Magyar Egyház, 1959 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-04-01 / 4. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ "We Are Neither 'Lost’, 'Beat’, Nor Apathetic...’’ UCYM Washington Visitation Program “Ours has been called a generation without a cause,” declares the message adopted by the United Christian Youth Movement, a unit of the National Council of Churches, during their Washington Visitation Program, March 10-13. Refuting this appellation the message states: “We are beginning to perceive our role as Christian youth in national and international affairs and we can influence change according to God’s will.” Appointed to participate in behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America I was one of the 22 young people who for four days exchanged beliefs and concerns on many key issues with President Eisenhower, Secretary Fleming, State Department officials and Congressional leaders. Our purpose was to contact government officials and through our questions and our actions show that we are not merely visitors gaping at the sights; that ours is not a beat generation, a generation without a cause, but one that has a genuine concern in national and international affairs. It was a most gratifying experience to see how deeply senators, congressmen and members and officials of governmental agencies were interested in the opinions of Christian young people on such vital issues as the control of nuclear weapons, human rights, desegregation, military service, problem of refugees and foreign aid. I want to stress that to each of these appointments the group went with an open mind but well prepared so as to have an understanding of the issues up for discussion. A memorable date of our program was our visit with President Eisenhower. The group presented him with a special copy of the statement on Christian responsibility on international affairs prepared by the General Council of our United Christian Youth Movement. In response to the strong call to prayer, cooperation, and community among nations which our statement stressed Mr. Eisenhower said that a nation which does not subscribe to the primacy of religious values can only turn out “educated mules”. The same afternoon I had a special opportunity to speak through the “Voice of America” and to tell the people overseas about my experiences as a Hungarian girl belonging to the great family of American Christian youth. The Washington Visitation strengthened us in our conviction that “a changing planet demands minds looking to the future in faith”. Christian young people should realize that they have a role in shaping this future. FRUZSINA HARSANYI UCYM delegates in Washington listening to Dr. Arthur Fleming, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. AMERICAN-HUNGARIAN AID PROGRAM FOR TIBET Despite the bloody suppression of the Hungarian Revolution of October 1956, the fight for freedom continues under Communist rule. The practically unarmed people of tiny Tibet are today challenging the mighty armies of Red China. The Tibetans are without any outside help and every day more of their freedom fighters become homeless refugees. The people of the free world have done much to help resettle Hungarian refugees since the Revolution. In memory of that good deed now the Hungarians in the free world are among the first to offer aid to the brave Tibetans in their hardship. Kossuth Foundation is extending help to the refugees from Tibet through a special Aid Program. Contributions toward this project can be sent to the following address: The Kossuth Foundation, Inc., Csorna de Kőrös Aid-Program for Tibet, 207 E. 37th Street, New York 16, N. Y.
