Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD ELVIRA PIROSKA LUDWIG June 15,1909 - Sept 23, 2001 Elvira Piroska Ludwig was called home by her Lord on Sunday, September 23rd, in her 92nd year. She was the widow of the Rev. Dr. Arthur Aurel Ludwig, who served the Indiana Harbor congregation until his death in 1981. She was born in Tokod (Komarom County), Hungary, on June 15, 1909. While still an infant, her family moved to Handlova (Nyitra County), where she became a citizen of Czechoslovakia following the partition of Hungary. She received a classical university education and was a teacher of French. Piroska and Arthur married in 1939 in Érsekújvár (Nőve Zamky) in the Evangelical Church. They made their home in Pozsony (Bratislava), where his family was engaged in the import-export business, and he served as the corporate attorney. As Hungarian nationals in the Slovak portion of dismembered Hungary, they were very active in furthering the continuation of Hungarian life and culture in their community, being involved in the establishment of Hungarian language schools. Their three oldest children, Piroska, Aurel and Zora Valeria, were born there, but with the imminent occupation by Soviet forces in 1945 they emigrated to Austria, where Koloman Karl and Irene were born. They became involved in Hungarian emigre and cultural activities, but they were forced to relocate again as their residence fell within the Soviet zone in partitioned Austria. The family moved to the United States in 1950. Living first on a farm near Celina, Ohio, they soon moved to Coldwater where Piroska was employed in local agricultural work and her husband at a farm implement factory. Relocating to Dayton, they affiliated with the Hungarian Reformed church and built ties with the local Hungarian community. After working at several jobs, she eventually became a children’s librarian. While employed locally, her husband soon enrolled in Union (formerly Bonebrake) Theological Seminary. Rev. Ludwig was called to the pastorate of the First Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1958, where he was also ordained. Piroska was fully a partner in her husband’s ministerial vocation and church life. They were involved in Hungarian cultural interests in northwest Indiana and Chicago, where she was branch manager of the HRFA Branch 164 for many years, and he was District Manager for the Chicago area. She often accompanied her husband to meetings of Calvin Synod, the Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association, and the UCC Board of Homeland Ministries. Meanwhile she continued to work as a children’s librarian in East Chicago, until retirement in 1975. She moved to Denver, Colorado, where her daughter Irene lived, and became an active member of the Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ, while retaining her long association with the Indiana Harbor congregation. She is mourned by her five children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Following her wishes, her cremated remains will be combined with those of her husband and buried near her mother’s in a family plot on Long Island, New York. A Memorial Service was held at the Denver church on September 26th, and at Indiana Harbor on October 6th. CALVIN SYNOD NOTES (Continued from page 2) versity raised $65,562.89 for the new ecumenical school. Both Hungarian Reformed and Roman Catholic churches and members contributed to the tour’s success last April. 7. A Service of Thanksgiving at Bethlehem, PA, was set for the morning of October 28th, with Bishop Medgyesi representing the Synod. Plans are to close and sell the church building, due to dwindling resident membership. The Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sándor Mészáros has announced his resignation, following 22 years with the congregation. 8. In California, the 75th Anniversary of the Hawthorne congregation will be observed on November 11th, the Bishop attending. The Pastor is the Rev. Dr. William A. Bonis. 9. The farewell retirement service of the Rev. Dr Szabolcs Kalman was set for September 30th, at four in the afternoon. It was to be bilingual, and the Holy Communion served. A buffet was to follow in the church’s Calvin Hall. 10. Bethlen Home planned to celebrate its 80th Anniversary on October 27, with a Worship Service of Thanksgiving, following a Children’s Home Residents Reunion in the morning. A banquet was set for the evening. The following morning an Ecumenical Service would be held in the Hungarian Reformed Church at Pittsburgh, recognizing the support of both the Reformed and the Roman Catholic communities and fraternal organizations. 11. The Conference Council set Nov. 5-7 for its next meeting, at Scenic View. The Church and Ministry Committee will convene at the same time. ADDENDA 1. A Reformation Service was set for October 28th, at 7:00 PM, by the Eastern District of the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association, at the Hungarian Reformed Church at Woodbridge, New Jersey. 2. The Connecticut Conference newspaper reported upon the reception of the former Hungarian Reformed congregation of Wallingford, CT, into its New Haven Association. The consent of Calvin Synod was not requested, nor was the approval of the General Synod sought, in this unilateral action. 3. The Minister’s Association, meeting in Ligonier, asked the Bethlen Museum and Archives trustees to revise the makeup of its Board, with two representatives from Calvin Synod, two from the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, two from the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, and one At Large chosen by the six above.
