Bethlen Almanac 1999 (Ligonier)

Tóparti Egyházmegye - Lakeside Classis

FAIRPORT HARBOR, OHIO

Hungarian Reformed Church Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Pastor: Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, Bishop

Chief Elder: John Evanko

Church Officers: Chief Elder: John Evanko; Vice President: Julia Katona; Secretary: Paul Szaniszlo; Treasurer: Grace Shupp; Auditors: Leslie and Barney Katona; Sunday School Superintendent: Meg Zupán; Women’s Fellowship President Charlotte (Eszterhazy) Murray; Youth Fellowship Advisor: Louis J. Medgyesi.

The Fairport Harbor congregation has continued its worship and witness in this beautiful harbor town. The Hungarian worship service is held at 9:00 a.m. and the English worship service is held at 10:30 a.m. throughout the year. Average combined attendance is 75 parishioners. Our Sunday School classes are also held during the English service with an average of 20 children in attendance. Some of our youth (post- Confirmation age) act as aides in the classes. The Sunday School is housed in our new annex, which was dedicated in December of 1998. Our Youth Fellowship members participate in church services as ushers and Scripture readers, attend the annual Youth Conference and summer Youth Camp, and participate in various fund-raisers and church projects.

Over the years, a strong ecumenical bond has developed among the various Christian churches in this small community of 3,000 souls. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is held every January; clergy and parishioners gather daily at each other’s church to praise the Lord. Each minister or priest must preach at someone else’s church. A “love feast” (refreshments) awaits the participants at the host congregation. This process is repeated every day and brings our community closer together. A similar ecumenical worship service takes place on Palm Sunday night and Thanksgiving eve; the donation is turned over to the Good Samaritan Fund handled through our church. With periodic supplemental individual donations, the monies are distributed to needy families toward their rent and utilities. For the last two years, we have also gathered at the local beach for an ecumenical party (blast) consisting of potluck, contests, and games.

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