Magyar Egyház, 2002 (81. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2002 / 2. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5. oldal Hungarian Reformed Church”. Subsequently, these arrangements were formalized. Our member congregations continue to carefully tend their churches and other buildings. The delegates of the congregations are presenting detailed reports of their activities at this meeting. At this time I want to express my appreciation to Reverend Stefan Torok, who served as dean of our Classis for a long period of time, while I served as Chief Elder. I pray for God’s blessing and success in his future service. As I close my report, I again encourage our congregations to cooperate with each other and seek out the best in all of us, since we are one in our faith. With brotherly love Balint Balogh TAKE TIME At the break of day, take time To enjoy the simple things Before the day grows hot and tired Enjoy whatever morning brings. Notice the little squirrels at play On branches way up high; Watch the earth awake from sleep And paint another blue-green sky. See the sunrise on the hill; Feel the crisp, cool morning air And inhale the fragrance of a rose; Touch the tender buds with care. Walk barefoot in soft, green grass Still wet with morning’s dew; Hear the far-off skylark sing. Relish everything that’s fresh and new. Notice the color of bright spring flowers; Smell the honeysuckle growing wild. Take time to ponder all that’s new And hold close to you a little child. These are the precious things God gives to you and me. Take time to enjoy every one, And remember, too, they’re free. Become one with the morning As growing thins are with sod. Take time to enjoy earth’s splendor; Then offer your day to God. US CHURCH LEADERS VISITED THE MIDDLE EAST A delegation of 13 US church leaders just back from the Middle East is calling for bold steps to be taken by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to end violence. The delegation was assembled by the (US) National Council of Churches and its general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar. The leaders traveled in the region April 16-27 at the invitation of the Middle East Council of Churches. In a statement, the church leaders focus on steps they see as necessary for attainment of a just and lasting peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Among others, they “urge the Government of Israel to cooperate fully with the United Nations investigation of events that took place in Jenin” and express “grave concern” at the standoff at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem and “objection to the withholding of food, water and medical supplies to those inside the church.” Four delegation members accompanied humanitarian aid to Jenin April 25; the others went with aid to Bethlehem April 26. The delegation expresses sympathy for all “Israelis and Palestinians who have lost family members and friends to the senseless violence over the past months.” It also speaks of its particular concern for the plight and future of Arab Christians in the Middle East, noting that “the Arab Christian population has declined precipitously in recent decades.” The delegation identified eight specific components for a just resolution to the conflict. Included in these were “the establishment of an international peacekeeping force, agreed upon by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to oversee the Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza and maintain order until a peace agreement can be fully implemented.” Before arriving in Palestine and Israel, the delegation visited Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to speak with church and political leaders. Among others, the delegation met with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, Syria’s President Bashar A1 Assad, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. “Our delegation leaves the Middle East convinced that an enduring peace can be achieved if the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories ends and if the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure State of Israel follows soon.” The group was equally strong in assessing the need for Israel to have its peace and security guaranteed: “It (Israel) is entitled to full recognition of its legitimacy within the international community, including by the Arab states...” Brighton Francis Healey (NCC News)
