Magyar Egyház, 1965 (44. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1965-06-01 / 6-7. szám
8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH Stephen Szőke: SUMMER IS COMING This is a general problem in all our congregations, with hardly any exception save those of the very small groups: the attendance of worship services is measurably smaller during the summer months than any other time of the year. It is vacation time and the picnic season — the first being legitimate reason the other a questionable excuse. The general nature of the problem does not release us from the need to examine it and, if possible, correct it or better our record. As long as there are some recreational facilities nearby our place of residence, the sea-shore, the mountain range, a lake or a park, the invitation to cityfolks to enjoy themselves is always extended while the season lasts. One thing we must recognize is the need for a vacation, a change from the everyday routine, for men and women, as well as the official vacation time for the children. As long as this is recognized, there will be less lamenting about so many people missing on Sunday morning. It is just as natural and human as is the crowd on holidays. This is not to say that we should encourage absenteeism, but we must recognize the legitimate reason and need for physical rejuvenation. Those of us who live in the big cities of dirty mill-towns, long for nature’s refreshing gifts. There are, however, some related problems. One is, as usual, that of going along with the crowd, of being absent from worship services only because few people go to church during the summer. And the other is the numerous family picnics starting on Sunday mornings. (For church picnics we have a special remark.) Instead of realizing that many may be absent from church on a given summer Sunday, (and for that reason try to equalize the numbers by making a specal effort to be present), many will see an excuse to swell the number of absentees. As we pointed out, this is the reverse of Easter when “everybody” is in church (even the nonbelievers!), summertime “nobody” is there (not even the pillars of the congregations). An easy remedy would be not to follow the crowd, but use reason and be concerned. As to the habitual “picnic-goers”, we have only one suggestion: leave after the morning service. Many of the churches have a summer schedule which might help: come to church early in the morning and the rest of the day may be yours for recreation. Consider your spiritual needs in the cool of the day and you will have an uplifting experience this summer. All other activities in the church program should be curtailed and we should concentrate on the Sunday morning worship. While we can relax everything else (meetings, social functions), this one thing becomes even more essential. There is no space in a short article for many of the problems. However, I would point out that even an out-ofdoor worship service is of questionable value if it is to take the place of the regular one in church. Also I must point out that the commercialized church picnics are a disgrace even if financially worthwhile. If it is a must” in some localities, let others do it, but not the church. Contributions will make up the needed difference without stain and sting. Our summer problem is not likely to be solved by a stroke of genius or by a clever “gimmick”. It takes concentrated effort on the part of the leaders and loyalty on the part of the members of the Church. We should set reasonable hours for public worship and expect a reasonable percentage of cooperation in return, emphasizing what is real and acceptable offering unto the Lord, individually and collectively. Dezső Trombitás: ON THE ROAD FROM CALVARY Luke 15: 11-21. The story begins like a fairy tale. The younger son went up to his father: Father, give me the portion of goods, that falleth to me. I want to go out into the world to try my luck. He had zeal, self-confidence, high hopes, as he set out on his way to a foreign land, to enjoy a life of adventures. His purse once bulging with money, of course grew emptier and emptier, and he began to realize that the mountains were blue only from far away. His dreams and grand ideas did not materialize in this “brave new world.” His plans to be somebody, to live a perfect life without worries, controls and responsibilities were consumed by the cruel facts of the far country. God very often works at extremes. He allows us to go far, very far, because He wants us to find Him. The first step in the saving intentions of God for the prodigal son was that he had run through all his money, and the second one that when he had no money, there arose a mighty famine. And he began to be in want. And he began to feel the pinch. An ordinary animal hunger. The beautiful women and the gay friends were gone with the wind. There was no tea and sympathy, witty conversation, fine society. Moreover, people had many problems of their own: war, psychosis, inflation, teenager problems, crises in marriage, and national disasters. He tried to find employment but he only found closed doors. And because he was hungry, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country who sent him out into the fields to feed the pigs. We have to realize that this story is a characteristic Jewish parable, set in a Jewish world. What a scandal, a Jewish man feeding pigs! An absolute and total crisis, an utter hopelessness experienced by this young man. He had reached the lowest level of existence. He was lost, he knew it, and he wanted to Jive the life of lost people, shut away from the so-called friends, a hypocritical society, and the church. “To be a swine-herd is my private affair,” he could say cynically. He knew however that this is a false and untrue attitude because his tragedy has been caused by himself. He had said: Father, give me my share. He had collected all his belongings and had gone off to a foreign land. But he did not have the courage to face up to the situation and to all its implications because,
