Reformátusok Lapja, 1959 (59. évfolyam, 1-22. szám)
1959-07-01 / 13. szám
1 18 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA BETHLEHEM: Rev. Dr. Nicholas Nyary Although in the “Rod” of finance the contribution was less than the year before — in things that abide, the congregation forged ahead. Church attendance, Christian Education in Action through the media of Sunday School, Weekday Religious School, Bible Class and Leadership Education Class gave every promise of happy events ahead. In the month of June the services were heard by countless thousands through the magic medium of the radio. Consistory members conducted the services during the pastor’s vacation. Among the many events of the year, the pastor’s installation, held on Sunday, Novmber 2nd, made an abiding impression. Nine pastors attended the impressive service. The service of installation was conducted by our president, Rev. Bessemer, and I had the privilege to preach in the English language. The pastor takes an important part in the local Council of Churches. He had charge of the morning devotions on radio (six times) and held services at the State Hospital. BRIDGEPORT: Rev. Stephen M. Bessemer The pastor gives a beautiful and lengthy introduction concerning the meaning of “congregation and the true believer”. His theological interpretation gives a vivid picture of the visible church with all its potentiality and challenge in becoming in actuality the CHURCH IN ACTION. This, as our beloved president states, has been the chief concern of the congregation and the pastor. The exemplary co-operation of the consistory, the work of the organizations, church attendance, Sunday School, receiving the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, speaks of the desire to become an integral part of the “true ecclesia”. On the material side, the congregation paid $12,048.00 toward the reduction of their debt. The property is estimated to be worth $728,000.00. With only $28,500.00 unpaid debt, it gives us joy to know of the sacrifice gladly given in the cause of Christ. As they are preparing for the 55th anniversary in November, the effort becomes contagious to liquidate all their debt. COATESVILLE: Rev. Dr. William Toth, Supply Pastor The pastor preached 40 times in English and 42 times in Hungarian. The consistory performed the usual functions of the office. FAIRFIELD: Rev. Alexander Babos The pastor, true to his calling, speaks with missionary zeal as to the life and activities of his church. The consistory is making a special study of its responsibilities by having the pastor speak on the theme, “So You Are a Council Member?” The Adult Bible Class was started. The Youth Groups give a definite impression and leave an impact on the life of the congregation. Sandra Wargo, a member of the Senior Youth Fellowship, was the synodical delegate to the Joint National Youth Council held in New York City, June 20-27. The chief elder, Paul Kish, was elected by us as one of the delegates to the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. MIAMI: Rev. Anthony Peter No report. NEW YORK: Rev Imre Kovács Thanks to God’s continued blessings, the New York congregation has enjoyed a steady growth. Even though the turnover in this church, placed into America’s open doorway, is greater than in any other congregation, mainly due to a changing population, the net growth has been five. There are now 360 communicant members in this church. A source of great satisfaction is in the fact that this congregation, even though tenth in size, has been the fourth in the amount of apportionment and benevolence paid in 1958. A new and modern device for the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was utilized with the installation of the Dial-A-Prayer telephone service. This is the first of its kind in the Hungarian language and has been a source of many blessings. The hundred-year-old existence of this congregation proves that it is right when the Gospel is preached in the beautiful native tongue of a people, and it is our hope that, no matter how great our affection and loyalty towards America may be, we will never prove unfaithful to the creed and language of our fathers. PASSAIC: Rev. Imre Bertalan September 27th of this year will be the fulfillment of a dream. It will mark the dedication of a $200,000 Educational Building. The ground-breaking ceremonies were held in September 1958. The activities of the consistory have been centered on the building project. The pastor has been active in the Council of Churches; from Spring 1957 to Spring 1958, he was the president of the Passaic-Clifton Council of Churches. At present he is the chairman of the Social Action Committee of the Council of Churches. PERTH AMBOY: Rev. Francis Vitéz The congregation needs a building for Christian Education. The properties purchased to date are not adequate to make the project
