CHURCH NEWS

Call Extended:

To Rev. L. Blok, of Capelle a/d Ijssel, the Netherlands, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation. Calls Declined:

To the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation by Rev. W.C. Lamain, of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

MR. R. VAN VLIET DIES

On Saturday, July 1, Mr. R. Van Vliet, who for many years had been elder of our congregation in Unionville, Ontario, Canada, passed away very suddenly. He had been in the hospital a few times before because of a heart attack. When he recently attended the Synod in Grand Rapids, it was evident that his physical condition was not as it had been. Saturday morning his condition worsened, and he was taken to the hospital, but soon he was taken away out of this life at the age of 56.

It is a heavy blow for the widow and the four children, for the brothers and sisters, but also for the church of Unionville, and the classis in which he had done very much work. The Lord knows them that are His. 2 Tim 2:19. The Lord is righteous in all His works, and He brings everyone to the place prepared for him from eternity.

By nature we put the day of death far away. We are and remain responsible, but God must work a wonder in us before we shall ever truly feel our need of God.

We would have wished to attend the funeral, but previous engagements made it impossible.

As moderator of Unionville, Rev. J.C Weststrate of St. Catharines conducted the funeral. The Reformed Church of Whitby offered the use of their building for it. He spoke to the family, the congregation and the friends on Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days”. At the cemetery the Rev. L. Kieboom of Sheboygan, Wis., spoke. Both ministers spoke of the brevity of life, the necessity of regeneration, and of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

With sincere sympathy they spoke to the widow and the children, but also to the congregation which Mr. Van Vliet had served so long as an elder.

W. C. Lamain

CURATORIUM

At our meeting held on June 20 we were disappointed that no one had received an attest to appear for an examination. May we be humbled before Him in whose hand is that gift of the ministry.

It was decided at this meeting that since we have no students at the present time, it will not be necessary for the congregation to collect for our Theological School until funds will again be needed.

We wish to express our sincere thanks for all the collections received from the consistories, the gifts from the different guilds, Sunday School classes, societies and the many personal gifts. May the King of His Church add His blessing and that it may be His will to grant us a student(s) in the near future.

In behalf of the Curatorium

John Beeke, Treasurer

A SHORT REPORT OF THE GENERAL SYNOD

OF OUR CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

On Tuesday, June 20, 1978, a meeting of the Curatorium was held at 3:00 P.M. Several matters were discussed and reports were submitted regarding the examinations of student Joel Beeke who was installed as minister of the congregation of Sioux Center on March 29. It was a short meeting since there were no requests for examinations. The chairman expressed in a few words a disappointment, not only for the Curatorium, but also for all our congregations.

In the evening the delegates from far and near, including Rev. L. Blok and Rev. J. Van Haaren as delegates for the Netherlands, met each other in the vicinity of the Grand Rapids church. There was then a few moments to communicate with one another about church and family life, which is always an enjoyable time because of living such long distances from one another. At 7:45 P.M. a Synodical Prayer Service was held in our church in Grand Rapids which was conducted by Rev. Den Boer. His text was from Isaiah 14:32.

At 9:00 A.M. the following morning, the Synod was opened by Rev. W. C. Lamain as minister of the calling church. After a hearty welcome and an opening word, Rev. Lamain recalled the happy and the sad events that have taken place in the past two years. He pointed to the mercy of the Lord in permitting us to still have a place where we may gather together, and as office bearers to meet one another in an ecclesiastical meeting.

Rev. A.M. Den Boer was elected president, Rev. W.C. Lamain, vice-president, Rev. J. Weststrate and Elder Beeke, clerks and Elder R. Van Vliet, treasurer.

In his opening word, the chairman asked for the cooperation of all the delegates in looking unto the Lord for light and wisdom in such an important meeting, where so many matters have to be discussed.

The delegates from the Netherlands were given an opportunity to bring over the greetings and best wishes from the Holland churches. Rev. Van Haaren then spoke about the impressions they had received after arriving in a strange country and attending a church service where the English language was spoken. He expressed his gladness in having met friends, brothers and acquaintances, in such a short time since leaving the Netherlands. They were glad that amoung all the synodical points, there were none where a decision had to be made involving doctrine. On behalf of the Holland congregations, Rev. Van Haaren expressed the wish that the Lord would lead and keep our congregations. He expressed the hope that the sending of delegates to each other may prove profitable to strengthen the mutual bond between our congregations on both sides of the ocean. He also emphasized that all that is beneficial to this end must be done with the help of the Lord, especially in the dark times in which we live. The chairman then expressed thanks for these words addressed to the Synod.

After the correspondence which only took a short time, discussion commenced about the various reports that were submitted, both written and verbal, with an explanation of the matters and the finances.

Yearbook reports: It was stated that some mistakes were printed. All the clerks of our congregations were kindly requested to take note of this and to send in the proper information in the future so that these mistakes can be avoided as much as possible.

Theological school report: The clerk of the Curatorium gave information regarding the study and examinations that took place in the past two years.

National and International Disaster Fund report: The treasurer of this Fund gave an explanation of the relief that was given and collections were recommended.

American General Mission Fund: Some questions were asked about the money which was collected and about the furlough of a minister of the mission who was here in America. Some other affairs were also discussed. Information was given as far as possible.

Banner of Truth report: The editor asked for some assistance which was promised.

Deputies of Foreign Churches report: The deputies informed the Synod about the matters of the Synod that was held in Holland last year.

Translation committee report: The Catechism of Rev. Van Reenen will be reprinted and the Dogmatics of Rev. G.H. Kersten will be published in the English language.

Psalter committee report: It was stated that there was a request for small size psalters. These will be printed as soon as possible with the articles of the Church Order used in our congregations.

The deputies from Holland then gave information concerning the censure case of a minister. They also brought over a request from their Synod asking the American and Canadian congregations to take over the entire responsibility of the station in New Zealand. This was fully discussed and considered in detail. The Synod was not completely unwilling, but, considering the long distances our ministers have to travel and the time consumed to serve our own congregations in this continent, they could not see the possibility of taking over this station. They promised, however, to give whatever help they can.

All these reports took a considerable amount of time.

New committee members were appointed where there were vacancies. The teacher of the Theological School, even though he was not discharged as teacher, was voted in as a member of the Curatorium because there are no students to be trained for the ministry at the present time.

After reconsidering Articles 48 and 49 of the Church Order, it was decided to appoint two delegates from each Classis (two ministers) to serve even though there are no particular Synods as is the case in the Netherlands.

While dealing with one of the points, the necessity of having our own schools was stressed. The importance of giving some instructions to the teachers concerning the doctrine of our denominations was pointed out. The question was raised as to how this would be handled for the teachers of our own schools and those from our congregations who teach at other schools. There was also a discussion about several books used at our schools for the Biblical and doctrinal teaching. Later it would be determined in which manner this would be accomplished. This case had the close attention of the Synod.

A magazine which has been published several times in the past for our young people of high school age was approved.

The point for filing tax exempt status with the government was discussed and also that of registering our congregations with the government. There is considerable difference between the United States and Canada. This was left up to the individual consistories.

The expenses which are involved with operating all of the committees appointed by the Synod will be absorbed by the General Fund of the Synod.

The problems of the Saving Fund were solved after having some trouble with United States and Canadian laws. This Savings Fund was unanimously accepted by the Synod after considering its usefulness in the case of building new churches and help for the building of our own schools.

It was again decided that it is the responsibility of each local church to regulate its own wedding rules.

Expenses were determined by the treasurer, traveling expenses being a major expense.

The meeting ended Thursday morning at 10:30 after the calling church was named and the date for the next Synodical meeting was determined. The president then spoke some edifying words.

A few committees had their meetings after the Synod was finished.

We may say that by the goodness of the Lord we had a peaceful meeting and that everything went in a decent and orderly manner. The presence of the two brothers from the Netherlands was very much appreciated and they received a little impression of what our church life is like on this continent. May the Lord remember our congregations in the future and bind us together by the truth in love, on both this and the other side of the ocean.

St. C.

W.

REV. J. VAN ZWEDEN

On August 13, 1978 Rev. and Mrs. Van Zweden hope to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.

The Lord willing Rev. Van Zweden will become 90 years old on September 28,1978.

May the Lord remember them both in their latter life in mercy, and also grant them His peace in their souls.

Editor

REV. J. VANVLIET TO VISIT CANADIAN CHURCHES IN ONTARIO

The dupties of the foreign churches make known to the churches in America, that Rev. J. VanVliet of Aagtekerke, the Netherlands, hopes to serve the churches in Ontario, Canada, for three Sundays in the Holland language. He and his wife hope to arrive in Canada on Sept. 19 and to leave for home again after Oct. 9,1978.

May it all be in the favor of the Lord.

After his arrival in Ancastor, Ontario, Canada, Rev. VanVliet may be reached at telephone number 416/648-2067.

PSALTER # 435

Psalter number 435 entitled “The Ten Commandments Of The Lord” was orginally printed as an insert for “The Psalter” several years ago. In recent years copies of this number were no longer available. A second printing has been made and this number is again available. They can be ordered free of charge from - First Netherlands Reformed Congregation, 540 Crescent St. N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503.

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