Fraternity-Testvériség, 2002 (80. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2002-01-01 / 1. szám
FRATERNITY Page 17 Jane Heckles, who is the Conference Minister for the United Church of Christ (California/Nevada Conference). Also offering greetings and encouragement was our beloved Mrs. Margaret Saltzer, our former organist, Chief Elder and daughter of our late second pastor, the Reverend Antal Szabó. Margaret also played the organ for the occasion with her always remarkable grace and beauty. Our Women’s Guild welcomed everyone after the Istentisztelet to an elegant szeretet vendég látás buffet in our Kossuth Hall. There was piano music and four little children - Billy and Marky Laubender and Ricky and Julianna Hoft - recited a poem in Hungarian by the Hungarian poet Mihály Tompa. We are grateful to everyone who came and helped make this 75 Year Jubilee event such a joyous occasion, and we are grateful to our Pastor Dr. Béla Bónis, who organized the beautiful and memorable Istentisztelet. In thinking of our future, our prayers are remarkably similar to what the Reverend Antal Szabó wrote in the 1966 Yearbook - “Let us continue to build on the foundation that was sown, which is Jesus Christ, so that our lives are blessed, and that glory be given to God’s name.” As we stand at the beginning of 2002, the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles faces the future with challenges, but also with goals, confidence and hope. Most of all, we face the future with God’s promise of His presence, and His promise to address us and to lead us as we are faithful. As Chief Elder, my own personal prayer for our congregation is that we remain pioneers. That we remain as brave, bold and courageous as the 30 year-old pastor Albert Hady and his faithful flock of 42 people who accomplished so much on a Sunday morning 75 years ago in Los Angeles. Tünde Garni, Chief Elder First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles Letters to the Editor I really enjoy the Fraternity magazine. One year the Nativity Scene that was in it made me so happy (being a Hungarian) that I insisted that my daughter Christine paint it for me. She said she couldn’t. I told her “I can’t” died in the bottle of “I can.” She not only painted it for me but she framed it - it’s pretty big - and it hangs on the wall above the dining room table every Christmas. On the bottom of the drawing it says “Merry Christmas - Boldog Karácsonyt.” It was drawn in 1978. I even cut out some interesting articles and paste them in my photo albums. Thanks kindly. Mrs. Helen Sósnak (age 79) Richeyville, Pennsylvania. Please convey my admiration and thanks to Mrs. Gabriella Koszorús for the cover on your Winter 2001 issue and to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pauli, Jr., who submitted the poem by Óbecsei István. I found both the artwork and the poem to be extraordinarily beautiful. Thank you. Julianna P. De Tilia Ligonier Gardens, Ligonier, Pennsylvania Thank you so much for your assistance in getting me in touch with Kathy Megyeri. She has been very helpful in the planning of our big adventure to Hungary. The one thing I will do before departure is buy a big hat! Thanks again! Barbara Ruhe Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (The above letter is in reference to Kathy Megyeri’s article, “Wearing My Hat through Hungary,” Fall 2001 Issue.) HRFA Joins Relief Efforts for Victims of 9/11/01 Terrorist Attacks All of us remain shocked and saddened by the horrific events of September 11, 2001. The passage of time has not dulled our sympathy and concern for the many victims of the cowardly attacks on that day. As Hungarian-Americans, we are appreciative and ever grateful of the opportunity to live in a society dedicated to the preservation of liberty and freedom. We are also aware that the cost of that liberty and freedom can be dear. To that end, we have established a separate fund entitled “HRFA 09/11/01 Relief Fund.” Members can send donations payable to the Fund to the Home Office at 2001 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20036- 1011, Attention: Ms. Teri Pflum, Fraternal Coordinator. ONE HUNDRED PER CENT OF ALL DONATIONS RECEIVED will be passed on to appropriate relief agencies assisting victims in the greater New York and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. No deductions of any kind will be made by the HRFA for administrative costs and all recipient agencies will be screened to ensure that your donations reach those for whom they are intended. For all donations of $15.00 or more, the HRFA will send you a commemorative cloisonne pin you can wear to show your support and the support of our society for the victims of the tragedies.
