Hungarian Presbyterian Church of Wharton
2009 Clerk of Session’s Report
I would like to take a minute to recognize the cooperation of our worshippers and Reverend Csilla Toth who always work together for the benefit of Church. When we work for the Church we are working for our Lord and Savior. The Almighty has richly blessed this congregation for the last 105 years.
The financial condition of the Church consumed much of the Session’s focus during the year. During 2006 and 2007, $42,750.00 of loans were made from Church funds to boost the rate of interest earned. Because of financial setbacks, the borrowers did not make repayment in a timely fashion. Former Treasurer Ferenc Csabai diligently worked to obtain the return of these three loans. During 2009 we were repaid $12,556.62 in principal and interest. Mr Csabai is working to have the remaining balances including all interest repaid as quickly as possible.
The Presbytery of Newton took a renewed interest in our financial condition, sending John Thomas and David Weippert of the Committee on Ministry’s Audit Committee to conduct a complete review of our activities. Their report issued 12 recommendations to improve the Church’s financial transparency. All of their recommendations have been implemented. Primary of these were the implementation of income and expense journals and a general ledger. A copy of which is included in this packet. Many thanks are due our new Treasurer, Jolan Szmetena, in working on our Church’s finances.
During the year we welcomed two children to the Lord through the sacrament of baptism – Carlina Fernicola on May 3rd and Bence Simon on August 2nd. While none of our worshippers were called home to the Lord’s House on High during the year, we miss the fellowship of Elder Joseph Nagy. Joe was ill for some time and decided to move to his brother’s home in Virginia. We pray for his continued improving health and happiness.
The year 2009 also marked the 105th anniversary of the founding of our congregation. The Ladies Aid Society, as always, prepared a delicious dinner after a celebratory worship service on November 8th. This worship service also celebrated the ordination of Gabriella Ilkei, Judy Szabo, Susie Winnans, and Karen Lance as Deacons of the Church.
The Lord’s Supper was offered on 9 different dates: First Sunday of Lent, Easter, Pentecost, New Bread, Worldwide, Reformation Sunday, First Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
I must give personal thanks to Randy Winnans and Judy Szabo for all their help in assisting me in my Clerk of Session duties.
We are thankful that the Lord has shepherded us and permitted us to join together as one family in His Holy Name since 1904 and we try to remain faithful followers of His Word. We face continuing challenges during 2010, but remain confident that our brother, Jesus Christ, will be there to lead.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen J Lance
Clerk of Session
HUNGARIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of WHARTON
2008 CLERK OF SESSION REPORT
I would like to begin this report by thanking my predecessor, Judith Szabo, for all the time and effort in the service of our Lord through her years as Clerk of Session to our Church. Even though we have a small Church, being Clerk of Session is by no means a small job and we still count on Judy for her help and input. Her experience is invaluable and her love of this Church is not matched.
I was elected Clerk by our Session at the October 5, 2008 meeting. At the previous Session meeting, our Commissioned Lay Pastor of eight years, Charles Olah resigned effective September 28th due to poor health. Pastor Olah and his wife Aggie gave their heart and soul to our congregation and their commitment has been missed.
Also, at that October 5th Session Meeting we interviewed a candidate for Supply Pastor that was well known and liked by our congregation, Rev Csilla Toth. Rev Csilla served the Lord at our Church from 1997 to 2000, immediately preceding Pastor Olah’s term. After a short discussion, she was warmly welcomed back and began her duties that same Sunday. In addition to Rev Csilla and her husband, Peter, we have a new addition to our congregation – their young son Oliver.
Also, during this same time period our long-time Organist, Mimi Veres-Taylor decided to retire. Gabriella Ilkei graciously volunteered for the duty and now plays at worship services.
Shortly after Rev Csilla returned to us, she had to suddenly return to Hungary to be with her gravely ill father. During her absence, our pulpit was filled by Andrea Szaszy, a seminarian at the Princeton Theological Seminary. Our Church’s deepest sympathies are extended on Rev Csilla’s loss.
During the Spring of 2008 Pastor Olah was ill for an extended period. During his absence our pulpit was filled by Emoke Rozgonyi and Gabor Lanyi, both were seminarians at the Princeton Theological Seminary. Both have since graduated, Pastor Rozgonyi has joined her husband in a mission to Hungarians in Slovenia and Pastor Lanyi has returned to ministering in Budapest. We have been blessed that during an emergency the Lord has always provided a shepherd to lead our worship services. Even with the loss of our long-time Pastor, Rev Csilla began ministering to us at the next Sunday’s worship services after his leaving.
Next to our ministerial changes during the year, the major topic was the financial condition of our Church. Because of low prevailing bank interest rates, during 2006 and 2007 personal loans were made from Church funds at higher rates of interest to maximize the Church’s rate of return. But repayment of these loans did not occur in a timely manner.
The three debtors owed our Church repayment on $42,750.00 of loans. During 2008 the Session’s focus has been on the repayment of these loans. Our Treasurer has even garnered a court judgment against one debtor for one of the loans. As of this date, all interest and fees along with a principal payment have been made on two ($37,750.00) of the loans. It appears that total repayment of these two loans will made around year-end. The $5,000 loan that we have a court judgment in our favor is now involved in the Bankruptcy Court.
During the year, we mourned the loss of four of our long-time fellow worshippers and friends: Carolyn Szoke on January 30, 2008 at the age of 82, Susan Jacobs on February 3, 2008 at the age of 96, Aniko Vajda on February 7, 2008 at the age of 71, and Helen Kolcinsky on April 27, 2008 at the age of 95. We celebrated the baptism on April 13, 2008 of Brookelynn Desiree Cole-Dean.
Our primary mission support has remained the Vacation Bible Camp in Slovakia. But even though we are such a small congregation, additional mission support was earmarked during the year for the Salvation Army, Wharton First Aid Squad, and the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Camp.
The Lord’s Supper was offered on 10 different dates: First Sunday of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Pentecost, New Bread, Worldwide, Reformation Sunday, First Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Our Church has survived for the past century by our worshippers’ faith that God would lead us through the valley of darkness into light of His Word.
Our Church has had more than it’s share of trials during its 104 year history. As we are in the midst of its 105th year, there is one thing that we can be assured: by faith through the grace of our Lord, our Church will continue to do His will.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen J Lance
Clerk of Session
