Bethlen Naptár, 1960 (Ligonier)
Bethlen Almanac
140 BETHLEN ALMANAC LORAIN, O. — Pastor: Rev. Valentine Toth. The past year was marked as usual by numerical growth, regular church attendance and activities serving the glory of God. By the end of 1958 our congregation numbered 643 family units. Our increase is due to the entry of new members. In 1958 we baptised 34 infants, in the first 8 months of 1959 we baptised 24. Last year we confirmed 26, married 8 couples, and buried 21 members. Our new confirmation class numbers 24. We married 8 couples and buried 16 members in the first 8 months of 1959. A youth choir of 20 and an adult choir of 40 members serve every Sunday. The consistory of 36 members serves through committees. In this way our meetings are are speeded up. 140 young people attended Sunday School in 12 classes with 20 teachers. Summer School enrolled over 100. Various youth activities involved us in the life of the community. Our Men’s Club has 70 members. The Sick Benefit Society has also grown. Women’s work is in three groups. Our Church property is worth $320,000. We increased insurance coverage and installed new heating units. We subscribed to both church papers for every member. Benevolent giving averages $200 a month. For years we have given the Bethlen Home over $500 annually. The long steel strike has seriouly affected our church income. Last year we raised over $26,000 of which more than $20,000 came from donations. The pastor is vice president of the Lorain Ministerial Association; former president of the United Promotion Committee of North East Ohio Synod, and writes in many journals. His recent article “Liability of Churches in Negligence” was published by a noteworthy legal journal. Mrs. Alexander Nagy, a graduate director of Christian Education, serves as church visitor, organist and Sunday School leader. Our congregation is thankful to God for the privilege of peacefully serving His Kingdom. LOS ANGELES, Calif. -— Pastor: Rev. Anthony Szabó. No report was received. MILWAUKEE, Wise. — Pastor; Rev. John Szucs. At the close of the year 1958 our congregation successfully completed one of the most difficult years in its history, so writes Mr. Allan G. Stange, the president of the church in his 1958 report. The above mentioned statement had to be attributed especially to the change and long absence of pastoral leadership in the congregation. By the effort and through the guidance of the new pastor the program of the church work is planned systematically and by the help and cooperation of the organizations and congregation members it is carried out with considerable success. The Church Concil is composed of ten members which, beside the pastor, include Allan G. Stange, the president, Victor Vargo, vice-president, George Weiler Jr., recording secretary, Leslie Ratz, financial secretary, Andrew Eiler, Mike Molnár, Caleb Coyhis, and Mrs. Priscilla Ravasz. The Churchmen’s Brotherhood was headed by George Weiler Jr. The work of the “Suzan Lorantffy” Ladies Aid Society which was directed by the devoted and experienced leadership of Mrs. Nick Tobias, arranged a bus trip to Ligonier, Pa., visited the Bethlen Home on Aug. 23 and gave at the same time $100.00 for the support of the new building project. The younger ladies “Evening Women’s Guild” which celebrated its 15-th anniversary last year, was headed by Mrs. Stange. The Junior and Senior Choirs which were also instructed by Mrs. Stange and directed by Mr. Stange, arranged two outstanding musical performances at the Christmas candlelight and at the Good Friday service. One of the most valuable share of work was performed by the Christian education work. The Church School was supervised by Mrs. Joseph Basha Jr.
