Dean’s Report to the Annual Assembly of the Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America
Dean’s Report
to the Annual Assembly of the Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America
March 29, 2009 – New Brunswick, New Jersey
I extend greetings to all of the Officers, Pastors, Chief Elders, delegates, and guests with the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” (26:3) Let me quote the same verse in Hungarian, too: “Akiknek szilárd a jelleme azt meg?rzöd teljes békében, mert benned bízik.”
Trust and Purpose – These are the key words in this text. Trust in God. This is the only way to manage the daily and the unexpected situations in our lives. Our world, including ourselves, does not trust in anyone or anything. This would be a topic for a conference to analyze why we are in this “anti-trust” world.
Purpose – It seems to me, there is lack of purpose in the world. The current financial disaster intimidates us, and it is hard to find someone who will tell us what to do and how to continue our business and life.
Thank God, we have an absolute clear guideline for what to do and how to do it. Blow the dust off your Bible and seek this wisdom. These words will encourage you to trust and plan the future.
Let me change the subject, but not leave these words – trust and purpose – behind when I try to summarize the last year’s activities of our Classis. This will be in new format that I hope you will accept.
1 – Last year we informed the Annual Assembly that the members of the Cliffside Church had made the decision to end the activities of their congregation. Under the supervision of the Dean, they had their congregational meetings and made the final arrangements. All of their assets were moved into our Classis treasury and distributed according to their wishes. We can use the balance of those funds as the congregation ordered it – for mission purposes.
2 – It is good news: in the years 2008/09, two mission congregations decided to organize themselves as a Church – Atlanta, GA and Columbia-Charlotte, SC-NC. God bless their mission work and activities among our fellow Hungarians and others who seek the Good News.
3 – We welcomed three new Pastors among us – the Rev. Judit Mayer and the Rev. Laszlo Petro in Washington, DC; and the Rev. Zsolt Otvos in New Brunswick. May God bless your ministry, and we look forward to your activities in the Classis, too.
4 – Last Summer we were happy to greet and host four young friends from Hungary. This was the first time that a delegation from our sister Classis in Debrecen came to join us at our Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp. We hope this is one of the ways in which we can build a closer relationship with our “old country” congrega-tions and other church organizations.
9 – I had the privilege of visiting nine congregations in 2008-09 – Washington, Atlanta, Rochester, Trenton, New Brunswick, Carteret, Poughkeepsie, Staten Island and Bethlehem. These were fruitful meetings to discuss the present situations of the congregations and to look at their future plans. There is only one congregation in the Classis which I have not visited since becoming Dean. This is Roebling.
10 – Mrs. Linda Hauck, presently the “Interim Chief Elder” of the Staten Island Church, resigned from her leadership position as Chief Elder after 10 years of service. Congratulations, Linda, and we still count on your purposely-organized service among us.
12 – We have twelve Ministers on the Roll of our Classis who serve in other denominations and/or fields – US Navy, United Church of Christ – Calvin Synod, Bethlen Home, Hungary, and so on.
27 – is the total number of Ministers who have standing and are on the Roll of the Classis.
(10 full-time, 3 mission, 2 supply, and 12 on the Roll). Please pray for them, help them, and trust in them that they may better minister in our congregations!
35 – In October 2008, we were privileged to host the 35 members of the Choir of the Debrecen Great Church. Bishop Gusztav Bolcskei and Rev. Zsigmond Vad led the delegation. The Choir gave concerts in New Brunswick and New York. The New York worship and concert was the opening event of the American Hungarian Reformed Churches’ celebration of the 500th Anniversary of John Calvin’s birth. At this point, I ask you to remember that our Calvinist heritage is not a doctrine. It is a living faith and has purpose. Therefore, try to learn more, deepen your knowledge about our beliefs and display it to the world.
50 – Indeed, it was a heart-warming event in Rochester when one of the smaller congregations of our Classis celebrated her Fiftieth Anniversary. All of the founding members have departed or moved away, except for one, Ferenc Nagy, who is the Chief Elder. He remains and he is still the engine of the congregation.
51 – It happened half a century ago in Duquesne, PA, on February 21, 1958, that the Rt. Rev. Zoltan Beky was installed as the first Bishop of the HRCA. Last year we missed mentioning this historically important event. May God bless our former Bishops’ deeds and bless those who are still among us.
60 – The Miami congregation also had a celebration; they gave thanks to the Lord for their 60 years of history. This congregation is the only one in our denomination where we have two full-time Pastors. Among our churches, this Congregation sends the largest amount of mission help all over the world.
75 – Poughkeepsie, one of the other smaller congregations in our Classis, also had a milestone in their history. Thanks to God for their 75 years of faithful service in the Lord’s vineyard and to the Rt. Rev. Sandor Forro, who serves this congregation for 48 years!
85 – This year our Denomination will celebrate its 85th Anniversary!
90 – In June, we were all happy to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan’s 90th birthday. Yes, he was a God given and blessed Minister, President, and Father. It is so sad that I have to use the past tense when I mention his name – a few weeks after his birthday, God called him into the eternal home. May his memory be blessed among us!
105 – Two congregations celebrated this great Anniversary – Carteret and Perth Amboy. I am happy to inform the Assembly, that all of the problems that I reported to you last year about Carteret have been resolved with the active cooperation of their Chief Elder. Their next Annual Congregational Meeting will be on April 19. The main issue is to decide who and in what form that person should serve as their Pastor.
1133 – According to the congregational reports and the numbers on the voting lists, this is the total membership of our Classis. Is it too much or too little? Each soul is important, so, Pastors and delegates, please do not forget to shepherd your congregations.
2009 – This is the year that we have received from God for an abundant life, to fulfill our duties and obligations. Use these God given days and do not let them go without purpose.
Trust in the Lord and live a purpose driven life and serve in a purpose driven church. If God be for us, who can be against us?
Respectfully,
Rev. Dr. Attila Kocsis
Dean
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