The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-15

4 WIN RrsSt3ng ann serving the re- I
turned soldiers and sailors The
details are presented below.
Philadelphia Pa. April l2.-~Vari-
ous war welfare organiZa tons and the
war time commission Of the Federal
( Council Of Churches have appealed
TO the churches of the country to
back up the plan of the army ana
navy department of the brotherhood
of st. Andrew for the appointment OF
ii church welcome comm ittee by every
Congregation to greet and serve when
ever necessary, returning sailors and
soldiers Many such committees have
already been appointed, but the idea is
new and they do not know how 10 do
the most effective work
in order 10 prevent them from
1oundertng and losing time while they
work ont plans, the army and navy
department of the Brotherhood OF ST
Andrew has developed a working
schedule, In doing so IL called on
lclergyrnen and laymen in the churches,
welfare and religious workers in the
camps TO give the benefit of their
experience. Soldiers and sailors still
In the services were asked to give their
views and to tell OF the things they
would like to have done when they
got home. Men who have already re-
turned from the war were called upon
TO say what should be done In the light
OF their experience. The result was
well thought out plan.
This plan In being presented under
the title Of Opportunities for the
Church Welcome Committee" Il Is
as follows;
The pastor should cali together the
layTnen OF the congregation securing
ali who are willing to serve. as mem
h. -.
Elect a iayman IA chairman: also a
secretary. with such sub committees
as may 10 necessary 10 effectively ac-
complish the purposes herein outlined
His Family.
Secure fhe correct address or the
home Of every man OF the congrega-
ton whe, has bern In the service
Send letter 10 each family advis-
ing Of the formation OF this commit
tee. membership, etc.
Call on all OF these families. assur-
ing them that the parish wishes to ex-
, tend a warm welcome to the home
coming men and TO minister to them
Something's 1t may be necessary 10 APP
: point god parents for men without
parents. Many men are going to re-
turn TO sadly changed homes.
t study the material, mental and spir-
itual needs OF the homes BE pre-
Oct the family TO advise you as each
man returns. Send him a letter i'm
. etliatefy, advising that you stand
ready to serve him. Then call and
=! give this same message in person
His Job
Every man on ms return should be
interviewed by some of the active bus
mess men and given counsel and ad-
vice, so that he may he fitted into
0 ~fae place bess suited to his abilities.
Many returning men will have be
come keen for more educational adj
+ vantages. Many of them. through
wounds or training they have re-
ceived. VIII not return to the work in
= which they were engaged before tho
war These men should be advised
and directed
r interview the business men OF the
congregation and community, asking
Q them to advise you OF positions that
may be open or that may later he
open.
- Get correct information AS 10 gov
ernment rules regulations and privi-
leges as to insurance. aIlotments, com
g pensation vocational education, etc
that you may he prepared 10 give wise
counsel and advice,
d Find ont from local and federal
agencies the opportunities for employ
rent Of tho men and cooperate &C
r tivity with such agencies.
( His Social Life.
Study all the phases OF work and
: entertainment planned In the com
: munity for the returning men. par
ticularfy through such established
agincies as War Camp Community
r Service, Red Cross Y. NJ. C.. A. s.
W. C, A. K. of C., Jewish Welfare.
= Get invitations to meals in the
a homes of members Of the Congrega
ton. arranging II possible. that one
of those men back longest, and on
: the committee, ia invited to the same
home at the same time
Arrange q social function for all the
I men returned. consulting with them
as to the form this should assume
which will be most pleasant to them
= AT the close of The first social meet
ling the men who have been welcomed
should be told that they now were
a members Of the Welcome committee
and the committee expected them to
help plan a better welcome for those
who would be next welcomed than
they had received,
Meetings OF the committee should
be raguiar~-not less frequent
, than twice each month when views
should be exchanged, fellowship de-
veloped, and the practical problems OF
! Christian living and the development
of the ehurch's influence in the
community should be discussed.
. II these meetings are held at regular
= intervals throughout the entire de-
mobilization peri-d church morale
viii I've built mp among the laymen
that will carry over and result in an
: increase in the spiritual lift OF the CON
gestion
IT would be well, in the interests of
Christian unity n a union might be