Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-02-01 / 2. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD While the snow storm was raging across Lake Erie in Northern Ohio on December 16, 1972, John Yesso died of a heart attack in his home in Conneaut, Ohio, an outstanding and beloved community and church leader, at the age of 58. Here is a second generation Hungarian Calvinist, who so much loved to sing the Psalms in Hungarian, and to read the Book of Life, that he devoted 20 years of his adult life to hold together as lay leader that small group of Hungarian Reformed people in Conneaut, Ohio. Not only did he introduce activities in the church to keep the spiritual life growing, but with his sacrificial donations gave example to the whole congregation to help the church of Christ meet the needs of a suffering world. His son, John Jr., painted the whole exterior of the church, including the steeple, on his summer vacation. He was born in Van Meter, Pennsylvania in 1914. His parents moved to Conneaut in 1921, where he was confirmed and later married in the Hungarian Reformed Church to Malvina Czompoly, also of Hungarian Reformed background. He attended Mount Union College for two years and received his Bachelor of Science degree at Kent State University. He obtained his master’s degree in administration at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He was superintendent of the Conneaut Area City Schools, a beloved and admired community leader, yet he was sitting with young children in the Sunday School teaching them the Word of God with vigor and enthusiasm week by week. Upon the news of his death the City Hall flag was flying half-mast in Conneaut. With his wife he visited the land of his parents at Deregnyő and Hegyi near Kassa in the summer of 1971. While he was on that pilgrimage and met the relatives there, attending church services on Sundays, his mother died in Conneaut. It was the sad duty of the pastor to wait for them at their return at the airport in Cleveland and to relate to him the loss of his mother. His father died in 1953, his brother Julius passed away in 1965. Survivors include his wife; a sister, Mrs. Betty Craib of Conneaut; a son, John, attending Ohio State University; and a daughter Peggy, of Santa Clara, California. A week before his death he made arrangement to send some help to the struggling churches in the old country. Upon the news of his death the church bells at Deregnyő and the bell of his beloved Conneaut church rang together 5000 miles apart announcing and weeping over the death of a faithful American, who happened to live and love the faith of his fathers. May he rest in peace in the hope of the blessed resurrection. Dr. László Harangi OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS (Continued from page 2) gregations wishing advice on finance, bookkeeping, insurance are welcome to ask for information or assistance in these matters. Hammond Observes 65th Anniversary On December 3, 1972 a Thanksgiving Service was held at 3 p.m. to commemorate the 65th anniversary of our Hammond church. The Rev. Victor Orth of Chicago, 111. preached the anniversary service. The pastor of the church, the Rt. Rev. Arpad L. Beretz, bishop was Master of Ceremonies. All pastors of the Western Classis were present. Representatives of five generations carried the old and sacred church symbols and placed them on the Lord’s table. Also, a new grand Piano was dedicated during the service. Youth Meet Youth Representatives of our Synod met with representatives of the Hungarian Reformed Church of America on December 27, 1972 in Ligonier, Pa. to discuss the possibility of a United Youth Camp. It was decided that delegates of each group would attend the 1973 camps. This was the first time that the youth of our churches met in a face-to-face meeting. Attending also were Bishop Dezső Abraham, Bishop Arpad L. Beretz, Dr. Zoltán Beky, Rt. Rev. Arpad George, Rev. Louis Illés, Rev. László Medyesy, and Deputy-bishop Aaron Elek. The Federation and the Bethlen Home hosted the meeting. Diaspora Newsletter The Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butosi is the editor of a newsletter which has as its purpose to exchange problems and news between Hungarian Reformed people scattered throughout the world outside of Hungary. News items for the Spring issue should be sent to the editor no later than March 1, 1973. CHURCH ATTENDANCE STILL GOING DOWN Only 40% of all adults attended church during a typical week in 1971, continuing the steady decline that has been measured every year since the high point of 1958 when 49% attended church. Roman Catholics were the highest of any denomination with 57%, down from a high of 71% in 1964. Protestant and Jewish attendance has remained fairly steady since 1964 at 37% and 19% respectively. Older groups did better than younger, blacks better than whites, the South better than other parts of the country. The number of years of education seemed to make no difference. Ministers Life Line Nov. 1972 CHIEF ELDER JOHN YESSO 1914-1972
