Fraternity-Testvériség, 2003 (81. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2003-10-01 / 4. szám
Page 6 TESTVÉRISÉG The second of these beautiful sounds will grace the hills and valleys of Ligonier as it did the region of Judea many years ago. The angel chorus will sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will among men!” (Luke 2:14) The Gift of Christmas: the arrival of our Lord, in order to bless and save humankind. During this Advent - Christmas Season, the residents and staff of the Bethlen Home will celebrate and give thanks for both of these beautiful sounds! We will thank God for the many Supporters and Friends of the Bethlen Home, the Ligonier Gardens, the Retirement Community, and the Cultural Center. We will thank Him for the nearly 200 residents, who, in one facility or another, are entrusted to the Home’s care. We will thank God for the nearly 200 exceptional staff members, through whom God’s love is shared as they minister to our residents. We will thank Him for the Board of Directors and the many volunteers who dedicate time and energy toward the welfare of our residents and toward the strength of our institution. And most of all, we will thank God for His Son, Jesus, and through Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sins and Everlasting Life! The residents, the staff, and the Board of Directors join me in asking God to bless and be with all in the large Hungarian Reformed Federation of America family during this holiday season. May the Peace that Christ brings, known especially during this time of year, be carried into the new year of 2004. And may your generous support of the Bethlen Home continue during this special season of beautiful sights and sounds! Rev. Imre A. Bertalan Executive Director földön békesség, és az emberekhez jóakarat.” (Lukács 2,14) Váltságunk és üdvösségünk Krisztusban földre szállt. Ebben az áldott időszakban a Bethlen Otthon gondozottjai, gondozói és minden lakója hálát ad mindkét hangért, azért, amit a gépek zakatolnak, de főleg azért, amelyet mennyei és földi karok zengenek. Hálát adunk Istennek és hálát adunk minden embernek, a Bethlen Otthon, a Ligonieri Kert, a Nyugdíjasok Falva, a Kultúrális Központ minden támogatójának. Hálát adunk a gondjainkra bízott csaknem 200 drága életért és megannyi munkásért és alkalmazottért, akiknek gondozásán keresztül Isten szeretete eléri minden arra szoruló gyermekét. Hálát adunk az Igazgató Testület minden tagjáért, az önkéntes munkásokért, szeretet-intézetünk építését munkáló minden nemes törekvésért. Mindenek felett hálát adunk Istennek, és az O Szent Fiának, Jézus Krisztusnak, bűneink bocsánatáért és az örökéletért. Az Otthon lakói, munkásai, igazgatói velem összhangban kérik Isten áldását az Amerikai Magyar Református Egyesület családjára. Kívánjuk, hogy a Krisztus által földre hozott békesség töltse be a kedves olvasó szívét az Úrnak ünnepét követő 2004. esztendejében. Intézetünket támogató szeretetükbe ajánlva, kívánunk Áldott ünnepeket: Bertalan A. Imre Igazga tó-lelkész BETHLEN HOME RECEIVES MÁRTON ÁRON AWARD On November 3, 2003, the Bethlen Gábor Foundation of Budapest, Hungary, awarded the Bethlen Home of Ligonier, PA, the distinguished Márton Áron Memorial Medallion. The award ceremony was held in the ceremonial hall of the National Széchényi Library, located in the historic Buda Castle, overlooking the Danube River and the capital city of Budapest. Márton Áron is the late Roman Catholic Bishop of Transylvania, who was very strong in defending the rights and the identity of the minority Hungarian Christians living under Communist oppression in Romania. The large medallion, created by artist Tibor Szervátiusz, is presented each year to individuals or organizations, who or which have been faithful in serving the welfare of Hungarian Christians living in areas outside the borders of Hungary. The Bethlen Home was honored for its more than 80-year history of ministering to the Hungarian-American immigrant population with a setting and programs which helped provide the physical, spiritual, social, and cultural support needed by our people. Accepting the Márton Áron Medallion on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Bethlen Home was the Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Executive Director. At the award ceremony, the history and the mission of the Bethlen Home were introduced by Dr. Ilona Kovács, Fulbright Scholar, who became familiar with the Bethlen Home through her archival work in the Bethlen Home Collection, housed at the American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick, NJ. The text of her beautiful introduction follows. Also following are the words of acceptance prepared for the occasion by Rev. Bertalan.
