Calvin Synod Herald, 1980 (80. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1980-07-01 / 7-8. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 ; WILL BUILD... Matthew 16:18 I have seen a ‘cloud of witnesses,’ so many beautiful illustrations on the sky of our Hungarian Reformed life in America, that has made these words of Christ alive n ouir own generation. On one of the Sundays soon after my arrival to this country in 1946, I was taken by a colleague to Bridgeport, Conn, where I witnessed the dedication of the beautiful church on Laurel Avenue. At the very beginning of my ministry, I was caught up in the fervor of our American Hungarian Reformed people whose chief passion can be described with the words of Christ: “I will build my church ...” In the very same month, I was taken by the same friends to the fall meeting of the Ministerial Association in Ligonier, Pa. With pardonable pride, they pointed toward the monuments of the building passion of our faith — the Bethlen Home, home for the orphans, and the home for the aged. Again, I was impressed and in the years that have passed I have been repeatedly inspired by the spirit of Ligonier which builds both the walls of our finest institution and also the fraternal ties that binds all the Hungarian Reformed people of the United States and Canada into one great fellowship of builders. “How do you feel? What are your plans?” the Reverend Dr. Francis Vitéz, editor of this paper asked me in the wake of my election as president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. I feel humbled, for no greater honor could have come to me, and I am planning — as God gives me grace — to walk in the footsteps of a great generation and together “we would be building temples still undone.” Rev. Imre Bertalan CONVENTION The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America held her quadrennial Convention in the Bethlen Home, Ligonier, Pennsylvania on June 23-26 under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Arpad George, President. The Convention began on Monday at a 10 A.M. Worship Service with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó preaching, the Rev. Imre G. Bertalan offering a solo selection. Following the Worship Service, several dedications took place: the new units for the elderly were dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Dezső Parragh, the new home of the director by Rev. Stephen Csutoros and the new lecture hall by the Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham. The Convention was called to order at 2:30 P.M. by the President. A Banquet was held on Monday evening in the Hobday Inn for all members of the Convention. Rev. George, outgoing President and Mr. László Eszenyi, outgoing Executive Vice-President, were presented with bronze plaques in recognition of their dedication and service to the Federation. Both responded with heartfelt words. Miss Maria Szabolcsi and Mr. Janos Taba sang Hungarian songs accompanied by Mrs. Margaret Saltzer on the piano. Mr. Elmer Charles, President of the William Penn Association greeted the Convention and spoke in regard to the possible consolidation of the two organizations. Following the day long meetings on Tuesday, in the early evening an outdoor barbecue on the grounds of the Bethlen Home was held with a bacon roast (szalonnasütés) and stew (bográcsgulyás), under the supervision of Mr. Taba, owner of the Budapest Restaurant in Washington, D.C., assisted by Mr. George Dózsa. The community sing-along was led by Rev. Bertalan. Since the term of the present officers will expire at the end of the year, the election of new officers was held on Thursday with the following results: President — Rev. Imre G. Bertalan, Vice-President Secretary — Mr. Elmer Vargo and Treasurer — Mr. Joseph Molnár. Rev. George installed the new officers who will take office on January 1. 1981. Hope was expressed that the officers and field workers will make an even greater effort to further the life of the 84 year old Federation for the benefit of members as well as for all Hungarians. Dr. Francis Vitéz A PLEA FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES Deeply moved by the plight of the oppressed East European national minorities, and in possession of overwhelming documentation to plead their case, the American Hungarian Federation calls on the President and Congress of the United States to do all that is possible for the protection of human rights and the rights of national or ethnic minorities in Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Yugoslavia, as well as in the Soviet Union. Let the United States continue to be the champion of freedom and human dignity in the world, so as to maintain in high esteem the country and the ideals admired by the oppressed everywhere. AHF Newsletter June 1980
