Fraternity-Testvériség, 1985 (63. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1985-04-01 / 2-3. szám

FRATERNITY

Page 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Congratulations to two illustrious clergy members of the Federation: the former President of the Federation, Reverend Arpad György, and Reverend Bela Bacsó, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their ordination into the Christian Ministry. Our entire Federation community stands in reverence and adds words of praise and prayer to them. The celebrations were held in

Saratosa, Florida, for Reverend György and in Elyria and Toledo for Reverend Bacsó.

Greetings to the Bridgeport, Connecticut

United Church of Christ, North and Laurel Ave. On June 23, 1985 they celebrated the 15th"anniversary of the building of the Bessemer Center. The beautiful social center of the congregation was built with the financial help of the HRFA, which gave the largest loan ever granted to a single congregation in the amount of $300,000. Today, they are, as far as the Federation is concerned, free of debt. The Bridgeport celebration tells a story worth repeating, of how the Federation can be instrumental, and was instrumental, in the building of over 70 churches and social halls throughout the United States and Canada.

Speaking of Canada — At the beginning of this summer, I had the opportunity to visit branch #405 in Hamilton, Ontario. At the retreat of the Canadian Ministers, I was given the opportunity to present the entire program of our Federation and how it applies to Canada. It was received with great openness and sincere willingness for a new beginning. Our representative there, László C. Pandy-Szekeres, together with the Canadian Ministerial Association will present a plan to our Board of Directors concerning our future work in Canada.

The HRFA community is saddened by the death of two faithful and reliable district managers — Antal Viczian and Tibor Köss. Each of them exemplified the necessary and important ingredients of a fraternal worker: involvement in their community with unshakable love for the Federation and for its purposes. Antal worked in New York City, Tibor in San Francisco. Both of them gave of their God-given talents for the building and strengthening of our Hungarian-American

community through the Federation. They served the needs of members for over two decades. To their loved ones, we express our most sincere symphaty. Tibor and Antal leave a legacy to our entire community, especially to our present FIELD FORCE MEMBERS whose pictures decorate these pages .and whose names, as local representatives, i.e. branch managers, are listed in this issue. By doing so, we call attention to the importance of their ongoing services.

This year, the main thrust of all Fratemals in Community Service, is the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. I have asked the members of the Board of Directors to contact branch leaders in their respective areas and set dates for fund-raising events. Members of our Federation who came through Ellis Island should be sought out and properly honored.

The Board of Managers of the Bethlen Home has elected Reverend Zoltán Kovács as the Assistant to the Administrator of the Bethlen Home. Congratulations and best wishes to Reverend Kovács. His services to the Bethlen Home are not new, since many summer schools were organized and conducted by him. He represented the Calvin Synod on the Board of Managers.

In May, I visited Hungary. The major object was to bring the Debrecen Collegium Choir to the United States. The Board of Directors of the HRFA resolved to co-sponsor, together with all U.S. Hungarian Church bodies and the major Reformed Denominations in the USA, this momentous cultural event. The invitation to visit the US was accepted and preparations are in full gear. Needless to say — all our branches will be actively involved in the respective areas of their visit. Their arrival is planned for March 20, 1986.

In conclusion, a thought on insurance as promise and insurance as guarantee. The promises some organizations and their representatives make can be more appropriately classified as guess work. The promise of untold wealth based on what might be, is no guarantee of what will be. But a life insurance based on reasonable guarantees is a promise that can be fulfilled. The HRFA, your Fraternal Society, is providing you with sound insurance programs based on guarantees, and the plans are established in such a manner that any false assumptions are eliminated.

Our FIELD FORCE shall continue to serve you and the entire Hungarian-American com munity in this fashion and looks forward to the opportunity of sharing the information as to ways of assisting you.