Magyar Egyház, 1953 (32. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1953-08-01 / 8. szám
12 MAGYAR EGYHA7 by a general discussion with questions being directed to the speaker. A short intermission followed during which our avid camera fans had themselves a field day. Owing to the untimely arrival of the photographer for the group picture the business meeting was deprived of some of its precious time. Somewhere along the line of Conferences this percedent had been broken, but thanks to the Detroit Christian Youth Set I think we have reinstituted it as an item that’s here to stay. The meeting proceeded in an orderly fashion as conducted by the president, Albert W. Kovács. Formalities and standing matters of proceedure were quickly dispersed with apportioning the time to the weightier matters at hand. The officers for the following year are: Pres. Joseph Olah, Jr., Duquesne; V. Pres. Priscilla Szabó, P. Amboy; Sec. Ethel Milak, Carteret; Treas. John Csanyi, Trenton; Members-atlarge Violet Pastor, Detroit; Irene Rompa, Carteret. A new duty befalling the Executive Board is the selection of a reporter to the Magyar Egyház English Section. Last year the post was created in an unofficial manner and filled by Miss Shirley Fedor of McKeesport, who reported in behalf of the West. This year she was elected officially to the post to represent the Federation, so don’t forget your news items. The slate of officers stands as presented at the meeting by the nominating committee. However, there were other nominations from the floor which tend to remind us that we still possess the freedoms which we’ve fought to cherish and endear through the past crises and are ever on the alert to retain in the future under our present system. Among the more momentous motions carried were: 1. We empower the advisors to take the issue of the proposed camp-site to the Synodical Meeting. This item has always constituted a major thorn in the side of the Federation. Since the Federation doesn’t feel strong enough to undertake the project above, we turn to them for a solution to aquiring this centrally desired location. 2. We empower our advisors to request that a seat be granted to a youth representative at the Synodical Meeting. 3. Each local group should make a concerted effort in placing a youth representative in their local church council or consistories. 4. The Executive Board is hereby authorized to meet and aid the local group in planning the coming Conference. This provision is included in Section 3 of the Constitution and By-Laws and here-in should be interpreted to read as a provision to amend the meaning which does not specifically state that a special Exe!cutive Board Meeting is to be called for this purpose between Conferences. Other matters of importance include the ordering of the Constitution and By-Laws by the local groups from the Federation secretary; the membership drive and adherence to Section 5 of the By-Laws; and the ordering of the group picture through the local group’s secretary. At this time Perth Amboy extended their official invitation to act as host for the 1954 Labor Day weekend. The roll call of groups was taken and the meeting closed with the administration of the oath to the newly elected officers by the Rev. Stephen Szőke. The evening’s entertainment after supper consisted of the scheduled social. A variety of specialty numbers were included to acquaint the strangers in the group with one another. On Monday morning breakfast was served from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The groups from the East began to file out and bid their farewells due to the long distance to be traveled. Even after such early departures, a total of thirty remained behind to participate in the planned tour of the Ford Greenfield Village Exhibits at 10 a.m. Owing to the lack of time this educational tour was cut short to allow for lunch in a picnic spot on the outskirts of Dearborn. The attendees had their choice of roasting weiners American style or frying becon Hungarian style. The usual accessories accompanied the meal with soft drinks as the beverage. The last group to leave was Duquesne, who enjoyed the hospitality of the host club up until the last minute in full force. So is enfolded once more in memory the events of the Last Labor Day Conference in Detroit. We look forward to Perth Amboy with great hope and inspiration. Joseph Olah, Jr. SÁNDOR PETŐFI (1823-1849) The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America has started a ‘Hungarica America’ series of booklets which will make available to English speaking Hungarians information concerning the Magyar heritage, culture and its merits. The first booklet has been published; Sándor Petőfi, Hungarian poet. The author is Dr. Joseph Reményi, professor of Comparative Literature, Western Reserve University. The name Petőfi Sándor is familiar to all American- Hungarians who have been brought up in a Hungarian speaking home or church. And the name no doubt recalls a fiery youth who roused patriots throughout Hungary in 1848 with his stirring ‘Talpra Magyar’. Perhaps some know that he was lost in battle — captured or killed, no one knows — but at the youthful age of 26 he gave his life fighting for the freedom of his beloved Hungary. But did you realize that he is world known for his poetry? Did you know that his poems have been translated into all the major languages and through them he has shown Hungary; the Puszta, folk tales, customs and life to people who have never visited Hungary? Did you realize that he wrote of every day things — of people, of love, of nature, of life? And besides that he wrote many poetry fairy tales, the best known is János Vitéz. Sándor Petőfi was truly a versatile, fruitful young poet who crowded many poems and lyrics in his few short years. The Hungarica Americana series has started with an interesting personage. The need to acquaint all of Hungarian extraction of the merits of their Hungarian ancestors is great. Too often ignorance has meant shame rather than pride in being Hungarian decendents. We salute the Hungarian Reformed Federation for starting the series and eagerly await the next booklet.
