Bethlen Almanac 1999 (Ligonier)
Kálvin Egyházkerület - Calvin Synod - Keleti Egyházmegye - Eastern Classis
WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY Hungarian Reformed Church Woodbridge, New Jersey Pastor: Rev. Albert W. Kovács Chief Elder: John Kelemen The 96* year of the congregation saw the congregation responding to crisis situations abroad, with over $3,000 sent off to flood victims in Honduras and Transcarpathia, and the church in Tiszaujfalu, Ukraine. The tragedy of abortion was addressed during the observance of Sanctity of Life Sunday in January and participation in various pro-life groups. The Alcoholics Anonymous weekly meetings bring out over a hundred and Narcotics Anonymous gathers about thirty-five. The Naranon family support group meeting every Saturday was joined on the same evening by a new Alánon group, each with about a dozen participants. There were five youths that received Confirmation after the twoyear study program, and two baptisms. The Lord called home nine members during the year. The church participated in the Union Lenten Services, hosting one evening’s worship. It also was the site of the ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service. The Chief Elder is Mr. John Kelemen, a lifelong member of the congregation. The Rev. Albert W. Kovács, Pastor, observed his 70th birthday on the eve of St. Stephen’s Day. With his wife, Theresa, they celebrated their 45* Wedding Anniversary. The Pastor and his son John visited Hungary for fifteen days in July, meeting family in Vilmany (Abauj, M.O.) and Záhony (Szabolcs megye), and then touring from Debrecen and Kecskemet, Szeged and Pecs to Esztergom and Budapest. The Pastor was appointed Associate Editor of the Calvin Synod Herald/Reformátusok Lapja. He also serves on the Bethlen Museum and Archives Committee, its subcommittee for the Bethlen Collection in New Brunswick, and as Chairman of the Calvin Synod Archives Committee. Last May he concluded his years of service as the Chairman of the Church and Ministry Committee of Calvin Synod. He also concluded his term as Treasurer of the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association. Rev. Albert W. Kovács, Pastor 80
