USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Minutes of the session of the Ohio Miami Conference, successor to Miami Conference, of the United Methodist Church, 1970 > Part 15
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In 1959 a committee was again appointed by the Council of Administration to deal with churches delinquent in payment of their Christian Service Fund. This com- mittee checked 20 churches the first year, even visiting some local church Councils of Administration. The purpose of the committee was not punitive but to review, evaluate and to determine a realistic potential and to develop a practical and workable program. Even so, it appears that the purpose of the committee was to give certain churches a slap on the wrist.
The Program Council of 1969 began to use the nomenclature of the United Methodist Church. The word stewardship was dropped and the field of interest was covered by a Committee on Interpretation. The report said that this committee "pro- vides opportunity for closely-directed or symposium type stewardship education pro- grams. The response was limited." 17
However, the pressure on delinquent churches was continued.
Camp Miami
After the Conference purchased the Military Institute property at Germantown and opened it as Camp Miami, this became the center for much of the Conference activity. All the annual sessions of the Conference with one exception were held here beginning in 1947.
The property included the four-acre athletic field and four acres on the hill where the buildings were located. About $24,000, raised by the churches, was spent on re- pairs and equipment. Seven additional acres were purchased to the west of the buildings and the athletic field was sold. The indebtedness on August 31, 1947, was $14,000.
Six camping periods were scheduled during the summer of 1947. From the be- ginning, local churches, districts, Conference organizations, other denominations and non-church groups used the facilities. Sixty-three days were devoted to various types of Christian education during the summer and fall of 1948.
A finance plan adopted in 1948 asked each church in the Conference to pay an- nually an amount equal to 25 cents per average attendance in Sunday School. The indebtedness was liquidated in 1951.
During the 1950 camping season 54 churches sent 647 campers to the seven Conference camps-the largest number ever.
The sum of $45,000 had been expended for improvements and equipment from 1945 to 1952. In that year plans for expansion and further development were pre- sented and approved by the Conference at a cost of $70,000. This was to be appor- tioned to the churches. Additional property was purchased at a cost of $31,000.
At the end of the five year period $68,000 of the $70,000 apportioned to churches was paid. The Conference voted in 1957 to ask the churches to continue to contribute annually at the rate of $1 per average attendance at Sunday School.
A swimming pool was constructed in the latter part of 1958 at a cost of $50,- 800. Another five acres of land was purchased on the western edge of the property for $2.500.
17 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1969, 76.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
The Director reported that 1,285 persons had used the camp in 1958. Scheduled for the summer of 1959 were six Junior Camps, three Intermediate, one Senior, one Youth, three Family Camps, and the annual Youth Fellowship Workshop. The total participation in these 1959 camps was over 1,500.
During 1962 approximately 135 acres of adjoining ground were pcrchased. The basic purpose was to develop a larger outdoor camping program. The sum of $50,000 was added to the indebtedness. The total debt in 1964 was $69,000. A new heating system was installed and 18,000 trees were planted. Twenty additional acres were purchased and 20,000 trees planted in 1965.
Plans for further improvement of the facilities were presented to the Conference in 1967. This included new bathroom and toilet facilities, enlargement and improve- ment of the dining room and a new kitchen. To do this work, an effort was made to raise $125,000 in addition to the contributions being made by the churches.
The final Conference report in 1969 indicated that six new bathrooms had been completed, the dining room ceiling replaced and the room redecorated. The remaining indebtedness was $62,000.
The report on the 1968 camping season showed these attendance figures.
Four Junior camps 443
Four Junior-Hi camps 167
Five Laymen's Family camps 570
Ministers' Family camp
57
Senior High
19
Kampference
97
Freshman-Sophomore
32
Music Camp
80
Part-time
30
Total
1,495
Town and Country and Urban Commissions
The Town and Country Commission continued its activity and its annual re- ports to the Conference. Representatives were sent to the National Convocations on the Church in Town and Country. Scholarships were granted to ministers to attend rural pastors' schools. Conference institutes were held. Special days, such as Rural Life Sunday and Harvest Home Festivals were promoted and the Conference was challenged to improve the church in rural areas. Specific local church and community studies were made. Participation in the CROP program was encouraged.
In 1951 the Conference institute program was dropped and the members of the Commission offered to assist individual churches to increase their effectiveness.
Rev. Charles Fryman received the Rural Minister of the Year award for E.U.B. pastors in Ohio in 1953 as other Conference ministers had in the past.
In 1958 the Town and Country Commission asked "permission to study the possibility of a pilot project in the larger parish plan centering around one of our stronger rural churches." " The Conference apparently took no action on this request and no mention was made of it in 1959. It may be that the fruit of this seed was the Covenant Parish constituted in 1966.
18 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1958, 107.
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The Commission in 1962 and 1963 offered scholarships for ministers to attend the six-weeks Hospital Clinical Training Program at Miami Valley Hospital.
An Urban Church Commission was appointed for the first time in 1951. It at- tempted to make churches aware of the changes occuring in urban communities through leaflets, bibliographies and "The City Church" magazine. It studied proposed new mission sites. It encouraged the use of the new denominational church self-analysis schedule.
A conference on the status of the church in Dayton was held on May 9, 10, 1954. An institute was held in January 1961 to study the Appalachian people and their problems when moving to the city.
This Commission also offered scholarship aid for participation in the Clinical Training Program at Miami Valley Hospital.
Continuing its interest in new missions, the Commission assisted in surveying the Shaker Road area east of Middletown to determine the advisability of establishing a church.
The two Commissions cooperated in several projects. A Church Life Institute in 1953 studied the theme, "The Church in the Rural-Urban Fringe." The following year the Town and Country, Urban and Social Action Commissions cooperated in a Community Life Institute.
A major project undertaken by the two commissions was the Parish Evaluation Program. During 1960 the strategy and instruments for this were developed. The study and the preparation of recommendations were carried through the next two years. These Commissions were given a minimal role in Conference structure after 1964 and eliminated in 1967.
Conference Brotherhood
After Wesley O. Clark had spoken before the 1941 Conference, emphasizing the need for organizd men's work, Bishop Clippinger appointed him as temporaray chair- man for organizing a Conference brotherhood. After a meeting of the men present on September 17, 1941, W. C. Arthur reported to the Conference the nominations for officers of the Miami Conference Brotherhood. Elected were Clyde Demmit, president ; Ben Kitchen, vice-president; John L. Jones, secretary; and David Noggle, treasurer. Mr. Demmit resigned during the year and Glen Massmen was elected president by the Council of Administration. For several years the officers of the Brotherhood were elected by the Conference.
In 1945 action was taken to have next year's Conference open on Monday even- ing with the Conference Brotherhood in charge and that it be a banquet meeting. The Wednesday evening session of that Conference also emphasized brotherhood work. President A. T. Martin reported 19 Brotherhoods in the Conference of which 11 were chartered.
At the banquet on September 16, 1946, more than 250 men heard Dr. L. L. Huffman, a vice-president of the National Brotherhood, speak on Brotherhood oppor- tunities and projects. This Monday evening pattern of meeting prior to the opening of Conference was followed for many years with the attendance reaching a peak of about 400.
The work of the Brotherhood was carried forward through four Commissions : The devotional life, Christian training. Christian service, and Christian fellowship.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
The superintendent reported in 1954 that the Conference Brotherhood deserved a great deal of credit for emerging as a Conference organization against a tremendous amount of inertia in the local churches.
In 1955 Men's work became a part of the promotional work of the Committee on Christian Education. District men's groups were formed to strengthen the total brotherhood work in the Conference. The name of the organization was changed in 1956 to E.U.B. Men.
An overnight retreat for men was inaugurated in 1960. An annual Men's Congress was held each year. The attendance in February 1961 was 250.
In 1965 the E.U.B. Men were given the responsibility of securing a lay associate in each church to help Otterbein College with publicity and finance.
Indicating some weakness in this phase of the Conference program was a proposal by the Program Council in 1967 to develop a well-organized and functioning Confer- ence E.U.B. Men's work. Finally, in the Council of Administration minutes of 1968 is the action authorizing the dispersement of accumulated funds held in the name of the Conference E.U.B. Men, which was no longer active.
CHAPTER 13 MIAMI CONFERENCE, 1947-1969 (Continued) (Ohio Miami Conference after 1950) Social Concerns
The last 25 years of Miami Conference history was a period of increasing concern about the social problems of the community and nation.
The official stand of the Conference was opposition to liquor. The churches be- lieved that legislation made it no less an evil. Even so, the trend in churches and the attitude of many church members was toward toleration and acceptance.
Speakers representing the temperance forces were used in most of the annual ses- sions. The secretary of the Ohio Anti-Saloon League said in 1947 that 65 local option elections would be held in Ohio that year. The name of the state organization was changed in 1949 to Temperance League of Ohio.
The resolutions committee report adopted at the 1948 Conference protested the inclusion of tobacco and liquor in the European Recovery Program. In the same session the Conference voted a vigorous, aggressive attack upon the alcohol problem. A later emphasis was on alcohol education in the local church, urging observance of Temper- ance Sunday. In 1953 churches were asked to cooperate with Alcoholics Anonymous groups and to participate in Institutes on Community. The Yale School on Alcohol Studies was promoted and in 1954 the Conference statement spoke against liquor ad- vertising on radio, TV and in publications. For a number of years the Conference elected Temperance League Trustees.
The Christian Social Action Committee attempted in 1961 to lead the churches to move politically in favor of the 500 foot bill and the Implied Consent Bill in the Ohio Legislature.
The Conference continued to support the state organization after the name was changed to Ohio Council on Alcohol Problems, Inc.
The Christian Social Action Committee was formed in 1948 and thereafter brought a report to each Conference session. In that year it emphasized World Order
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
and the Alcohol Problem. It recommended that each local church form a Committee on Christian Social Action and that this emphasis be included in the summer camp program.
The Committee did not report in 1950 but an evening session of the Conference emphasized this area of concern with a panel discussing "The Social Issues Confronting the Church as it Relates to War and Peace."
Some trends may be noted in the Conference's social concerns in this list pre- sented here in the order of their appearance in the reports.
Encouraged able Christian laymen to accept the responsibility for politi- cal office and all persons to practice intelligently the voting privilege. Universal military training
Christian Family Life
World Peace and United Nations
Race Relations
Inter-Racial Family Camp
Opposed liquor advertising
Promoted politically the cause of mental health
Fair employment practices
Personal contact with congressmen
Censorship of movies
Management-labor problems
Improved community life
Gambling and organized crime
Nuclear Testing
Pornographic literature
Abolition of capital punishment
Support of Urban Renewal
Juvenile Delinquency
Planned parenthood
Medical aid for the aged
Welfare services
Migrant workers
Conference Social Action Institutes were held annually beginning in 1956 and some district institutes after 1963. Though the annual report each year called for the appointment of Christian Social Action Committees in local churches, only ten reported in 1956 that they had such a committee.
Delegates were sent to numerous seminars, institutes, and schools, such as the Churchmen's Washington Seminar and the Racial and Cultural Institute in Chicago. Howard James gave leadership to this phase of the Conference program from 1951 to 1962. He attended many of these interdenominational meetings.
Though the Christian Social Action Committee was continued after 1963, it no longer reported separately, but as a part of the report of the Program Council.
Another effort to expand its outreach was made by asking the WSWS, EUB Men and Youth Kampference to include social action emphases in their programs.
Two significant projects were promoted by the Conference Committee, The Hart- ford Street Neighborhood House and FORCE.
The superintendent reported in 1958 that the Hartford Street Church requested discontinuance. The Committee on Boundaries recommended that
1. The church be discontinued as of June 12, 1958.
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CONFERENCE . HISTORY
2. The pastor of Eastmont provide a spiritual ministry to the mem- bers until they are affiliated with other churches.
3. The Conference Board of Trustees and the Committee on Christian Social Action consider the development of an inter-racial fellowship at this location. 1
Recommendations identical to the above were made by the Committee on Christian Social Action concerning Hartford Street. 2
A special committee was appointed to carry out this mandate. The House was opened to children on December 13, 1958. In 1959 the Social Action Committee com- mended this committee for the program that was developed in the Hartford Street Neighborhood House, giving special recognition to the staff persons, Mrs. Theodore Jeter and Ray Cartwright. The program was to be financed by contributions from churches, church groups and individuals. 3
The property was transferred to the Conference Board of Trustees.
A special resolution was adopted in 1960 that this Neighborhood House receive sufficient funds from the Board of Missions to maintain and expand the program. This was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. That Committee recommended that
1. The Neighborhood House Committee plan a program of promotion and information.
2. That October 2 be Christian Social Action Sunday and that local churches take offerings. That groups in the churches make this House a special project.
3. That the Hartford Street House be given priority for 1961 for the funds raised from the one dollar per member assessment by the Board of Missions. 4
The sum of $6,100 was paid to this project in the year 1960.
In 1961 the Council of Administration took this action, "Because the building housing the Hartford Street Neighborhood House will be confiscated by the City of Dayton for highway purposes, it was agreed to refer the future of this project to the Commission on Christian Social Action and the Board of Missions for joint study and recommendation. 5
George Cooper of the Board of Management reported in June 1961 that in 49 weeks, operating on a four-day-a-week schedule, the center serviced children 15,729 times and adults 396 times.
In view of the necessity of selling the property to the city, the decision was made to end the project. The city took possession on January 1, 1962, after paying over $53,000 for the property. Of this amount, $43,000 was given to Eastmont to assist in the liquidation of its debt.
Another project, affecting black-white relations, in which the Conference was involved was an organization called FORCE. A number of black and white persons went to Chicago in the summer of 1967 to study community organization with Saul Alinsky. The decision was made to form FORCE as an all-black organization and
1 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1958, 48.
2 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1958, 50.
3 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1959, 49.
4 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1960, 69.
" Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1961, 48.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
FORCE Associates, which would include whites. Associates was to open doors, give moral support and provide money for the operation of the office and program of FORCE.
The Division of National Missions of the Evangelical United Brethren Church provided support and encouraged seminary students and faculty, local churches, and Ohio Miami Conference to do the same. Though considerable opposition developed, the Con- ference approved some funds. After a few years, without accomplishing much, FORCE ceased to exist.
To sum up the spirit of the Social Action program of this quarter century, we quote from the Committee's report in 1957.
The church must understand the social and economic causes of sin and misery. We are expected to awaken the sleeping conscience of mankind; we are to bring the judgment of the awakened conscience upon society. We are merely trying to be led by the Holy Spirit, so that in all our striving in all these things we might be able to realize the Will of God for our lives today. 6
The Conference moved into the legislative field in a 1968 resolution concerning public assistance.
That the Ohio Miami Conference of the United Methodist Church petition the Administration and Legislature of Ohio to devise programs, allocate sufficient funds and levy proper taxes in order to assure decent levels of health and human dignity, and that this resolution be sent to Governor Rhodes and to all Legislators of the Ohio Assembly who represent districts and areas within the bounds of the Ohio Miami Conference. "
Campus Ministry
The number of young people going to college and the percentage attending state universities was on the increase. The church had a vital concern for the spiritual life of these students. Though the churches adjacent to the campuses made an effort to con- tact these away-from-home youth, their resources were inadequate for the task.
The Conferences therefore offered some assistance. Miami Conference voted $100 in 1947 to assist with the work at Ohio State University. This was expanded the following three years to $840 for student work in the state universities in Ohio.
An Otterbein-Albright Fellowship was organized at Ohio State. A house was purchased in August 1949 to serve as the residence for the Director and center for the Fellowship. Tom Wedsworth was chosen Director and began his work on July 1, 1949. He also served students at other state schools in Ohio. The financial support was increased to $1,000 in 1951; $1,223 in 1952; $1,460 in 1953. $1,567 in 1954 and 1955. Tom Wedsworth resigned as Director in January 1955. Don Gorrell was elected to the position. He began his work on July 1, 1955. The Conference appro- priation was $2,000 in 1956 and $2,100 in 1957.
The nature of the program at the center was reported to the Conference by the Director in 1957-Sunday morning student class, Sunday evening fellowship suppers and programs, Bible study, mid-week vespers, social events, and retreats. The Director also contacted students away from the center and participated in other student religious groups. He reported that the Ohio Ecumenical Student Council was the state organiza-
Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1957, 53.
" Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1968, 108.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
tion in which the denomination participated. United Christian Fellowship was also active in the state. 8
The student work received $2,460 from the Conference in 1958; $2,706 in 1959; $3,200 in 1960.
Starting in 1960 this student work in Ohio became fully affiliated with the United Campus Christian Fellowship. The work broadened to a ministry to the entire university community. The Director became a University pastor and the center name was changed to Evangelical United Brethren University Center. The denomination also affiliated with the national UCCF.
Don Gorrell terminated his work and Norman R. Snook was elected University pastor as of July 1, 1960.
The work continued to take on new dimensions. The Conference approved a con- tribution of $3,600 per year for five years to develop facilities on the several campuses. In addition $3,500 was included in the 1961 and 1962 Conference budgets for pro- gram. The treasurer reported in 1969 that Campus Christian Life had received $8,043.
Pastor Snook reported in 1966 that work was being done in ten universities in the state.
Looking forward to the realignment of the Conferences of the United Methodist Church in Ohio, a provisional commission was established representing the Inter- Conference Commission on College and University Religious Life in Ohio to explore steps and structures to coordinate the campus ministries of the two churches. ยบ
The philosophy of the campus ministry is summed up in a statement made by University pastor Snook, speaking before the Conference in June 1969.
Our ministries in Ohio continue to deal significantly with the issues of higher education and the needs of persons in and around the institutions supporting the process of learning and training. They are in constant con- tact with the most conservative elements as well as with the more radical and active elements. It is extremely important that all Christians understand the problems and issues of our young people and our institutions in these radical times. We need to listen, to guide and counsel and to help all persons to find themselves in light of our Biblical history and faith. 10
Ecumenical Relationships
The Ohio Miami Conference continued its good working relations with other denominations and with various Councils of Churches. It provided funds, personnel and leadership for the Ohio Council of Churches.
When the Ohio Council and the Ohio Pastor's Convention in the years 1945 to 1947 approved the building of a Temple of Goodwill in Columbus, the Conference approved a resolution in 1947 to support the project in such ways as may later be determined. 11
In 1955, after receiving a request from Dr. B. F. Lamb for the election of a minister and a layman as trustees of this Temple, the Conference Council of Adminis. tration expressed disfavor, but referred it to the Inter-Conference Council for study
8 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1958, 88.
9 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1968, 108.
10 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1969, 37.
11 Ohio Miami Conference Minutes, 1947, 53.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
and recommendation. Later in the year it was decided not to elect trustees. Trustees were elected later, however.
The trustees in 1959 recommended withdrawal from the project because its operation was not being conducted in such a manner as to attract Protestantism to it. After some discussion and the presentation of a minority report recommending con- tinuing representation, the Conference voted 37 to 16 to withdraw. 12 Apparently twice as many refrained from voting as voted.
The Conference gave excellent support to the Ohio Pastor's Convention and en- couraged attendance. The Council of Administration voted in 1952 "to register the full-time ministers of the conference at the Convention at a cost of $1.50 each." 13 This practice was continued through the 1969 Convention, though the registration was much higher. The cost to the Conference was $332 in 1969.
The spirit of the Conference throughout this period was well-stated in a recom- mendation of the Committee on Christian Education in 1959: "That we participate in and support the work of the Ohio Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches and the councils on city and county levels." 14
Superintendent Messmer reported in 1965 on the ecumenical thrusts of the Con- ference. He said,
"The Conference is very active in the Ohio Council of Churches. We are represented in most of the Departments and support the Council budget to the extent of 10 cents per member.
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