Reformátusok Lapja, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1972-06-01 / 6-7. szám
4 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA “GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN.” Also honored, were the two eldest ladies in attendance at the Conference, they were Mrs. Imre Cza- koczy of the Homestead Church who was 81 and Mrs. Andrew Toth of the Pittsburgh Church who was 80 years of age. A Panel Presentation followed on the subject of: “WHAT ARE THE WOMEN DOING FOR OUR CHURCHES” and a representative from each of the various groups spoke on the subject, reporting on their activities and their work for their churches, and for the Kingdom of God. The following clergymen were asked to make comments and/or to speak on any subject they may want to bring up before the Conference: Rev. Barna Roczey, Pastor of the McKeesport Free Magyar Church spoke about their plans for a new Church. Rev. Louis Illés of Duquesne spoke about the Hungarian Reformed Radio Program and asked for much needed support. Rev. Zoltán Kovács of Homestead spoke about his trip to Europe last year, and of the opportunity of personally delivering Flood Relief monies to those in need. Rev. Paul Kovács of Johnstown, spoke about his work in the South American Missions during the six years he spent there. A short recess was held before going into the Business Meeting portion of the Conference. The Business Meeting was chaired by Mrs. Kovács, as was the entire Conference. Some of the highlights of the Business Meeting were: Attendance was 81 and total receipts amounted to $81.10. One- half of these proceeds were to be turned over to the Hungarian Reformed Church Radio Program and half to be sent to Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy, Treasurer of the Calvin Synod, to be used for the Summer Youth Camp. Plans were made to hold the 1973 Spring Conference in Ligonier, Pa. Mrs. László Berzeviczy was asked to contact Rev. Louis Nagy, Director of the Bethlen Home to ascertain whether or not our plans would meet with his approval, and whether the Home could possibly accomodate the Women’s Conference. The income from dinner tickets and the offering would be turned over to the Bethlen Home. We are hoping for a favorable decision. Following the Business Meeting we all met in the Dining Hall where a delicious meal awaited us. It was prepared by the men of the Host Church led by Mr. Elmer Charles, whose culinary art is well-known and has been enjoyed by all who have had the pleasure of being invited to the Springdale Church. Their welcome, their hospitality and their good-cooking will long be remembered. It is always a pleasure to go to the Springdale Church for these Conferences and we look forward to visiting them again in about four years; by that time, it will be their turn again. The prayer before the meal, was led by Rev. Dr. George S. Csia of Pittsburgh, and the Benediction offered by Rev. Roczey. Rev. László Berzeviczy gave a historical report on the McKeesport Church. The entire day was beautiful, not only weather- wise but also spiritually. We left Springdale with new zeal and new strength in our faith. “MAY GOD BE WITH THEE AND ME WHILE WE ARE ABSENT ONE FROM THE OTHER.” Margaret Vecsey Beres CONCERT AT PRINCETON Miller Chapel on the spring-blossom decked campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary was the setting recently for an uplifting musical event. Miss Dianna Pohlman, lyric soprano, presented a voice recital on the theme of “Suffering as Experienced by the Servant of God.” The musical selections expressed the sufferings of the prophet Jeremiah, the life of Jesus Christ, and the faithful victims of World War II. Leonard Bernstein’s Lamentation (from the “Jeremiah Symphony”) bevailed the fall of Jerusalem, as depicted in the Book of Lamentations. There followed a set of songs which grew out of the Jewish experience during the Nazi occupation of Central Europe. Notable was “Es brent,” an impassioned methaphor of the devilish destructive forces of the time and a call to committed action — an especially striking symbol when one sees it as a very contemporary cry for action in our present world. Set three was centered on the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Three unusual poetic and contemporary art songs of Samuel Barber (Op. 30, 29 No. 5) and Sergei Rachmaninoff (Op. 26 No. 6) were chosen to highlight the depths of His sorrow. The final word was an authentic presentation of the Psalmus Hungaricus (selected parts) from the master-hand of Zoltán Kodály. The audience’s attention was captured by the pentatonic lines of the solo and the well disciplined singing of the choir. We express our deep appreciation to Miss Pohlman for her recital, the result of thorough preparation and presented in a dedicated and faithful way. Also we congratulate the accompanists, William Evans (organ), Mary Handy Sweazey (piano), and the choir members Questa Anderson, Christine Er- tvay, Barbara Chapel, Arlo Duba, John Grabner, John Pohlhammer, and Fred Anderson. Kodály’s Psalmus Hungaricus was the first work to be presented at the reopening cf the Budapest Opera after the war, and is also adapted for use in the Church Hymnal (261) in the Hungarian Reformed Church. Dr. György Szőnyi
