Magyar News, 2002. szeptember-2003. augusztus (13. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-05-01 / 9. szám
We are forwarding the letter below at the behest of Gyula Egervári, the president of the Magyar Studies of America, Inc. Editor OPEN LETTER Dear Brethren: By way of introduction, we are respectfully submitting the following information: Our organization, the Magyar Studies of America, Inc., has now been in operation for just about a quarter of a century in our state. During this time we have provided education for nearly a thousand students of all ages. Our operations have also embraced other social activities. We have had Hungarian radio broadcasts on a regular basis, we have organized literary evenings, dinner dances, and we have even had a soccer team that vied for championship during the time period mentioned above. We have also had correspondence with Presidents of the United States, with writers and poets in Europe, and even with His Holiness, the Pope. We have had invitations from organizations in other states seeking insights from our endeavors, made speaches there as well. Some of our articles have even been published beyond the borders of the United States of America. As a nonprofit organization recognized both by the State of Connecticut and the appropriate federal authorities -an organization in which all the teachers and otfice holders have been working voluntarily and without monetary remuneration -our goals, as set out in our mission statement, include "To attempt to cooperate with other Hungarian organizations far and near and to be of mutual assistance in furthering of common Hungarian interests". It was in this spirit that we have endeavored, in accordance with our nearly 30-year-old suggestion, to participate in such activities as would ensure the future viability of our Hungarian heritage. It is now almost a year since certain negotiations have been entered into in order to achieve a unification among churches established by Hungarians in the Bridgeport-Fairfield area, namely the First United Church of Christ on Clinton Ave, the United Church of Christ on North Ave and the Calvin United Church of Christ on Kings Highway. A wise decision guided those involved in this enterprise, as it would not only be negligent to overlook certain distressing facts, it would also be irresponsible. The fact of the matter is that the aforementioned churches have been beset by a decline not only with respect to revenues, but also with respect to the number of parishioners. After lenghty discussions and meetings two of the churches concerned have in theory agreed to merge, but the desired unification failed to materialize due to certain conflicts regarding some details that proved irreconcilable. The third church, though it entertained the possibility of merger in the beginning, refused it after all. The Editor-in-Chief of the Magyar News, Mr. Joseph F. Balogh in his February, 2003 publication has eloquently analyzed the past, present as well as the uncertain future of the three churches in question. The Magyar Studies of America has been anxiously following for some time now the alarming attrition that has beset these religious institutions, each with noble historical background otherwise. It is perhaps high time therefore to raise the following questions: have things changed since last year's failed negotiations? Could the respective churches in question point to any increase (except in expenses), or even just in the status quo? Have they had more christenings than funerals? Increase in the number of marriages performed? Do any of them have more members now than they had a year ago? It would be, indeed, insensitive to ask any question about monetary changes. .. Dear Brethren: The purpose of this open letter is neither criticism nor judgment. We don't presume a right to either. It is, however, with a sense of acute anxiety that we have endeavored to renew this discussion. We are not alone in the view that the three churches under consideration here have but a few years of viability at their disposal. Our effort is to save whatever is salvageable ("as the possibilities allow" - Transylvanian poet Sándor Reményik). We should preserve whatever spiritual and traditional treasures our ancestors have been able to bestow upon us, treasures that have endured even unto our time. The eventuality of total assimilation is unavoidable. But our conscience must not permit the untimely dissolution of all the sacrifices of our predecessors have carved out of virtually nothing, many dozens or even over 1 00 years ago. Perhaps the combining not just of the two but of all three churches may not bring about the desired panacea for all that ails us, but it would undoubtedly prolong our Hungarian identity based on the traditions of our people and rooted in our religious foundations, thus enabling us to extend our own ecclesiastical life. With hope and faith in God we wish to herewith implore our Brethren, the ministers and the leaders of the churches in question, that they renew the negotiations so unhappily interrupted in 2002. It is our conviction that putting aside any (individual?) reluctance in accordance with the love and mutual understanding that comes to us from Jesus, the merger of the three churches, based on the results of new negotiations, may strenghten a new, united church in the decades to follow as well as give praise to the Lord and be of further service to our people. The merger of the three churches is a matter of vital importance. It will be a result of perseverance and strength. And strength can only come from unity. We ask our heavenly Father to let the muster seed find fertile ground. Respectfully, Gyula Egervári President (Turn over for Hungarian text)
