Magyar Református Egyház

Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

The announcement was recently made regarding plans for a “Constituting Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church”. The Synodical gathering designed to unify the Hungarian Reformed Churches world wide under a common confession, constitution, and standards. It will meet May 22nd, 2009 in Debrecen.

The website promoting the event is Majus22.org. An English version of certain sections of the site are available here: Majus22.org English.

This is a link to the Proposed Constitution in English.

The 71st meeting of the Calvin Synod ends in 2009 as the Debrecen gathering begins. When asked how this proposed constitution will affect the life of the Calvin Synod, Rt. Rev. Karl Ludwig commented:

Calvin Synod will be represented at the meeting. We are and continue to be involved in the World-Wide Reformed fellowship.

The “Vision Statement” in English follows.

Vision Statement

How we understand this powerfull expression of the communion we have since the time of the reformation? The fellowship we never gave up? Read the Mission Statement to get an insight!

In the unity of the church the credibility of its witness is strengthened. We share this vision with the worldwide reformed family in its uniting process toward the World Communion of Reformed Churches, with the wider fellowship of the protestant Churches in Europe and with the worldwide Church of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the year of the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, God’s prominent servant committed to unity, we will give a sign of hope and encouragement to rebuild the “bond of unity” within the reformed family and beyond.

It is not by chance that the Hungarian Reformed people traditionally laid accent on their fellowship and unity. Yet, in the last centuries we were given the possibility to live out our communion in different measure.

The Hungarian reformed community since the time of the Reformation lived constantly on the territory of different states, in a church law in defined community with those nationalities in the Carpathian Basin became followers of the Reformation. The church bodies which lived in a forced organizational division after the Reformation could establish a united church structure first in 1881, year of the foundation of the structurally united Hungarian Reformed Church. The church unity has been broken again after the First World War when the church just like the country was torn apart and constrained to live in separated church bodies. Yet, the reformed community never gave up unity in faith, witness, service and life. The joining churches will maintain their legal status and registration in their respected countries.

We will give expression to this communion in celebrating our unity and constituting the Hungarian Reformed Church on the 22nd of May. With this symbolic act we would like to encourage others seeking communion in the one body of Christ. The Constituting Synod will be celebration of thanksgiving completed by the Holy Communion.

The strengthening of the unity of the Hungarian reformed fellowship is an important step on a spiritual journey. The constitution, the common synod, the common liturgy and hymnbook, the cooperation in the field of the educations of pastors are new forms of practicing communion. Our cooperation in the field of diaconia and mission will make our service in the society more effective and credible.

After having entered the European Union 5 years ago we believe that the time has come for regional cooperation across national boundaries. Therefore we hope to contribute in a churchlike manner to the reconciliation needed so much in our region.

Photo: Debrecen Great Church Source: Majus22.org

Hungarian Reformed Musical Festival on June 5ü6ü7 on Raday Street in Budapest, and
Hungarian Reformed Hymns VIII. Concert on Bartok Bela Road 59, Budapest, on July 3rd.

Kedves Testvérek!

A Református Zenei Fesztivál 2009. június 5-6-7-én immár hatodik alkalommal kerül megrendezésre Budapesten, a ferencvárosi Ráday utcában.

Mellékelten küldöm a fesztivál plakátját.

A Református énekek VIII. hangversenyre a M?vészetek Palotájába jegyek már kaphatók 1800, 2400, 2700 és 3750 Ft áron a STEREO KFT. üzletében.

Címünk: 1114 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 59.

Nyitvatartás: H-P 13-18 óráig

Üdvözlettel,

Herédi Andrea

Stereo Kft/Periferic Records

1114 Budapest Bartók Béla út 59.

T/F:+361-385-6343, +361-466-9674

email: stereoperiferic@mail.datanet.hu

www.perifericrecords.com

Mission in Central and Eastern Europe: The Calvinist Heritage
The W. Don McClure Lectures in World Mission and Evangelism

Speaker: Anne-Marie Kool, Director, Protestant Institute for Mission Studies (PMTI) in Budapest, Hungary and Professor of Missiology, Károli Gáspár University of the Hungarian Reformed Church

Dates:

Mon., Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m., 4:15 and 7:30 p.m. Dinner available by reservation by 6:00 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m.

Contact the Office of Continuing Education at 412-441-3304, ext. 2196 for details.

West Side Hungarian Reformed Church

The Calvin Center Hall & Catering

15300 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Phone 216.476.3736 or 216.926.6030

Fax 216.642.8533

Roof Fundraiser Dinner: Chicken Paprikas

May 2, 2009

1pm to 6pm

Dine-in or Take-out

$7.00 & $8.00

Advance orders are being taken for our famous traditional Chicken Paprikas dinners with homemade spaetzle (dumplings). Orders may be placed by phone or by fax with attached order sheet.

100% of the proceeds will go to fixing the church roof, which is in desperate need of repair. Please help us by letting relatives, friends and neighbors know.

Thank you for your continued help and support.

Fairport Harbor Events in May –

May 10 – Mother’s Day Lunch by the Men of the Church

May 16 – W. F. Chicken Paprikás Dinner Carry out & Sit down Dinners by Reservation ONLY: Shirley: 440.357.6596 or Theresa 440.942.8097

May 17 – Confirmation Sunday

May 29 & 30 – Cabbage Roll Sale to place order call Julie at 440.352.2363 or church at 440.352.4836.

The 2009 Hunagarian Reformed Youth Camp Flyer (English version) is available for downloading at this link;

2009 Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp Flyer to Download

Here is the Hungarian version of the flyer (non formatted version below)2009 Magyar

Please make copies for the youth of your church.

The Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp is a ministry sponsored jointly by the Calvin Synod and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America.

The English text is below. (Unfortunately the formatting of the flyer could not be reproduced):

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

A place for strengthening faith in God…

Hungarian Reformed Church
YOUTH CAMP!

JULY 19-25, 2009
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Mount Pleasant, PA.

This year’s camp theme is
“My Heart – Christ’s Home”

For more information please call:
Gabe Csapó 609-758-5113 or
Les Török 614-497-1026

A Reformed education is forever. Please give your child or grandchild the gift of Youth Camp – it’s a gift that lasts a life-time. More ways to help camp: Prayer! Please keep our youth, camp counselors and clergy in prayer! Also please remember that Youth Camp is grateful for donations of any amount. A simple $25 donation goes far in helping reduce camp expenses for our campers. Please make checks out to the Calvin Synod
(Youth Camp in the memo) and send to the Calvin Synod Treasurer:
Mrs. Lisa Susan Tóth-Maskarinec
1836 Timothy Drive,
W. Mifflin, PA 15122

May our Youth Camp efforts to glorify God also bless our future generations with the precious Gospel as declared in the Scriptures and our Reformed Doctrine.

Thank you for your prayers and support and
may God bless you for your kindness and generosity!

JEGYEZD BE A NAPTÁRADBA!

Az Istenbe vetett hit er?sítésének helye:

az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyház

IFJÚSÁGI TÁBORA!

2009. július 19-25.
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center

Mount Pleasant, PA.
Az idei tábor témája:
„A szívem – Krisztus otthona”

További felvilágosításért hívható:

Gabe Csapó – (6O9) 758-5113, vagy

Les Török – (614) 497-1O26

A református nevelés örökérvény? – s most ezt az életreszóló ajándékot adhatja gyermekének vagy unokájának, ha elküldi az ifjúsági táborunkba! Kérjük, más módon is támogassa táborunkat: hordozza imádságban a résztvev? fiatalokat, tábori nevel?ket és lelkipásztorokat, valamint egy egyszeri 25.OO dolláros adománnyal segítsen a tábor kiadásait csökkenteni. Bármilyen más összeg? adományt is hálás szívvel fogadunk és

kérjük, szíveskedjen csekkjét „Calvin Synod” névre kiállítva (a memo-ba írt „Youth

Camp” megjegyzéssel) a Kálvin Egyházkerület pénztárosához eljuttatni:

Mrs. Lisa Susan Toth-Maskarinec

1836 Timothy Drive, W. Mifflin, PA 15122

Legyen az Ifjúsági Tábor Istennek dics?ségére, a jöv? nemzedékeket pedig áldja meg

az értékes evangéliummal, amint ezt a Szentírás és a mi református tanításunk is hirdeti.

Köszönjük imádságát és segítségét,

Isten áldja meg gazdagon szívességéért és b?kez?ségéért!

Reprinted from ReformationUCC.org

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:9-10

Evangelicals in the United Church of Christ often consider themselves a disenfranchised minority in the UCC. While most of the people occupying the pews of UCC Churches consider themselves “moderate to conservative” theologically, the leadership in Cleveland, OH at at the conference level often voices doctrinal opinions that orthodox Christians inside and outside the UCC consider controversial at best and heretical at worst. As a result, an exodus of evangelicals from the denomination to other churches has been underway for the better part of a generation. The remnant of evangelicals who have remained in the denomination in response to God’s calling have prayed for years for the denomination to return to its Biblical and historically orthodox roots.

Some within the evangelical wing of the UCC have sensed the possibility of an answer to some of their prayers. Recently they were greeted with the announcement that well known evangelical church growth researcher Ed Stetzer has been asked to speak to UCC leadership involved in efforts to plant new UCC churches. Stetzer speaks the language of orthodoxy that evangelicals in the UCC share. His life’s work is to promote the kind of “missionally” effective churches UCC evangelicals want to see at work in our Evangelical, Reformed, and Congregational body.

Evangelical leaders in the UCC responded very positively to the announcement of Stetzer’s visit. The only common complaint seemed to be “why have we waited for this day so long?”

Dr. Bob Thompson, President of the Faithful and Welcoming Churches, UCC made this statement for ReformationUCC.org:

It is very encouraging to hear that Ed Stetzer is going to be speaking to UCC church planters. As one who has had his feet planted firmly in both the evangelical and mainline church worlds for most of my adult life, I have always believed that evangelicals have something to learn from the mainlines, and vice versa. We too often throw stones at one another as we recognize each other’s blind spots and fail to recognize our own. Evangelicals are only beginning to understand their responsibility for social action and care of God’s earth – historically more mainline concerns. But for many years, evangelicals have been light years ahead of the mainlines in evangelism and church growth because they actually believe Jesus Christ alone provides what human beings instinctively crave. I celebrate Ed Stetzer sharing those insights with the UCC.

Referring to this article on the demise of many UCC churches whose buildings are now being use for “replants”, Dr. Edwin Elliott, the English Language Editor for the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ “Herald” welcomed this development as well:

Ed Stetzer brings invaluable help at a critical stage in the UCC campaign to stop the hemorrhage of members from local congregations. People who follow Ed’s direction buy empty UCC buildings and fill them with vibrant new congregations. It does not take a degree in church development to connect the dots and suggest that before selling the last building someone should take Stetzer’s advice.

Evangelicals in the UCC are thankful for Stetzer’s input. His presence offers often weary conservatives within the UCC strength for their ongoing battle for a voice in the direction of the UCC.

First Church in Lawrenceburg,TN hosted the community Ministerial Association for a Lenten service and then served a lunch of soup, sandwiches, and light dessert after the service. A collection was taken for the Ministerial Association’s work with people in need throughout the year.

The sermon was based on Matthew 6:25-34: Seek First The Kingdom and was preached by Rev. Chuck Huckaby.

The children from the preschool sang at the end of the service before the congregation was dismissed for lunch with a sung prayer.

The Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp will be held, by God’s grace, on July 19-25 @ Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant , PA We are using “My Heart Christ’s Home”

Please be in prayer for the spiritual well being of our youth, camp counselors, and clergy.

As discussed last year at the Calvin Synod, it is vitally important for local congregations to see this summer event as part of their year round ministry.

Hungarian Reformed Congregations are encouraged to help the young people who attend to nurture the “camp spirit” all year long in fact.

Your prayers and your generous efforts to sponsor youth to attend the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp are much appreciated. May those efforts glorify God and bless the future generations with the precious Gospel declared in the Scriptures and our Doctrinal Standards!

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary will be hosting its first conference August 27–29. This year’s theme is “Calvin for the 21st Century.” The conference will be held at the Calvin College Prince Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Speakers at this year’s conference will include Joel Beeke, Jerry Bilkes, Ligon Duncan, Michael Haykin, Nelson Kloosterman, David Murray, Joseph Pipa, Neil Pronk, Donald Sinnema, Derek Thomas, and Cornel Venema. They will be addressing a variety of ways in which Calvin can assist us in understanding the Word of God, the love of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, redemption, reforming the church, ethics, the benefits of salvation, and reprobation.

Don’t forget to bring your book allowance! Reformation Heritage Books will have a large selection of books on and by Calvin and a host of other subjects available at the conference, all at steeply discounted prices.

Conference Pricing (per participant):

Early Registration (through June 26, 2009) $65.00 x _____ = $______

Regular Registration (between June 26 and August 8, 2009) $90.00 x _____ = ______

Student (includes college and seminary students and their wives) $45.00 x _____ = ______

Look for online registration availability beginning in March at www.puritanseminary.org. Conference accommodations at the Prince Center are limited to 450 attendees, so sign-up early to avoid disappointment. Send all questions and/or comments related to the Puritan Reformed Conference to conference@puritanseminary.org or call 616.977.0599. You may write the seminary at 2965 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.