Calvin Synod Herald, 2016 (117. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2016-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD members; to render other fraternal services to these members and their families (including scholarships for their children); and to aid in the preservation of Hungarian culture and Hungarian ideals in this great land of America, and to do so in accordance with the goals of the Founding Fathers of both the Association and of the United States.” These goals and ideals are alive today in both of these fraternal organizations. Both of them sponsor assistance for youth, support local cultural events, festivals, religious celebrations and commemorations. Both encourage local fraternal mission projects, benefiting the local and greater community. Both support our American-Hungarian heritage in many ways. Just to name two, the Hungarian Reformed Federation took a lead role in the establishment of the Bethlen Home Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania in 1921, and the William Penn organizes an annual Hungarian Heritage Experience every August where they teach Hungarian language, history, etc. And both fratemals offer active support our two church bodies, the Calvin Synod and the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Both of these organizations support our Calvin Synod Herald by advertising in our publication! These are true “fraternal organizations.” While originally Hungarian, today their membership includes persons of all faiths, nationalities. The fraternal organizations are an important part of our heritage, founded by our ancestors because they were needed. They continue today because they still fulfill the mission for which they were created. The “dues” the fratemals charge for membership remain within our communities and strengthen our communities in many ways - they do not go to a corporation to enrich the pockets of investors. In a fraternal, the members are the only owners. Our fraternal offer various products which are more than “competitive” with the marketplace, they offer opportunities for borrowing and investment which are generally better terms than commercial companies can offer. The future of our churches and our fraternal organizations has been tied together for over one hundred years. Get involved in local fraternal activities - often you have to go no farther than your own local church. Look into their local mission projects, their participation in national mission projects, allow them to work for the future of our communities and our churches. Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig Bishop Emeritus, Calvin Synod Rev. Dr. Mark Horton retired Rev. Dr. Mark Horton has retired as minister of the United Church of Christ of Bridgeport, CT. His final service and sermon was on Sunday, June 19th. A farewell fellowship luncheon followed the service in Puritan Hall. The congregation is grateful and thankful for his service and wishes him well in sunny Arizona. Chief Elder James Balias, Rev. Dr. Mark Horton, Honorary Chief Elder Joseph Poruban Members enjoying the delicious food following the service
