Bethlen Almanac 2000 (Ligonier)
New York-i Egyházmegye
Gyülekezeti terveink között szerepel, melyekhez imádságos segítséget kérünk, kiadásaink stabilizálása, az adakozás mértékének növelése, ifjúságunk megszólítása, a gyermek-alkalmak bevezetése, más bevételi források megtalálása és egyéb istentiszteleti összejövetelek meggyökereztetése. Drótos Árpád lelkipásztor Our church participated in several commemorative and ecumenical services with other faiths of the Hungarian community to commemorate the year 2000. These services were in remembrance of the Reformation, of the Revolution of 1956, and most poignantly the millennium jubilee of the Coronation of Saint Stephen, King of Hungary. That ceremony was held at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Rev. Drotos was also invited to officiate. Weekly Saturday Bible classes and Thursday evening prayer sessions were instituted. Regular church services are held every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in Hungarian with special evening services added for Good Friday and Christmas Eve. Luncheon is served almost every Sunday with live music once a month. During the year, the church sponsors 5 dinnerdances with the most popular being the New Year’s Eve dance. This year there were 4 couples who entered into matrimony, 1 confirmation (Anita Halasz), and 5 funerals. The church council held 10 meetings during the year and at its March 19 meeting, three new presbyters were welcomed to the council: Bela Feil, Dr. Erik Hunter and Karoly Székely. As the church building is over 40 years old, certain renovations and improvements were necessary to do this year - among them a new boiler, new air-conditioning system, and upgrading the stereo system in the Great Hall. One of the apartments in the adjoining building also needed complete renovation and upgrades. The 80th birthday anniversary of the late pastor who founded the 82nd Street church, Rev. Gabor Csordás, was memorialized in June. Rev. Drotos, as an honorary scout, participates in many of the activities of the American-Hungarian Scouting organization. The pastor serves as the Branch Manager of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America’s branch #369. A new service was instituted to parishioners - the taping of the weekly sermon given by the pastor. This makes the Word of God available to those who are unable to attend church or who would like to hear the sermon again during their busy week. Rev. Arpad Drotos, Pastor 112
