Magyar Egyház, 1992 (71. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

1992-04-01 / 4. szám

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

9. oldal

AMERICAN HUNGARIAN REFORMED PRESBYTERS’ ASSOCIATION

1992 Annual meeting

On September 6 and 7, the 46th amiual meeting of the American-Hungarian Reformed Presbyters Association was held in Ligonier, PA at the Bethlen Home conference room. The representatives at the meeting were from the following major Church denominations The Hungarian Refomied Church of America, the Reformed Church of America, the Presbyterian Church and the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ. At the close of the Sunday afternoon session, about 74 delegates were registered.

For the delegates who came Saturday or early Sunday morning, a Church worship service was held at the Chapel of Mt. Moriah. Rev. Joseph Posta preached in Hungarian, and Rev. Paul Kovács presented his sermon in English. About 100 dinner was served to the delegates present in the dining hall of the Bethlen Home. The delicious meal consisted of cherry soup, chicken, rice and vegetable plus dessert.

The meeting begun at 2:30 PM at the Conference Room with a brief devotional led by the president, Paul J. Szaniszlo. After roll call, the secretary, Mrs. Pamela Lovász presented her report and following was Mr. Andrew C. Lovász with the treasurer's report.

The president, Paul Szaniszlo, gave his report which included attending the church Workers’ Conference at Fairport Harbor on September 29, 1991. On November 17, he attended the installation services and banquet for Rev. Szabolcs Kalman. It was also the 85th anniversary of the Cleveland West Side Hungarian Reformed Church. He also attended the fall and spring meeting of the Lakeside Classis of the Calvin Synod; and in May he was present at the Calvin Synod meeting in Ligonier. He then summarized his visits to the following Churches during the past year, which included Toledo (UCC), McKeesport (HRCA), Buffalo (Calvin Synod), Springdale (Calvin Synod), Youngstown (HRCA) and Duquesne (HRCA). In conclusion he reported on Fairport Harbor's Church activities.

The district vice presidents then gave their reports. From the Eastern District Mr. John Nagy gave his report of the Churches he visited in New Jersey. He also presented briefly some Hungarian history and talked about some Hungarian Reformed Church books. From the Central District Mrs. Janet Vegh reported that she visited Churches in central Ohio and western Pennsylvania. At one Church she visited, the spokesman stated that no one answered their letters of request for help in various matters. Also, the Church was not informed about important discussions or actions taken at the meetings of the regional or national level. From the Western District, Mr. Robert Boné reported to the assembly that Mr. George Kasza, vice president, Western District, was unable to attend this year. Mr. Boné then proceeded to give a report of the activities of the Allen Park Church. He also stated that the Church sent delegates to the district meeting of the Hungarian Reformed Church of America in California this past year.

Representatives from our Hungarian Reformed Churches gave report of their Church's activities. All reports were informative and very interesting.

The main speaker for Sunday afternoon was Rev. Nicholas Novak. His topic was: ‘ ‘The Office of Presbyter - Its Past and Present”. He gave us the History of Presbyters starting with Moses and his 70 Elders, progressing to Jesus with His His 12 Disciples, sending of the 70, Apostle Paul and his Apostles, on to Jolui Calvin, and to the present. It was a very interesting presentation.

Mr. Steve Szabó, Chef Elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church of America, reported on the meeting in Budapest on August 13-14, of the Hungarian World Federation. It is still undergoing organization - not complete.

Rev. Paul Kovács gave a report on the Bethlen Home and the proposed Archive Building. A report of the Youth Camp was given by Miss Priscilla Hunyady and Mr. Eric Beke. Again this year, the Youth Camp attendance was less than the previous year and there were to few adult counselors present.

The meeting adjourned about 6:00 PM, and at 7:00 the delegation attended the picnic at the Bethlen Home picnic grounds. Afterthe picnic, the evening was spent visiting with one another in the hotel rooms. At this time three committees, audit, resolutions and nominating, were in session working on their assignments.

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM Monday morning, and followed by a short devotional. The resolution committee presented the report. The audit committee gave their report and found the treasurer’s books in good order.

As a special guest, we heard Professor Louis Csemy, a Reformed Theological faculty member of the University of Prague. He told us the life of the Hungarian Reformed Churches in Czechoslovakia.

A brief discussion of the union between the Calvin Synod and the Hungarian Reformed Church of America followed. Questions were raised by the assembly which were answered and clarified by Bishop Zoltán Szucs. Resolution #1 was presented by the body, which recommended that the Presbyters’ Association have representation of the committee in the discussion of the merger. Mr. Edmund Vig was elected as a representative from the Hungarian Reformed Church of America and Mrs. Irma Camevale was elected as a representative from the Calvin Synod.

A nominating committee presented the slate of officers. The body unanimously elected the following officers. Newly-elected for two years Ms. Helen Dodge, secretary and Mr. Robert Boné as vice president, Western District. Officers reelected for two more years were Miss Priscilla Hunyady and Mr. Anthony Beke, trustees; Mr. Andrew C. Lovász, treasurer; Mrs. Janet Vegh, vice president - Central District; Mr. John Nagy, vice president - Eastern District; and Mr. Paul J. Szaniszlo, president.

The meeting adjourned about 10:50 AM and at 11:00 AM, the Presbyters and Pastors of the Ministerial Associa-