Magyar Egyház, 1982 (61. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1982-01-01 / 1-2. szám

9. oldal

History of the Sunday School in Roebling

In the fall of 1948, Rev. Dezső Abraham organized an English Sunday School at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Roebling, New Jersey. In 1949, Helen Bordash became Superintendent. Her staff in the first years included Priscilla Bartha, Audrey Emri, Betty Genasky, Clara Trainor, and Margaret Havas, who also served as treasurer. There were about 35 children in the first classes.

Mrs. Bordash served as superintendent of the Sunday School for 32 years, until 1981. As a result of her effort and that of her teachers, many children learned about God and his church. More than 90 children were confirmed in the period 1949-1981. The children of some of the first students have also grown up in the Sunday School and been confirmed in recent years.

Mrs. Bordash served with ten pastors: Rev. Abraham, Rev. Benko, Rev. Komjáthy, Rev. Kovács, Rev. Roczey, Rev. Ferenczy, Rev. Torok, Rev. Nitsch, Rev. Patch, and Rev. Johnson. Her work insured that the Sunday School continued whether or not there was a fulltime pastor. Traditions developed: Birthdays were celebrated and each child received a little present. They gave pennies equal to their ages to the fund for Rev. Matthew in India, thus learning to share with people who were less fortunate then they. Christmas pageants were presented each year, and the children looked forward to the Sunday School outing every summer.

As the years went by, other people taught Sunday School: Doris Varga, Bertha Bartha, Elizabeth Soltész, Georgiana Harkel, Jean Somogyi, Michelle Varga Scott, Cherie Varga, Elizabeth Cheby, Connie Cordero, David Johnson, and Christian Varga have all worked to teach the children of our church. Joseph B. Varga has served as treasurer for several years.

We, the members of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Roebling, would like to honor and thank Helen Bordash for the countless hours she gave to our children and to our church. Two generations of children passed through the Sunday School

Left to right: Christian Varga, Helen Bordash, Bert S. Somogyi.

while it was in her care. Those generations will be or already are leaders in the church of Jesus Christ, whether in Roebling or elsewhere. They will always look back to their early training for ideas, knowledge, and inspiration. These children are the gift of the church in Roebling to the universal church. The dedication and faithfulness of Mrs. Bordash is in large part responsible for this gift, and we of the church honor her for it.

On November 15, the Hungarian Reformed Church of Roebling honored Helen Bordash for her 32 years as Sunday School Superintendent. Mrs. Bordash served from 1949 until 1981, working with ten different pastors.

The surprise celebration began during the Sunday church service with a presentation of gifts and continued with a dinner in Mrs. Bordash’s honor, in recognition for all of her hard work on behalf of the children in the congregation. During the service, Chief Elder Bert Somogyi—Jr., one of Mrs. Bordash’s first students—expressed the church’s appreciation for her work and presented her with a Lenox teapot. Sandra Somogyi pinned a corsage on Mrs. Bordash. Christian Varga, speaking for the present generation of Sunday School students, told of Mrs. Bordash’s devotion to her students. He dedicated two lovely silk flower arrangements, which were a gift to the church from the Sunday School in her name. The Sunday School gave her the creamer and sugar bowl which matched the teapot. Mrs. Bordash thanked everyone, and spoke for a few minutes about the joy she had shared with her students. Rev. Johnson then read a history of the Sunday School, which was written in a book which everyone later signed.

Following the service, everyone enjoyed a covered dish turkey dinner. After dinner, Georgiana Harkel played the piano, and the guests joined in singing favorite Sunday School hymns.

Seventeen church members taught with Mrs. Bordash during her years as superintendent. These were: Priscilla Bartha, Audrey Emri, Betty Genasky, Clara Trainor, Margaret Havas, Doris Varga, Bertha Bartha, Elizabeth Soltész, Georgiana Harkel, Jean Somogyi, Michelle Varga Scott, Cherie Varga, Elizabeth Cheby, Connie Cordero, David Johnson, Christian Varga, and Joseph B. Varga. There were many children in the Sunday School during that period, more than 90 of whom were confirmed in the Hungarian Reformed faith from 1949 to 1981. These students are the result of the dedication and hard work of Mrs. Bordash, who insured that the Sunday School continued throughout many changes in church leadership. The congregation in Roebling was proud to be able to show its appreciation for such an example of service to the church.

Give a Message, Pulpit!

Give us a message, pulpit, out of some awesome desire; keep it simple, but oh, touch it somehow with fire! Speak of the dust-things, pulpit, for out of the dust came man; but speak not of dust alone — show us our souls, if you can! Break, if need be, our hearts, draw, if you must, our blood; but give us a message, pulpit, show us some vision from God!