-Windber. Call the Bishop’s Office.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING will be observed on March 25 in our churches. This all-church offering pro-