Calvin Synod Herald, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 8-12. szám)
1972-11-01 / 11. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 5 Honored by Calvin Synod Stephen György-George, chief elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Passaic, New Jersey The gentleman whom I have the pleasure and privilege of introducing to this distinguished group is Mr. Stephen György-George, a member of the 77-year old Passaic Hungarian Reformed Church for almost half a century. During this time he held the office of church secretary for 10 years, assistant chief elder for 10 years, and has been chief elder for the past 25 years. He is a man of deep faith, a Christian who loves and attends his church regularly, reads the Bible and sings his psalms. His love of God, love of church and fellowman; his faith, diligence, and his willingness to serve, have been outstanding through the years. Stephen György was born on December 25th, 1897, on Christmas Day, in Borsod County, the village of Szalonna — the son of farming parents. It is as though his noteworthy birthdate and the Christmas gospel: “A son was born unto you,” influenced his entire life because from childhood on he never broke away from the Gospel, nor from the Body of Christ — the Church, nor from the basic general and religious principles which he learned in his village school and in his Christian home. Mr. György has this to say about his parents: “My beloved, good parents, psalm-singing father, Joseph György ,and Bible-loving mother, Mária Henyecz, taught me to pray and sing for which may their memories be blessed.” He came to America, directly to Passaic, on the wave of immigration, just before World War I — in 1913. In 1916 he moved to Woodbridge where he married Elizabeth Bagics, still his life companion. They have one daughter and two grandchildren. He returned to Passaic in 1923 and since then has been a loved and respected member of our church and the local community, where he still shares his many talents. During his lengthy eldership, and particularly his 25 years as chief elder, he has always been first to arrive at the pastor’s study on Sunday mornings and from there has gone to worship services. He may be the only chief elder in all our churches who renders a very distinct service during funerals: that of hymn leader, since he has a good voice, a vast knowledge of our psalms and hymns. During wake services, in church, and at graveside, he leads the congregation in singing, which is of great help to the minister. At funerals, the limousine drivers affectionately call him “the professor with the big voice.” Mr. György also gives strength and comfort to our shut-ins during our sick calls, and when communion is administered by the pastor in homes and hospitals. The extent of his loving Christian services can best be measured by the fact that in the last four years of my second ministry in Passaic, he has assisted me at the burial of 86 of our members, and ushered into the sanctuary for baptism 46 infants. One wonders what the tally of these Christian services could be after 45 years of eldership! In addition to his involvement in church work, Mr. György loves to read about the great men of our faith — particularly the biographies of our Hungarian reformers — and recently has been writing short sketches of these historical characters for the Reformátusok Lapja. Another proof of his love, his faith, and Hungarian origin is his valuable service in the promotional work of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Bishop Beretz, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, when I, along with our delegated elders, give thanks to God for this life, for this man, and for his services ... as his pastor and co-worker, I recommend that Calvin Synod officially recognize the merits of Mr. Stephen György, our “godly old man”, and I present him to you now. Joseph Kecskemethy --------------» »»------------------60th Anniversary—Chicago The Sixtieth Anniversary celebrations of the Calvin Hungarian Reformed Church, Chicago were started with a Reception, held for the guests and present and former members of the church in the atmosphere of a “homecoming” on October 14th in the Sunday School rooms, with Mrs. Louis Nemeth, the first woman member of the Consistory, as hostess. On Sunday, October 15th, Dr. Charles Szabó, professor at the University of Wisconsin preached the Hungarian sermon at the 10:00 A.M. service, Rev. Raymond de Dobay, retired minister of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the English sermon at the 11:15 A.M. service. From 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. an exhibit, consisting of pictures taken during the past sixty years, old bulletins, yearbooks etc. was open to the public, with Mr. Balias Bancsi heading the Committee. At the 4:00 P.M. service both the Hungarian and English languages were proportionally used, with the beautiful Hungarian Psalms, and the newly introduced English Gospel Hymns sung by the Congregation. The Right Rev. Arpad George gave the address in Hungarian and Rev. Stephen E. Balogh in English. Both were deeply blessed messages. The Right Rev. Bishop Arpad Beretz conveyed the greetings of Calvin Synod and the congregations of the Synod to the celebrating church. The area ministers participating in the service were: Rev. Dr. Arthur Ludwig of Indiana Harbor, Rev. László Medyesy of Whiting, Ind., Rev. Kornél Tessenyi, a Lutheran minister, Rev. Desmond D. Parragh, pastor of the Norridge West Side Church, and president of the Western Classis, Rev. Dr. Charles Szabó, Mr.
