Calvin Synod Herald, 2002 (103. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2002-03-01 / 3-4. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Connecticut Hijacks Calvin Synod Church Editorial: Rev. Albert W. Kovács Here we go again! Calvin Synod has lost a church to another Conference of the United Church of Christ, without its agreement as required by the denomination’s Constitution.* The congregation at Wallingford, Connecticut, was received last year despite the known objection of the Hungarian body of which it was a part since its organization in 1908. In ConnTact, the paper of Connecticut Conference, it was reported in September that the church “voted to join the New Haven Association of the UCC.” The move was expedited when it said, “The New Haven Association formed a committee to be supportive of the congregation’s process.” In Calvin Synod we found this out accidentally, and my email to Bishop Louis Medgyesi reflected my concern and disappointment that this happened, again! “The Constitution of the UCC states that changes of churches from one Conference to another requires the mutual consent and approval by the General Synod. What happened to the process? This Synod lost Lynnwood, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana, without due process in earlier years. Here we go again!” The Beginning The pulpit of the church was vacated in 1995, when the Rev. Dr. Laslo Medyesy ended a sixteen year pastorate, to take up a teaching position in Hungary. With limited numbers, the congregation sought a part time ministry. On hand was the Rev. Dr. Richard Diehl, a local retired minister of the UCC, a part time chaplain at a nursing home. He was asked to supply the church’s pulpit, and soon became its interim minister. As a minister of the area Association, with special retiree benefits, he turned down approaches to transfer Standing to the Synod. UCC Bylaws permit Standing in only one Association, and he could not be “Installed” officially as the minister, but Calvin Synod was viewed as stubborn and recalcitrant. Without any breach of the rules, it tried to accommodate with a special service of “Recognition”, in the spirit of New England Congregationalism. The church had Hungarian language services from its first days, and years later instituted worship in English too. The Hungarian services were moved to mid-afternoon earlier by Dr. Medyesy, to accommodate many diaspora Magyars who found worship in their native tongue to be a blessing. The group was comprised of only a few church members, and many others from distant communities and other Christian congregations lacking Hungarian. Calvin Synod agreed to help the Hungarian and the Rt. Rev. Bela Poznan consented to provide monthly services in the afternoon at the church. Storm Clouds Suddenly, in an attempt to increase attendance at the church’s morning services in English, the new supply pastor raised the question of “the values of holding Hungarian language services.” He added: “The Hungarian language is no longer a necessity Associations: Subsequent to the initial organization of Associations in the United Church of Christ, ... any adjustment of boundaries between Associations, shall be determined by the Associations concerned with the approval or the Conference or Conferences involved. Conferences: Subsequent to the initial organization of Conferences in the United Church of Christ, ... any adjustment of boundaries between Conferences, shall be determined by the Conferences concerned with the approval of the General Synod. - UCC Constitution -1997 Edition ...no longer necessary for a church service ...a cultural need, not as a religious need.” Sometime afterward, without prior notice to the Synod, discussions began about building ties with the area UCC churches and Association. At several meetings afterward the Bishop and classis officers were confronted with open antagonism toward the Hungarian group, and also against the Synod. Finally, in 1999, the Synod was informed of a special congregational meeting to vote on leaving the UCC and, of course, the Synod. It was informed that Rev. Diehl had retired as well. The representatives of the Synod attended the meeting. Although no other minister was present, the Consistory kept them from conducting the worship service, led instead by a lay member, but they remained seated in the pews. Refusing good order and the advice of the Synod, the congregation then voted to bolt and to become independent. Behind the Scene The decision would have an impact on the Classis, as one of its original members departed, diminishing the life of every other church after ninety years of fellowship. The letter in response, as a Pastor of an affected church, added: “Let us be plain here that we speak of betrayal! Upon the departure of Dr. László Medyesy the Wallingford church was quickly supplied by Dr. Richard Diehl, of Conn. Conf. He immediately began an assault on the Hungarian community worshipping in the church, and dividing the congregation. We are reminded of Samson (Judges 14), betrayed by someone supposed to be ‘family.’ We bore its bitter fruit in the loss of the congregation. We had hoped that Connecticut would not abet and reward this conduct, and respectfully decline them membership. It was not to be! Without further consultation (we assumed nothing was happening!), it was working behind the scene, involving even members of the Conference. The ConnTact issue tells of the Conference’s involvement as well as the Association. “ ‘There was an intentional process of relationship-building before they made the decision to join the association,’, recalls Regional Minister Kent Siladi. The New Haven Association formed a committee to be supportive of the congregation’s process, headed by Detra McDougall, who has served on the Conference Board of Directors and is registrar at Yale Divinity School.” “Wallingford, CT hijacked!” was the subject listed for the original e-mail, sent to the Conference Minister of Connecticut and to the President of the UCC, the Rev. John Thomas. In a letter of reply (which we respectfully carry here in full), he objects to the use of the word ‘hijacked.’ ” But it does seem appropriate. We assume that those traveling along with us in our ship are going to the same friendly port, and we are astounded when they suddenly take over and direct it to another port, where it becomes a new prize. Respecting Covenant “Several years ago, when churches of other conferences wanted to leave them and join with Calvin Synod, we were cajoled to respect the covenantal relationships in the UCC, and respectfully declined these requests. When the Wallingford
