Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-01-01 / 1-2. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Year in Review First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles Things have really been busy in a really good way, all blessings from God! In March, we hosted the Bartók Quartet from Budapest. We had a very nice crowd at church. In April, we held our annual Spring Bazaar, which was also well attended. We spent most of April and May on helping our new pastor, Rev. István Kacso, get settled in his new church home. We also concentrated our efforts on sending out 10 letters a week to people on our mailing list to invive them to worship services at our church. Chied Elder Tünde Garai began taking Rev. Kacso to differenct places for visitations and to introduce him around town. He instituted a Bible Study once a week. In June Rev. Kacso had to go back to Erdély for a month to tie up some loose ends and finalize his immigration paperwork. He returned in July. We spent August catching up on any momentum we may have lost while he was away. In September, the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles held a Benefit Concert, which was very successful. Many talented Hungarian musicians came together for an afternoon and raised about $1,800 for a school in Erdély. Our Fall Bazaar in October was also very successful. Later that same month, we had a concert by the Kodály Quartet, and hosted the other Hungarian Reformed congregations at our church the next week to celebrate the Reformation. In November, we hosted a Chess Tournament. Church attendance is up and morale for the most part is up. The few problems we are having right now revolve around issues like not enough parking. Rev. Kacso is working hard, all of us are, and we are growing spiritually, which is the most important thing. Tünde Garai, Chief Elder First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles, CA TRAC 2003 Summer Mission Report (continued from page 5) to come to this meeting and lead the worship service. And after the service, with a move to the fellowship hall, came a full afternoon with greetings from the various villages, songs, (to which our group added a few in English), some speeches, lunch, and an opportunity just to visit. It was a beautiful day shared by all. While the participants paid for their own visits, the program as it is developing does require financial support. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. Contributions can be sent to: TRAC, 7525 Cherry Avenue, Jenison, MI 49428. Submitted by: Rev. Bernard Woudenberg Celebrating 100 Years in Homestead On October 19,2003, the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead celebrated their 100th anniversary with a grand celebration starting with a Church Service at 10 AM. The Church Service began with a procession led by the Bishop, Right Reverend Louis Medgyesi; the Auxiliary Bishop, Right Reverend Koloman K. Ludwig; Reverend Imre Bertalan, Executive Director of the Bethlen Home; and Reverend Alexander Jalso, host minister of our church. Helen Dodds, our Organist, provided music in honor of the special day and our soloist, Stephen Somiak, provided a wonderful rendition of Bless This House. For a stroll down Memory Lane, a memorabilia section was established in the Church Social Hall. The luncheon was preceded by a Social Hour at the Westwood Golf Club in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Reverend Alexander Jalso extended greetings to all with the Grace given by Dr. Reverend Daniel J. Borsay, minister of the Hungarian Reformed Church of McKeesport. Lisa Susan Toth, Chairperson of the 100th anniversary and great granddaughter of one of the founding fathers, George Walick, was the toastmaster for the program. Highlights included introducing the oldest member of our church, Mr. Charles Popely, and the youngest, Miss Sara Lydia Ardale. Sara’s great-great aunt, Mrs. Elizabet Gazsi, was the first infant to be baptized in our church; 100 years later, her great-great niece, Sara, was the last. Another highlight was honoring the five surviving Chief Elders: Paul Mako, Joseph Revesz, Rudolph F. Phillips, Earle V Jones, Jr. and William F. Horosz. The eldest of the surviving chief elders, Paul Mako, is 91 years old. Recommendations honoring some of our senior members of the church were presented by Chief Elder William F. Horosz and two toasts - one to the Past and one to the Future - were given by Assistant Chief Elder Joseph Revesz. Endre Csornán, representing the Beaver Falls Congregation, extended best wishes on their behalf; and also he extended greetings from George S. Charles, Jr., President of the William Penn Association. Reverend Ilona Komjáthy of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh extended their greet-
