Bethlen Almanac 2000 (Ligonier)

Közép Egyházmegye - Central Classis

Sajnos egyházunk “Őrző Angyala”, Szekeres Jenő, hazatért az Úrhoz. Bőséges adakozó volt, de sok esetben egyházunk “Lévitája” is, aki lelkészhiány esetében az istentiszteletet is elvégezte. Emlékét kegyelettel őrizzük.

Az év folyamán 4 keresztelő és egy esküvő volt.

Istennek legyen hála úgy a megtartásunkért, mint a jövőbe vetett hitünk erejéért.

Csornán Endre gondnok

HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA

The First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead Munhall, Pennsylvania

Permanent Part-Time Minister: Rev. Alexander Jalso Chief Elder: Earl V. Jones, Jr.

The recovering around Pittsburgh is slow after the steel mills were closed. Suburbs like McKeesport, Homestead, Munhall, West Mifflin, Rankin, and Duquesne suffered a great deal from the drastic changes in the industry and the congregations located in these communities could not avoid the consequences. The shift in the population and types of employment affected the churches.

Yet against all the odds many of these congregations try to survive this transitional period. We exist and serve due to the deep-rooted faith and unquestionable commitment our members possess. They love the Lord, like their spiritual home, and practice fellowship and charity.

Among the major projects for this year were making hurka and kolbász, baking assorted Hungarian rolls, the renovation of the basement (for which Mr. Earl V. Jones, Jr., chief-elder should receive most of the credits), supporting the Concordia choir which came from Slovakia and performed in the sanctuary of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh on March 22. A new public address system was installed in addition to a handicapped ramp which provided easier access for some of our elderly members to the church.

Our congregation helped partake in the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Earl V. Jones, Sr. on March 26th and also with Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Somiak who celebrated their 50th anniversary on August 26th. The congregation sent their Mission donations to the Bethlen Home.

54