Magyar Egyház, 1983 (62. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

1983-11-01 / 5. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

3. oldal

I am happy to report that since its inception the Sick Benefit Society is still in existance, the Lorantffy Women’s Guild merged with the Young Women and is stronger than ever, the Men’s Club was reorganized after a couple of years of sleep, and is extremely active.

Membership is still strong, approximately 3/4ths of the original number from the strongest days of membership, but unfortunately church attendance leaves a lot to be desired. Sadly we see less and less young people in church, partly because of the freedom of choice given to them by the parents of the 60’s, or simply because they are moving out of town, away from this heavily industrial, polluted area.

Personally, my family and I are truly privileged and honored to have added our service of more than two years to the service of God in this congregation. With hopeful and trusting eyes, we look into the future in which we plan to serve the Lord with you if God will give us the necessary strength and leadership ability. My family and I only request that you would be with us, and that the whole membership would bear the cross of Christ, which is light and easy, that one day we may stand before the One and only true judge, who pronouncing upon us His word of judgment might say, “Good and faithful servant you have been faithful on few things, I will make Thee ruler over many things.”

The Rev. Gabor G. Nitsch was born and raised in Transylvania, Rumania, where he finished his Seminary education in Kolozsvár. He studied in the Holy Land, in Jerusalem where he received degrees in Art History, Philosophy and Religion. In 1974 a scholarship brought him to the U.S., to the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He got his Masters of Divinity at the Dutch Reformed, New Brunswick Theological Seminary. There he was also granted a Theological scholarship to the summer school of Leiden University, Netherlands. During his studies he served our Roebling and Philadelphia churches. Upon his return from Europe in 1976 he was a guest of Dr. Harsanyi’s for over three months, during which time he served on a part-time basis the Bridgeport and South Norwalk, Conn, churches. He married in 1977 and went to serve the Miami church until 1981, when he accepted the call to our local church, upon the retirement of Dr. Harsanyi.

Rev. Nitsch is the 8th pastor of our church (Rev. Csepke served 14 years, Rev. Daroczy 22 and Dr. Harsanyi 24 years in Carteret).

Grace and Peace to all! G.G.N.

DECISION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

EXCERPTS

FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE HUNGARIAN

REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 1983, IN PERTH AMBOY,

NEW JERSEY

The matters of the Rev. Tibor Dömötör and the Akron, Ohio, church were discussed in detail. The following resolutions were passed:

The General Assembly of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America finds the actions of the Rev. Tibor Dömötör detrimental to the welfare of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and finds him unworthy to be a minister of this denomination, because he violated the Constitution and By-Laws of our church, he disregarded the lawful directives and orders of his ecclesiastical superiors, and he instigated and actually caused a schism within our denomination. Furthermore, he broke the oath of a minister of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Therefore, from this day forward, the General Assembly deprives Tibor Domotor of all rights and privileges as a minister in the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and removes his name from the roll of ministers. He is forbidden to serve in any ministerial capacity in this denomination and is not eligible for election to any ecclesiastical office. Furthermore, the General Assembly demands that all documents, papers, minutes, and other records of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America in Tibor Domotor’s possession be returned to the Bishop’s Office immediately.

The Karoli Gaspar Ministerial Training School was organized and built under the auspices and with the help of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and its members, and since after numerous requests no written financial or other reports were submitted to apprise us of the activities of the School, therefore, the General Assembly of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America is no longer responsible for any of the activities of the Karoli Gaspar Ministerial Training School and hereby severs all ties with it.

The Lorantffy Care Center was started and promoted by the Rev. Tibor Dömötör with the help of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America and through the official paper, the Magyar Church. According to available legal documents, it is not affiliated with the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Our church authorities have not received any financial or other reports on the Center and we regard it a private institution. Therefore, the General Assembly of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America severs ail ties with this institution.

The General Assembly notes, with regret, the resolution of the Akron, Ohio, congregation to withdraw from the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. This was evidently the result of the biased information given by the Rev. Tibor Dömötör. The General Assembly cannot act on this matter until the voting process required by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America has been fully complied with, viz. the submission of the 1982 and 1983 lists of voting members of the congregation and the minutes of the congregational meetings, including the names of those attending and the number of votes cast, for, against, and/or abstaining in regard to the withdrawal.

Attested by: Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham, Bishop