Fraternity-Testvériség, 1950 (28. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1950-11-01 / 11. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 7 to those who want to be acquainted with the colorful past of our people in the United States. ♦ The officers of our own Federation were busy outside of their offices, too. President Dr. Újlaki participated in the 35th anniversary celebration of our CANTON, Ohio church — Rev. Francis Nagy, Pastor. Canton is an historically interesting place; it is one of those few localities, where the branch of our Federation was established first, and out of this group grew the church. We have more than 400 Federation members in Canton, and 95% of the church membership belongs to the Federation also, who are ably taken care of by our local representative, Brother Andrew Szabó. Our President really could preach there out of the fullness of his heart! — Our President also addressed the elders’ conference of the Ohio district, in Youngstown, Ohio, in the “Old Church” — Rev. John Botty, Pastor. During the 15 years these district conferences were held, this was the most successful one. One hundred forty-six elders came together from 14 churches. It is our particular pride that the real moving spirit of these conferences is the Ohio District Manager of our Federation, Brother Gustav Kovács, who also is the presiding elder of the First Church of Cleveland, Ohio. We have two large branches in Youngstown, with a combined membership of 668. Our old friend, John Koran, still takes good care of the older branch, and the younger one is faithfully led by the Rev. Alexander Marton. ♦ Our Treasurer, Emery Király, was invited to represent the Federation at the 50th anniversary celebration of our Phoenixville, Pa. church — Rev. Dr. Tibor Csikesz, Pastor. This congregation, which is the 8th organized Hungarian church in the United States, has one of the most beautiful church buildings, in the most charming section of the city. The interested and loyal participation of the young people in the church life is especially remarkable here. It is heartening to know, for instance, that the school teacher daughter of our late very good friend and brother, László Demeter, of blessed memory, is a leader among the young people. There are some even more outstanding facts about this congregation: when the beautiful new church was built, the members of the congregation were willing to assume individual guarantees for the costs incurred. And another striking feature: here the Hungarians and Slovaks dwell together in the best Christian fellowship in the house of God. When the Rev. Nicholas Pazar of Philadelphia, Pa. recited the Lord’s Prayer in Slovak, many worshippers recited it aloud with him. The Rev. Dr. Csikesz is an able leader of this progressive chur:h and Federation group. ♦ Our President preached also in the BRONX, N. Y. Free Hungarian Reformed Church — Rev. Joseph Urban, Pastor. On the same Sunday our “Belhlen Home Day” was arranged, with the Rev. Joseph Kecs- kemethy, Director, participating. At this service the President announced that the long proposed building of an addition to the Old People’s Home on the hill will be started in a few days, together with a fund raising campaign. The new, modern wing will house at least 24 additional old people. The field of this church is a very difficult one, but the pastor works faithfully with his elders. It can be regarded as a “near miracle” that the church was able to establish a very suitable outing place within the boundaries of the world’s largest city last summer, which instantly became the favorite fresh air camp of the Hungarians in New York. ♦ Our Auditor, the writer of these lines, was an honor guest in Pittsburgh, Pa., at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Central Committee of the Pittsburgh Hungarian churches and societies, which he helped to organize a quarter of a century ago. In the morning he preached the Gospel in the same pulpit of his old church, where he delivered his first sermon in America, more than 36 years ago. Pittsburgh, with its churches and civic associations, today is just as real a stronghold in our life as it always has been. It was pointed out with just pride that the Mayor of Pittsburgh, one of the largest and most important cities in America, was present at the banquet, and delivered an interesting address. This fact alone signifies the progress the Hungarians have made during the last decades, being recognized as one of the important groups of the city. Our Federation has hundreds of members in Pittsburgh, among them many able leaders, like our Vice President Albert Fiók, Supreme Council Member Paul Téglássy, Andrew Lénárt and Mrs. Andrew Kish, Andrew Gönczy, District Manager Michael Tusai, George T. Kovács and many others. The Rev. Louis Varga, after his ministry of 23 years in this church, can be justly proud of his flock. ♦ Our Auditor also preached in the Free Hungarian Reformed Church in NEW YORK, 11th STREET — Rev. Sigmund Ladányi, Pastor. This was his first visit to this congregation, which holds up valiantly the torch of the Gospel in the tremendous Babel of the modern world.
