CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. J. Van Haaren, of Amersfoort, the Netherlands, by the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation.

To Rev. A. Moerkerken, of Nieuw Beijerland, the Netherlands, by the Sioux Center, Iowa, Congregation.

To Rev. H. Paul of Rotterdam - Zuidwijk, the Netherlands, by the Unionville, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation, by Rev. J. VanHaaren, of Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

SHEBOYGAN NEEDS SCHOOL TEACHER

The Netherland Reformed Congregation of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is planning to open an elementary school of their own in September 1977. We are looking for a qualified person interested in a teacher-principal position. Certification could be waived depending on qualifications. Volunteer help would be available to assist in teaching duties. Interested persons please call or write:

Rev. L. Kieboom

1548 N. 16th St.

Sheboygan, Wis. 53081

Phone 414 - 458-9628

OR

Richard G. Kaat

1734 Woodside Lane

Sheboygan, Wis. 53081

Phone 414 - 452-1666

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Deputies for Correspondence with Foreign Churches have received a telegram, stating that at the latest meeting of the Curatorium in the Netherlands two students became candidates for the ministry:

R. Kattenberg and C. Vogelaar.

The churches now have an opportunity to send them a call. We hope the Lord will give both of them the right place, and that the Lord will bless them with the unction of the Holy Spirit.

Not one of all those that appeared before the Curatorium to be examined for admission to the Theological School, could be accepted.

At the meeting of our Curatorium in Grand Rapids on June 8, Student Joel Beeke was examined again with satisfactory results. May the Lord strengthen and enlighten further both the teacher and the student when the final examination shall take place after some months, the Lord willing.

Alas, there was no freedom to admit the brother who wished to be examined for admission to the lessons. That the need in our churches for ministers and elders might truly become a need.

Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that He would send laborers into His harvest.

SCHOOL PERSONNEL NEEDED

The Congregation of Kalamazoo has decided, the Lord willing, to begin our own school. Plans are to start school in September. One principal-teacher and one other teacher will be needed. We would like to encourage all those who are interested to apply by writing to the Netherlands Reformed School Board, 108 Pratt Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49001. Where possible, we will attempt to meet with the applicants to discuss these positions.

REV. C. HEGEMAN

The Deputies of the Foreign Churches have received tidings that Rev. and Mrs. Hegeman hope to arrive in Toronto the week of July 10 and hope to travel to Sioux Center the following week and visit there for some weeks.

May the Lord make all things well for the Hegeman family during their traveling and in preaching.

In the name of the Deputies,

Rev. W.C. Lamain

M. PIKAART

On Saturday, June 4, Mr. M. Pikaart passed away in the East. For several years he had served the congregation of Haledon Avenue as deacon, and afterwards the congregation of Franklin Lakes as elder.

After a lingering illness and much suffering with one operation after another, he passed away at the age of 78 years.

Rev. C. Harinck, who was visiting at that time in the East, conducted the funeral service on June 8. His text was Job 19:28.

May the Lord strengthen the family in their bereavement with that necessary grace of which their father spoke at the end of his life. May the Lord bless that blow for the congregation too, and for all of us, for we all have to die and meet our Maker.

Editor

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REF. CONGREGATIONS IN U.S.A. AND CANADA

When this committee, appointed by the Synod of June 1976, asked me to write a few words about the purpose of this savings fund, I thought this a difficult task, because more and more of God’s Word is fulfilled: “And the love of many will wax cold.” This we can say in general, but on the other hand, it is known in our midst that by the blessed influence of God’s Word, there is still a generosity for mission work as shown when there are disasters, or there is a special time of need.

This encouraged me again to write this article.

You will ask, “What is the purpose of the Savings Fund?” We will first say what it is not. It is not a bank, a commercial institution whose goal is to make some profit, but it is a fund made available to help where necessary according to the commandment of God. We must love God above all, but also our neighbor as ourselves.

So what is the purpose: To help in the financial building needs of our congregations. You will probably ask, why can’t this be done personally? This certainly is a possibility, but do you know the place of greatest need? Now it is possible that the consistory, schoolboard, or committee that speaks the loudest, will get the most help, while another place with greater need is forgotten. This committee has the information to determine the greatest need.

The next question is how this fund obtains its money? This fund receives its money through loans from consistories and individuals out of our congregations. This money, then in turn will be distributed to those places who need finances. The money loaned out will be used to build a church, school, old peoples home, etc. and not for individual use.

It has been the concern for years of some of our people, how their money was used when deposited in savings at a bank. It could be, loaned to those who work on Sunday and used in many sinful ways. This bothered those people and I think they had a right to do so. Now we have an opportunity to escape these dangers and at the same time our money can be profitable in the Kingdom of God.

The question comes up, are we bringing business into the church? Will the church become a place of business? Business is to make a profit. This is not the purpose of this fund, but to help when and where we can. Your money is guaranteed by the Synod of our churches. You need not fear of losing it and when you need it, it will be returned.

The chairman is Rev. Lamain. The committee is divided into two parts, one in the U.S.A. and one in Canada. They work together when necessary. The addresses may be found in the announcement for further information. Our churches in Holland have the same fund which is working well and has been able to help many churches and institutions. With the use of this fund they were freed from insurance required by the banks.

Further information will gladly be given by the committees. We hope that many will make use of this opportunity to help according to God’s commandment; “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)

The chairman and members of this committee ask the support of all of you. We also ask the consistories to bring this fund to the attention of their members in the local church papers.

With brotherly greetings,

Rev. A.M. denBoer

Please consider this proposal which was accepted at the Synodical meeting.

Rev. W. C. Lamain

ANNOUNCEMENT

A Savings Fund has been opened for our U.S.A. and Canadian congregations. The purpose of this fund is for loans to our congregations who are in need of finances for building purposes.

We encourage our consistories and individuals of our congregations to use this fund for their savings. Full particulars regarding interest and size of deposit required may be obtained from the treasurer.

U.S.A. Mr. Peter Southway, treasurer

187 Glenwood Drive

North Haledon, New Jersey 07508

U.S.A.

Canada Mr. J. Heykoop, treasurer

The West Mall #339

Apartment 405

Etobicoke, Ontario

Canada M9C - 1E2 P.S. Synodical Committee for Savings Fund

The following information is given regarding this fund in the U.S.A.

1. A Savings Fund of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations in the U.S.A. (Non Profit Corp.)

2. Depository: The Prospect Park National Bank, Wayne, New Jersey 07470

3. Interest rate payable to depositors for the year ending 6/30/78 was set at 5% .

4. Procedures of the U.S.A. Savings Fund

A. Members of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, Organized Churches or Organizations affiliated with said congregations desiring to deposit money in the Savings Fund should forward same to the Treasurer, Peter Southway, 187 Glenwood Drive, North Haledon, New Jersey 07508. All monies received would immediately be deposited into the savings account.

B. Immediately upon receipt of any monies, the treasurer will prepare a promissory note stating amount received and rate of interest to be paid. The note will be signed by any two officers of the Fund. Depositors should furnish the committee with social security number or taxpayer identification number.

C. Each year the interest rates payable to depositors will be fixed by the directors of the Fund and paid out annually on June 30th.

D. The deposits shall be for a minimum of $500.00 with multiples of $100.00 thereafter.

E. All promissory notes will be payable on demand subject to six months written notice of withdrawal. Emergency withdrawal requests will receive special consideration.

F. Redemption of the promissory notes will be handled in the following manner:

Six months after the treasurer has been notified of depositors intent to withdraw, the depositor must forward the promissory note to the treasurer for redemption. A check will be forwarded for the principal amount plus interest from the last payment date.

Similar information as the above, for consistories and individuals of our congregations in Canada was not available to “The Banner of Truth” at this time. It is understood that procedures in the Canada area will vary somewhat from that shown for the U.S.A.

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