Fraternity-Testvériség, 1976 (54. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1976-07-01 / 3. szám
OFFICIAL MINUTES of the thirtieth Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America FIRST DAY MONDAY, JUNE 28th, 1976 The Convention gathered for the Divine Worship Service and Holy Communion in the church of the Bethlen Home. Ministers participating in the service were the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zoltán Beky (call to worship and sermon in Hungarian on Revelation 2:10 and 3:11), the Rev. Louis Illés (Invocation and Scripture reading), the Very Rev. Tibor Toth (Prayer and Lord’s Prayer in Hungarian), the Rev. Imre Bertalan (Solo: “Semmit ne bánkódjál” in Hungarian, accompanied by Mrs. Margaret Bertalan), the Rt. Rev. Arpad George (Sermon in English on Joshua 4:6-7,24), the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó (Prayer and Apostle’s Creed in English), the Rev. Stephen Csutoros (offering and offertory prayer.) The Rt. Rev. Bishop Dezső Abraham and Bishop Louis Nagy administered the Holy Communion, the Rev. László Berze- viczy (prayer of thanksgiving), the Rt. Rev. Dr. Ferenc Újlaki (Benediction). The Divine Worship Service started at 10:14 A.M. and concluded at 12:10 P.M. Mrs. Katalin Galantay served as organist. PLENARY SESSION 1. The opening plenary session of the Convention was called to order by President Dr. Zoltán Beky at 3 P.M. in the Conference Room of the Holiday Inn, Ligonier, Pa. The Colors were presented by Colonel Walter Parker and Stephen Serres. The National Anthem and the Hungarian Himnusz was sung by the Convention, led by Mrs. Stephen Csutoros. 2. President Beky in his opening remarks called attention to the historical significance of this quadrennial Convention as it celebrates the Bicentennial of America, the 80th Anniversary of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and the 55th Anniversary of the Bethlen Home. President Beky called attention to the important and significant decisions that this historical Convention will be called upon to make during its deliberations. 3. Mr. William Aros, chairman of the Credential Committee, called upon Mr. Elmer E. Vargo to present report of the Committee. The names of the delegates were read as it appears in Exhibit A., the total number of the accredited officers and delegates is 75. THE CONVENTION ACCEPTED THE REPORT OF THE CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE. 4. President Beky presented the recommendation of the Board of Directors the following names for the recording secretaries of the Convention: Bishop Arpad Beretz of the Calvin Synod and Dean Tibor Dömötör of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Upon motion by Rose Kovács and seconded by the Rev. Stefan Torok the Convention unanimously accepted the resolution. 5. Fraternal greetings were given by Mr. Elmer Charles, President of the William Penn Association. Mr. Charles called attention to the challenging future for fraternalism and spoke on the meaning of fraternalism as the sharing of faith, love and hope. He introduced his delegation which included Mr. Albert Stelkovics, Secretary, Mr. Gyula Somogyi, Treasurer, Mr. Janos Balia, Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gus Nagy, Vice President for Membership Services, the Rev. Stephen Szilagyi, Vice President for Marketing and Mr. Geza Banes, General Counsel. 6. Controller László Eszenyi submitted the recommendation of the Board of Directors regarding fees and travel expenses for the delegates of the Convention as follows: a. the delegates of the Convention be paid $600,- remuneration regardless of the length of the Convention. Travel expenses be reimbursed on the following basis: $75.- per day for two days of travel, 15 cents per mile and toll. Delegates from California and Florida be entitled to first class air fairs in lieu of mileage and transportation to and from the airports. Honorary members, guests and representatives of the field force invited by the President shall receive $125,- per diem for attending the opening of the Convention (1 day) and the same travel expenses as the delegates. Recording secretaries, representatives of the press and the field force invited for the full Convention will receive the same remuneration as the delegates. The Board of Directors invited Zoltán Gombos, Jenő Szebedinszky, the Convention also invited Mr. László Dienes as press representatives. THE CONVENTION UNANIMOUSLY ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION. 7. President Beky declared a recess. 8. Following the recess President Beky reconvened the plenary session which adjourned at 5:10 P.M. Evening prayers were led by the Very Rev. Gabor Csordás, Dean. CONVENTION BANQUET 9. The Convention Banquet was presided over by President Beky who introduced the National Officers and the Board of Directors and several honored guests. Rt. Rev. Alexander Daroczy, Bishop John Butosi and Bishop Dezső Abraham extended greetings. 10. Special gold medals for excellent achievements were presented to the following persons: Dr. Tibor Köss, Dr. Antal Viczian, Mr. John Szabó, Dr. Tibor Halo, Mrs. Irene Bakty, Mr. Joseph Molnár Jr., Mrs. Emma Oris, Mrs. Vilma Szabó. Other recepients are listed in Exhibit B. 11. The National Officers of the Federation received gifts from California, presented by Dr. Tibor Köss and Mr. Stephen Serres. Signed: Arpad Beretz Tibor Dömötör Recording Secretaries Attested by: Dr. Otto Hamos Rev. Zoltán Király Rev. László Hunyady SECOND DAY TUESDAY, JUNE 29th, 1976 12. President Zoltán Beky called the Convention to order at 9:45 A.M. 13. The Rev. Desmond Parragh led the Convention in the morning devotions. 17
