Magyar Egyház, 1979 (58. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-07-01 / 7-8. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 sense. When he came out of Hungary just before the Second World War, he wrote and published a well-accepted Confirmation Catechism for the Hungarian Reformed Churches. Several thousand copies were sold in many editions and up to the present day this Calvinistic Catechism is still demanded as time goes on. As a theologian he publishes his weekly bulletin. In it you always find a scriptural teaching for the education of his congregation. For 26 years in Akron and for eleven years in Trenton he has been doing these congregational messages, — a unique achievement in itself. As a pastor he knows and serves his people in every respect. In time of need he advises his parishioners, in sorrow he comforts them. He enjoys being with them at social events. Here is again a unique act in his life. Before he came to Trenton, he moved his Akron congregation to a new, residential area. With the untiring effort of Rev. Kovács .and his congregation a beautiful church was built with acres behind it. A long dream was realized under the new church roof and sanctuary. As a family man he is devoted to his lovely wife, Irene. There is no other profession in the world, where husband and wife work together as a team for the glory of God. Only God knows how much work, advice, concern comes from the harmonious, ministerial marriage. Rearing their children, two boys, Steve and Danny, and one girl, Judy — all married now —, in a Christian home, setting example to the outside world, as they in their growing years living together with the young people with the church — to the satisfaction of the parents, are happy memories now. And finally — I wish to remember Steve Kovács ■— as a man. He happily combined in hie personality the traditional well-thought-out life pattern of the Hungarian Calvinism. Think before you step forward, but then move — in the right direction. As a friend he is reliable, with good will, who stands by with his selfless help. What makes him so lovable in friendly circles, — is his good humor. Never lost in the daily problems of community life, — his cheer, his sound advice is a blessing to everyone. I mentioned a few unique items about our minister and friend, Rev. Stephen Kovács. Here is one more which surprised us at Sárospatak more than forty years ago. Long before when President Kennedy tried to convince the American young people about physical fitness and suggested that everyone should walk at least 50 miles as one achievement in his life, 25 years prior to this Presidential appeal, in the 1930-s in Hungary, Stephen Kovács, a theological student at this time, set out on foot at the end of the academic year to go home from Sárospatak to Kecskemét, some 200 miles in one continuous walk. He slept in haystacks, in barns, in ministers’ homes and reached his home suntanned, his spirit glowing from the admiration of the simple people who treated him with kindness and concern on his way. You are still glowing, dear Steve, today, as you reached the fortieth year in your ministerial service. We greet you, we salute you, and wish you many happy years ahead and may God’s blessing be with you, and accompany you, and Irénke, in the years to come. Dr. László Harangi ☆ ☆ American Hungarian Reformed Presbyter’s Association The Thirty-Third Annual Conference Meeting of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association, will be held on September 2 and 3, 1979, in the Conference Room at the Holiday Inn, Ligonier, Pa. The Conference starts at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Topics will include: a. A discussion on “The Youth’s Role in our Churches,” Miss Judy Gabocy, President of the Christian Youth Fellowship in Allen Park, and a youth representative from the Calvin Synod. b. Presentation by Rev. Árpád Csaba Orosz, Pastor of the McKeesport, Pa. Church. c. “Report on the Holy Land Trip” by Rt. Rev. Tibor Dömötör, Deputy Bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Monday, September 3 — Speakers: Rt. Rev. Dezső Ábrahám, Bishop, of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and Rt. Rev. Dezső Parragh, Bishop of the Calvin Synod, U.C.C. Rev. Sándor Patocs will speak on “Transylvania, Human Rights and Freedom.”
