Bethlen Naptár, 1983 (Ligonier)
Kálvin Egyházkerület
1983 133 careful study, committees were established and approved by the consistory. The working committees are: Christian Education, Building and Grounds, Fellowship, Music and Worship, Communication and Information, Mission and Outreach and Membership and New Life. A By-Laws Committee worked diligently for many months translating, discussing and re-writing theBy-Laws of the church. The congregation agreed and approved the newly revised By-Laws of the congregation on June 14, 1981. The Pony Express, a concept of stewardship which involves each member of each family, came to Faith United Church in 1981. It proved that the members of the church were willing to support the work of the church with their gifts. Station Agents with the help of Trail Bossess passed saddle hags to each family for their estimated giving for the coming year. At the completion of the Pony Express campaign, the finance committee was able to set up a working budget for 1982. The people of Faith United Church gave of themselves by making noodles, sausage (kolbász), cooking dinners and luncheons, repairing and keeping up the buildings and grounds. In the community they made repairs and cleaned the Crisis Center in Gary, gave their blood to the Red Cross and sponsored a Thanksgiving basket for the needy. The Church School staff held a special teachers’ training session to help them better educate our children in learning the Christian way of life. The Fellowship Committee was active and among other things sponsored a picnic and pancake breakfast which was served by the men of the church. Opportunities for participation in celebrations and activites which were very well supported and attended by the congregation and its friends in 1981 were: A Hungarian Afternoon; a service of music and song, entitled, “The Celebration of the Triune God,” presented by the Chancel Choir of the church with the Brass Quintet of the Northwest Indiana Symphony also participating; other social concerts presented by the Chancel Choir and the Fenger High School Choraliers of Chicago; a Service of Recognition in honor of the new pastor, Rev. Capp; the 15th anniversary of the Uniting Service of the Hammond First Hungarian Reformed Church and Faith United Church of Christ and the 10th anniversay of the Ground Breaking of the Education Unit; the Re-Dedication of the Educational Unit as the Bishop Arpad L. Beretz Educational Center; and the Annual Bazaar and Church School Christmas program. At the Annual Meeting held on January 17, 1982, the Congregation approved a budget for $97,000.00 and elected 24 members to the consistory under the guidelines of the new By-Laws. In March, the Consistory unanimously voted to make church growth as the number one priority of the Church. To date, 29 new members have been received into the fellowship of the church. On Pentecost Sunday, ten young people were confirmed and received into the church fellowship. These young people met each Saturday for two hours for one year. The material used was Confirming Our Faith, the United Church’s confirmation material. During the year, Dr. Capp led Adult Bible Study. One of the interesting studies was the use of The Covenant, a study guide between the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ. This Study is being carried on
