Magyar Egyház, 1978 (57. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-03-01 / 3-4. szám
1 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ OUR BISHOP MEETS WITH PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE On Friday, February 24th, 1978, The Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham, Pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Allen Park, Michigan, our Bishop, was present with 25 other Church leaders and dignitaries and four officers of the National Council of Churches, who met President Jimmy Carter in the White House. It is a well known fact that President Jimmy Carter is a religious man who, not only belongs to a Church, but carries a deep personal conviction of faith in his heart, which he never denies; moreover, he always makes it a public issue. Such a meeting for the various leaders of the heads of denominations was not readily available with former presidents. There are 31 denominations in the National Council of Churches, representing approximately 40 million people. The following bishops and heads of churches attended: Rt. Rev. Milton Wood, Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Dr. William Lazareth, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in America, Dr. William Thompson, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., and also President of the National Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Robert C. Campbell, President of the Baptist Churches, Dr. Avery Post, President of the United Church of Christ. Also, the Greek, Armenian, Syrian, and Russian Orthodox, Polish National Catholic Church Bishops. A special Bible was presented to the President on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the publication of the Revised Standard Version. This new edition is an “ecumenical Bible“ with all the books of Apocrypha; and can be acceptable easily by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Protestant Churches. Greetings were exchanged. First, the President extended his remarks on this occasion, in the Teddy Roosevelt Room, where Dr. William Thompson replied by presenting a document prepared for this special moment, containing the issues which are of particular concern to all the Churches; he assured the President that Christians throughout our land will support him and bis administration. The President mentioned that some problems may be viewed differently by individual churches and citizens. It was good to record that the domestic and foreign policies of his administration, such as employment, welfare reform, urban renewal, human rights, etc., were being wholeheartedly endorsed by fellow believers. As far as the nuclear disarmaments, strategic arms limitation, SALT II talks, and the comprehensive test ban treaty are concerned, it came to light during the discussions that there are many diverse opinions and many questions remained unanswered. For example, why do we appropriate so much more money in the federal budget for armament and not as much for the welfare of our own people. Time was inadequate to present the many other problems and questions during this short reception held between 2 and 3:00 P.M., for the audience with the President had to be limited, since the miners’ strike and other problems demanded his attention. In parting, the President said that he is praying for the fine work of the Churches carry on and that he would like the church leaders to communicate his request, that all Christians should pray for him also, so that he may be able to carry on the great task he has to face in the Nation. It was indeed an honor to attend this White House meeting and reception with President Jimmy Carter and to hold the specially dedicated Bible in iny hands and to add the blessings and prayers of the Hungarian Christians upon the reader of the Word of God and the elected leader of the greatest nation of the world, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ☆ ☆ Members of Duquesne, Pa. congregation’s class wrote essays on vital issues relating to confirmation. By a majority vote of the students the essay written by Sharon Koester was selected for publication: WHAT JESUS MEANS TO ME By Sharon Koester Jesus means to me, the giving of life to a family and everlasting life in Heaven. Even though your body is dead, your soul rises to meet heavenly hosts to lead you to the Pearly Gates. Where Jesus awaits to take you to your real home. Where all day long you are with Jesus, and He laughs and cries with You. Where souls sleep on clouds and wake to find the sun shining brightly. Jesus means salvation, when he saves us from Satan, Jesus means strength to live, even in times where every hope and dream were destroyed. Jesus still cares for you. He is almighty and has strength over all. Ever since time began, when Jesus was born. He had and still has one job left. His job is to fight Satan to the end. Jesus wants to save all the lost souls who went to Satan. We all have offended Jesus in one way or another, but he _____________________________________________9
