Magyar Egyház, 1969 (48. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-10-01 / 10. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 15 Regristration. Pam Swetka Rev. Beky and Rev. George — with an open hand and a $1,000 check! Andy Lovász, past pres., receives. “Rev.” is taking a swim assisted by helpful hands. Conference was blessed by Almighty God’s presence, and our fellowship was a deep Christian experience. This was one of the rare occasions, when I, as a minister, or just as an adult had a glimpse through the mask of long hair, unusual clothing and rebellious behaviour, and discovered the earnest, honest desire in our youth’s heart to find God — in their own hearts, and in the hearts of their fellow-men. To be true, the general atmosphere was in accord with the behaviour of young people everywhere, and today. But we don’t want our youth to be different, we want them only to be better. And the B.Y.F. is better than the dark picture that today’s doom prophets paint of the youth of America. Being with these warm-hearted yet naturally suspicious youngsters made all of us advisors remember our own yesteryears and it made us feel years younger. The most expensive rejuvenating process could not come even close to our four days spent at Camp Conestoga! I even had the privilege of being picked up by affectionate hands, and being thrown into the lake ... and I learned a foolproof way to tell the difference between Mary and Marcy, the identical twins (I will share this info, by request, in a selfaddressed envelope) ... learned to eat tuna-sandwiches and live .. . discovered that young people can sit still through an entire lecture ... watch The cross that Youngstown built. Discussion groups. old-timers play football with youngsters ... watched boy meet girl... but I also watched them both meet God ... watched youngsters stand their ground in deep discussions... I watched the cream of our future perform and pass the test with flying colors. Being at this Conference reassured me that the youth’s answer to the theme question: “Is My Religion Relevant?” is an emphatic “Yes!” It was heartwarming to see that there were several ministers who took time to visit this camp. Bishops and ministers honored us with their presence. Some came with open hearts, some came with open hands even. The representatives of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America visited us bringing a sizeable gift and our own bishop was there too. It is good to see the interest in the pastors’ hearts. There is only one suggestion that I would like to make at this time. The next step on this year’s path would be more emphasis on our Hungarian Reformed Church in America. Some of us ministers still live in the “good old days” and cannot shed the continental ties; some of our youngsters became totally occupied with current luke-warm, general Christian banalities. How about a theme concerned with the Hungarian Reformed churches in the USA, all denominations included? Let us ministers and laymen get together and help our youngCleaning the tables. Which twin has the Toni? sters to be proud of our Hungarian Reformed heritage so that they can realize what our church means to us! A good time was had by all at Camp Conestoga. But I also learned something vitally important to me. If our adults will take one step toward our youth in understanding, they will find a hand reaching out in friendship, because our youth wants to be independent but it is grateful to receive any well meaning help! Boys and girls of the Bethlen Youth Federation, thank you for a pleasant experience. Two boys and two advisors were my only companions when I started out on the road to this year’s B.Y.F. National Conference ... but I came back home with a hundred or more boys and girls — in my heart! “Rev." THE B.Y.F. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Letter to the Editor How good it was to see, in the latest issue of the Magyar Egyház, the concern of some of our “young adults” regarding membership in the B.Y.F. Alumni. For this speaks loud and clear that their experiences were memorable and worthwhile ones which they would like to continue. The B.Y.F. Alumni, as such, is still New B.Y.F. officers for 1969-70 taking the oath of their offices.
