Bethlen Almanac 2001 (Ligonier)
Keleti Egyházmegye - Eastern Classis
pastor who submitted his resignation to the Church Council in September, indicating that he will leave the church to take over the leadership of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America as elected President. His farewell sermon will fall on Easter Sunday, March 31st of 2002. Rev. Stefan Torok, the pastor of the congregation was elected to fill the pulpit in 1974 following the 20 years service of the former pastor, the Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham Bishop, who moved to serve the faithful at the Allen Park, MI. congregation. Rev. Torok’s almost 28 years fills two generations time in the congregation. During his pastorate he served the Sacrament of Holy Baptism to 187 children, asked the Lord’s blessings over the Christian union of 130 couples, and preached the comforting words of the Gospel and the assurance of eternal life over 413 funerals. The congregation will say farewell to him and his wife, Cynthia, at a special gathering on March 10th. The congregational life is and will be continuing by the grace of God. Under the direction of the Very Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, Dean of the Eastern Classis a Pulpit Committee was set up and started its work in finding the new pastor. The life of the congregation was and is in the very capable hands of the Church Council. The Chief Elder of the congregation is Mr. Kim Latkovich. Officers of the Council are as follows: Vice President, Mr. Robert Zambo and Mr. Steve Katko, Secretary, Mrs. Priscilla Jenkins, Treasurer, Mr. Andrew C. Lovász. The total number of the Church Council is 18. The congregational life is made up of about 230 voting members on the 2001 voting list. Beside the voting membership perhaps another 200 people are kept on our rolls as inactive or supporting members. We are sorry to say that church attendance has been slowly declining in recent years. We still conduct worship services in both languages every Sunday. Holy Communion is served every first Sunday of the month or during major Christian holidays. Combined worship services are held only a few times during the year. The major organization of the church are: The Women’s Guild which this past year celebrated its 54th anniversary, established by Mrs. Helen Vincze in 1947. The membership of the Guild is declined through the years, but they are still a vital organization in the life of the church with their manifold activities. The President of the Guild is Mrs. Priscilla Jenkins. Sunday School life has been revitalized in the last few years. Attendance is very good. Superintendent of the Sunday School is Judith 162
