Magyar Egyház, 1994 (73. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11. oldal I came to the United States of America on February 12, 1959 to my maternal aunt Mrs., Irene Holzmann (born Iren Razus in 1917), who lives in Rahway, New Jersey. I served the Manville Reformed Church (N.J.) from April to September, 1959 (five months) as a substitute minister. In September, 1959 I went to the Andover Newton Congregationalist Seminary (215 Herrick Road, Newton Centre, Massachusetts) for post graduate studies for one year (two semesters). I started my ministerial service in three small congregations: Poughkeepsie, Peekskill and Roseton, N.Y., of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America on September 11, 1960. This year marks the 34th year of my service in the same position. I became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America on December 18, 1964. I was the ecclesiastical Secretary of the New York Classes for 22 years. (1965 - 1987) I am currently (since 1987) the Dean of the New York Classes. I am serving my second term. I was an ecclesiastical judge of the Synod for four years. (1978 - 1982) I was the General Secretary of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America in 1982 - 1986. (Four years.) I was the President of the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association in 1991 - 1993. (Two years) from the Poughkeepsie Journal, Saturday, August 6, 1994 By Matt Van Itallie SMALL IN SIZE, BIG IN SPIRIT HUNGARIAN CHURCH’S WOMEN’S GUILD TO MARK 60TH ANNIVERSARY Like the rabbit in the popular battery commercial, the Women's Guild of the Poughkeepsie Hungarian Reformed Church just keeps on going, whatever the obstacles in its path. This Sunday, the church is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the group with a special service and a banquet. "We in the church council wholeheartedly support them," said the Very Rev. Alexander Forro, pastor of the church. "Because we have so few members, they are very important in maintaining the church." The Poughkeepsie church, which currently has less than 100 members, is part of the New York Classis, one of three branches of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, said Forro, who is also the dean of the New York branch. The Women's Guild began in May 1934. Its purpose, Poughkeepsie resident and church publicity coordinator Eva Harris said, was "to support the church and to participate in its benevolent activities." During the Great Depression, "the service of the Women's Guild had an immeasurable value," Harris said. From 1937 to 1947, the church was without a pastor, and the guild suspended its activity. It reorganized in 1952 and became "a leading organization of the church," she added. The current guild president, Elizabeth Barath of Poughkeepsie, was born in Hungary. She came to this country in 1938 and was married at the Poughkeepsie church in 1940. "At that time, there wasn't a regular minister," she said. "He came here once a month." Keen on cuisine The guild's small membership — usually between six and eight women in recent years — belies its big impact on the church and the community. Of all the group’s activities, it's the members' culinary skills which have brought it the most fame. The guild is well known in the area for its food and bake sales. Members also cook the monthly church dinners, and several times a year, they prepare Hungarian specialities, including kolbász (Hungarian sausage), andfank (Hungarian donuts). Because of their cooking, "they have many followers, including me," Harris said. This Sunday at 4 P.M.., the church is holding a special service to mark the guild's 60th anniversary. The Rev. Peter Toth of Carteret, N.J., will deliver the English sermon; the Rev. Joseph Vásárhelyi of New York City will preach in Hungarian. A banquet will follow at 6 P.M. at the fellowship hall. Rev. Thomas Karla will be the main speaker. "The event is a celebration for the whole church," Forro said. Both the service and the dinner are open to the public. Editor’s note: celebration was held on Augustus 7, 1994.
