Magyar Egyház, 1960 (39. évfolyam, 1-9. szám)
1960-08-01 / 8-9. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 services, when the churches are all rather bare. The way to have children in church is to have the parents bring them, and stay themselves! Mrs. Irene Tariska of Perth Amboy led a workshop in discussing Problems in our Women’s Organizations. Membership is usually the uppermost problem in our groups. It is a shame that the Church membership and the club membership vary so greatly. The majority of the Church women do not belong to the women’s clubs. Something must be done to bring these women out to serve their Church. Many times the functions of the women’s organizations become a bit confused, and we forget that our aim should be to broaden our lives spiritually by taking more time out for prayer and Bible study. We should not become so busy with our social activities that we find ourselves too tired when important issues arise. We must look toward worthy projects in the sight of our Lord, such as Christian motion films, good speakers. Most clubs have a welfare committee within the confines of the club, but why not for the church — women should visit the sick and old people who don’t get to Church, bring them closer to the workings of the church, make them feel welcome even though they can’t be present. Women’s clubs representatives should visit the inactive members and bring them back into the fold. It is the active members who must set the proper example, fulfilling their duties faithfully, showing more love, humility, patience and understanding. Punctuality is a good virtue, and much more could be accomplished if everyone practiced it and was on time for Church, as well as meetings. Rev. Aladar Komjáthy led the workshop discussion Mixed Marriages, which is one of the most difficult problems and issues of our churches today. The Hungarian Reformed Church in America has the largest percentage of mixed marriages. Only 6% of the Americans live in mixed marriages, while in our Church it is sometimes as much as 50%, although the percentage is going down at the present time. But the fact still remains that we will lose many of our children in mixed marriages because we are too broad minded. We should bring up our children in our religion with a full knowledge of the disaster that can be had with marrying out of our religion. It must be discussed at an early age before it is late for our children. The education of our young people should be much better organized. We should not stop with confirmation, — their religious education and understanding should go further, even right through high school. Women’s Responsibility in the Home and Community, led by Mrs. Mary Kitchen of Trenton, stressed the obligations of women today. Today’s women must be good citizens themselves, setting the example for their children by going out to vote, participating in Church and community affairs, keep up with the news of the world, and above all, teach their children charity and kindnesss. Giving — Time, Talents, Money, was the workshop led by Mrs. Mary Lazar of Carteret. Is it time, talents or money, or is it time, talents and money? Everyone agreed that it should be and, since all three are essential. A good Christian must give as best she knows, but just going to Church and giving a donation is not enough. One must participate in the activities of the Church, not become just another spectator. We must not neglect our Church and say we haven’t the time. When the Church has an activity planned, be it a regular service, special service or a young people’s dinner, we should set aside the whole evening, or morning, for the affair, not attend with the idea of rushing off when it no longer entertains us. As far as talent is concerned, there is no talent too small for the Lord — the most important thing is volunteering. We shouldn’t wait to be asked. And that goes for our money and giving, also — we should give from the heart, and not just because it is required of us. One subject on which we have so little information — Church Women and Missions — was discussed in Mrs. Olga Szabo’s workshop. Our mission in this country is to help organize small, but important, Churches in small communities. Missions outside the U.S.A. should, first of all, take care of Hungarian speaking peoples’ needs in Latin America and in Europe. There is never enough money to accomplish all that is necessary in this field. It was hoped that this women’s organization could help in the missionary field after a better understanding is had of the needs in this work. Mrs. Mary Toth of Trenton discussed with her workshop Are We Lacking in Harmony? There is much that can be done by the women of the Church in order to maintain and promote harmony both between the two women’s clubs of each Church and also in the Church as a whole. We must stop thinking that the most important word in our language is “I”, and start thinking of our fellow Church-goers. Harmony can only be achieved through the full cooperation and understanding of all. Mrs. Elizabeth Dudich, who acted as moderator in the discussion of the various workshop topics before the entire group, set forth the ideas introduced in her workshop, Basic Goal of our Women’s Organizations. The goal of our women is to organize into a united group of women and work in a stronger capacity for our Church and for our Lord. The group present therefore decided to form a united organization of women of the Eastern and New York Classes. Mrs. Dudich, as Chairman of the meeting, led the election of officers for the newly formed group. The following were elected as officers: Honorary President — Mrs. Zoltán Beky, Trenton President — Mrs. Helen Nemish, Carteret Vice-President — Mrs. Olga Szabó. Staten Island Secretary — Mrs. Priscilla Jenkins, Perth Amboy Associate (Hung.) Secy. —Mrs. Eva Kish, Bronx Treasurer — Mrs. Helen Nagy, Roebling Carteret will be host to next year’s conference. The date was set as May 7, 1961. The Executive Committee will present at next year’s meeting a set of bylaws for adoption, as well as a program of events which may be also taken up by the group as yearly projects, such as missionary work. The host club, Perth Amboy, served supper, at which time the women discussed future plans of the group and anxiously looked forwarded to seeing the women of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America united together, serving our Church and bettering our lives. Priscilla A. Jenkins
