Magyar Egyház, 1966 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1966-02-01 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9 Orphanage, in the Reformed Federation, and in the Hungarian public life in America. On both sides, let us take the facts and the truths dead seriously. Let us confess our own faith and yet honor the other’s. Let us bring up the second and the third generation in the knowledge that their ancestors’ dream was to have a free church in a free country. Let them not be ashamed of their Hungarian Reformed background, because this is a special gift of God in addition to their American citizenship. Hungarian Reformed Ecumenicity Let us come to the solemn conclusion that the most urgent task of the second half of the sixties is the creation of the Hungarian Reformed ecumenicity. We are in great need of each others faith, knowledge, and experience. We cannot get along without each other. Helping each other we will extend and preserve the life of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, otherwise we will melt much sooner in the great melting pot. When Hungarian Reformed unity lived in hearts, then orphanages, old peoples’ homes, the Reformed Federation, the Hungarian Hymnal, friendship and happiness were born of it. When there was no ecumenical unity, stillborn plans, mortally wounded hearts, hate and empty church buildings were the result. The Spirit was present in Hungarian hearts in the past summer of 1965 at the meetings in Ligonier, and the first new dream of the Hungarian Reformed unity in America was born: a common permanent youth camp. How many more dreams are waiting for the time when the leaders of the Hungarian Reformed in America will kiss them to life! Let us work with one heart on the ecumenical unity of the Hungarian Reformed people in America. Sooner or later we will realize our objective: the organic unity of Hungarian Reformed life in America. Hail to all men of good will! THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION RENDERED IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SECTION XIII (continued from the January issue) 9. Why is the preaching of the Gospel called “the ministry of the Spirit?” It is called the ministry of the Spirit because the Holy Spirit enables us to accept the promises of the Gospel as real. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit renews our lives through the preaching of the Gospel. 10. Why is the preaching of the Law called “the ministry of death?” It is called the ministry of death because the Law proclaims death upon all law breakers. 11. What is the meaning of these words of the Bible: “The letter kills, but the Spirit quickens”? The “letter” means the Law which demands death upon us for our disobedience. But the Holy Spirit quickens or gives us life by making us true believers is Jesus Christ that we may obtain the forgiveness of our sins and our eternal life by Him. 12. What do we call the “false gospel”? We call the “false gospel” the erroneous human teaching according to which we cannot receive the forgiveness of our sins and our eternal life solely by faith in Jesus Christ, but we also must fulfill the Law of God. 13. Is the Gospel a new doctrine compared to the Law? Seemingly it is a new doctrine because it was revealed by Jesus Christ in its fulness, yet it is the oldest doctrine, for God decided and revealed from all eternity to keep the world and to save us from damnation by Christ. Stephen Kovács NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS AKRON The congregational meeting was held on January 30. The annual report was published in the January 19 issue of the weekly church paper, so only the final facts were read before the meeting. Total income in 1965 was $45.290.; carryover from 1964 $30.743. $60.000. were borrowed from the Hungarian Reformed Federation for the building of the new church. Total expenditure in 1965 was $128,726. including the total cost of the church building. Amount brought forward to 1966 $3,- 008. cash and $59.412. debt to the Hungarian Reformed Federation. The two greatest events of the past year were the completion of the new church building and Pastor Stephen Kovács’s leaving the congregation. The congregational meeting elected the new leaders of the congregation. Chief elder became Eddie Var go, assistant chief elder Mike Binkley, secretary Bob Rutherford, treasurer Simon Adler, auditors Joseph Borbély and Stephen Szilvási. Beside the 15 old members of the board of elders 10 new members were elected. The most important task facing the congregation is the election of a new minister. This will be difficult indeed because the congregation cannot forget her beloved pastor who was here for twenty-five years. BETHLEHEM Elders and officers for 1966: president — Edward Erdie, vice-president —- Robert Csizma, treasurer — Sándor Chomos, secretary — László Fekete, controller — John Simon, elders: John Bartek, John Fabian, Stephen Kuronya, Ernest Nemeth, Ernest C. Nemeth, Julius Szalai, John Waros, Sr. New members: Elsie Nemesh, Mrs. Joseph Prern, John Remenar. Burial: on January 13th, John Lampert, 56 years old. From the 1965 Annual Report: 14 new members, 2 adult baptisms, 2 weddings, 7 confirmations (3 adults), 2 burials. Donations by organizations: Women’s Guild: $ 1,000, Social Committee : $ 5.000, Special Account: $ 8,700. Payment on mortage in 1965: $ 11,- 569.24. Mrs. Göndöcz, wife of the minister was elected as committee-women for Brownie Troop 882. CARTERET The Annual Congregational Meeting re-elected the officers for another year: Louis J. Szabó for chief elder, William Lazar for vice-chief elder, Andrew Pross for treasurer, Julius Reisz for financial secretary. Elders newly elected or re-elected: Alexander Comba, Louis Hollo, Geza Megyesi, Alexander Peter, Francis Ullersberger, Vito Stasolla (alternate-elder). There are 18 members on the Board of Elders. Here are some figures from the 1965 Annual Report: baptisms — 10 (including 1 adult), confirmations — 8 (including 2 adults), weddings — 3, burials — 10 (including 4 nonmembers) ; new members — 9, moved — 11, erased from the roll — 3, total constituency (including children) — 637, on the list of voters — 338.
