Bethlen Naptár, 1981 (Ligonier)
Egyesült Államok - The United Presbyterian Church in the USA
142 BETHLEN NAPTÁR 1981 Hungarian on 3 occasions, and 239 souls have partaken of it, which means in average of 34.1 souls partaking. There was one Holy Baptism, but no Confirmations as there were no children. Two children are now attending Confirmation Class being confirmed for Pentacost, 1981. Burial services were 2. Church support: Since 1960 the overwhelming majority of members use the pledge system, breaking with the obsolate ways. The cooperation of membership has played an important role for assuring the financially solvent operation of the congregation. The income of the year 1979 was $11,648.09 which was the highest in the 73 years since the church came into being. The average per capita giving has been about 25% higher in our congregation than in the other congregations of this Presbytery. With the exception of about 3.5% which was donated by the Ladies’ Aid Society that holds 2 card parties each year, the income of the church has been received by offerings. There were no socials for fund raising purposes. Of the 53 adult members, 3 are above 80 years of age, 6 are over 70 years of age and 19 are above 60 years of age. Of adult members between 20 and 30 years of age we have 9 persons and under 20 years of age only 3 confirmed young people. On September 23, 1980, we have suffered the very great loss by the tragically sudden passing away of the Hon. William A. Sari, one of our dearest members and an ordained Elder for almost 40 years, the most generous supporter and pillar of the congregation. After being the City Judge of Lackawanna for 18 years, he went into retirement and continued as a lawyer, dearly beloved by all people. The private funeral service was conducted by the pastor on September 25, 1980. On Sept. 28 a Memorial Service was conducted by the pastor. The manifestation of love and respect for this great Christian gentleman was the most exceptional, as the church was filled to capacity, in majority by people of other faiths. We are deeply grieved by not having him in our midst. He was a man who it will be easy to remember and very hard to forget. His widow and two sons even in the midst of their great sorrow, in their great goodness have thought of the benefit of the church and established the “Hon. William A. Sari Memorial Fund” for which the donations one month after His death amount to $852.00 and still new memorial donations are coming in for which the congregation is very grateful. It will be used for church repairs. The Session has 9 members who with the exception of two, are veteran experienced servants of the congregation. They are: Stephen Paar, Chief Elder, Stephen Posster, Treasurer; Paul Mendy, Jr. Clerk of the Session and our Elders are: Louis S. Basty, Matthew H. Kaminski, Frank Syposs, Joseph Toth and William Toth, while upon the advice of the Presbytery the first woman elder has been elected and ordained in the person of Mrs. Mary Sennikoff. The “Susan Lorantffy” Ladies Aid Society’s officers are: Mrs. Margaret Mandy, President; Mrs. Irene DePasquale, Vice-President; Mrs. Elizabeth Dvornski, Treasurer, and
