Magyar Egyház, 1965 (44. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1965-02-01 / 2. szám
14 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ CHURCHES’ GIFTS HELP REFORMED IN HUNGARY OPEN NEW HOME FOR AGED Gifts totalling about $140,000 sent through the Division of Inter-Church Aid, Refugee, and World Service of the World Council of Churches have enabled the Hungarian Reformed Church to open a new home for the aged at Leányfalu, near Budapest. A further sum of approximately $2,700 was contributed directly by HEKS, the service agency of the Evangelical Churches in Switzerland. The balance of the capital cost was raised in Hungary. The home, costing more than 4,800,000 forints (approximately $200,000) provides lifetime care for 60 aged persons. It is one of a number of institutions for old people or handicapped children operated by the Reformed Church in Hungary.------------oOo------—— A NEW SURVEY OF WORLD CHRISTIANITY by the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith concludes that there are now two non- Christians to every Christian in the world. The Congregation states that the non-Christians number 2,067,118, 000 as compared with 930,155,000 who owe allegiance to a Christian church. CLERGY EXCHANGES HELP TO IRON CURTAIN CHURCHES A Minnesota pastor who visited his native Latvia said on his return that he was “ashamed” that he once attacked the World Council of Churches for sponsoring exchanges of visits by clergymen across the Iron Curtain. The Rev. Rudolfs Krafts, pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran church, Circle Pines, said that he found such visits give Christians in countries like Latvia “courage to be more faithful”. The Latvians urged more visits from the outside, he noted. EPS, Geneva------------oOo-----------THE WORD “LEPROSY” will not appear in the new translation of the Old Testament, due to appear in 1966. Professor G. B. Driver of Oxford University explained that the word has changed its meaning — the disease which causes whitening and flaking of the skin is now known as “psoriasis.” Dr. R. G. Cochrane, medical advisor to American Leprosy Missions, added that “historically, medically, and exegetically” it is wrong to apply the old conception of “leprosy” to the disease as known today. (EPS.) NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS BETHLEHEM Officers and elders for 1965: Edward Erdie chief-elder, Robert Csizma vice-chief-elder, Ernest C. Nemeth treasruer, Sándor Chomos secretary, László Fekete controller. Elders: John Fabian, Steven Kuronya, Charles Lasko. .John Waros, Sr. resigned as elder. Mrs. Margaret Spiesz died on Jan. 29. She was 85. CARTERET Dean Desző Ábrahám held his annual visitation on February 18 at the monthly meeting of the Board of Elders. The Dean expressed his satisfaction over the exemplary management and faithful leadership of the congregation. A lively discussion followed mainly in regard to the deepening of the Church’s spiritual life and to the possibilities of expanding the Church’s membership. Lenten Communion will be held on March 7, preparatory service on Saturday, March 6, at 7 p.m. Midweek services will be conducted during the Lenten season every Thursday at 7 p.m. (bilingual). Date of the Installation Dinner: March 21; a motion picture will also be shown. The Men’s Fellowship elected the following new officers: Louis W. Fabian president, Andrew Pross vice president, Frank Vérségi treasurer, Frank Zsamba recording secretary, Joseph Lazar corresponding secretary (24 Van Buren Avenue, Carteret, N. J.), Vito Stasolla chaplain, Louis Szabó sergeant-at-arms, Frank Deak, William Fabian, William Chabena trustees. The Men’s Fellowship will have an Interfellowship Social on March 25 and will sponsor a spaghetti dinner on April 29 for the benefit of the Youth Fellowship’s Conference Fund. Funeral: Stephen Pallagi, 76 years old, lived in Carteret for 47 years, on February 15 in Hopelawn Hungarian Reformed Cemetary. DUQUESNE The “Facts and Figures” of the Annual Report from year 1964 enable the reader to get a miniature picture of our congregation. Membership. Total membership: 411 souls (201 male & 210 female). Confirmed members total 325 (155 male & 170 female). Unconfirmed children: 86 (46 boys & 40 girls). Members above 18 years of age: 291, with full rights and voting privileges: 240. In general we have about 166 families or about 275 adults. Church Attendance. The Sunday morning average was 155 (Hungarian 40, English 115) or 37.7 per cent, if we count the total membership. The breakdown of these figures may be interesting and informative. The older group’s attendance was 66 per cent but if we do not count the shut-in, their attendance would be 80 per cent. The attendance of the English speaking group was 33.8 per cent, but if we do not count children under 5 years of age, their attendance would be 36 per cnt. The high percentage of the older and small group was brought down by the younger and larger group to the point, that only one-third of membership would be in attendance on the average. Communion Services. A total of 1441 souls lived with the sacrament of Lord’s supper, an average of 206 per occasion. The average is 63.4 per cent. We do not have separate figures for the two (sometimes three) services, but we estimate 90 per cent for the older group and 57 per cent for the English speaking one. Stewardship. Of our $30,000.00 income $23,750 was classified as contribution, the family average was $143.07 and $76.15 per individual confirmed member. Thirty-five of our families gave over $200. Our contribution toward missions and benevolence was $2,300 or 8.6 per cent. Church Register. Baptized 7 children, confirmed 9, married 2 couples. Received into membrship by transfer
