Magyar Egyház, 2006 (85. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2006-10-01 / 4. szám
6. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA NOVEMBER 18, 2006 ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA On November 18. 2006 at the Free Magyar Reformed Church of Ontario, California, the constituents of the General Assembly of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America held their meeting. The leaders of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, pastors, officers, church members looked back on the past 4 years service, rendering thanks to the past and placed their future in the hands of God, knowing that blessing could only come from Him, because without it their service cannot be valued. Rev.Dr. Imre Bertalan, one of the oldest, but still active pastor of the American Hungarian Reformed Church in America greeted the Synod’s Meeting in writing: “Dear Assembly! “Together with heart and soul”. The establishing meeting of our denomination in Duquense,PA was called once by our establishing fathers with the same motto. They were few, but they were all there. Since they were there with their heart and soul, they received the Holy Spirit and a present guiding them towards good. Sincerely, Imre Bertalan “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations...”, was the hymn that opened the General Assembly of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America in 2006. The same day the ordination of the newly elected bishop Rt.Rev.Sándor Szabó and other officers defined the agenda of the meeting. The General Assembly asked for God’s infinite blessing to fall upon the service of the officers. During the Assembly, reports of the leaders and officers were presented resulting in important resolutions regarding the churches future. The reports summarized the past 4 years of service. This event bears historical significance to the Hungarian Reformed Church in America since the establishment of the denomination 82 years ago, there weren’t any General Assembly Meeting on the West Coast. The meeting was opened by the Rt.Rev.Andor Demeter, Bishop, with a prayer and Antal. C. Beke, Chief Elder who both greeted the General Assembly. After discussing and approving the agenda and financial reports Bishop Demeter gave a presentation on his last four years of service, life of the church, thanking God of his grace and the fellow servants for their support and help. Deans and Bishops reported on the life of the Classis, placing emphasis on the fact that despite great difficulties the church is alive and serving the Glory of God. The Election Committee’s report confirmed that the congregations of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America has elected Sándor Szabó, - pastor of the Free Magyar Reformed Church of Ontario, California, Dean of the Western Classis, and General Secretary of the Hungarian Rformed Church in America, - for the office of Bishop. Mr.Anthony C. Beke was reelected Chief Elder, who fulfilled the duty in the previous 4 years as well. The positions of the Judicial Commission were filled by (Clergy) Rev.Laszlo Lukacsi (Miami,FL), Rev.Ferenc Varga (Allen Park,MI), Rev.Balint Nagy (Hollywood,CA) and (Lay) Dr. Ottó Kanócz (Cliffside, NJ), Mr.Mihaly Szokol (Windsor,ONT) Mr. Károly Okos (Hollywood, CA) The General Assembly accepted the proposal of the Nominating Committee and unanimously elected the following candidates for these positions: General Secretary of the Synod: Rt. Rev.Stefan M. Torok (Carteret,NJ), Lay Secretary: Dr.Zoltan Mester (Hollywood,CA), Treasurer: Mrs.Szilvia Russell (Ontario, CA), Controller: Mr.Karoly Okos (Hollywood,CA), Legal Counselor: Mr.Charles Quinn, Ministerial Qualifying Committee member: Rev.Dr.Eva Lukacsi (Miami,FL), Ecumenical Secretary: Rev. Ferenc Varga, Dean (Allen Park,Ml), Editor of “Magyar Egyház- Magyar Church” Official Publication: Mr.Zsolt Demeter (Phoenix, AZ), Business Manager of “Magyar Egyhaz-Magyar Church”: Rt. Rev.Sándor Szabó (Ontario,CA), Editorial Board: Rt.Rev.Stefan M. Torok (Carteret,NJ), Rev.Ferenc Varga (Allen Park, MI), Rev. Balint Nagy (Hollywood,CA). The General Assembly accpeted many motions of the Resolution Committee, entursting the newly elected officials to carry them out. Some very important resolutions: — The General Assembly approved to increase the amount of the General Fund from $4— from $6 - per member of the congregations. — proposes a continued cooperation with the leadership and congregations of the Calvin Synod, UCC — proposes the renewal of our membership and participation with national and international church organizations — to support continuously the new Church Conference Center at the Bethlen Home in Ligonier,PA, to held there the Synod’s meetings. — adopted the motion to elect Rt.Rev. Andor Demeter as Honorary Bishop of the Synod.— approved to edit a picture l.D. for the pastors.— approved the newly established congregations: Denver,CO; Honolulu,HI; Seattle,WA, to be members of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. — to call the attention of the congregations to purchase and use the newly published Catechism in the congregations, — to follow and obey the rules of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, — to accept the leaving of the Oshawa,ONT; Youngstown,PA; and the dissolution of the Warrenville,CT; congregations.
