The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-01-01 / 1. szám
Page 4 THE EIGHTH TRIBE January, 1979 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH of Carteret New Jersey — October, 1978 The diamond jubilee celebration was begun on the morning of October 22, with services held bilingually in the capacity-filled church, led by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi. Even the bells in the steeple seemed to sound rather special on this warm and sunny Sunday as they pealed forth their call for the congregation to assemble in prayer and song; attending the services were young and old; Hungarians, Americans, members, former members, visitors—including a former pastor’s wife, Mrs. Charles Vincze, as well as other out-of-towners, with a woman from as far away as Hungary. Guest preacher was Dr. Tibor Csikesz, Professor of Clinical Pastoral Care at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D. C., whose wife also was here for the commemorative occasion. Other participants included: Mr. Béla Kántor, vice chief elder (reading scriptures in Hungarian); Mr. John Nemish (reading in English), chief elder of the synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America; soloist, Mrs. Katherine Lengyel; organist, Mrs. Margaret Harsanyi, playing on the new organ installed earlier in this anniversary year of celebration. A presentation during the church ceremony was made by representatives of the Junior Women’s Guild, the Mrs. Anna Marie Muller, Betty Matto, and Judy Sendelsky, to Dr. Harsanyi of a new pastoral robe that had been custom made in Hungary. In addition, especially in tribute, a memorial booklet had been compiled that contained an encapsulated history of the church from the time of its origin to date plus items of interest regarding its members, officers, groups, etc. Apropos to the occasion, Dr. Csikesz spoke in both the English and Hungarian languages about the worthy accomplishments, leadership, membership, roles, and activities of the church during its past as well as present, remarking that the outlook for the future would appear therefore to be hopefully promising. He said also that the various constructive involvements have borne fruitful results because, symbolically, they had been “standing on the shoulders of Presentation of new robe to Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Pastor, Hungarian Reformed Church of Carteret, N. J., by Mrs. Judy Sendelsky, Anna Marie Fuller, Betty Matto (left to right foreground). Mrs. Margaret Harsanyi playing the new church organ. giants”—that it must be remembered their forebears were mostly hard-working immigrants (many struggling through some hard times in the past), who couldn't donate some “$100,000 or so as a tax write-off,” yet the total contributions to the church treasury through the years did add up gradually to an amazing sum of seven figures! Among greetings and key announcements, Dr. Harsanyi extended a warm welcome to all from far and near, expressing appreciation to church officers, members and everyone participating in the work and pleasure which contributed to the successful accomplishment of this entire eventful anniversary. The newly-redecorated interior of the church had been beautified additionally by floral tributes from various individuals as well as the women’s guilds, but especially enhancing to the stained-glass windows were also some bright-flowering plants that had been repotted recently fiom the manse’s summer outdoor garden. Afterwards, the chimes bade to one and all peace and farewell "til next they’d meet; a reception on the church patio followed to cap this day’s memorable happenings. Banquet at Bethlen Hall, Carteret; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sendelsky, Rev. Dr. Andrew Harsanyi, Mrs. John Nemish, with Rev. Andrew Hamza and Kodály Chorus on stage.
