Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-10-01 / 10. szám
12 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA THE MULTIPLE TASKS OF HUNGARIAN CHURCHES IN AMERICA There are over 200 Hungarian- American churches in the U.S.A. For decades they were the centers of religious, social and cultural activities. Hungarian ministers and priest were also more than preachers and educators. They helped the immigrants by finding jobs, filling out applications and translating documents, etc. Hungarian churches and their pastors served as preservers of a national identity. For many immigrants, who intended to return to the motherland, the church was a second home. Through the churches the Hungarians established the type of community life they had in Hungary. Auditoriums for dramatic activities, suppers, and dances were built by most of the Hungarian congregations. Immigrants before World War I had only a few years of formal education and hardly any professional skill. Most of them found jobs in coal mines, or in factories as laborers. Many of them never learned English. These early immigrants set the pattern in which the church became both a place of worship and a center c*f nationalistic activities. The displaced persons of World War II and the refugees of 1956 had more education and professional skills than the earlier immigrant groups but their newly formed political and social organizations could not seriously challenge the leading role of churches and ministers. Americanization had a much greater effect on the Hungarian churches than all the Hungarians who immigrated here after World War II. To keep the churches financially secure non-Hungarians were encouraged to join the Hungarian churches. This process was especially strong in the Roman Catholic and Jewish organizations. Churches which started English services early enough were able to keep their young people. But churches remaining too nationalistic often could not meet the needs of the English speaking young people and became the last remnants of a fading nationalistic dream. At the present time the Roman Catholic hierarchy tolerates, but does not encourage Hungarian activities. As far as the Protestant churches are concerned the Hungarian services and activities are on the decline, but they are still officially encouraged where there is a need for them. It should be noted that neither the Roman Catholic priest, nor the Protestant minister can do a meaningful Hungarian mission without the support of the local Hungarians. It should be also noted that political and social organizations and sport clubs come and go by the hundreds but the incorporated churches of immigrants remain and continue their religious and nationalistic work according to the local needs. In the power structure of Hungarian life in America the churches are still the bulwarks of the Hungarian heritage. The church has been and still is at the top of the power structure holding Hungarian activities. One of the reasons is that religion was common to all immigrant Hungarians and it became one of the strongest unifying forces outside of Hungary. The tragedy of the Trianon Peace Treaty has also helped to unite the immigrant Hungarians. In the former territories of the Magyars, now held by Czechoslovakia, Russia, Romania, Yugoslavia and Austria the churches were the main vehicles in the preservation of Hungarian life. This is also true in the U.S.A. The churches are still the major gathering places for the social, educational and cultural activities of Hungarians. Thus Hungarians wishing to keep their identity can do this most effectively by belonging to Hungarian churches of their own faith. Paul Kantor PRAYER ANSWERED I asked for strength that I might achieve; He made me weak that I might obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given grace that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for, all that I hoped for, My prayer was answered. A Teenager Looks at Sex and Marriage Ideal For a Girl “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 As a teenage girl, I asked myself, What is the ideal I have set for myself as the woman I should be? The Lord must be the most important Person in my life. Before I belong to anyone else, my parents, my boyfriend, even myself, I belong to Him. It was no small price He had to pay upon the Cross for me — and I dearly love Him for it. And I know that He has created me and has given me the desires I have for a life that has the deepest joys. I want to be appealing to boys, but attractiveness of figure and face are not the best or most lasting sources of beauty. If I am “sexy” I may attract the admiration of the boys (and jealousy of the girls), but the enduring attractiveness, and the holding power in married life is a thing of spirit, of the mind, of the heart, and of the personality. So let me have the ideal for myself that is built upon my trust and love for the Lord. Let my charm be in my outgoing interest in others. Let my allure be in my integrity and my friendliness. The girl who fears the Lord will be one who is not dependent upon physical charms, but is pleasing to God and others for inner character and outward glow. Teenage Version of Proverbs 31:30—“Let my beauty arise from my inner self and from my love for God. This is best.” Lindy Papp Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
