USA > Ohio > Minutes of the annual meeting of the Synod of Ohio of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. > Part 2
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23
Receiving
9,377.60
Disability
2
Receiving
710.00
Widows
36
Receiving
7,744.42
Total
96
Receiving
$32,248.10
592
MINUTES
[June
Of the 625 members in the Employees Pension Plan, 15 members are employed within the bounds of the Synod of Ohio, but there are no pensioners.
The total of pension and annuity payments to all groups in Ohio Synod at the present time is $130,222.20 per annum basis.
Steady progress is being made in the matter of research and an- alysis to determine a procedure most consistent in best meeting the vast and drastic changes in fundamental factors and adjusting them to the Service Pension Plan. The year just closed has seen efficient, eco- nomical administration and the morale of the very faithful working force of employees is excellent.
After studying the general situation with the idea of determining just what we in Ohio can do to give loyal cooperation at this time these three Recommendations are given for consideration and action.
Recommendations
1. That the Synod of Ohio remind the Presbyteries that the Relief Department is continued only in order to care for those ministers who retired from active service prior to April 1, 1927, or for the widows of such ministers.
2. That the Synod of Ohio appeal to all its Presbyteries that they call upon all pastors and sessions to accept personal responsibility to see that each congregation send the full quota of all its benevolent contributions allotted to the Board of Pensions to the Treasurer of the Board or through the authorized receiving agencies.
3. That the Synod of Ohio approve the continued effort of the Board of Pensions to clear its books in the case of delinquent dues, and approve the following schedule for the pay up of dues :- Payments due for the years 1938-1939, 1939-40 and 1940-41 are to be completed on or before November 15, 1941.
HARRISON S. MULFORD, Chairman
On motion the Synod expressed its confidence in the Board of Pensions. The vote was unanimous.
UNITED PROMOTION
The report of the Committee on United Promotion was given by the Chairman, Rev. Homer G. McMillen.
Pending action on the report, Rev. C. T. Griswold was invited to address Synod. The report was received and the recommendations adopted.
Your United Promotion Committee held three meetings during the year: two in Columbus, in November and June; and the third, today, in Wooster.
The name of our committee, United Promotion, indicates the re- sponsibility which the Church has reposed in us-to unite all our varied agencies and assist them in moving forward the great enterprise of The Kingdom of God through the Church. We are therefore a co- ordinating and co-operative body striving to bring to pass unity of mind and purpose in all the problems that face our beloved Church that unitedly we may stand as a solid phalanx for the growth of the Kingdom which is everlasting. "Thy Kingdom is an everlasting King- dom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."
When we review the past year we have some things over which to
593
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
rejoice and give thanks to God. The Sesqui-centennial Fund has more than passed the ten million dollar mark which was set for it. Many of our churches participated in the campaign and were enriched by it. Those who did not cooperate are the poorer. One of our Presbyteries made a ten per cent increase in her gifts to the Boards the past year. This is moving in the right direction and going on "from strength to strength." Other presbyteries made gains and some according to their own confession simply marked time, but as a whole we find ourselves moving in the ascending series. The most notable example of progress in any individual church which came to our attention was in one of our larger presbyteries, comprising seventy-three churches, in which a church carrying a debt of $180,000 reached third place in her benevo- lences and received 105 persons into her fellowship. It is needless to say that this church is also reducing her indebtedness.
We recently held a Planning Conference in the Synod which proved to be enlightening, interesting and thought-provoking. We took inventory of our possessions. We made note of our failures as well as our accomplishments that we might face intelligently the tremendous challenge of today; and with a glow of expectancy upon our faces, and with hearts burning in a holy passion of enthusiasm let us go forth to garner in the unharvested souls of the world. God is calling Ohio Presbyterians in trumpet voice to be witnesses for Him. Are we satis- fied with our past witness bearing?
And now what the Synod has done we are asking Every Church in the Synod to do, viz. to have a Planning Conference early in September and find out the "status quo." Review briefly the work of the past year. Find out where you stand. Are you measuring up to the aver- age for the Church-at-large, or are you in advance of the average, or are you lagging behind? Then and there set definite goals and objec- tives and resolve to meet them or know the reason why. This will be practicing the science of Christian mechanics. It is sound business. It is a common sense view of the Kingdom. It is Scriptural. It is founded upon a Pauline foundation couched in the practical phrase, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
One great pang to all our hearts today, not only in Ohio, but throughout our vast communion is that while we are receiving mem- bers of promise through the front door nearly 50,000 souls are passing out the back door, lost to all Kingdom purposes. How shall we stop this drift? This is our great concern. We must resolve to show more interest in the people after they come into the Church and give them some specific task to perform. We must indoctrinate them. We must
show a loving interest in them. We must do a better job at shepherd- ing the flock. Why did Jesus say over and over again: "Feed my Sheep" and "Feed my Lambs?" He knew the frailty of man and how prone we are to waste our time in matters which seem important to us and yet miss the great essential matter of feeding the people of God with nourishing food, lest they become anemic, sickly souls, victims for hospitalization instead of Kingdom builders. The Church has the answer for every problem of our age. Her task may be, yea is, her- culean, but it is possible of accomplishment through our crucified, risen, ascendant, triumphant and Ever Living Lord. The Church is the Kingdom of God at work on earth. She is the representative for the King Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God. Christ is the King. He is the life-giving power of our organization and the dynamic which keeps all the organizations moving forward to one magnificent and eternal purpose-The Evangelization of the World.
What do we need in this Synod? What do we lack? We need a re-vitalization. We need to stir up the dead bones and make them live anew. So long as we have churches of over 400 members giving as
594
MINUTES
[June
little as $10.00 per year or two and one-half cents per member to Mis- sions there is danger for that church lest her candlestick become extinct.
We have one church of almost 300 members that gave nothing either from the congregation or the women's organizations to bene- volences, and it was not pastorless. This moves us to ask when will these dead bones live? Is it not a sad commentary on our churches to know that only thirty percent of our membership the past year made an offering to Missions and that fifty four percent of our Protestant communion are giving nothing to the financial support of the Church? We as a committee hold before you as the best approved method of financing the Church-The Every Member Canvass. How thorough is that Canvass?
And now as we consider the times in which we live, with the vast national defense program moving rapidly forward, does it not behoove us to keep the Kingdom of God in the forefront of all our thinking? We want to be loyal to our Government in these days of testing. Our best loyalty can be manifest in the mobilization of all our spiritual and financial resources. No Stalin, no Mussolini, no Hitler can permanently thwart the divine purpose of Almighty God. We know not what the days ahead may have in store for us for we are caught in the maels- trom of a heathenish philosophy of life which may bring to us increas- ing disasters; but, thank God, we are Christians with great and sub- lime convictions which prove sure and steadfast and an anchor to the soul. Our Christianity is no fleeting fancy but the hope of a dying and dismembered world. In the sign of His cross we will conquer all our enemies and with the eye of faith look forward to that glad day when "all the kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdoms of our God and of His Christ."
A-QUOTAS ASSIGNED TO CHURCHES AND WOMEN'S SOCIETIES By Presbyteries
Quotas for 1941-42
Benevolences
Women
Total
Athens
$ 2,400
$ 3,040.00
$ 5,440.00
Cincinnati
44,000
18,403.00
62,403.00
Cleveland
45,000
20,600.00
65,600.00
Columbus
28,163
13,800.00
41,963.00
Dayton
20,000
18,250,00
38,250.00
Lima
5,000
5,000.00
10,000.00
Mahoning
32,285
15,361.00
47,646.00
Marion
6,216
5,307.75
11,523.75
Portsmouth
7,315
4,696.00
12,011.00
St. Clairsville
11,561
8,720.00
20,281.00
Steubenville
14,500
11,000.00
25,500.00
Toledo
10,948
8,135.00
19,083.00
Wooster
10,015
7,932.00
17,947.00
Zanesville
13,000
7,720.00
20,720.00
Totals
$250,403
$147,964.75
$398,367.75
The committee approved $2,000 for Ohio Council of Churches in 1941- 42 from undesignated gifts.
595
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
B. ZONING PROMOTION-OHIO SYNOD, 1941-42
January 1 to
Presbytery
October 1 to November 15, 1941
February 15, 1942
Athens
National Board
Cincinnati
National Board.
Foreign Board
Cleveland.
Foreign Board ..
Christian Education
Columbus
.Christian Education
National Board
Dayton
National Board.
Foreign Board
Lima.
Christian Education
Mahoning
Foreign Board Christian Education
Marion.
Foreign Board
Portsmouth
National Board
St. Clairsville
Christian Education
Steubenville
Foreign Board
Toledo
National Board.
Wooster.
Christian Education
Zanesville. Foreign Board.
C-THE OHIO PRESBYTERIAN HOMES
A goal of $15,000 for 1941-42 is recommended for the Synod, this amount to be allocated to the various presbyteries and by them to the churches.
D-REPRESENTATIVES OF OHIO COUNCIL OF CHURCHES Ministers
Rev. William H. Huber, 647 E. Market St., Akron, Chairman Rev. Harry W. Barr, Sidney
Rev. Guy Cheek, Van Buren
Rev. Win. J. Schuler, 1322 Ashland Avenue, Zanesville
Rev. A. J. Wold, 2503 W. Broad St., Columbus
Rev. Hugh Ivan Evans, Dayton
Rev. Clarence S. Gee, 1652 Neil Avenue, Columbus
Rev. Harvey E. Holt, 773 Lexington Avenue, Zanesville
Rev. John N. Lukens, 6301 Edwood Avenue, Cincinnati
Rev. Homer G. McMillen, Kenton
Rev. Earl R. North, 6 Lane Seminary Bldg., Cincinnati
Rev. William T. Paterson, Norwood, Cincinnati, Ohio Rev. J. R. Walter, Fremont
Rev. J. V. Stephens, Jr., 70 W. Cambridge St., Alliance
Rev. Robert B. Whyte, Old Stone Church, Cleveland
Rev. George Parkinson, Worthington
Rev. Charles W. Muir, Findlay
Rev. Rudolph Miller, East Liverpool
Laymen
Mr. O. D. Donnell, Findlay
Mr. Hilliary W. Poe, 3617 Ravenwood Ave., Cincinnati
Mr. Charles F. Johnson, 8 E. Long St., Columbus
Mr. R. E. Morrison, 3549 Burch Ave., Cincinnati
Mr. E. B. Pratt, 275 Woods Ave., Newark
Mr. Leon C. Roy, 2496 Bexford Place, Columbus Mr. John L. Dorst, 101 N. Kensington Pl., Springfield
Women
Mrs. Ivan L. Wilkins, London
Miss Dorothy Bowlus, Pemberville
Mrs. Paul W. Gauss, 836 Penn. Ave., Youngstown Mrs. R. L. Hayes, 1539 Clifton Avenue, Columbus Mrs. D. Earl Mckinney, 30 Oakland Court, Springfield Mrs. Harry C. Hutchison, 157 W. William St., Delaware
Miss Camilla McConahey, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio
Mrs. Marion McIntyre, 1763 Oak Street, Columbus Miss Lena Jennings, Loudonville
596
SYNOD OF OHIO E-BENEVOLENCE GIFTS BY PRESBYTERIES April 1, 1940-April 1, 1941 (Exclusive of Gifts of Women and Young People)
Presbyteries
Total Received
National Missions
Foreign Missions
Christian Education
Pensions
Bible Society
Federal Council
Athens
2,385.79
$ 849.25
$ 1,062.70
$ 354.15
77.81
12.92
28.96
Columbus
21,932.71
7,458.26
8,182.95
5,154.82
959.36
105.66
71.66
Dayton
17,880.73
7,067.93
7,040.87
2,952.43
592.42
149.97
77.11
Lima
5,649.01
2,199.79
1,798.12
1,249.75
226.03
150.91
24,41
Mahoning
29,438.70
12,514.61
9,626.08
5,802.36
1,281.97
160.14
53.54
Marion
5,785.82
2,526.55
1,713.75
1,287.00
212.72
36 91
8.89
Portsmouth
7,086.26
2,749.14
2,988.75
1,036.35
243.49
60 59
7.94
St. Clairsville
8,138.29
3,825.41
2,469.00
1,454.42
289.68
89.44
10.31
Steubenville
11,351.99
4,171.52
4,733.44
1,900.69
419.16
74.83
22.35
Toledo
10,415.91
3,075.12
4,549.05
1,737.35
969.96
62.72
24 71
Wooster
9,089.03
3,655.99
2,962.36
1,980.07
406.84
67 .- 13
16.31
Zanesville
10,880 82
4,378.19
4,198.21
1,844.74
378.28
€0:31
21.09
Total
$110,035.06
$54,471.76
$51,325.28
$26,754.13
$6,084.72
$1,031.83
$367.34
Miscellaneous
25.00
25.00
Cincinnati
41,304.06
16,051.10
14,963.26
7,858.81
2,012.22
288.95
9.72
Cleveland
34,529.07
10,067.94
15,404.41
6,995.76
1,745.12
155.94
159.90
Grand Total
$215,893.19
$80,590.80
$81,692.95
$41,633.70*
$9,872.06
$1,476.72
$626.96
MINUTES Z C U
* Gifts to Westminster Foundation included in Christian Education Column.
NOTE: In addition to the above total for budget causes. $5,259.19 was given to Miscellaneous Items; including the $1,500.00 voted by Synod to the Ohio Council of Churches.
[June
597
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
F-CONTRIBUTIONS FROM WOMEN'S AND YOUNG FEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS 1940-1941
National Missions
Foreign Missions
Athens
$ 1,429.25
$ 1,483.89
Cincinnati
11,140.28
8,872.39
Cleveland
10,000.00
10,730.00
Columbus
7,642.70
6,776.14
Dayton
9,204.50
9,235.50
Lima
2,504.74
2,500.55
Mahoning
7,819.87
8,348.00
Marion
2,631.25
2,476.65
Portsmouth
2,446.08
2,466 96
St. Clairsville
4,436.95
4,456.90
Steubenville
5,557.47
5,612 54
Toledo
4,041.66
4,225.65
Wooster
4,164.27
3,859.00
Zanesville
3,917.45
4,072.66
Total
$76,936.47
$75,116.83
Grand Total
$152,053.30
G-YOUTH BUDGET
The chairman of the Youth Budget Committee of the Synod reports that the number of churches using the Youth Budget plan has increas- ed from 100 to 149 within the past year. This splendid increase is due to the cooperation of the Synodical Society and the Youth Synod which now has representatives on Synod's committee, as well as to the fine cooperation of the Youth Budget chairmen in the various presby- teries. If this rate of increase can be continued it will not be long before all of the churches will be found using the plan.
Cincinnati is determined to become the first large city in the country in which every church is a Youth Budget church.
G. B. RICH, III, Chairman
Recommendations
1. That in the Spiritual Life program for 1941-42 there be included the following from the programs of previous years:
A The World Wide Communion Day, October 5.
B The Planning Conference, in Synod, the Presbyteries and the individual church.
C Definite goals for every church.
D A program of stewardship to educate the Church in habits of Christian giving.
2. That THY KINGDOM COME, the material prepared by the United Promotion Committee of the General Assembly, be used in the presentation of the spiritual emphasis for the year 1941-42.
3. That the Presbyteries give unity to their programs and activi- ties through the Committees on United Promotion in the interest of the spiritual emphasis of the year and the budgets of the churches and the benevolences of the Boards.
4. That Committees on United Promotion give diligent attention to the question of church benevolence quotas, making careful assign- ment if possible, securing acceptance of the same and promoting all efforts to assist the local church in realizing its goals in church support and benevolence.
598
MINUTES
[June
5. That Synod's Committee on United Promotion be instructed to form an honor roll of all those churches in the Synod which, in the previous year, contributed 20 per cent, or more, of the total budget to the Boards of the Church for Benevolences (including the gifts of the Women and Young People for benevolences); and that the names of these churches be printed in the Minutes of Synod. This means: 20 per cent of total budget for benevolences; 80 per cent of total budget for current expenses.
6. That Synod's Committee on United Promotion be instructed to list all those churches in the Synod which contribute only 10 per cent or less, of the total budget to the Boards of the Church for Benevo- lences (including the gifts of the Women and Young People for Benevolences). That these churches be referred to their respective committees on United Promotion in the various presbyteries, with instructions that the United Promotion Committee of Presbytery con- tact personally the ministers and sessions of these churches, and that they endeavor to work out a plan whereby such churches will lift the level of their giving.
7. That every effort be made to continue the advance of the Youth Budget and bring about its adoption in the churches of the Synod.
The Committee requests of Synod, through its Finance Committee, the sum of two hundred, fifty dollars ($250.00) for the work of the committee in 1941-42.
Respectfully submitted, HOMER G. McMILLEN Chairman
A special word of welcome to the newly elected Moder- ator and an enthusiastic word of appreciation and regard for the retiring Moderator, Rev. Jesse Halsey was presented by Rev. Wm. Bishop Gates, Presbytery of Cincinnati. This resolution was received by the Synod by a rising vote.
"Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest." We all know well the sense of relief and yet of emptiness which came over us at the termination of a term of office. This afternoon we "welcomed the coming guest," our new, beloved Moderator, Dr. McMillen.
And now in all modesty I rise to speak one word to put us on record likewise as "speeding the parting guest"-our greatly beloved Jesse Halsey. He has served the Synod with the same fidelity and dis- tinguised ability as he has for the past 27 years served the great Seventh Church of Cincinnati; and for this last year he has likewise served the Synod.
To all who love to pray his book of prayers has been a precious inspiration; to all who need advice he has been as wise as a father in Israel; and for those who are under heavy stress or in need of sympathy that springs from an unfailing spirit of combined wisdom and intuitive understanding, of tenderness and strength he has been a present help in time of need. Cincinnati is going to miss Dr. Halsey, very, very poignantly and so likewise this Synod will miss the gracious and strong leadership which he has so effectively given.
May 1 through this brief minute, move that we as a Synod, hereby express to Dr. Halsey our deep appreciation of his services as retiring Moderator and bid him God speed as "Our Parting Guest" and our Friend as well.
599
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
REPORT ON THE OHIO COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
The report was read by Rev. Wm. F. Schuler in the ab- sence of the Chairman, Rev. Wm. H. Huber. Pending recep- tion of the report, Rev. B. F. Lamb, Secretary of the Council was heard. The report was received.
Among the activities of the Ohio Council of Churches this last year, was the completing of the merger of the Ohio Council of Churches and the Ohio Council of Religious Education. At the meeting of Synod last year, reference was made to the proposed merger of these two organizations.
We need to be reminded that a union involving two long estab- lished organizations, both having extensive programs, could not be accomplished in a short time. Such a merger concerns matters cover- ing a long period, and many details pertaining to the functioning of these two organizations as one, and will take a long time to perfect. It is encouraging to note how new loyalties to the combined organi- zation are being developed and an inclusive interest is being estab- lished. Progress is being made and prospects are bright for extending the program of United Protestantism in all its phases, in the state of Ohio. The Council continues under the able leadership of its Exe- cutive Secretary, Dr. B. F. Lamb.
THE OHIO PASTOR'S CONVENTION has become an established event of the church year in Ohio, bringing together ministers of all Protestant denominations, under the guidance and inspiration of speak- ers and discussion leaders of national reputation. Let us be reminded that the Ohio Pastor's Convention is the pioneer convention of its kind in our country and has existed for 21 years. A convention was held January 27 to January 30, 1941, when nearly 900 registered and many others paid single admissions and attended one or more sessions. The convention again provided great inspiration and extensive plans are already being made for an unusually fine convention next January.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. An extensive program in the various phases of Religious Education is being carried out in Ohio. The week- day religious education program is being carried on in 20 cities and towns of the state. 34 teachers are being employed and 25,617 pupils are enrolled. Ohio today has more permanent and distinctive pro- grams of week-day instruction than any other state. This work will be carried forward until the 1,200,000 public school children of Ohio have an opportunity for week-day religious instruction.
The Daily Vacation Bible Schools are steadily being promoted. Especially notable is the Ohio Cooperative Summer Project, a Vacation School enterprize which has been carried on for several years in the needy sections of the state, with the active participation of seven denominations, under the field directorship of Rev. John Sharpe. This program has been heretofore confined to Southern Ohio, touching 250 communities and reaching 15,000 children. It is planned that this program may be extended to other areas, in other parts of the state.
Special children's work has been carried on by the Woman's De- partment of the Council in local communities and church schools in religious training for children. It is expected that a full-time and experienced worker will be secured in this activity. There are 700,000 children within the age group covered by this program. At least one- half of them are not reached by any church and 25 per cent are reached only superficially. It is hoped that the entire field may be covered in time.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK. The United Christian Youth Confer- ence which was held in Columbus November 21 to 23, 1940, was the most significant youth gathering ever held anywhere in the United
600
MINUTES
[June
States. 2,700 were in attendance. The splendid cooperation of de- nominational youth agencies, in cancelling their fall and winter con- ferences, and supporting this one great meeting, contributed to this remarkable attendance.
The Christian Youth Council of Ohio functions as the youth department of the State Council, and is organized in 27 counties. This organization has been carried on with vigor in established cooperative work among young people. A full-time Director of Youth Activities has been employed to carry on this program and make it state wide. This organization carried out denominational festivals in various counties last spring.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING. Interdenominational training schools for religious educators have been promoted throughout Ohio. There were 41 such schools with 219 instructors and 2,535 students. It is planned to carry this work into the rural counties of the state and give as- sistance to local groups.
THE WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT of the Council has been exceeding- ly active. A most excellent conference was held last January with the theme, "Church Women in Action." Mrs. Ruth Mougey Worrell is the Director of this department. The women are also carrying on the significant migrant work in the onion march regions of Hardin County where much helpful work has been done with the children of migrant families. Three young women have been employed for 10 weeks, providing these children with training, as well as with proper food and clothing. The Women's Department of the Council joins with thirty other organizations in conducting an Institute on Family Relations. The budget for the department is $9,166.00.
THE MEN'S DEPARTMENT. Definite plans are being carried for- ward for the linking of the men of the church of the state in a pro- gram of interdenominational cooperation. The Ohio Federation of Men's Bible Classes has agreed to function as the Men's Department of the Council. Strong County Bible Class federations are being or- ganized. A Laymen's Convention is being planned at Newark on Sep- tember 13 and 14, to carry on the work. At the 1940 convention which was held in Zanesville last September, more than 1,000 men attended.
OTHER ACTIVITIES. The Ohio Council has also been active through its rural department, under the direction of Dr. W. H. Thomp- son as Director. He has been very active throughout the state, in the conference at Ohio State University, the Rural Minister's Camp School, the Christian Rural Fellowship, and in the rural life institutes, as well as working at the Ravenna Ordnance and the Leesville NYA Work Center area, and in the annual Farmer's Week.
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