Magyar Református Egyház

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

You may now download the 2009 Advent & Christmas E-Church Visitor.

Kedves Testverek,
Csatolva kuldom Gyulekezetunk elektronikus hirlevelenek legutobbi szamat. Legyen Isten aldasa az olvasoin!

Dear Friends,
Attached I am sending to you the latest issue of our electronic newsletter. May God`s abundant blessing be upon its readers!

Zoltán S. Kelemen

1463 Waterbury Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Cellular: 216. 403-1031

2009 Reformation Church Visitor

Dear Friends of Hungarian Missions

I have returned to Beregszasz after a week in the USA.

I spent the week in USA in Kansas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and New York city.

My goal was provide information to various groups and people so that they can be informed of the plight of the people of this part of the world and to help us in obtaining funds for a CT Scanner.

I also went back to the states to collect a modern lightweight Digital ECG machine, brand new lightweight Digital portable Ultrasound Machine, stethoscopes, medicines, computers, software and rearrange some finances.

The Ultrasound and ECG will arrive in Beregszasz on Wednesday as a friend of my in Hungary wanted to use it in his clinic in Debrecen.

Dr Komjathy gave presentations on his Medical Mission Work to:
- Hungarian Reformed Church, Calvin Synod, Classes meeting at Bethelen Home in Ligonier, PA
- Group of Haitian Church Members in Brooklyn, NY
-various airport first class lounges at JFK, Budapest, Amsterdam, Brussels
- Group of golfing University of North Carolina Pharmacists in Hilton Head, South Carolina
- Hospitalist(and Medical School best friend, Dr Dennis Garver) in Cary, North Carolina
- Hansitree Country Club staff and members in Wake Forest, NC

Aldas Bekesseg,

Steve K

The Hungarian Reformed Church of Perth Amboy NJ is blessed to have Organist Lillian Banyacski serve them each Lord’s Day. Recently, here faithfulness to God’s call was documented by the press as discussed in ths article. Playing For God: Organist Lillian Banyacski has kept the commitment she made in her youth

When Lillian Banyacski started playing the organ at Magyar Reformed Church, she promised the pastor she would do it for as long as she was able.

Now 60 years later, Banyacski is still seated at the organ, and plans to continue serving.

“I love it,” said Banyacski, church organist and choir director, who is fascinated by organ music. “Anything to do with church music I just love it.”

Church members recently honored her dedication with a celebration after a church service.

“I was very surprised,” said Banyacski of Edison. “Usually I smell things going on.”

Banyacski said the only hint was the mention of a tribute in the church bulletin, for which she had not prepared any music.

“But there was no reason to play because the tribute was for me,” she said. “It’s not everyone who gets to celebrate 60 years of service to the church. I work for the glory of God.”

Rev. Dr. Attila Kocsis
Pastor/Dean
331 Kirkland Place
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 USA
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Please remember to pray for our Hungarian Reformed family in Slovakia in light of this news that they remain faithful and Christ be glorified through their perseverance amidst many obstacles.

From the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation: On September 1, Slovakia enacted a restricted language law that singles out national minorities. (To read the full report click here: Slovakia Curtails Free Speech through Restrictive Language Law.)

The 2009 Calvin Synod Communicator is available for download.

2009 Kálvin Egyházkerület KÖZLÖNY

Sept 2009 Calvin Synod Communicator

Before images of the Pediatric Clinic Dr. Steven (Istvan) Komjathy is working to rehabilitate as part of his medical mission through the Hungarian Reformed Church.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Reflections on Camp 2009 by Campers, Counselors and CIT’s

Youth Camp took place July 19-25, 2009. Spelling, grammatical errors, smiley faces and all – may you too share the joy of Youth Camp!

Camp was incredible this year and it was all because of God’s grace. He blessed the week mightily and I really believe many lives were radically changed, I know mine was. Thank you Jesus for a miraculous week! – Attila (Counselor)

This was my first year in this camp and it was incredible!!! I Had the chance to make new friends and I did!! I hope that I’ll go to this camp because it was a pleasure to be there People say that this was the best year ever I think so too.…. – Mate (Camper)

Many lives were changed and impacted for Jesus. There was a lot of good discussion and my prayer is that seeds continue to be sown and that the soil is tilled by many back at the campers home churches – that these campers can be BOLD. – Julie (Counselor)

…no matter what you’re like people will still be nice to you and talk to you. You can feel like you belong there thanks to all the amazing people that go to camp …and i really hope there will be more people next year to keep it so amazing…. -Julia (Camper)

If you want to meet God for the first time or reconnect with Him, come to camp. He does awesome works there, and lives are forever changed. Simple and true. J – Gretchen (Counselor)

The week that we go to camp is just about the best week of the year. the people there are so amazing i feel at home. Going to camp has helped me so much to grow closer to God. I am so thankful for what he has given me this year, all the new things i have learned about his works in our lives and all that he has done! J – Brandi ( Camper)

Camp…is always an amazing week, where everyone is there for the same reason. To have God touch your heart. And its amazing how each and every year you see kids grow in the right direction. – Shane (Counselor)

Camp is amazing. You come to this place, for this one amazing week, leaving changed forever. You grow throughout the week, getting closer to God and to friends you’ve made. When you’re there, you don’t have to worry about the outside world, it’s just you and God, and you can connect to Him on such a personal level that it’s one of the most wonderful experiences in the year. J – Anna (Camper)

I just love camp. It’s my favorite people, doing my favorite activities, talking about my favorite subjects, at my favorite place to be during the sweltering July/August weather. Each year I find something or someone new to love, and each year, I feel camp helps me with various problems I have in the rest of my life. Camp is special. – Ashlea (Counselor in Training)

Camp is one of the bests place to be because you have people that feel the same way about Christ. It brings everybody closer to him and develops a great relationship with him….we can take what we learned and use it for the rest of our lives. It truly is an amazing thing – Andrew (Camper)

Julius Albert Pongracz

Julius “Juice” Pongracz, 77, of Lorain passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Community Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family following a year-long battle with renal cancer.

A lifelong resident of Lorain, he was born January 22, 1932, the eighth child of the late Antal and Pricilla (nee Kalassay) Pongracz. He graduated from Clearview High School in 1950 and then served in the U. S. Army where he was stationed in Alaska. Upon completion of his military service, he accepted employment at the Lorain National Tube where he continued to work in many different departments. He retired as an expeditor in the Rolling Mills after thirty-nine years of service.

Julius was a very devoted member of the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church and served in many leadership roles including General Chairman Emeritus of the church Consistory, President of the Men’s Brotherhood, member of the Sick Benefit Society, Chancel Choir, Koinonia Softball Team and coach of the Men’s Basketball Team and Youth Fellowship Advisor. He also took an active leadership role in the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, serving on many committees and representing the bilingual churches at the National Conferences.

Born of immigrant parents, Julius worked diligently to share his Hungarian culture by participating in the Hungarian Council, the Hungarian American Citizens Club and the Spotlight Nationality Committees when the Hungarian Community was recognized in 1972 and 1999 for the Lorain International Festival. As a result of his participation, he was honored as “Hungarian Man of the Year” at the annual “Nite in Budapest.”

Juice was an active member of the Steelworkers Union 1104 and was proud to serve as the Political Action Chairman for three different presidents. He attended training at Kenyon College and the Ohio State University for labor relations and represented Lorain at many national conventions. He also organized a trip to Washington, D.C. of community leaders, workers, and families for the “Save American Industry & Jobs Day.” For his hard work and dedication, he was named “Man of the Year” by the Lorain County Labor Unions and the Lorain City Democratic Party.

During his retirement years, the job of supportive father and grandfather was his top priority. He took great pride and joy in attending the concerts, scouting events, and sports activities of his daughters and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of almost fifty-four years, Donna (nee Poirier), daughters Jill Pongracz Murrell, Sheffield Lake, and Susie (Larry) Fortner , Amherst and grandchildren Rebekka and Zach Murrell, Sheffield Lake, Sara Fortner, Arlington, Va., and William (Kelly) Fortner, Amherst, brother Louis (Carol) Pongracz, Elyria, sisters Wilma (Joseph) Deliman, Lorain, Serena (Bennie) Molnar and Helen (Andrew) Dennis, Oberlin, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

Julius was preceded in death by his parents, Antal and Priscilla Elizabeth Pongracz, and siblings William “Bill” Pongracz, Julia (John) Berki, and Agnes (Edward) Thompson.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 17, 2009 from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 from 10:00 until11:00 a.m. where he will lie in state in the sanctuary of the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church, 1691 East 31st Street, Lorain. A prayer service will be conducted by the Rev. Peter Toth at 7:00 p.m. on August 17, 2009 and the funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on August 18, 2009 with internment at the Ridge Hill Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church, 1691 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio. Arrangements entrusted to the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio 44054; (440) 277-8164.

As seen in Presbyterians Week August 12, 2009 ChristianObserver.org

Hungarian Reformed Church Designed by Karoly Kos in Obuda, Budapest, Hungary, Featured on Szecesszió Website

Photos  are available here.
 
The Transylvania style Szecesszió (Hungarian Secession) design Hungarian Reformed Church in Obuda, Budapest, Hungary, designed by architect Karoly Kos (b. 16 December 1883, d. 25 August 1977), is featured in a 9 August 2009 article on the Szecesszió website.
 
Writer and photographer Mattia Moretti says: “The reformed church in  Obuda (IIIth District) is probably the most famous masterpiece of Karoly Kos in Budapest as well as an outstanding example of the Transilvanya styled Szecesszio design. The National Romantic elements characterize every single detail in this church, combining rural lines, geometrical shaped doors and windows, extensive use of wood element and relief stones on the façade.”
 
Szecesszió Website
 
Reformed Church in Hungary