Calvin Synod Herald, 1980 (80. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1980-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 “The Quartet’s range, the heights and depths they reached in achieving a wide variety of effects in both classical and modern idioms provided ample proof that they are real performers and real artists .. The embassy’s cultural attaché and public relations officer wrote this report about the Quartet and their Budapest concerts: “On each concert the Quartet was introduced in Hungarian by a P&C officer. Then followed this short speech also in Hungarian by Stephen Kecskemethy, the first violinist: Hölgyeim és Uraim ! Mint Amerikában született magyar református papfiú, nagyon boldog vagyok, hogy először életemben eljöhettem szüleim és nagyszüleim földjére, szép Magyarországba. Örülök, hogy az Amerikai Követség ezévi kultúr-programjába beillesztve, vonósnégyesünkkel Budapesten is és még hat más európai fővárosban is szerepelhetünk.. . Célja ittlétünknek és túránknak az, hogy BÉKEKÖVETEK LEGYÜNK és zenénk világnyelvén keresztül építsük a népek és nemzetek közötti jóviszonyt és emberbaráti szeretetet. Szívem szeretetével köszöntőm hát jó szüléimét, édesanyámat és édesapámat, akik Amerikából, ma itt vannak velünk, akik engem megtanítottak magyarul beszélni, és még ma is vigyáznak a magyarságomra; Rév. és Mrs. Nagy Lajos barátainkat ugyancsak Amerikából; itt élő és jelenlévő rokonainkat és jóbarátainkat és ezt az egész szép, nagy, amerikai és magyar társaságot. Remélem zenénket élvezni CALVIN SYNOD HERALD fogják ! ISTEN ÁLDD MEG AMERIKÁT ! Isten áldd meg a Magyart ! Éljen az Amerikai-Magyar Barátság ! The PSQ is a fine quartet and they are extremely pleasant to work with. We would like to attempt to arrange something for their return.” (GME) In this spirit and with this send-off, the Portland String Quartet left Budapest on June 23, 1980 and continued their European concert tour in Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Spain England, Germany and Greece in the hope, that through their music they can really be ambassadors of peace and goodwill! The services of this excellent musical ensemble are available through American International Artists, 275 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10016. In behalf of our big family, the officers and members of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, we extend our hearty congratulations to our distinguished member, concertmaster Stephen Kecskeméthy, the members of the Quartet for their true American-Hungarian and worldwide accomplishment. May the Lord help and guide them to further and greater successes! To Stephen’s good parents, our still loved and honored friends, The Rev. Joseph Kecskeméthy, former superintendent of our Bethlen Home, former executive secretary of our Federation, and his good wife, we express our sincere congratulations and good wishes: May the Lord bless them with lots of pleasure in their children and give them many more happy days and happy years! (A.G. Editor) NEIGHBORS IN NEED “Love your neighbor .. .” Jesus’ words give a biblical mandate for our Neighbors in Need all-church offering. For the past fourteen years, the members of the United Church of Christ have joined each autumn in receiving an offering for those in our society who may be close by but are often overlooked. This year, the Neighbors in Need offering will aid American Indians, institutionalized persons, the poor, and oftforgotten rural Americans. When your congregation invites your response — whether on the recommended date, October 5, or at some other convenient time — please be generous! Ed’s. Cl. Oct. ’80 PUBLIC SCHOOL PRAYER OPPOSED BY NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES WASHINGTON, D. C. — National Council of Churches President M. William Howard testified in congressional hearings July 29 against the proposed Helms amendment to allow prayer in public schools. Pointing out that the nation’s major religious bodies had come to Washington on four previous occasions to testify against similar efforts, Howard cited two major reasons why “it is not the business of government to institute prayers for the nation’s children to recite in public schools.” “Public school prayers are an injustice to those children and their families who belong to minority religions or to no religious group,” the explained. “Persons in this category, because of their religious views, can be made to feel out of place and less than equals in public institutions.” In addition, Howard said, “Public school prayers are a disservice to true religion. ... Prayer is too important, too sacred, too intimate to be scheduled or administered by government.” Non-sectarian prayers, Howard added, are not the answer. “I believe such a solution is least acceptable to those most fervently devoted to their own religion,” he said. N.B., N.C.C., Oct. ’80 CHURCH WORLD SERVICE SENDS $200,000 TO CARE FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES NEW YORK — Church World Service, the international relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches, has forwarded $200,000 to Pakistan to care for refugees from the fighting in neighboring Afghanistan. Church World Service has had a program in Pakistan for many years, and has been working to feed and house the Afghan refugees ever since the Soviet invasion of their country. The recent contribution of $200,000 will be spent on tents, medicine, a mobil medical team and several hospitals that serve the refugees. According to reports from Pakistan, 10,000 new refugees arrive each week. One-and-a-half million are expected in the camps by the end of the year. N.B., N.C.C., Oct. ’80 FOREWORD Show me the way, not to fortune and fame, Not how to win laurels or praise for my name — But Show Me The Way to spread “The Great Story” That “Thine is the Kingdom and Power and Glory.” Helen Steiner Rice
