Calvin Synod Herald, 1988 (88. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1988 / 2-5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-15-REFORMATUSOK LAPJA GARY CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY The Grace Reformed Church, 5160 Georgia St., Gary Indiana, celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its founding on Sunday, September 18th, with services at 3 p.m., followed by a dinner at 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Dean of the Western Classis, delivered the sermon. A few devoted Hungarians started this congregation which was chartered in 1913 as the First Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church. The members first worshipped in homes, and later in the Neighborhood House. In 1920, the church edifice and parsonage were erected at 1300 Jackson Street in Gary, on land purchased from the Gary Land Company, a subsidiary of the U. S. Steel Corporation. During the depression, under the leadership of Rev. Arpad Bakay, the membership increased to 90 families, the Sunday School grew to 100 members and English services were instituted. Both languages are still heard in the worship services today. On April 28, 1959, the church was struck by lightning and was totally destroyed by fire. The congregation built a new church edifice at 5160 Georgia Street, changed the name to Grace Reformed Church and became affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Today, the church still includes many third generation members, and the last surviving charter member, Mrs. Mary Banchy. Mrs. Banchy is now 93 years of age and still attends the Hungarian service on Sundays. The Rev. Zsolt Takacs is the present minister and James Kovecsi is the Chief Elder. Esther F. Kay WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHILDREN GONE? They tell us that we are growing older as a church. We recognize that our shrinking church schools and youth groups parallel the society's demographics. But where have all our children gone?--the generations who grew up and were confirmed in our churches? We have so counted on them as our churches’s future membership that we didn’t bother to recruit outsiders. Now where have all our children gone? They moved away, out into the "far country” of the secular pluralistic world. Are they now in the UCC? In other churches? In no church at all? Living as prodigals? Statistical studies used to report that we lose more to the secular world and its psychological fads than to the conservative churches. Recent observations show that some of our children are turning to those churches that give them clear doctrine and narrow group boundaries which protect them from the uncertainties of the pluralistic society. Yet we use the story of the prodigal to say, "They will come back to us some day after they have sowed their wild oats. As soon as they settle down and start a family, they will be back." But they have not come. They are not back with us and our churches! Have they become enamored by the secular consumerism of the world and made selfish indulgence their god? Have they tried to return and met too many resentful brothers and sisters among us? Have they started back and encountered too many directive parents who never wanted them to leave in the first place? Has their searching led them to psychological groups more accepting than the churches? Perhaps those who were truly destitute and repentant have been restored by God’s love in other groups. They will return only if they find acceptance! Do they receive such from us? Have we become sensitive to the beat of their generation? Do they still hear resented words or simple formulas that are part of what drove them away? We claim to be open to a diversity of views as we share the common purpose of the mission of the Christ. Do we permit our children to think for themselves and are we tolerant of their questions and doubt9 We want them to mature, but have we understood their need for faith development and encouraged their growth9 We claim to see all of life as a pilgrimage of faith under the watchful provision of a Living, Loving, Parent God. Can we let our children venture into the world with its dangers and trust that the Loving Parent God is really there? They are changing, but have we? In our agony of hoping, praying, watching, have we parents become more like the Loving Parent? We can do so only as we truly forgive and accept, as God has forgiven and accepted us. Then we can be more welcoming to other peoples' children who may come to our church. Ed Heininger (Keeping You Posted) our children to the glory of His Name. The camp programs follow a set format from year to year, depending on the availability and talents of the counselors. Among the most favorite workshops is "rockn-roll”, where the lyrics are analyzed from a Christian perspective. Then the Hungarian cooking class also enjoys wide popularity, ostensibly by those who miss the home cooked meals. Overall, however, the evening programs prove to be the most memorable. Monday night is the slapstick initiation of new members, Tuesday night indoor Olympics or a night swim, Wednesday night dancing, Thursday night talent show, and Friday night consecraton service begun at the campfire, followed by candlelight processional to the Meetng House for Holy Communion Service. Saturday everyone begins the journey home with new friends and memories made at Camp. On behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Camp staff we wish all our youth success in the academic year and the blessing of God upon their life until we meet again. Rev. Louis Medgyesi Camp Director for the Calvin Synod
