What does a church do with $400,000? First UCC in Galion sent donations for the Iraqi refugees. Fifty-two years ago refugees were fleeing Hungary. Thousands of miles away in Galion, Ohio the ladies of the then First Evangelical and Reformed Church raised money to sponsor three of these refugees, a man, a woman and an eight year old boy. As the three desolate Hungarians arrived at the Erie train station they were photographed carrying their early belongings in a small box tied with cord, a suitcase and a small valise. The women of the church showered them with clothing, household items, an apartment and most of all friendship. On April 13, 2005 Arpad Kiss died in a car/train accident. His wife Theresa died on January 13, 2007. During the half a century they lived in the community Arpad worked as a welder and Theresa as an assembler. When the estate was settled, the members of First Church were shocked to learn that these humble people had bequeathed the church with a gift of over $400,000. Twenty-five percent of the gift, $109,000 would be placed in the Arpad and Theresa Kiss Mission Fund. The first $6,000 would be shared in 2008 with the remaining $103,000 invested and interest from the donated to mission projects over and above the Five for Five UCC offerings every year in memory of the couple. It is appropriate that the first $400 be shared with Iraqi refugees. The mission committee challenged individual members to give as well with $300 donated altogether bringing our total contribution of $700 to refugee relief. Mission, the sharing out of love for God as our Christian witness expecting nothing in return cannot be taught. Arpad and Theresa’s response to mission is humbling. God is Still Speaking!
