Itt-Ott, 1994 (27. évfolyam, 1. (123.) szám)

1994 / 1. (123.) szám

one service is in Hungarian and another in English. This church is more contemporary in its orientation, stressing the need to satisfy “the whole person.” Thus, here, the spiritual well-being of the individual and his social needs are considered synonymous.

This congregation is large. In 1977 it consisted of approximately 250 active members. The number of donors was approximately 320. According to the latest statistics, in 1991 the number of members was 327, and the number of donors was 402.1 Sixty-five to seventy percent of the members’ ages range between 30 and 55, and the average family consists of three to four persons.

According to the pastor of the church, the Rev. Gábor Csordás, social contact is very important for everyone, especially for immigrants who often feel lonely in this country and have to face enormous social and personal difficulties. Affiliation with the church, even if someone attends primarily the social functions, gives the individual the feeling of “belonging” and the “joy of sharing with others,” which is part of the basic tenet and the aim of Calvinism.2 Among the larger functions sponsored by this church is the annual Protestant Ball which is usually attended by 500-600 people. From the proceeds scholarship awards are given to 4-5 needy college students. The awards range from $100 to $500 per person.

Other balls and festivities are held at Christmas, New Year’s Eve, on Mother’s Day, and in the fall, for the Grape Harvesting Festival. Other functions include lunches, dinners, and cultural events. All these events are organized by the minister and made successful by members of the congregation. Other events include a weekly radio program, group Bible study, and Sunday school. The church newspaper, Magyar Egyház [Hungarian Church] is published bi-monthly. In recent years, due to the failing health of the minister, only a few events have been held in the church.

The Rev. Csordás stresses the importance of encouraging the younger generation to come to church. According to him, “even if most young people are not too concerned with religion, superficially or in depth, the mere fact that they come to

!■ Bertalan Imre, Farkas Sándor, Harsányi András et al.,-(eds), Bethlen évkönyv [Bethlen Yearbook] (Ligonier, PA: Bethlen Otthon, 1991).

2- Fahlbusch, 152.

the social functions prevents escaping the influence of religion.”

Economically, both churches depend on donations and membership fees. As the Rev. Nagy pointed out in 1977, “For the First Hungarian Church the affiliation with the United Church of Christ was vitally important for survival in the first few decades of the church’s existence because it supported the Hungarian ministers.” Although this support has been discontinued in the last 20 years, the affiliation still stands. The Hungarian Reformed Church, on the other hand, relies on the donations of its large congregation, membership fees, and on the economic gains from its social and cultural programs. The yearly dues in both churches are $12 per family, and according to the 1975 statistics the membership fees, private donations and income from social and cultural events added up to $35,000 in the First Hungarian Reformed Church, and $70,606 in the Hungarian Reformed Church.3

In 1991 the yearly membership fee in the First Hungarian Reformed Church was voluntary, but most families paid a minimum of $25, and in the Hungarian Calvinist Church a yearly fee of $18 is required. Donations and other income in both churches had doubled in the last year. Collections are made not only for church maintenance, but also to help the Transylvanian refugees and those who are still in their homeland. Contributions are also received for the opening of the Calvinist College of Sárospatak, in Hungary.4

Urban changes are partly responsible for the difference in size of the two churches. The Hungarian Reformed Church is located on 82nd Street, in the heart of Yorkville. Most Hungarian shops, travel offices, and other necessary services can be found there. A large number of Hungarians also resides in this district. The size of the First Hungarian Reformed Church’s congregation is also influenced by its geographical location. The area of 69th Street is less of a “Hungarian neighborhood,” thus the church is, in a sense, too far from the center of most Hungarian activities.

The findings from both congregations reveal that several people stated that although they do not often attend the church services, they like going to the social functions because it makes them feel they are accepted as warmly as the members

3- Bethlen évkönyv 1977

4- Bethlen évkönyv 1991; also, from Rev. Vass.

38 ITT-OTT 27. évf. (1994), 1. (123.) szám