Karola Torok, daughter of TJMC’s partner church minister, Istvan and Melinda Torok, has won a prestigious fellowship to work in the United States for 9 months, beginning September, 2016.

Sponsored by the Hungarian government, Karola will work in Ligonier, PA, with members of the Hungarian diaspora.  Over 800 applications for this fellowship were received; only 150 were awarded.  We knew that Karola is special; this proves it!

Karola charmed members of the TJMC community when she visited with her parents two years ago this summer.  TJMC members responded in kind—hosting many pot luck dinners and lunches, taking the Toroks to visit sights in and around Charlottesville, and listening to Istvan preach.  Kim and I had the pleasure of hosting the Toroks for a visit to Washington, DC, where we visited UU churches and ministers, saw the sights, went to a Kennedy Center play, and enjoyed the hospitality of Richard Van Duizend and his wife, Sharon.  Richard is president of the UU Partner Church Council this year.

In his letter, Istvan wrote:  “Ligonier is not too far from Charlottesville.  I am hoping that during her work there, she will be able to convey greetings from our partnership.  We are wishing to visit here there, and if it is possible, you too!”

We hope it will be possible for the Toroks to see all of us here again.   And we surely hope we will have an opportunity to renew our friendship with Karola!