Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-05-01 / 5-6. szám
2 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD calvin urnAi n SYNOD ntrj/ALU Official Organ of The Calvin Synod - United Church of Christ Founded in 1900 AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Volume 115 MAY-JUNE 2014 NO. 5-6 Official Organ of the Calvin Synod United Church of Christ - Founded in 1900 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD (ISSN 0161-6900) is published bi-monthly for $15.00/year for individual subscriptions; $10.00/year for groups; 50 or more copies. Please make checks payable to the Calvin Synod Herald Editor in Chief; Rt. Rev. Bela Poznan, Bishop 79 Birchwood Drive • Fairfield, CT 06430 Tel.; 203-259-6392; FAX: 203-255-0713 e-mail: belapoznan@aol.com Co-Editor: Rev. Stefan M. Torok 68 Cherrywood Drive • Somerset, NJ 08873 Tel.: 732-917-4566 e-mail: sctorok@comcast.net Co-Editor: Rev. Joseph Vásárhelyi 220 Fourth Street • Passaic, NJ 07055 Tel.: 973-778-1019 • Fax: 973-778-1026 e-mail: vasarhel@optonline.net Business Manager: Wilburn A. Roby Jr. 264 Old Plank Road • Butler, PA 16002 e-mail: warajr@embarqmail.com Newsletters prepared by: Cathy Paksi 419-733-5829 • cathy.paksi@gmail.com Newsletters printed by: Gazette Printers 724-349-3434 Periodicals postage paid at Butler, PA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 264 Old Plank Rd„ Butler, PA 16002-3810 Manuscripts and photographs are not preserved or returned. Send all correspondence to the Editor. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the magazine or Calvin Synod. CALVIN SYNOD HEADQUARTERS: Rt. Rev. Bela Poznan 79 Birchwood Drive • Fairfield, CT 06430 Telephone: 203-259-6392; e-mail: belapoznan@aol.com OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS Vacancies: Beaver Falls, PA Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Kalamazoo, Ml The proper procedure is for all interested ministers to send their completed PROFILE (as provided by the United Church of Christ) to the Bishop’s office at Rt. Rev. Béla Póznán 79 Birchwood Drive • Fairfield, CT 06430 Questions may be directed by telephone to 203-259-6392 CONGREGATIONAL and CALVIN SYNOD NEWS 40 Years as Chief Elder The annual meatless luncheon at the United Church of Christ of Bridgeport, CT took place on Sunday, March 9th. Little did Chief Elder Joseph C. Poruban and his wife Barbara know that it was also a Celebration of Appreciation. We celebrated his 40 years as Chief Elder of our church as well as his 80th birthday with a surprise party. Joseph became Chief Elder on March 3, 1974 at a Congregational dinner and meeting. At that time, Rt. Rev. Stephen M. Bessemer, former President of the Calvin Synod, was the pastor of the church. In his first Chief Elder’s report, Joseph stated that “We are blessed with many tireless workers, for which we are very grateful. Each of us must strive to do his or her share... We need the help of each church member, please help, don’t wait to be asked.” Over the 40 years of reports, the name Joseph C. Poruban appeared every year at the end of each of his reports. Joe gave credit to many of the tireless workers in his reports, but very rarely described what he was doing. But Joe was doing EVERYTHING! He was in church just about every Sunday, except for the occasional vacation. He was present at every church meeting (committees, consistory, etc.), at every event (including Kolbász making, fair or flea markets and special affairs), and on the church property just about every day of the week. We estimated the Joseph was on the church grounds about 14,400 days in the past 40 years, scraped and painted enough to cover 36 houses in the greater Bridgeport area, cleaned enough to open his own Merry Maids service, changed about 1265 light bulbs, replaced about 49 light fixtures, and plugged about 126 plumbing leaks. But most of all, Joseph greeted faithfully every Sunday at his post at the entrance of the church everyone that entered. There he gave out about 324,800 hugs, kisses and handshakes to all the members and friends who entered. On Sunday, about 120 members of the congregation, family and friends gathered to celebrate. The program included tributes and messages by many with great appreciation for the loyal and dedicated work of Joseph during his 40 years as Chief Elder. Many also express well wishes for his upcoming 80th birthday on March 19th. A Certificate of Recognition was present by Rt. Rev. Bela Poznan, Bishop and James Balias, Synod Presbyter on behalf of the Calvin Synod. Prayers were offered by Bishop Poznan, Rev. Dr. Mark Horton, pastor and Rev. John Olson, former pastor. There were many photo memories all around the Bessemer Center Hall to be viewed. Joseph was presented with a chair to be placed in the church with a plaque in his honor. The congregation also gave a package to a Broadway show, dinner and transportation to NYC to Joseph and Barbara. The food was a traditional Hungarian Lenten meatless lunch. In addition to wine and cheese, káposztás tészta (cabbage & noodles) and túrós tészta (pot cheese & noodles) were served. The dessert was a specially made peach melba (Joe’s favorite) sheet cake. All of the helpers, planners, workers and cooks were thanked for the wonderful job they did in making this a great afternoon, including Ann Balias, Bob Mastrangelo, Marge Király, Maria Oslai, Sharyn Green, Eva Oláh, Lee Wakeman, 1
