Fraternity-Testvériség, 1971 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-04-01 / 4-6. szám
OUR HERITAGE — OUR PRIDE — OUR FUTURE The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America By Elmer E. Vargo, Ohio Director On June 4, 1896 a Fraternal Insurance Organization was founded by a small group of our forefathers to care for the widows and orphans of our deceased members. The first meeting took place in Trenton, New Jersey, where our Federation began on the rough and rugged road of recruiting members. This was done in spite of the existence and competition from the much larger and well established old line insurance companies. These dedicated and faithful men strived to increase our membership. It has since shown the mark of our Federation throughout the world. Their foresight and hard work was not in vain. This is exemplified with our beautiful Home Office in Washington, D. C., and also our Bethlen Home in Ligonier, which is one of the most outstanding charitable institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On March 12, 1907 we were chartered by the Congress of the United States, under the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. We are very proud to say that we are the only Hungarian Fraternal Life Insurance Organization to hold this distinction. As you are all aware, the life line of any organization is its membership. With our assets approaching $17 million dollars and almost 32,000 members, we look to keep increasing our membership rolls. Therefore, we humbly request that you join our Federation by selecting one of our many Fraternal Life and Health certificates. This will enable us to continue our charitable and patriotic work in the true spirit of Fraternalism. As we are celebrating this 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, we give thanks to Almighty God for reaching this milestone. This was made possible only through the dedication and guidance of our National Officers, Board of Directors, Field Force, Branch Managers, Home Office employees and the entire membership of the Federation past and present. We are proud of our heritage, being Hungarian in origin, American in spirit and Christian in character. It is with pride that we look toward the future with this same spirit and enthusiasm as shown by our forefathers in the hopes and expectations to continue the growth of our Federation. “If God Be With Us, Who Can Be Against Us?” (Romans 8:31) Calvin Synod Elects First Bishop The Reverend Arpad L. Beretz, pastor of the Faith United Church of Christ was elected the first Bishop of Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ and the first Bishop of the United Church of Christ denomination of 2 million members in Buffalo, N. Y. on April 28th at the Annual Meeting of Calvin Synod. He will begin his duties on June 30. The new Bishop is a native of Bridgeport, Conn, and is a graduate of The Reformed Seminary in Sárospatak, Hungary and did graduate work at the Yale Divinity Graduate School in New Haven Conn. Bishop Beretz was called to his present pastorate in East Chicago and Hammond in 1961. The new Bishop served in various synodical positions including Vice-President and Secretary, Chairman of National Missions, Christian Education, Liturgy, Press and Radio. Also, President and Secretary of the Eastern Classis of Calvin Synod. The Rt. Reverend Beretz is also a pioneer in the ecumenical movement. He was named Secretary of the Ecumenical Council of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Named by the Church World Service of the National Council of Churches to work with the World Council of Churches to assist Hungarian refugees in Austria. Appointed Dean of Vienna by the Reformed Church of Austria. He attended the Second and Fourth Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Evanston, 111. and Uppsala, Sweden as press participant. Delegate to the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Delegate to the National Council of Churches Assembly in Miami, Florida. Locally, he gave leadership to the re-locating of the Congregation from East Chicago to Hammond and dedicating a new Sanctuary and educational building, also in uniting with the First Evangelical and Reformed Church of Hammond. The II Phase of the Building Plans is now under construction bidding. The new Bishop is married to the former Helen E. Kosa of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a teacher of German at Highland High School, Highland, Indiana. His daughter, Julianna will receive her Master’s Degree from Rutgers University in June, 1971. Margaret Louise is a Junior at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. The Bishop’s mother lives in Stratford, Conn. We extend our best wishes and congratulations to Bishop Beretz. 23
