Magyar Egyház, 1969 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-11-01 / 11. szám
16 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ church. The pastors of the past, endowed with a prophetic vision, the Rev. Endre Sebestyen, whose call was to become the first leader of the denominational movement, and the Rev. Stephen Szőke, who initiated and completed the building program and the transition into the present form of bilingual congregational life with emphasis on the English congregation as the section carrying the major load of responsibility, are being honored not only by past anniversary booklets, but by the mere fact that the Duquesne congregation not only exists, hut is growing. On October 12th, 1969 the Duquesne congregation celebrated the fact that it became “free”, debtfree again, keeping in mind all the time that its freedom is assured by a continuous indebtedness to the eternal grace of God Almighty. Louis Illés xxxxstxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN TRENTON A brief historical survey of the 75 year old Trenton congregation was presented in the last issue of Magyar Egyház. The anniversary celebration took place on October 26. The church was filled to capacity. Dr. Zoltán Beky, former pastor and the first bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America preached in Hungarian, Bishop Dezső Abraham in English while the Rev. Kalman Gondocz and the Rev. Barnabas Roczey conducted other parts of the service. New Lord’s Table and pulpit covers were presented by Mrs. Anthony Mészáros and Mrs. Alexander Szabó, presidents of the Lorantfy Society and of the Young Women’s Guild which donated these memorials; the dedicatory prayer was offered by the Rev. Imre Bertalan (New Brunswick). The anniversary banquet was attended by several hundred members and guests. Chief Elder Anthony Beke conducted the brief program which included greetings from the Trenton Council of Churches (the Rev. Edward Hanson, president), the Hungarian Roman Catholic and Holy Cross Polish Roman Catholic Churches (Fr. Anthony Huber and Fr. Thaddeus Wojciechowski, pastors) as well as from the City of Trenton. Dr. Béky said some very moving words reminiscing of the many years he and his family had spent among the people of the Trenton congregation. Personal gifts were presented to Dr. and Mrs. Béky, to Pastor and Mrs. Stephen Kovács and to Chief Elder Anthony Beke. All participants at the banquet received a copy of the beautifully printed Anniversary Album (prepared by Sándor E. Chomos at the Bethlen Press, Ligonier). Pastor Kovács’s words concluded the splendidly organized and heartwarming affair. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, dean of the Eastern Classis was the main speaker at the banquet. Here are a few excerpts from his address: “President McCord from Princeton Seminary visited recently the ancient Asia Minor, places like Ephesus, Laodicea, Antiochia, great cities of early Christianity. Today only some ruins speak of the glorious Christian past. He said he felt he was walking in the cemetery of Christianity. Then he also visited the African country of Kenya where the next General Council of the World Reformed Alliance will take place in 1970 (Nairobi): a country where new congregations are continuously born in our time. Here he felt he was walking in the dawn of Christianity. Now, where are we walking in Trenton? Not in the cemetery—for this is a living church. Not in the dawn either—this church has 75 years of great history. But the question still remains: is it twilight or bright daylight? ... We are ■ proud of our Hungarian Reformed tradition but tradition must be reasonable and alive, it must speak to this world and to this generation. The way we have communion is unique among Reformed Churches; the office of bishop is also unique among Reformed Churches (and we feel it makes sense); or, dual chairmanship in all higher judicatories. These and many other traditions should be practiced and explained. Our Hungarian church history tells of many events and characteristics which make Reformed consciousness richer and clearer... “Regardless of the language we are a Hungarian Church. Holding fast to our traditions is not a ghetto attitude nor senseless idolatry. We believe they are ways to understand the purpose of God clearer and keep the order in the Church better. We believe, therefore, that these traditions enrich the life of our people as well as of the Church as a whole. “Our tradition-mindedness must not be a sign of walking in the twilight which would soon pass away to make place for the night. I feel sorry for the “status-Mrs. Mary Roebling is presented with a corsage. Chief Elder Anthony Beke introduces the guests. Seated 1. to r.: Fr. Anthony Huber, Rev. Stephen Kovács, Dr. Zoltán Beky, Dr. Andrew Harsanyi. The Rev. Stephen Kovács makes his concluding remarks.
