Magyar Református Egyház

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Read Rt. Rev. Dr. Butosi’s testimony “From Folk Religion to Christian Faith”

SHELTON (07/13/2010) — The Rev. Dr. John Butosi, pastor emeritus of the United Church of Christ of Bridgeport and bishop emeritus of the UCC’s Calvin Synod, died on July 12, 2010. He was 90.

Born on Dec. 18, 1919, in Nyírgyulaj, Hungary, to the late Michael and Elizabeth Becsei Butosi, he received his bachelor of arts degree from the Hungarian Royal Kossuth State Realgimnazium of Cegled in 1939. He began studying theology at the Tisza Istvan University in Debrecen, but was ordered into the Hungarian army when World War II erupted in Europe.

Somehow, he managed to complete his bachelor of divinity degree in 1943. Following the American liberation and end of the war, he received his master of divinity degree and certificate of ministerial qualification in 1946.

He arrived in America in 1947, studying at both the Austin Presbyterian Seminary in Texas and the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, from which he received a master of theology degree in 1949. Though he intended to return to his home, he was denied re-entry by the communist Hungarian government, and remained in the United States. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the late 1950s.

In 1953, while living in Indiana, he met and married Lorraine Nickel. The couple had two daughters.

Dr. Butosi was later able to return to Hungary in 1989, where he taught and chaired for eight years in the Missiology Department of his alma mater, Debrecen University, which awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

After serving Hungarian Reformed churches in Hammond, Indiana, and McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Rev. Butosi came to Norwalk, where he was pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Norwalk from 1960 to 1976. He came to the United Church of Christ of Bridgeport in 1976, and served there until his retirement in 1989.

He led the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, a non-geographical conference comprised primarily of Hungarian Reformed congregations, as secretary, deputy bishop, president for four years, bishop for eight years, and bishop emeritus.

In addition to his pastoral service, Rev. Butosi’s leadership was widely sought in the ecumenical community. He was the first president of the Hungarian Reformed World Federation, served on the executive councils of the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

Rev. Butosi authored several books, mostly in Hungarian. He contributed the section on the Calvin Synod to Hidden Histories in the United Church of Christ, edited by Barbara Brown Zikmund. His autobiography, Praise the Lord, O My Soul, was published in English in 2007.

He is survived by his daughter, Ann Elizabeth Ballas and her husband, James, of Shelton; his grandchildren, Matthew and Erica Ballas; and several nieces and nephews in Hungary. He was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine; his daughter, Sarah Joan Lynch; his brothers, Steve, Mihaly, and Michael; and sisters, Julie, Elizabeth, and Gisella, all of Hungary.

A service in celebration of Dr. Butosi’s life and ministry will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 17, at United Church of Christ of Bridgeport, North and Laurel Avenues in Bridgeport. The Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, bishop emeritus of the Calvin Synod, will officiate. Calling hours will take place on Friday, July 16, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm in the Lesko and Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Rd., in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ, 963 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604; or to the John Butosi Memorial Mission Fund, c/o Calvin Synod, treasurer, 1836 Timothy Dr., West Mifflin, PA 15122.

Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig
General Secretary Calvin Synod

Other photos from the life and career of Rt. Rev. John Butosi…

MEGHIVÓ!

Szeretettel hívjuk testvéreinket és barátainkat, valamint Chicago és környéke magyarságát a Norridge-i Magyar Református Egyház immár hagyományos Apák Napi Piknikjére, amelyet június 13-án, vasárnap délben 12:30-t?l kezd?d?en, az Istentisztelet után tartunk az imaházunk kertjében.

A pikniken finom szabadban készült magyaros ételek lesznek kaphatóak. Különleges élmény lesz a szabadban készített Kürt?s kalács! Üdít? italok és sör várja a közönséget.

A nap folyamán zene és néptánc szórakoztatja a kedves vendégeket, játékok nemcsak gyerekeknek, egyszóval a szórakozás biztosítva lesz kicsiknek, nagyoknak, vagyis az egész családnak.
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Norridge-i Magyar Református Egyház
8260 W. Foster Ave. Norridge, IL, 60706.

Lelkész: Trufán Áron 630 – 201 – 3916

Mindenkit szeretettel várunk!

INVITATION

You and Your friends are cordially invited by Norridge United Church of Christ (8260 w. Foster ave, Norridge, IL) on June 13th at 12:30 P.M. to our annual FATHER’S DAY PICNIC.

We offer pleasant music, great tasting food and fun games, not only for children. Let’s spend this day together, forget our everyday problems and celebrate the Fathers.

Norridge United Church of Christ
8260 w Foster Ave.NorridgeIL60706

Minister: Aron Trufan 630-201-3916.

The 64th. Annual Conference of The American Hungarian Reformed Presbyter’s Association will be held at the Bethlen Communities Conference Room in Ligonier, Pennsylvania on Saturday, August 28th. and Sunday, August 29th. All members of the Consistory, Presbyter or Church Council, their families and guests are cordially invited to attend.

The Theme this year is the Past, Present and Future of The American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association. As my final year as President of the Association I would like us to visit our beginning in September 1946 to the present. To help us with this Theme will be the abbreviated minutes from 1946 thru 1996 that were compiled by the late past President Mr. Paul J. Szaniszlo. I will be asking and contacting past leaders and members to speak on these early meetings. We will also be discussing “On Being A Hungarian Reformed Christian” written in 1982. This will be your meeting. The Ministerial Association plans to join us.

A tentative agenda will be mailed after July 4th. Also enclosed will be a list of motels in the Ligonier area and other important information.

I am looking forward to seeing representatives from all of the various churches at this year’s conference. Please remember to pay your assessment, to the Treasure in advance or at the meeting.

Wishing each of you a safe and Happy Summer.

If you have any questions, please call me at 724-285-8851 or email me at warajr@embarqmail.com

Yours in Christ
Wilburn A. Roby Jr., AHRPA President
264 Old Plank Road
Butler, Pa. 16002-3810

Calvin Synod Chooses New Bishop – Rt. Rev. Béla Poznán

The Calvin Synod meeting May 18-21, 2010 in Ligonier, PA elected it’s new Bishop for the coming three year term.

The Calvin Synod chooses their Bishops from active, installed clergy for a period of three years, with the opportunity for reelection to a second term.

Rev. Csaba Krasznai was elected Auxiliary Bishop of the Synod and also will have the new title “Rt. Rev.”

Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig who served as Bishop from 2004 to 2010 was elected General Secretary and also designated “Bishop Emeritus”.

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