Bethlen Naptár, 1958 (Ligonier)
Highlights in Hungarian Life…
BETHLEN NAPTÁR 243 religious education. A conscientious pastor would find a difficult but wonderful field for service in Uruguay. Hungarian Roman Catholic work is very strong. It is led by Father Lucian Tyukodi-Brandi. It maintains its own parish house and school. The Reformed Church in Argentina and the general work of Hungarian Protestants has been reported on in the previous issue of this Almanac. In Buenos Aires the Hungarian Lutherans opened their new church in November of 1957. Baptist work is also developing apace. Under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. Anthony Molnár, they dedicated their new chapel and parish house on January 27, 1957. As a sign of their unity in the Gospel the Hungarian Reformed, Lutheran and Baptist pastors held evangelistic services in September of 1957. Since Daniel Hary went to Alliance, Ohio, the work is in the capable hands of the Rev. and Mrs. Dezső Balazs Nagy and the 87 year old religious instructor, Peter Demes. According to the report since October 1, 1956, 54 worship services were held and attended by 3,145 people; Communion was administered 10 times with 514 partaking; 62 Bible classes were attended by 646 people. 11 young peoples’ meetings were attended by 203 youth and 73 ladies attended 9 meetings. 22 long trips were made in pastoral service, covering a distance of 4,220 kilometers. There were 5 baptisms, 7 weddings, 2 funerals, 12 people confirmed, 470 pastoral and sick calls. There are 343 communicant members, 25 others living at a distance. All members took part in the offering for Hungarian refugees of the Revolution. 33,910 pesos were given as well as about 20 tons of clothing and foodstuffs given through a special committee for relief. When refugees began to arrive in the beginning of 1957 the Church organized a Refugee Aid Bureau and set up a fund with other Protestants groups. To date 35,522 pesos have been donated to this fund, and in 153 cases 30,950 pesos were distributed as aid and as loans. Of the more than 900 refugees there are about 110 of the Reformed faith, many of whom have entered the fellowship of the Church. In August of 1956 the Rev. Heckmann of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and representing Church World Service visited the Church. As a result of his visit the E and R as well as Congregationalist Churches voted $30,000 to aid work in Argentina. The church has just received these funds and will now be able to purchase a suitable plant in a good section of Buenos Aires for a church, manse and parish house. In February of 1957 the pastor and his wife visited scattered groups in the Chaco for two weeks. The people elected a chief-elder
