Calvin Synod Herald, 1981 (81. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1981-03-01 / 3-4. szám

8

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

THE BUDAPEST THEOLOGICAL ACADEMY OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OBSERVES THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING

To mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Budapest Theological Academy a celebration was held in the afternoon of the 18th of September in the main hall of the Raday College in Budapest.

After the Scripture reading and prayer of Bishop D. Dr. Karoly Toth, the noted organist Janos Mate performed theme 3 of the Concerto in B minor by Walther. In his opening address Bishop Toth appraised the ministry of the Theological Academy over the past centuries and spoke of the tasks of the future.

Then the poem “Before the Reformation Monument in Geneva”, the work of Gyula Illyés, was recited by the outstanding actor Ferenc Bessenyey. Then the choir of the Theological Academy sang the cantatas of Buxtehude. The choir was conducted by Gabor Berkesi, the organ accompaniment was given by Janos Mate and the violin accompaniment by Eva Toth and Ilonka Loment. The next item was the lecture of the historian Dr. Kalman Benda, director of the Raday Library, who emphasized the significance of the Budapest Theological Academy in the history and cultural development of the nation. The celebration has ended with closing words of bishop Attila Kovach of Transdanubian Church District.

HCP, Oct. 80

BRAILLE AND “SPEAKING”

BIBLE FOR THE BLIND

“Care for the blind is a matter of serious concern for the Reformed Church in Hungary” — said Bishop Dr. Tibor Bartha in the course of his visit to the Mako-Ujvaros Reformed Church on the 14th of September, on the “Sunday of the Blind”. The Press Department of the Reformed Synodal Office had made with the help of the United Bible Societies, a Bible with its text of tangible dots, the so-called Braille script for the blind. So far the text of two New Testament books, the Gospel of Mark and Romans, have been completed, each in 300 copies. Preparations are in progress for the Braille edition of the Acts, the Book of Job and Revelation. A selection of Biblical texts has also been made with tape recordings of the reading of an outstanding performer. The “speaking” Bible takes 90 minutes;

it was made in 50 copies in the value of 50 000 forints.

The recently published Handbook of the Diaconia devotes a special chapter to the care for the blind.

An expert ministry attended by great spiritual blessing is carried on among the blind by Pastor Miklós Jakab. It is desirable —■ said the bishop —• that many congregations invite him for lecturing on his work. Let him introduce the congregations, especially the diaconal committees, to his Christian ministry among the blind.

HCP, Oct. 80

FIRST STEPS TOWARD ROCHESTER

The Thirteenth General Synod of the United Church of Christ will convene in the War Memorial arena of Rochester, NY, on June 26, 1981. More than 1,200 persons — delegates, alternate delegates, conference and national staff, and visitors — are anticipated for the week-long event.

The General Synod is the most comprehensive organization of the United Church of Christ, consisting of delegates from each U.C.C. conference. These delegates meet every two years to deal with issues of the day and to speak for and to the churches. In addition, they oversee the general work of the Executive Council of the United Church of Christ and of the national instrumentalities and agencies of the Church.

You will be hearing more in the months ahead about matters that will come before GS 13. Watch for them!

Clipsheet

*

Q. Is it true that there are more Roman Catholics in the U.S. Congress than any other religious denominations? Also, how many Jews, Mormons, Christian Scientists and Quakers are in the 97th Congress? — Mary Keane, Baton Rouge, LA.

A. A breakdown of the 97th Congress reveals 136 Roman Catholics, 32 Jews, 11 Mormons, 3 Christian Scientists and 2 Quakers. The remaining members include 72 Episcopalians, 71 United Methodists, 55 Presbyterians, 20 Lutherans, 19 Protestants of no specific denomination, 16 members of the United Church of Christ, 9 Unitarian-Universalists, 6 members of the Christian Church (Disciples), 6 members of the Churches of Christ, 5 Eastern Orthodox Catholics, 13 who belong to other religious denominations, and 7 who are unaffiliated.

OUR COLLEGE HERITAGE

The last Sunday of this month, April 26, is U.C.C. College Heritage Day. This observance, endorsed by the U.C.C. Council for Higher Education, celebrates our denomination’s mission in higher education.

For almost 350 years, from the founding of Harvard in 1636 to the founding of Hawaii Loa College only eight years ago, the United Church of Christ has been deeply involved in mission and ministry in and through church-related educational institutions.

Today, thirty colleges, two academies and fifteen theological seminaries are related to our United Church of Christ — all forty-seven institutions representing a significant contribution to leadership in our nation’s intellectual, cultural and religious life.

To highlight U.C.C. College Heritage Day this year, the Board for Homeland Ministries is making available free worship bulletin inserts and brochures featuring this special observance. If your congregation has not already ordered these special materials, they may still be ordered from:

Rev. James A. Smith, Jr.

Coordinator of Church-College Relations

United Church Board for Homeland

Ministries

132 West 31st Street

New York, NY 10001

Ed’s Cl. April ’81

FOOD DAY

For the past several years, many congregations of the United Church of Christ have observed Food Day, an ecumenical event sponsored by Bread for the World. In the United Church of Christ, Food Day can provide an excellent opportunity for learning more about the root causes of world hunger and about what we can do to overcome them.

This year, Food Day is scheduled for April 14, but because this falls in Holy Week you may wish to extend your study of hunger to the weeks following Easter.

To help you, Bread for the World has published a “Hunger and Global Security” resource packet that includes a six-session study course, guidelines for organizing a Food Day event, and a variety of other materials.

The packet is available for $3.00 from Bread for the World 32 Union Square East New York, NY 10003.

Ed’s Cl. April ’81