Norwich bulletin., 1918-01-25
BROADWAY CHURCH ADOPTS CONSOLIDATION PLAN.
Vote Showed f1e in Favor and 9 op- .s posed tc Merger.

The members of Broadway Congre- gational church at their annual meet ing in the Sunday school room on Thursday evening voted to consolidate with the Second Congregational church under the name of The United Congre- gational church by a ballot vote of 119 to 22.
 The meeting had an attendance of about 150 and was presided over by the pastor, Rev. Edward s. Worcester The first business taken up was the hearing of the annual reports, which were accepted as read. These includ- ed the annual reports of tn etreasurer, the, trustees, pastor and church de- partments.
 Then came the report and recom- nendation of the committee appointed to confer with a like committee from the Second Congregational church re- garding the proposed consolidation of the two bodies. After the report had been presented, and before action was taken on it, several prominent mem bers of the church spoke in favor of the consolidation of the two churches. These included Francis J. Leavens, General W. A. Aiken, c. I. Smith and Edwin Hill.
 The vote was then taken, the count showing total of Al ballots cast, 1f9 being in the affirmative and 2 in the negative. | Francis ]. Leavens, B. P. Bishop and C. I. Smith were appointed a commit tee to confer with a like committee from the Second church regarding the final details connected with the. mer ger, s7-f Shortly after the vote on consolida- dafl had been taken communication was received from the Second Congre- gationa1 church giving the result of the action taken by the members of that church. It showed 7S yes ballots, s9 no ballots and one blank ballot. It was voted that the report of the pastor, Rev. E. S. Worcester, be printed with the rest of the church reports. It was also voted that the election of officers be deferred to an adjourned meeting subejct to the call of the mod- erator
 As the next matter called for action OF Rev. MT, Worcesters' letter of resig- nation presented sand read at a recers Sunday service, Francis J. Leayens was chosen moderator for the remain der of the meeting. After the pastor letter of resignation had been read by the clerk at the request of General Aiken MT. Leavens called. for actioh. The following resolution was presented by General Aiken:
 Whereas, Our pastor, Rev. Edward | 5. Worcester, has rendered his resig- nation of the pastorate of the Broad way Congregational church because of This conviction that, on account of the proposed union of the Second and Broadway Congregational. churches this action on his part would be for the l best interest of the united organiza- 1 tion, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That we accept the resig- nation Of Rev. Edward S. Worcester of the pastorate of the Broadway Con- gregational church as offered in his
 letter presented to the church Dec l 30th, 1917, to take effect on the day
 of 1918; and that he be offered
 the free use of the parsonage unti
 July 1st 1918, and that one months
 extra pay be given to him. 1 Resolved, That this action by pastor
 and people is. taken in spirit of mu.
 tuaI sacrifice of no small degree. MT
 worcester has been with us as assist ant or pastor for more than fourteer
 years, and because of his Christian
 character, his ability as preacher
 his fidelity as 8 pastor his sympa
 thetic and highly appreciated ministra.
 tons in times of aff1iction and distres.
 ne has gained the love, respect ant
 confidence of the members of thi
 church and congregation, and it is witt
 sincere and keen regret that we com
 to the parting of the ways and tn,
 severing of ties and associations tha
 nave meant so much to us.
 Resolved, That our kindest wishc
 go with MT, Worcester to new fields 0
 labor, and that it shall be our con
 stant prayer that health and strengtl
 be given him for long continuance o
 his faithful and useful service in tn I Masters vineyard.
 Resolved That .
 be committee to unite with Rev
 Edward $. S.TWorcester in calling . council to adisselvle his pastoral rela
 ton to the Broadway Congregationa
 church. ~ 1 General Aiken and several other
 spoke in glowing terms of Rev. M,
 Woreester's long term of service wit
 the church and expressed deep regre
 that he is about to leave them. | Then General Aiken's resolution wa
 adopted by ballot vote, 1o5 to P.
 The committee to unite with Re,
 MT worcester in calling council t dissolve his pastoral relation to tn church was named as follows: Genera
 w. A. Aiken, B. P. Bishop and J. ( i, Averill
 The meeting then adjourned. \