Calvin Synod Herald, 1975 (75. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1975-11-01 / 11-12. szám

6

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

ing refuge from persecution — and opportunity to find a new life — and the freedom to worship God according to the conscience of every individual.

These things are to be remembered: the first concern of our forefathers was the building of places of worship — second the preparation for development of political life — where in the democratic process — all people are equal before God — thirdly the planning for schools where all children could have access to a free and equal education—

This is holy ground — and our forefathers were willing to fight — struggle — sacrifice — work together and pray — that God’s purpose for them and the hopes for themselves and their children’s children would be realized and live forever.

There were differences in language of those who touched these shores — but their hopes were the same — there were differences in ethnic culture, but there was a oneness in concern for a neighbor.

There were various conditions of economic and financial position — but there was a oneness in their ideal that all people were to live free — without political sovereignty or pressure or enslavement to ideals foreign to the hopes of those who came to this land.

This is holy ground and this is a holy moment — because of our forefathers and for those who now walk in their steps — and share their dreams — and uphold their faith — working together — praying together — serving together — sacrificing together — that every man, woman and child could live free of fear and want and slavery.

This is a day of thankfulness and rededication — when we can stand together and pray:

“God give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie.”

Let us dedicate ourselves to God and to one another — in the spirit that as we preserve the ideals of those who gave us this nation — like them, we know we walk on holy ground.

And pray that what we call peace will be a reality — that which we call brotherhood will be a certainty — that which we acclaim to be justice will be the right of every individual.

This is our prayer — our rededication to God — that we walk not only as individuals but as a people — a community — a nation. Living in the faith of our fathers and in the thanksgiving to God who created and instructed us to love one another.

This is holy ground — this is a holy house — this is a holy commitment for those who will remember and be filled with the glory of this day.

We walk not only on sod and soil — on path or highway — but upon that road of brotherhood and peace — where every home, every place of worship, every school of learning, every gathering of social and political meeting, fills our hearts with the knowledge and the blessing that we walk now and forever on holy ground.

Undivided — as one nation under God — with justice and freedom for all who touch our shores and live with us — and whose dreams are for a better world.

This is holy ground. Let us live worthy of that holy experience. One God and Father of all and one brotherhood among all men.

Rev. Canon George H. Boyd

Pastor Harto’s 35th Anniversary

There was a special worship service and testimonial dinner in Toledo, Ohio on Sunday, October 5, to honor the Rev. Andrew Harto upon his 35th anniversary in the ministry.

The following ministers and priests participated in the anniversary worship service: Rev. Bela Bacsó, Ft. Stanley C. Bartkus, Rev. Bela Bernhardt, Rev. Stephen Csutoros, Ft. Martin Hernady, Rev. Paul Kantor, Rev. Theodor Klaudt, Rev. Colton Krueger and Dr. László Vatai.

A testimonial dinner was held at St. Steven’s Hall following the worship service. Bishop Dezső Abraham of Detroit, Michigan and the mayor of Toledo, Honorable Herry Kessler were also among the hundreds of guests. The Rev. Paul Kantor was the guest speaker.

Pastor Andrew E. Harto was born in Hungary. He came to the United States at the age of eight. His education consisted of four years of academy; four years of college and three years of seminary at Bloomfield College and Seminary and two years of graduate work at Princeton University.

Rev. Harto served for two and a half years at the Hungarian Reformed Church at Phoenixville, Pa., where he was President of the Ministerial Association, Dean of Vacation Church School (all Protestant Churches), and Chairman of Victory Clothing Drive for which he received a citation from President Truman.

He served for a short while at John Calvin Hungarian Reformed Church, Perth Amboy, N. J. For twelve years he was pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, South Norwalk, Conn., where he was responsible for bringing 150 refugees to Norwalk; served as President of the Hungarian Refugees Aid; and was instrumental in the building of Dokus Memorial Hall.

From 1959 to the present he has served Calvin United Church of Christ in Toledo and has served in the following capacities: President of East Toledo Ministerial Association; Treasurer of the Greater Toledo Ministerial Association; President of the Greater Ministerial Association; Chairman of Committee on Evangelism — Toledo Council of Churches; Advisor to the Birmingham Coalition — President of the Sponsoring Committee; Member of the Assembly and Board of Directors of the Ohio Council of Churches; President of the National Hungarian Ministerial Association; and Chairman of the Speakers Bureau of the NAAC at Norwalk.

He has served for fourteen years as Chairman of the Committee on Christian Education for the Calvin Synod and was the Synodical Youth Director for the same length of time. He is member and advisor of the National Youth Fellowship of the Evangical and Reformed Church and a Delegate to the World Christian Education Conference at Toronto, Canada.

Pastor Harto has been married for thirty-five years to the former Margaret Ecsedy. Mrs. Harto works hand in hand with him; is the church organist; works with the two choirs. They have two daughters—Martha Anne (Missy) Kozacik and Ethel Margaret (Tookie).