Calvin Synod Herald, 1984 (84. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1984-12-01 / 6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 7 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA broke into a heartbreaking twittering-chirping cry. The tomcat was there all right and was ready to jump fora delicious evening meal. But the boy heard the bird crying rushed from the house, drove the cat away and picked up the little bird. Holding the small warm creature, feeling its tiny heart pound he was just so happy that he could save it. Suddenly the bird stopped chirping, it began to talk — the boy couldn't believe his ears: “I thank youfor saving my life. Reach down under my wing, you’llfind a ring there: take it. ’’ The boy did as told and there it was: a golden ring with a sparkling diamond. He touched the ring but swiftly pulled back his hand: he knew at once this was the Christmas Angel’s third condition. Just as swiftly the little bird fluttered its wings and flew straight upwards dropping the ring into the boy’s hand. The boy cried: “I don't want it, please, I don't want it. I want my little sister to get well. Please, dear Christmas Angel, take the ring back. "As he looked up with tears in his eyes, he heard the same voice as the one which spoke to him a week before: "Don 7 be afraid, I tell you ofgreat joy and it will be the joy of this entire house. Take the ring. It is not for you. You have fulfilled my conditions. The ring belongs to your little sister. Go into the house and put in on her finger. ’’ Trembling, the boy went into the house. There in the living room in front of the Christmas tree was his sister in the midst of soft cushions as always, silently watching the angel on the top of the tree. The boy took her hand and put the ring on her finger: “This is a gift from the Christmas Angel. I just met him. " The little girl just stared at her brother. Then, she didn j know how and why, she leapedfrom her cushions: and there she was standing, straight as a reed, her hand outstretched: the diamond sparkled on her finger but her eyes sparkled even more. By now the angels were back in heaven. They told the story to the donkey and to the cow and to the dove; they understood. Then the Christmas Angel said: “I’m going to tell Jesus he was right: there are people whose hearts are pure. I’m also going to tell the Lord: it’s worth having Christmas. This is the story, exactly as it happened. If you don’t believe me, go, ask the angels. New Year’s Resolution As the New Year approaches, many of us will look back on 1984 and consider the state of our finances. How much have we saved over the year? Have we increased or reduced the amount of our debt? How have our investments fared? Are we better off financially than we were last year at this time? Worse? About the same? The Christmas season is also a good time to ask another kind of question about our financial affairs. Has our spending reflected our professed values? Have we honestly assessed our own needs and contributed our time and money in response to the greater need of others? At Christmas, we exchange gifts. At Christians, we give freely. This year, think about making a resolution to share your good fortune as generously as you are able throughout 1985. 1984 National Youth Event The 1984 National Youth Event was held July 29—August 2 at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I was pleased to be able to represent the Calvin Synod at this event. The NYE is held once every four years for Senior High youth and youth advisors. “Through the 1984 National Youth Event, the churches of the United Church of Christ are challenged to affirm that youth are called into Christ’s church, given power by the Holy Spirit, and sent out to minister in God’s name. This gathering of youth and youth advisors enabled each participant to: • Celebrate the presence of youth as an integral part of the total church and enhance their participation in its mission. • Create opportunities for spiritual growth and encourage lifestyles centered in faith. • Increase youth awareness of the critical social and political issues of the world, and grow in their understanding of how youth, as followers of Christ, are called to respond to violence and injustice. • Develop skills to strengthen youth ministry in local churches, associations, and conferences. • Continue to support the national youth ministry network and encourage further networking among local churches, associations, and conferences. • Understand the United Church of Christ: its people, structure, commitments, mission, and diversity. ” This seems like a lot to cover in only five days, and indeed it was, but it was. The theme of the event was “Seeds Of God Rooted In Faith”. Each day brought the opportunity to explore the varying aspects of this theme in many different ways. The tools used were worship, forums, over one hundred workshops, and music, as well as many evening activities. If someone were to ask me what I experienced at the NYE, I would have to say “How much time do you have?” If someone were to ask me to describe the event in one word, I wouldn’t be able to. Some points: I was The Only One from our Synod to be at the NYE. Everyone asked me “Calvin Synod? What’s that?” I was grateful for the opportunity to let people know that we are part of the United Church of Christ! I feel that it was a marvelous opportunity for me to be there. I came home renewed, refreshed and excited. The next National Youth Event will be held in 1988.1 put this challenge to you: Can we get a larger delegation than just one to go to the 1988 NYE, and show that yes, we do exist, and yes, we are just as strong a conference as any other conference there? I believe we can. All in all, the conference was excellent, and an event worthy of our attention. The people there really showed meaning to the U.C.C. saying “ That they may all be one ”, I would like to thank the Synod at this time for giving me the opportunity to represent the Synod at the 1984 National Youth Event. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at 963 Laurel Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604 or at (203) 368-3658. I will be more than happy to asnwer any questions you may have about the event. Sarah j Butosi Refugee Resettlement A recent survey conducted by Church World Service (CWS), the overseas relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches, shows that the majority of refugees resettled in the United States through CWS have achieved a high degree of self-sufficiency. Most refugee families have at least one employed member, refugees are learning to speak English, and most families have even been able to buy a car. The survey also shows that welfare use by refugees is much less than is commonly believed. While some families make use of public assistance, it tends to be for a limited period of time. Recently, an editorial in the Wall Street Journal used the survey findings to back up its contention that refugees contribute more than they take from the nation and the economy. De-evolution in Texas In an effort to appease religious fundamentalists who oppose the teaching of evolution, the Texas board of education ruled in 1974 that biology textbooks used by public schools in that state must treat evolution as only one theory explaining man’s origins. This year they have gone even further: the board has excluded Charles Darwin and evolution from the list of subjects that biology textbooks are required to cover. There is little danger that they will drop the subject altogether; the school boards of other states would find such an omission unacceptable. ___________________________Discover Acid Rain Project Seven denominations have provided funding for a three-month project on Acid Rain. The project involves churches in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. The primary purpose of the project is to enable church members, through education and information, to support acid rain control legislation. The Ohio Council of Churches has endorsed this project and has a slide show and informational packets available on acid rain. Contact Marj Baker or Lance Shreffler, Ohio Council of Churches, at (614) 885-9590.
