Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2012-07-01 / 7-8. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 9 Evangelical and Reformed churches that the theological witness of the Reformation would be avowed, and heresies denied. Its Preamble says: “We, the regularly constituted representatives of the Con­gregational Christian Churches and of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, moved by the conviction that we are united in spirit and purpose and are in agreement on the substance of the Christian faith and the essential character of the Christian life; ... do set forth the following articles of agreement as the basis of our life , fellowship, witness, and proclamation of the Gospel to all nations. ” In its section on Faith it sets forth, in somewhat ambiguous language allowing for Unitarian belief, “those things most surely believed and taught among us.” It more carefully sets forth in the section on Practice: A. The basic unit of organization of the United Church of Christ is the Congregation; that is, the local church. B. The Congregations, through their ministers and through delegates elected from their membership, may organize Associations for fellowship, mutual encouragement, inspiration, and such other functions as may be desired. C. The Congregations, through their ministers and through delegates elected from their membership, constitute Conferences for fellowship, counsel, and cooperation in all matterspf common concern. The Conferences exist. ... There can be no doubt that the essential character of the Church is that it be built upon authorization by the local churches, including the Associations and Conferences. The Basis of Union with The Interpretations in the latter section provided (b) for a constitution which “(2) is based on the principles set forth in the Basis of Union; (3) is in no wise to abridge the rights now enjoyed by the churches; (4) will define and regulate as regards the General Synod, but describe the free and voluntary relationships which the churches, associations, and conferences shall sustain with the General Synod and with each other. Notably, the constitution only governs the General Synod. Further independence and rights are specified in section “(d) Churches, Associations, conferences and the General Synod, being self-governing fellowships, possess autonomy in their own spheres, which autonomy is acknowledged and will be respected. ” As previously mentioned, persistent efforts to terminate Calvin Synod have always been on the table in the UCC, but this prenuptial contract spells out that “(e) Synods, conferences, associations and churches are to retain their present status until they are united by their own action and when mutually agreeable. ” Calvin Synod has maintained its status and sustains those free and voluntary relationships beneficial to it churches, members and ministers until it is authorized by them to do otherwise. For any body to seek to compel the Synod to act contrary to the provisions of the “Basis of Union with The Interpretations ” would be a breach of this fundamental instrument and dishonor the integrity of the United Church of Christ. The Spirit of Reconciliation In a recent workshop in Central Classis dealing with conflict and its consequences, the leader proposed that when there is division and no instrument for reconciliation there will be separation. There is no doubt that the relationship between the churches of this Synod and the spectrum of the UCC has long been sour. Like a marriage that soured and finds the partners coexistence wearing thin, with divorce ever more imminent, only reconciliation can effect a change for the better. But the churches of Calvin Synod are not alone and we see many other unreconciled situations, reflected by the existence of Faithful and Welcoming Churches, in which many of our churches participate. This proposal offers a basis for the churches of Calvin Synod to make a studied and responsible decision about the continuance of its affiliation with the United Church of Christ and other alternatives that the Lord may lay before them. Rev. Albert W. Kovács Rev. Dr. August J. Molnár Calvin Synod Tribute - May 2012 Today, Calvin Synod is privileged to honor the Rev. Dr. August J. Molnár, a faithful minister on its roll for almost six decades, with a lifetime of accomplishment beginning even before and resulting in the fulfillment of a longstanding vision. The history of Calvin Synod is a significant part of his life, as to the quarry from which he was hewn and the direction taken in his lifetime as a servant of Jesus Christ. As the Hungarian Reformed churches transferred by the Mother Church in Hungary to the Reformed Church in the Uni­ted States, in 1921, developed collegial relationships among themselves, a Magyar Synod was created when the Reformed Church merged with the Evangelical Synod of North America, in 1934. The years following were not a time of stagnation and being handcuffed to the past, but the Synod’s leaders with wise vision planned for successes in the future. With a slowing of new immigrants from the motherland, but an increasing American­­born membership, a new venture was undertaken to raise up from them new ministers and leadership for the churches. Magyar Synod, with the encouragement and significant financial support of the General Synod of the still new Evangelical and Reformed Church, established a chair for instruction in Hungarian language, literature, history and church life at Elmhurst College in Illinois. The first instructor was the Rev. Dr. Barnabas Dienes, who was a President of Magyar Synod. In his recruitment of new students, a trip to Cleveland, Ohio, brought a bright high school graduate to Elmhurst in the fall of 1945. Not only was he an immediate honor student, but he became involved in numerous activities. Most notably, although in previous years the annual Elms yearbook was headed up by a graduating Senior, August Molnár’s abilities were recognized and in his Junior year he was appointed its Editor, which he also held the next year. As the

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