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Did you read the UCC Devotional “The Impossibility of Bishops”
By Rev. Matt Laney?
As an African American, wherever I go, I show-up, with all the sensibilities of an African American Same-Gender-Loving woman (SGL). The Black church is my catalyst for liberation and the Movement of a still Speaking God. While I no longer embrace the theology of my childhood church, I kept the passion, the fire, and the willingness to resist every ism imaginable. (Soul force)
Upon reading the devotional, it was clear, to me, that the author had little understanding and appreciation for the history of the UCC and the history of the black church. So, I called him to ask questions and offered my perspective. It was an interesting conversation. I shared with Rev. Matt some of that History for which I am sharing with you in this commentary, particularly that of the Calvin Synod in the United Church of Christ.
Magyar Református Egyház
The Hungarian Reformed Churches in the United States and Canada are formed into three church bodies: Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Canada. Although, there are still some splinter independent congregations in existence. The Calvin Synod is a non-geographical conference in the United Church of Christ. It is the only conference that calls its executive minister “Bishop,” continuing the practice of the Reformed Church in Hungary, dating back to the earliest days of the Reformation.
The Calvin Synod holds an annual meeting where it conducts business, recognizes pastors and churches, joins in fellowship, and shares its concerns. It elects officers every three years (Bishop, Auxiliary Bishop, General Secretary, Synod Treasurer, and Synod Presbyter), that form the Conference Council. The Council meets several times throughout the year to act on church matters. The Synod is divided into regional Classis (Eastern, Central, Lakeside, and Western) with a Dean serving as the chief officer. The local church is the basic unit governed by the congregation. A consistory serves as the governing board and is made up of presbyters or elders. Calvin Synod cultivates several joint efforts within the Hungarian Reformed community. Among them are the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association and the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters Association. They each hold separate annual meetings in September on US Labor Day Weekend. And in midsummer, there is a joint Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp, where education, worship, and fellowship take place for one week.
It’s good to know the History of the United Church of Christ…..
See you Sunday,
Pastor Janice
