CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended

To Rev. M. Heerschaap by the Artesia, California, Congregation.

Calls Declined

To People’s Park, New Jersey, by Rev. D. Hakkenberg.

To Clifton, New Jersey, by Rev. J. C. Westrate.

To Unionville, Ontario, by Rev. G. A. Zyderveld.

CLASSIS MIDDLE WEST HELD ON APRIL 29, 1970 IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

A prayer service was held on the preceding evening, led by Rev. C. Hegeman. The minister discoursed on Psalm 56, verse 9b in the English language.

I. Opening

As minister of the calling church, Rev. Hegeman opened the meeting. After singing Psalter 415, verse 1, a portion of God’s Word was read, Psalm 121, and a blessing was asked upon our meeting. In the introductory speech Rev. Hegeman welcomed the delegates to the ‘Assembly and spoke a few words based upon that portion of Scripture which he read. He directed the attention of the delegates to the desires and prayers of the psalmist. At this time Rev. Hegeman thanked the brethren for the love and kindness he has received in the three and one-half years that he has labored in this Classis, and that it may please the Lord to guide us this day with His light and favor.

II. Credentials

Credentials are examined and approved as follows:

Grand Rapids Rev. W. C. Lamain

Elder C. Boerkoel

Vineland Rev. M. Heerchap

Elder H. DeBat

Norwich Rev. L. Kieboom

Elder D. Stubbe

Unionville Rev. C. Hegeman

Elder R. Van Vliet

Bradford Deacon J. Vanderwal

Deacon A. B. Brouwer

Kalamazoo Rev. A. Elshout

Elder J. Beeke

The two deacons were granted the right to vote.

HL Election of officers

President Rev. A Elshout

Assessors Rev. M. Heerschap

Rev. L. Kieboom

Clerk Elder J. Beeke

Treasurer Elder R. Van Vliet

IV. Minutes

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed.

V. Reports

A. Referring to Art. 6 of the previous minutes, Elder R. Van Vliet reported on the protest they filed with the Canadian government as deputies of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations of Canada. The correspondence was read between the deputies and the government regarding the appointment of an ambassador to the Vatican. Also the letters between them and the Canadian Transport Commission concerning the permission to give unrestricted continuous freight service by motor vehicles on the Lord’s Day in all the provinces of Canada. Even though the government of Canada acknowledged these protests, the Classis expressed its regret of wrongdoing.

B. Rev. Elshout gave a report related to the Mission activities. The correspondence with the Dutch mission deputies was explained by him to the brethren.

C. At this time a consistory asked the Classis for further advice regarding Art. XI of the Previous minutes. The Classis gave advice.

VI. Committees

The following persons were appointed delegates and alternates for the Synod meeting to be held D.V. June 16 and 17,1970 in Grand Rapids.

Delegates Alternates

Rev. W. C. Lamain Elder G. Deur

Rev. L. Kieboom Elder D. Stubbe

Rev. M. Heerschap Elder L. Nieuwenhuize

Rev. A. Elshout Elder J. Beeke

Elder R. Van Vliet Elder Fintelman

Elder T. Moerdyk Elder P. Beeke

Elder C. F. Boerkoel Elder J. DeBruin

VII. Customary Questioning

1. Bradford - Whereas Rev. Hegeman has accepted a call to the congregation of Tholen in the Netherlands, Rev. Kieboom was appointed as moderator over Unionville and Bradford.

2. Kalamazoo — Consistory asks advice concerning baptism of adopted children. The Classis decided to bring this before the Synod as follows: The Synod is requested to decide what to do about this matter because of the fact that no decision was made since 1964 when it was decided to await the outcome of a study by a committee in the Netherlands.

3. Unionville — Asks advice regarding the Classical dismissal papers of Rev. C. Hegeman. After Rev. Hegeman was asked to dismiss himself for a few moments, it was unanimously agreed that the committee of Ontario named for that purpose (Art. 5a 1966) be instructed to report that everything is found to be in good order. Rev. Heerschap was appointed to take the place of Rev. Hegeman on this committee. At this time the president expressed the gratitude of the Classis for all Rev. Hegeman’s labors in the United States and Canada. Also that the Lord may bless his labors when he hopes to leave for Tholen, The Netherlands on May 26, D.V. The Classis was informed that he will preach a farewell sermon on May 19 in Unionville.

4. Vineland — The Vineland consistory asks a question regarding the Emeritus Fund (Art. 13 Church Order). After some discussion, they were advised that this point is already scheduled to be brought before the Synodical meeting.

VIII. Expenses

The expenses of the Classis meeting totalling $275.40 were divided.

IX. Calling Church

The calling church for the next Classis will be Bradford, to be held in Norwich, Canada on Oct. 21, 1970. Rev. Lamain will conduct the Prayer Service on Oct. 20, 1970 D.V.

X. Closing

Rev. Elshout spoke a few concluding remarks to the assembled brethren, especially Rev. Hegeman. He directed him to the Psalm that was read this morning, “He never sleeps and never slumbers.” During this meeting it was also brought to memory that since our last Classical meeting Elder Slingerland was taken away by death. The meeting was closed with prayer offered by Rev. Elshout.

J. Beeke, Clerk

FAREWELL SEMONS BY REV. C. HEGEMAN TO THE CONGREGATION OF UNIONVILLE

Rev. C. Hegeman preached his farewell sermon on Sunday evening, May 17th in the English language. Read was Acts 2 from verse 21 till the end, while the text was taken from verse 41a: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” During this service 3 young persons did confession of faith and one adult baptism was administered. They were cautioned to stay with the truth and they were instructed, that neither baptism nor confession of faith is sufficient for salvation. A person needs to be reborn, as Jesus said: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

After explanation of his text, Rev. Hegeman warned especially the young people, who were present in great numbers, for the great dangers of the world and admonished them to attend the services faithfully. He expressed his desire, that they may learn the language of Canaan, which will endure forever. A word of thanks was directed to the organist and the youth society. Elder A. Fintelman spoke a few words, expressing the hope, that the Lord might be with Rev. Hegeman, his wife and children, during their trip and stay in the Netherlands. He requested to sing Psalter 345 stanza 1 and 2. Rev. Hegeman spoke briefly and closed with the benediction.

On Tuesday evening, May 19th, Rev. Hegeman preached in the Holland language.

The scripture reading was out of the Acts 20 verse 17 till the end, with the text chosen from Numbers 14 verse 8: “If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us.” The topic was: Two different reports. 1. A report without testimony of childlike faith. 2. A report that testified only through faith. Rev. Hegeman clearly explained the difference in the reports given by the spies and applied this to the spiritual life of God’s church. In the application a sincere warning was directed to the congregation. Furthermore Rev. Hegeman expressed his gratitude, that 3 ministers of the Classis were present, in spite of the great distances.

He also thanked, on behalf of his wife and children, the congregation for the love experienced during their stay in Unionville. A special word of thanks was also directed to: the caretaker and his family, the ladies society, the youth society, the delegates of the Classis, the Consistory and some from California and Sioux Center.

Rev. Elshout spoke on behalf of the Classis and Elder Harskamp of Sioux Center on behalf of that congregation. As spokesman for the congregation and consistory of Unionville a few words were directed to Rev. Hegeman, his wife and children, by Elder Van Vliet. He expressed the wish, that the Lord might bless the labors of His servant, as well in Unionville as in Tholen, and might bring them safely to his new congregation. After singing Psalm 74 verse 12, Rev. Hegeman thanked the speakers, requested to sing Psalm 72 verse 11 and closed with prayer.

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