Magyar Egyház, 2002 (81. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2002 / 3. szám
1___1 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5. oldal Due to the short time he was not able to make visits to the congregations. He also indicated that new elections were held in Toronto, where upon his retirement the Rev. Zsolt Otvos was elected as pastor. Also in the Windsor, Ontario Congregation the Rev. György Nagy was reelected by the congregation. Both these new pastors will need to be installed. Dean Mezo, also indicated that the Allen Park, MI congregation elected the Rev. Ferenc Varga as its new pastor. The Installation service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan. Questions were also raised as to the selling of the parsonage in Allen Park. Dean Pal Mezo will find out further details. In behalf of the Western Classis, Rev. Andor Demeter Dean and Mr. István Farkas, Chief Elder gave a comprehensive report. Both officers indicated that in each and every congregation the Word of God is being preached, they gather in communion, they practice charity and adhere to the full measure of the By-Laws of the Synod. They reported that slowly but surely peace seems to return to the Ontario, CA congregation. They also shared with us the desire of the Vancouver, BC congregation of building their own House of Worship and asked both moral and financial support of the whole Synod. In concluding the report Bishop Alexander Forro expressed thanks and appreciation to all who by their devotion and dedication serve the good of the Church, and appointed the following committees. Recommendation Committee: Chaired by the Rev. Andor Demeter. Finance Committee, chaired by the Rev. Pal Mezo. At the conclusion of the Classis report all members of the meeting enjoyed a delicious lunch served by the host Church. Following the lunch the appointed committees met and at the conclusion of their meeting they reported to the members of the Bishop’s Council. Finance Committee: The Rev. Pal Mezo reported that all the financial records were examined and the committee found everything in order. The Finance Committee recommended the acceptance of the report of the Treasurer with thanks. The committee also made recommendations toward the financial assistance of various worthwhile projects. The Bishop’s Council unanimously approved these recommendations. The Recommendations Committee’s report was communicated to the Bishop’s Council by its chairman the Rev. Andor Demeter. All recommendation were unanimously adopted by the Bishop’s Council and shall be communicated to the congregations. On the Official Church publication - The Magyar Egyház - Mr. Stephen Szabó, Chief Elder and Editor of the church paper gave a report. The report was acknowledged by the Council with thanks and appreciation. Miss Priscilla Hunyady reported on the upcoming Annual Youth Conference to be held between July 28 and August 3rd in Laurelville, PA. She encouraged all pastors and congregations to send their youth. In behalf of the Ministerial Qualifying Committee, the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan reported that the Rev. Ferenc Varga was elected and installed at the Allen Park, MI congregation. Examination was not necessary since he was examined before, as he was an assistant pastor of the same church. The Rev. Dr. Attila Kocsis was elected to the Perth Amboy, NJ congregation. His examination will take place at a later date. It was suggested that in the future ministerial examinations should be handled by the individual Classis. This issue will be debated further. On our Ecumenical Relationships, the Rev. Ambrus Batiz informed us of the many changes in the church world bodies, and the trend they seem to follow. The final act of the Bishop’s Council was the placing of names in nominations to the congregations for the future leadership of the Church. Rev. Stefan M. Torok, General Secretary read the letter of the Western Classis in which the pastors and elders of the Classis placed the name of the Rev. Andor Demeter, Dean as a candidate for Bishop. The nomination was seconded by the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan and accepted by the Bishop’s Council. The Rt. Rev. Alexander Bishop nominated the Rev. Barnabas Roczey which was seconded by Mr. Stephen Szabó, Chief Elder. A very lively discussion followed, questions were raised about the status of the New Brunswick congregation’s eligibility to vote, since the congregation can only be accepted into fellowship of the Church at the next General Assembly. The issue remained unresolved. The nomination of Rev. Barnabas Roczey was accepted. Nominations for the position of Chief Elder of the Synod were as follows: Mr. Anthony C. Beke from the Trenton, NJ congregation, Mr. László B. Vanyi from the New York, NY congregation, and Mr. Zoltán Kun from the McKeesport congregation. Since none of the candidates were present at the meeting the Bishop’s Council authorized Bishop Alexander Forro, and Dean Pal Mezo to get in touch with the candidates and if their response was to accept the nominations their names will be placed on the ballot. The Bishop’s Council further discussed the issue of nominations for the Judicial Commission of the Synod. The following names were placed into nomination: The Rev. László Lukacsi from the Miami Florida congregation, the Rev. Ferenc Varga from the Allen Park, MI congregation and the Rev. Jenő Katona from the San Francisco, CA congregation as clergy members. Mr. Frank Király from the T—T
