Magyar Egyház, 1998 (77. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998 / 3. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9. oldal MEETING OF THE AMERICAN HUNGARIAN REFORMED PRESBYTER’S ASSOCIATION The newly elected officers of the Presbiters Association September 6, 1998 This year’s Annual Conference of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association marks the completion of my third full year as President. This year has been quite a challenge for me personally, as I attempted to balance my time among full-time studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, preaching each Sunday as Supply Pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Staten Island, N.Y. I attended numerous functions at various churches of the Hungarian Reformed faith. In October, my wife, Linda and I, attended the Carteret Annual Dinner Dance at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Carteret, New Jersey. Also in October, I attended a meeting of the Eastern District Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association, held in Carteret, New Jersey and chaired by Vice-President, Helen Dodge. On March 8,1998,1 attended the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Classis of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. On March 15, I attended and participated in the Hungarian Independence Day Services, held in Carteret, New Jersey. Immediately following the church services, there was a flag dedication ceremony in which I also participated. On March 22, I attended the Trenton New Jersey Hungarian Reformed Church Dinner in commemoration of the 1848 fight for Hungarian independence. This dinner was very well attended. In addition to these various functions, I have had the pleasure of serving as Chairperson of the 21st Century Committee for the last two years. This year, the Committee was very active and I believe very successful in helping our member churches plan for the future and move into the 21st Century in a very positive way. During the course of the year, the Committee met three times at Helen Dodge’s house to discuss committee business and to prepare for our half-day workshops. Workshops were held two times in South Norwalk, CT, two times in Perth Amboy, NJ, and once in Staten Island, NY. I participated in all of these meetings. A workshop is scheduled for Trenton, NJ in the near future and others are to be scheduled in next few months. Feedback and reactions to these workshops have been very positive. And finally, I have had the privilege of working on the Bethlen Home Strategic Planning Committee. I attended meetings throughout the year to work as Vice-Chairman of the Committee and to work closely with the consultants who are assisting us to develop a Master Plan for the future of the Bethlen Home. The Master Plan is the primary subject of this year’s annual meeting. It is with regret and sadness that I report two painful events, which occurred this year. First, our former Vice-President and longtime Chief Elder of Allen Park, Michigan, Hungarian Reformed Church, Mr. Robert Boné was called home to God during a Christmas Holiday visit to the Holy Land. Our deepest sympathies to Betty Boné, his wife, and to their family. Secondly, Rev, István Nyeste from Columbus, Ohio was in a severe auto accident and suffered second and third degree burns. The accident happened several months ago and Rev. Nyeste is receiving skin grafts and other rehabilitative treatments. HE NEEDS OUR CONTINUOUS PRAYERS! This has been a particularly challenging year and I thank God for seeing me through it. I would also like to thank my wife, Linda, who has been very tolerant of the time I spend on all of these efforts, and has supported me in them. And I would also like to thank the officers who have served with me during the three years and the members of the 21st Century Committee who have worked so hard this year. Thank you for the privilege of serving as President and God Bless You. Leslie E. Martin President
