Magyar Egyház, 1985 (64. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1985-09-01 / 5. szám
10. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ WORLDWIDE HUNGARIAN SCOUT JAMBOREE FILLMORE, NY, AUG. 16-25, 1985 Every five years the Hungarian Scout Association organizes a Worldwide Jamboree inviting Hungarian Scouts from all over the free world. This year it was held for the second time on a 100-acre property owned by the Scout Association, in the beautiful hillsides of Fillmore, near Buffalo, NY. The first time I participated was in 1975, in Orono, near Toronto, as a Protestant chaplain. This time, as an effort of the Hungarian Reformed Church Uniting three organizations sponsored me as a Protestant Chaplain of the Jamboree. The three are: Hungarian Reformed Church in America, Calvin Synod of the U.C.C. and The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. This was an important decision, since in the past scout camps usually had no Reformed or Protestant chaplains. Dr. Baksa Csaba is the only Pastor who regularly attends the scout events with his own troop from Hamilton, Canada, which is actually the only Hungarian Reformed troop on the continent, even though there are many Protestant children in Hungarian scouting. Rev. Imre Bertalan, official Protestant Chaplain of the Scout Association together with Dr. Baksa Csaba and myself see a dire need of participation by the clergy and lay people in the work with the Hungarian scouts. Take this Jamboree for example: there were almost 900 Hungarian children there from Australia. Western Europe, South America. U.S. and Canada. There were 24 Roman Catholic priests present and they were able to roam around the camp freely as they pleased. Of the three ministers there, two of us (I am from Carteret, NJ and Béla Antal from Bern. Switzerland) we were totally tied down by the officers training course. There were two theologians present also, but they were tied down working in the kitchens. Rev. Baksa was one with the most mobility, but he, too, was tied down to his troop. This meant that while 24 Roman Catholic priests visited with the children there were really no Reformed ministers to do likewise. Shame on us! We cannot neglect anymore the spiritual needs of our youth, who will grow up to be scout leaders of other young Hungarians. Therefore, if you were ever involved with Hungarian Scouting, as a scout or officer or just as a supporter, please get in touch with me, that we may organize and fulfill the spiritual needs of our youth. The Hungarian Reformed Federation gave a donation to set up a Ravasz László Chapel on the camp grounds, with movable Lord’s table and entrance gate (Székelykapu), but we need more donations to realize this dream. Why am I telling you all this? Why is all this so important? I will tell you my reasons: what I realized during my attendance of this camp is that the Hungarian Scouting is the only organization in the world which is capable not only of reaching out, but of moving and bringing together 900 Hungarian young people from around the world. Mind you, over 90% of these young people were born already in the free world. They all speak, read and write Hungarian. Scouting, from the age of 6 and up provides them with a knowledge of Hungarian language, literature, history and folklore which cannot be taught by individuals alone, or within the family unit. Seoul Officers in training, Fillmore, NY 1985 3rd, 4th from left: Revs. Béla Antal, Gábor Nitsch The goal of Hungarian Scouting is to educate through playing. Through the games, programs at campfires, singing of Hungarian folk songs, in the company of other Hungarian youths, they achieve what many families abroad cannot do alone, which is to provide the youth with the Hungarian culture and arts of their ancestors. And let me tell you that the knowledge of Hungarian literature and folklore of some of these youth could put many of us to shame, even those of us who were born and raised in the old country. In the 11 years I have been in this country, I have not yet seen a single organization or church which could reach out and succeed with our youth as the Hungarian Scout Association dees. We should all put aside our different political views and support the Hungarian Scouting which proved that it can work with and for our youth. I would also like to break the myth that Scouting is a militaristic organization. Far from it, but it has a goal, an orderly purpose: that is to educate our youngsters to be proud of their Hungarian heritage, and know something about it too! If you have any concerns to that effect, please let me hear from you! Rev. Gabor G. Nitsch SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRY: FOR thinking before acting. FOR listening before judging. FOR forgiving your enemies. FOR being candid and frank. FOR helping a fallen brother. FOR being honest in business. FOR thinking before speaking. FOR standing your principles. FOR stopping your ears to gossip. FOR closing a slanderous tongue. FOR harbouring only pure thoughts. For sympathizing with the afflicted. whatever race, color or creed they may be.
