[Church of England Diocese in Europe] The Rev. Frank Hegedűs, an Episcopal priest of the Diocese of Los Angeles who is priest-in-charge of St. Margaret’s Anglican Episcopal Church, Budapest, and area dean in the Archdeaconry of the East, sent the following message Sept. 7 in regards to the refugee crisis in Hungary.
_____________________________________________________________
Moved by the plight of thousands of refugees traversing Hungary, members of Saint Margaret’s Anglican Episcopal Church in Budapest, Hungary – along with many friends of the parish — gathered on Saturday, 5 September, to prepare aid-packets to be distributed among the refugees at the Keleti International Train Station. There were about twenty-five to thirty in all. Everyone was enthusiastic and eager to help.

After prayer together and trips to local shops and stores to gather appropriate provisions, the volunteers put together approximately one hundred and thirty packets, or bags, containing fruit, nutrition bars, water, toiletries, and hygiene items, among much else. The group felt that such simple things could make the biggest difference in the short term, although the congregation also knew that much more would need to be done over the coming days and weeks.

Saint Margaret’s Council member, Arthur Reynolds, who has extensive orchards in western Hungary also donated four hundred kilos of the autumn apple harvest to the effort.

When the aid packets were prepared and ready to go, the team then headed over to Keleti station, a short distance from the church, to distribute the items. Keleti is not unlike any major train station in Europe – always bustling. On this occasion, the plaza in front of the station – as well as the modern underground transportation level – was filled with arriving refugees, mainly from Syria but also Afghanistan and other lands.

The refugees appeared well dressed and groomed, though also obviously exhausted from their journey. Several reported being Christian. The language barrier was sadly formidable, but there was absolutely no sign of violence or disturbance anywhere. Police presence was minimal and respectful. The Saint Margaret’s team targeted mainly the many family groups in the distribution of their packets. Children and young families were everywhere.

The volunteer team from Saint Margaret’s was by no means alone in its efforts. “The massive outpouring of generosity on the part of everyday Hungarians was wonderful to behold,” noted Saint Margaret’s Churchwarden, Julia Lengyel. This part of the story has been underreported in the media. In some areas of the station there were nearly as many local volunteers as refugees.

There are many fine charities which will be doing their best to assist the refugees now and in the days ahead. Indeed, it sometimes seems after an issue has left the front pages that the need becomes greatest.