Magyar Egyház, 1992 (71. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1992-04-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11. oldal The letter stated that any partisan use of God's name tends to breed intolerance... We believe it is blasphemy to invoke the infinite and holy God to assert the moral superiority of one people over another, or one political party over another. As our Pledge of Allegiance affirms, we are “one nation, under God” not “over GocT.’’ (NCCC News Release.) THE WAY I HAVE SEEN IT Reflections of the Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federarion of America. For almost a century since the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was organized in Trenton, New Jersey. Every four years delegates, elected by the branches of the Federation gathered for the accounting of their work, and to elect leadership to carry on the Fraternal Spirit among the members. The Convention met this year just the outskirts of Washington, D.C. where the main offices of the federation are located, in the city of Rockville, MD. T ogether with the delegates, National Officers and Board of Directors (a total of 58 voting members), other invited guests and visitors (the latter not having any voting power) were present in the beautiful Holiday Inn Crown Royal Hotel Conference Center to accomplish the work of accounting over the past four years and to elect the National Officers, and Board of Directors of the Federation. The weather was excellent, not a cloud in the skies. On the inside, however, a great cloud was hanging over the future of the Federation. Through the reports of the National Officers everyone present felt that something not so pleasant was going on. The delegates heard of falling membership, hard economic situations, reflecting on the investment income, too much expenses, all draining on the treasury of the Federation. This was the spirit in which the elections have taken place. The air was full of anticipation. I believe all present were aware of the names submitted for National Offices, even though in accordance with by-laws before the meeting their applications were supposed to have been evaluated by the Board of Directors, which was totally omitted from the agenda, the election was announced. As I looked around the delegates, I realized that the majority of the Board members wives or family members were on the floor as official delegates already securing extra votes for their own reelections, not to mention the parties that these Officers or Board members offered to wine and dine the delegates securing their elections. It appeared to me that there was very little consideration given to the qualifications, the elections being nothing else but a popularity contest, who is going to be voted in. This was the spirit that charged the air. Elections were ordered by the retiring President Rev. Imre Bertalan. Upon the request of Chair an election committee was organized who distributed the secret ballot sheet, collected and counted them. Everything was now ready. Upon the election the results were as follows President Mr. George Dózsa, Secretary Mr. Endre Csornán, Treasurer Mrs. Suzanne Virgulák. Sitting in the audience as an observer, an interested observer whose name was submitted to the Secretary’s position I was totally amazed at the results. Someone at my side offered a comment. Did anyone taken into consideration that in 56 years at least One of the National Officers was a Minister to assure the association with the Congregations, where 90% of the members insured came from. I remarked, maybe that’s not important any more. It appears that a new era has began. A new era that will turn their back to the churches, to have a close cooperation with the members of the Federation. I made the comment - we have reached this also. Four years from now when the Federation reached its 100th Anniversary may be the celebration held somewhere in a hotel the remarks will include - we have been organized by the Fraternal Spirit of the Church leaders but look at where we are now, we can live without them and are doing just fine. I do believe now, and agree with the above statement that to put the leadership into the popularly elected lay leadership means a new era, but I am afraid this may be the changing era in the life of the Federation. I do wish all the best to the Federation, to its new leadership, and I hope four years from now at the Anniversary those delegates who have been willing instruments of this new beginning will be there to the sad service of the burial, for without the congregations and dedicated service of the churches there will be nothing left to celebrate. S. M. Torok VISITING HUNGARY This summer a small delegation of our church, Leonard and Judith Sendelsky, Pearl Hatten and Rev. Peter Toth, visited Hungary where the roots of congregation, denomination can be found, where - amongst centuries long historical struggles, by the confessionalism of generations - our Hungarian reformed Piety, the special horizon of our biblical Christian faith, was formed and developed. At the end of June we had arrived in Budapest, where we were accommodated at the Reformed Theological Seminary. We just washed away the dust of the road and at once we had a meeting with József Mihály, the President of the Hungarian Small Holders Party in Romania, who informed us about oppressing tendencies against the Transylvanian Hungarians. He told us that the situation of etlmic Hungarians has not been reconciled (ca.. 2.5 million are living in Romania), they ,had to represent their interest under Romanian nationalist pressure risking their personnel safety sometimes. This way the Romanian economical disaster is a double burden on our Transylvanian Hungarian fellows. Next day we visited the fascinating curve of river Danube where we met Rev. Tamas Karla. For the Pulpit Committee
