Calvin Synod Herald, 1980 (80. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1980-11-01 / 11-12. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

5

Rev. László Medgyessy, Hungarian folk-dances by Mrs. Szabó of Detroit. The group of Spiritual Interests was led by Rev. Coralyn Medgyessy, the Hungarian Heritage group by Rev. Paul Mező of Toronto, Canada. A Leadership Seminar was conducted by Miss Ethel Molnár and Principal Frank Nagy of Toledo. Teacher of the Dramatic Photography class was Rev. Louis Illés of Duquesne, who also served as associate camp director.

After dark representative arrays of color slides were shown of the Holy Land and of Hungary. One film, dealing with juvenile delinquency, was projected — at the request of the 16-and-over group — at 4 o’clock in the morning! (How about that for a dramatic effect!)

Wednesday, we visited the Bethlen Home in Ligonier. Thanks to the hot-dog and hamburger barbecue there, plus the huge scoops of ice cream on the Ligonier Square, the tasty, solid and plentiful Mennonite supper at the camp was less than fully attended.

At any rate, the recently completed Meeting Hall was packed to capacity when Arpad George and Elmer Varga, chief executives of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America presented their donation for the much needed and appreciated support of our youth work: $1,000.00 each for the two participating sister-denominations.

The donation of the William Penn Association, $1500.00, has been presented to the camp leaders by president Elmer Charles and vice-president Stephen Szilagyi. They also took some of the advisors for a conducted tour of the Scenic View project of the Association.

And there was the Talent Show on Thursday evening. It turned out to be a truly international event. Because, just the day before, 52 Japanese children arrived to the camp from Tokyo, as participants of a student exchange program. We invited them to our Talent Show, and they all came. Hungarian dances, American favorites mingled with Japanese songs, and with tunes of Bach and Beethoven, played by Japanese girls on the piano.

The most moving highlight of the week was, however, the service of dedication on Friday night. Bishop Parragh conducted the open-air service, Rev. Louis Illés the communion. Group by group, from East and West, from North and South our youth came to stand around the bonfire and cast their twigs of pledge and friendship onto the flames.

In a pilgrim procession they carried the flame down the mountainside to the chapel. Beautiful little candles they were, bravely flickering in the hushed silence of the summer night.

Saturday morning came. Packing. Clean-up the cabins. Friendship circle: hands holding all around. Drivers announcing: Detroit-Toledo, all aboard... Bridgeport- Wallingford, all aboard . . . Smiles and tears of farewell... See you next year...

May this brief account give our members a glimpse of a happy and successful camping, and expression of our sincere thanks to the Association and the Federation for their gifts Without their generous help this memorable event could not have happened.

Rev. Nicholas Novak, Camp Registrar

THE CRADLE OF THE HUNGARIAN PRESBITÉRIUM

(Cont. from Oct.-Nov. Issue)

RULES OF PÁPA VII

It is in Rule VII that Kanizsai speaks of the office of presbyters. I make the briefest presentation. Considering the times, it is amazing how minutely he delineates their office and responsibility. But let us hear his own words and sentences. Rule VII bears the title:

The Office of Presbyters of Ecclesiastical Counselers

At that time ministers were generally called preachers or teachers. Teachers in our present sense were known as rectors or schoolmasters. In the church of Jesus Christ Kanizsai’s meaning of presbyter is devised from its three major supporting pillars of preacher, rector, and believers.

1. "Let the church counselors so far as it may be possible carefully observe the teachers (ministers) on whom many eyes are fixed whether the faithful study and clearly and truly preach the Word of God, whether they administer the holy sacraments according to the ordinance of Christ: and whether they live conformably to their high office and knowledge. The same is required of schoolmasters.”

2. “Let the ecclesiastical counselors diligently guard the life and conduct of the families of the teachers (clergy). If the teacher himself does not comport himself according to his rank and office, let him be admonished by some, and then warned by the presbyterium, and finally, by the Bishop.”

3. “The ecclesiastical counselors elected in addition to the teachers are obliged to defend them in their reputation against all deformers and trouble makers, according to their ability. (How these lines should be taken to heart in these days!) If after a report or two, one does not hold his tongue, let him then be reproved by the presbyterium.”

4. “If believers (members) are displeased or offended at something in the conduct or preaching of the pastor, they are honor bound to bring the same to the attention of the ecclesiastical counselors.”

Janos Makar * I

(Continued from page 2)

After the Christmas checks are written and the estimated Emergency Fund needs are set aside, the balance of your Christmas Fund offering can be used to supplement small annuities.

... WITH YOUR GIFTS FOR THE SAINTS.

I have discovered that the Emergency Fund, with its quick, concerned response to need, strengthens my hand as a Conference Minister, and in turn, provides practical assistance to our church leaders. It lets the whole church bring succor where there is hurt.

In times of inflation, the Christmas checks are of incalculable help to persons of limited income. The Christmas Fund merits our support.

Rev. Mineo Katagiri Conference Executive Northern California Conference