Calvin Synod Herald, 1982 (82. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1982-02-01 / 1. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-8 —

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

CQ: What can others learn from your experience in Youngstown?

Farkas: First, that no two situations are alike. So you have to be open and flexible. Expect the unexpected. Secondly, refugees tend to have minds of their own, just like everyone else. This can mean that they will want to move somewhere else. We learned this the hard way when we began the program. A Greek Hungarian told us the second day after his arrival in Youngstown that he wanted to go to New York. We asked Church World Sevice about this and they said, “He is free to move.” So he did. So have others.

There is one story involving a family of nine Vietnamese who had been picked up in a boat and taken to South Korea. After two years there they came to Youngstown under our sponsorship. It was then that we learned the family had a distant relative in Hawaii who was in the fishing business. Soon a check arrived to help pay the travelling expenses to go there— which they did four weeks after they arrived in Youngstown. That meant all our plans had collapsed. However, we did help establish them in the life they wanted. Now I hear from them regularly. The father is employed in the fishing business and the whole family is doing well.

CQ: Are there other resettlement centers like this in the United Presbyterian Church?

Farkas: I am told that this center is unique. But what is also unique is that the program is not operated by a single congregation. This is, I repeat, a joint ministry involving several congregations and the Eastminster Presbytery. That must be stressed. There is no way all this could have been done by a single congregation. I would strongly suggest following this pattern. Get the presbytery involved directly.

CQ: Is the refugee problem a continuing one?

Farkas: I think so. There are millions of people looking for a home in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. We have only begun to realize the dimensions of homelessness in the world. Now there is an added factor. Many of the countries where it was formerly hard to gain a tourist visa are becoming less restrictive.

Consequently, as travel is more widespread, more and more people are coming to countries where they ask for political asylum. Beyond that, people are risking their lives in search for freedom. Just think of the Cubans who have recently come to Florida. Globally speaking, dislocation is becoming a way of life for countless numbers of people. The church needs to address that reality. Failure to do so is to fail in obediance to Jesus Christ who said there should be no strangers. Our motto, in this connection, might be “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrews 11:2)

QUESTION of The Calvin Synod Herald to The Rev. Sándor J. Farkas: How could our Hungarian Reformed Churches in the United States help the refugees?

Sponsorship of refugees is possible through many denominational agencies. Protestant and orthodox agencies, including United Presbyterian Churches, are supplied with dossiers of refugees through the Church World Service (which is the missionary arm of the National Council of Churches) at 475 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10027 (Phone 212-870-2190). Presbyterians may turn directly to The Program Agency, UPCUSA, Refugee Resettlement Office, Room 1268, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10027 (Phones 212-870-2465 or 212-870-2466). Dossiers of refugees with Catholic background are usually available through the United States Catholic Conference (USCC), Immigration and Refugee Services, 1250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10001 (Phone 212-371-1000). Either churches or individuals are encouraged to become MORAL sponsors of refugees= LEGAL sponsorship responsibilities remain with the national agencies.

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A CLOSING COMMENT FROM A CONTRIBUTOR OF THE CALVIN SYNOD HERALD:

In 1982 thousands of refugees are expected to come to the United States who will need American sponsors. It should be our moral and Christian obligation to help the homeless. Just as the Youngstown Hungarian United Presbyterian Church in Ohio can sponsor refugees, so could we. Please help the best you can.

compensation in unemployment checks than many of the refugees can earn working fulltime. There is another factor we must be careful to mention. Some of the refugees are being paid considerably less than what their American counterparts earn.

CQ: Isn’t that exploitation?

Farkas: There is always a danger of that, but I must say also that I am extremely grateful for these work opportunities in the beginning. Moreover, some of the employees provide additional assistance. This may include transportation, help in learning the language and special training on the job. Also, the employer takes some risk when a refugee is hired. One form of that risk is that the refugee may decide to move someplace else and therefore quit a job before he or she is fully productive.

CQ: Are there many employers willing to hire refugees?

Farkas: There are perhaps 15 we can count on. It takes a lot of work, a lot of knocking on doors, arranging interviews and so on. Sometimes it takes five or six interviews to get the promise of one job. I don’t do all of this myself, but I am involved in most of the interviews. I think it is necessary to present each situation carefully so as to awaken interest in the employer.

CQ: What other responsibilities does the resettlement center have?

Farkas: The two main responsibilities are, of course, temporary housing and employment. We must also arrange for language trainings, which is provided through the services of the local International Institute. Students who are members of the National Honor Society at Boardman High School provide some excellent tutoring service also.

Health is another major area of concern. Some of the refugees have potential problems with tuberculosis. There are usually dental problems also. Medical services are provided free by the TB clinic. Doctors and dentists have been generous in offering their services in a variety of ways.

Actually, the needs of the refugees are much like the needs of everyone, only they often come in multiple forms. The center serves as a kind of “godparent” during the time of greatest stress.

Green University will speak about, “American Youth and Modern Religious Cults. ” A discussion and dinner will follow.

Departure will be around 6 p.m. Sunday night. All those wishing to attend should notify Margaret R. Tarkanyi (Youth Advisor) 9901 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 at least ten days in advance, or call (313) 381-7495.

Last year the Annual Youth Conference was held at the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Cleveland, Ohio, where it was decided to meet for two days.------Annual Youth Conference-------A weekend Youth Conference will be held for the young people of Hungarian Churches at Allen Park, MI, on Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, 1982.

Saturday afternoon Frank Nagy of Toledo, OH will speak about, “Declining Youth In Our Churches.” Following the discussion dinner will be served at 6 p.m., after which there will be a dance for the young people.

Sunday morning the worship service will be held with the participation of the youth delegates. During the afternoon Professor Joseph Nemath of Bowling