Magyar Egyház, 1986 (65. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-01-01 / 1. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 3. oldal The Lord knows them, that are His, if you have not taken, an official step to associate yourself, with the people of God, do it NOW! Many say, I am a member of a church. My name is on the list of regular members. Perhaps so, but when they lay down their earthly life and appear before the throne of God, they may hear the words of our Lord: “I NEVER KNEW YOU!” D.A. AIDE-MEMOIRE about the American tour of the Choir of the Reformed College of Debrecen The Choir of the Reformed College of Debrecen, Hungary (KÁNTUS) is coming to the United States of America and Canada for a concert-tour of three weeks beginning Palm Sunday, 1986. The Choir, established in the 18th century as an institution of the now 450 years old Reformed College, has recently been rated as a Concert Choir among the various choirs of Hungary. It consists of 60 voices, male and female, all high school and theological seminary students of the Reformed College of Debrecen. Sándor Berkes is the widely known conductor with the outstanding organist, Dezső Karasszon, taking part in the concerts. The tour in the U.S. will not be the first appearance of the Choir abroad. They toured the Federal Republic of Germany and, quite recently (June, 1985) participated in the Church Music Festival in Magdeburg (G.D.R.). In July, 1984 they took part — and won a first prize — in- the Middlesbrough International Choir Contest. At the invitation of the Reformed Church of England (Dr. Fred A. Kaan, moderator) they sang in many churches and auditoriums in England and Wales including the St. Martin-inthe-Fields Church in London. Newspaper reports speak unanimously of their enthusiastic reception. The tour was called a Pilgrimage of Fellowship. Such Pilgrimage of Fellowship is planned for them in the U.S. The invitation for the American tour is being issued by the American Hungarian Ministers Association. Hungarian Reformed and Presbyterian Churches in the U.S. and Canada (all denominations) are enthusiastic about this project. Tentatively scheduled- concerts are to take place in Bridgeport, New York, NY; Montclair, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Princeton,'";^; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, MI and for conclusion Hamilton, Toronto, Ontario and Ottawa, Montréal, Québec. These are all cities with sizeable Hungarian Reformed Churches. The intention, however, is to have the concerts not in churches only but also (and rather) in other large auditoriums. The program will consist of sacred as well as of secular music, Hungarian and “foreign,” sung in both languages; also Hungarian folk songs. Thus the program will be geared to general non-Hungarian audiences. Needless to say that the financing of this great venture is a big task. No financial aid will be given by any source in Hungary, Church or State. The total budget — air and ground transportation and other expenses — is estimated ABrbrtfxmi refFélskeU Ó épület«- s kéntyeirtr az 1802 la tűz «-Utt Madár távlatból at $50,000 (Fifty Thousand U.S. Dollars). The group will consist of 40 singers and 6 staff (escorts, chaperon for the girls). For ground transportation a bus will be chartered to be with the group for the entire trip. Food and lodging will be provided free by the local Hungarian congregationfamilies. These congregations will be responsible to organize the concerts locally. A uniform admission fee of $10 will be charged. It is hoped to clear about $2,000 at each concert after expenses. The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (a fraternal insurance company) is having its 90th anniversary in 1986. It is hoped that a large donation (maybe $10,000) will be given for the Choir tour by the Federation. It should be noted that the Choir will receive no honorarium whatever except a pocket-money of $50 by each participant. From this presentation it is clear that several sizeable donations will be needed to cover this proposed budget. But beyond financial assistance we would like to engage the spiritual-moral sponsorship of American Churches of the Reformed Family together with CANAAC itself. The RCA and the CRC have already promised their help (concerts are planned for Grand Rapids and Holland; Prof. Eugene Osterhaven). The Hungarian Reformed Church in America Eastern Classis extends its invitation to the representatives of its congregations to attend THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CLASSIS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986, AT 3:00 P.M. Hungarian Reformed Church in Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
