Magyar Egyház, 1983 (62. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1983-03-01 / 2. szám
MAGYAR GGYÍIflZ 10. oldal MEETING OF THE EASTERN CLASSIS The Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America held its annual assembly on Sunday, March 6, 1983, at the Magyar Reformed Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey, under the dual chairmanship of the Rev. Dr. Adrew Harsányi, Dean, and Anthony C. Beke, Chief Elder. The assembly was very well attended with some 50 elders present representing seven congregations. Miami was not represented. The meeting opened with a devotional service led by the Rev. Dr. Harsányi, who reflected on his 17 years of service as Dean of the Classis and made his farewell to the congregations. Greetings were sent to the Assembly by Bishop Dezső Abrahám, John Nemish, Chief Elder of the Synod, and the Rev. Dr. John Biitösi, Bishop of the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, who were unable to attend. The Rev. Barnabás Rőczey, the host pastor, welcomed those attending the meeting. Visiting guests from Hungary were the Rev. István Mészáros, Deputy Bishop of the Synod of Tiszáninnen, and Ferencz Dusica, a theological student studying at Princeton Seminary. An extensive report on the state and problems of the Classis was given by Dean Harsányi. Statistics show 32 baptisms, 19 confirmations, 14 weddings, and 61 funerals in 1982; total constituency, including children, is an estimated 2,500 in the eight congregations. (Miami is not included in the previous statistics.) Although the per capita giving of our members is below the average of mainline American Protestant churches, the financial situation of our congregations is generally good; some have very sizable balances in their treasuries. Pastoral salary levels at the larger congregations are beginning to reach an acceptable level. These and other items in the Dean’s report were dealt with by the resolutions and recommendations of the Assembly. Reports were given by Chief Elder Beke and Treasurer Andrew C. Lovász. Rev. Stefan M. Török, Dean of Eastern Classis Among the resolutions and recommendations of the Assembly were the following. The Assembly * thanked Dean Harsányi for his 17 years of dedicated leadership, * placed the Rev. Dr. Aladár Komjáthy on the roll of ministers, * strongly urged that all ministers, elders, and members of the Hungarian Reformed Church do everything in strict observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, * encouraged the continued close co-operation between our denomination and other Hungarian Reformed congregations regardless of their denominational affiliation. * encouraged Bible studies in each of the congregations, * urged all congregations to generously support our denominational causes, the work of our missionaries, and to meet the quotas of denominational obligations, * voted to call upon the Bishop's Council to thoroughly investigate and examine all ministerial candidates to ensure that they are qualified to serve in our denomination and that this be done in strict conformance with the Constitution and By-Laws. * voted gifts to the Magyar Egyház, mission work in Germany, and to a sick child from Marosvásárhely, Hungary. The following were elected to serve as officers of the Eastern Classis for the next four-year term: the Rev. Stefan M. Török — Dean; Anthony C. Beke — Chief Elder; the Rev. Kálmán Adorján — ministerial secretary; Miss Priscilla Hunyady — lay secretary; Andrew C. Lovász — treasurer; and for Judicial Commission members — the Rev. István Kovács, Gábor Nitsch, and Louis Nagy and Charles Gabos, Joseph Bartha, and László Ruszkay. The new officers were installed by Dean Harsányi. A brief memorial service was held in remembrance of those elders who died during the last year. The meeting was closed with hymn singing and a benediction. A supper followed in the church hall. Miss Priscilla Hunyadi Secretary EASTERN AREA ELDER’S ASSOCIATION Hereby extends an invitation to all elders within the area to attend the Association’s Next Meeting to be held on Sunday, May 15th, at 3:00 p.m. at our Sister Church in Staten Island, N.Y. Quest Speaker for the occasion in Dr. Samuel Proctor, a professor at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. His topic will be “Preserving Our Hungarian Heritage.” I request all Ministers and Chief-Elders to notify Ms. Priscilla Hunyady of the number of attending the meeting no later than May 2nd. Respectfully Adrew C. Lovász, President
