Fraternity-Testvériség, 1993 (71. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1993-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 BETHLEN HOME of LIGONIER, MEETING PLACE of the HUNGARIAN REFORMED PEOPLE It is a long tradition that every year during the Labor Day weekend, lay leaders and clergy of the Reformed faith gather in Ligonier, PA to discuss the everyday problems of our churches. The meeting of the Presbyter’s Association started on Sunday, September 5, with reports of church elders. One of the major topics of discussion was how to bring together and unite all three denominations: the UCC Calvin Synod, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the Hungarian Presbyterian Churches. To put some weight behind this move, the Presbyter’s Association named two of its members to the Committee for Unity. The committee itself was formed several years ago, solely consisting of members of the clergy. The new lay members are Irma Carnevale, Presbyter of the Calvin Synod, and Anthony Beke, ex-chief elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. The Ministerial Association Meeting was held on Monday and Tuesday, September 6 and 7. One of the topics on the agenda dealt with the theme of unification of the church bodies. The Committee for Unity was urged to speed up the process of finding ways to a more meaningful negotiation leading to the unification of our Reformed people into one church body. PRESIDENT’S CORNER on the history of our Reformed churches in the USA and the causes that prevented the unification of the three church bodies in the past 90 years. On September 8, the Board of Directors of the Bethlen Home held its annual meeting. The Board amended and ratified the By-Laws and also passed a resolution whereby the Bethlen Naptár would be published yearly, starting in 1994, bilingually. On the same day, the newly appointed Board of Trustees of the Bethlen Museum & Archives, Inc. held its reorganizational meeting. Elected officers are: Dr. Aladar Komjáthy (Calvin Synod), chairman of the Board; George Dózsa (President of the HRFA), Vice-chairman; Priscilla Hunyady (HRCA), Secretary, and Rev. Paul Kovács (Executive Director of the Bethlen Home of Ligonier), Treasurer. On September 9 and 10, the Board of Directors of the HRFA held its annual Fall Meeting. On the main agenda was the selection of a new legal counsel for the Federation. Out of five well-qualified candidates, the Board elected William B. Puskas, Jr., Esq. His appointment is effective January 1, 1994. A short synopsis of the Board resolutions will be published in the upcoming issue of the Fraternity. On the last day of the meeting, Friday, September 10, a combined meeting was held with the Board members and Field & Fraternal Committee Members. The main topic was how to coordinate field and sales activities with fraternal activities. Members of the Board of Directors of the HRFA in Ligonier, PA (Seated in the middle is Mrs. Jolán Abel, Alternate Director, substituting for Director Ed Bihary who was not able to attend the meeting due to illness.) The Ministerial Association meeting was highlighted by lectures given by Dr. Sándor Tenke, Dean of the Theological Seminary in Budapest, Hungary, and the Rt. Rev. István Mészáros, Bishop of the Tiszaninnen District of the Reformed Church of Hungary. Another interesting lecture was given by Rev. Dr. Aladar Komjáthy We had a good meeting, and we have all the right to look forward to a bright and prosperous future. I ask all members of the Federation to help us in our endeavors to advance the cause and good work for which we have been known for the past 96 years. George Dózsa, President
