Fraternity-Testvériség, 1994 (72. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 7 PRESIDENT'S CORNER T n 1921, the Federation, with the help of the Hungarian Reformed churches, opened an orphanage in Ligonier, Pa., which served as a foster home for the children of our deceased members. From 1921 to 1978, the orphanage cared for and raised more than 1500 children. In 1931, the Federation extended its fraternal work in Ligonier when it established a home for the elderly, now a nursing home, where more than 100 elderly patients are being cared for today. For the past 73 years, Labor Day weekend has been set aside by leaders of the Federation, ministers and lay leaders of the Hungarian Reformed churches to assemble in fellowship and foster the relationship between Federation and Churches. This year, on Labor Day weekend and the week following it, the Ligonier area was again the site for busy meetings: On September 4- 5, the annual meeting of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association; September 5-6, the annual meeting of the Ministerial Association; September 7, the Members of the Board of Directors and Guests, September 1994. “The generous gift of the HRFA of $4,000 was greatly appreciated by the campers, counselors and directors. It means so much to us. Thanks again.’ Campers of the Hungarian Reformed Youth Camp annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bethlen Home, and September 8-10, the Fall Meeting of the Board of Directors of the HRFA, which was combined with the Field Force meeting. The purpose of the combined meeting of the Board of Directors and the Field Representatives was to bring the two bodies together to share each other’s experience and to learn from one another. The Federation is striving to reestablish its fraternal life and activities within the branches and in the districts. Through the presentation of the individual Board Members, it was good to hear that with the combined efforts of our branches in the Chicago, Pennsylvania and New Jersey districts, hundreds of people gathered at each location in fellowship and raised thousands of dollars for the Student Aid & Loan Fund of the HRFA. Several individual branches also held fraternal activities during the year. The proceeds from those activities were also donated to the Student Aid & Loan Fund. An important issue discussed at the combined meeting was new strategies to support our Field Force in their efforts to aggressively gain new members for the Federation. Signs are encouraging. If this trend continues throughout the remainder of the year, our premium production will surpass that of last year, and the extra membership gain in the coming months will stop our membership decline. George Dózsa
