Dear Colleagues in Ministry, Lay Leaders, Members of the Board, Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
During the nearly 90 years of its existence, representatives of Bethlen Communities have looked forward to visiting the many congregations, which support the residents and ministries of Bethlen with their prayers and donations.  In earlier years, when the Orphanage was the important part of Bethlen's focus, the children would go out and visit, performing dances, reciting poetry, singing songs, all of which told the wonderful story of Bethlen Home and the good care it provided.
 
Today, of course, our focus is on care for the retired and the elderly, a ministry just as crucial for these folks as was the ministry to the young people decades ago.  Additionally, Bethlen Communities is redeveloping the old nursing home building into the Heritage Center, which, in addition to housing programs for the elderly, will become a conference center for our Hungarian Reformed congregations and possibly the location for their historical documents and archival materials.  The Heritage Center will also be the site of Hungarian cultural programs and activities, to which the larger Ligonier Valley community will be invited.
 
At the heart of Bethlen Communities' activities in the present and its outlook to the future is our reliance upon the guiding and sustaining presence of Jesus Christ.  Without the Lord's inspiration and strength, we could not be providing the quality of care and the high level of successful programing the residents and clients of Bethlen Communities have come to know.  And to help the staff and management of Bethlen Communities maintain this faith-based standard, we turn, once again, to the Hungarian Reformed and Roman Catholic congregations nationwide, who have historically lifted the cause of Bethlen in prayer and in financial support.
 
Bethlen Communities would like to schedule as many "Bethlen Communities Sundays" in our congregations as possible in the new year.  We would like to bring the good news of Ligonier to all of our supporters, and if Sunday is not the best day, we would be able to come any day of the week.
 
In 2009, I will be calling upon members of the Board, as well as staff and others who have first hand knowledge of Bethlen Communities, to assist me in visiting our congregations.  Bethlen will assemble a portable presentation (eg. power point or video), which can be taken with each team of presenters.  Bethlen's goal is to visit every Hungarian Reformed, Roman Catholic and other congregation, which desires a visit in 2009.
 
In order to begin scheduling the visits, I would ask pastors and lay leaders to look at their 2009 calendars and decide upon 2 or 3 dates that would be best for your congregation.  Please email or call these dates in to me as soon as possible.  We will be there to honor your request and to thank you for your support, and to share the good news of Bethlen Communities!  Please feel free to distribute this message to others, who may not be on the email heading.
 
May the Lord continue to guide and bless each of our congregations!
 
Sincerely,
 
Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Exec. Dir.
Bethlen Communities
125 Kalassay Dr.
Ligonier, PA  15658
PH:  724-238-2235
FX:  724-238-6101