The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-09-22
Plans for Church Federation.

For several years plans for uniting two
or more of the various city churches
have been attempted and later abandon
ed. For the past three weeks the matter
of federatine the First Parish tUnitar-
ian) and the North Congregationalist
churches, have been in committee dis
cussion. The latter withdrew from the
former in 1920 on account of differences
of belief and the result of the present agi.
tation is of more than ordinary interest
Saturday afternoon at parish meeting
OF the First Parish Unitarian) it was
voted to accept the proposals of fedora
tion. Sunday the North Church had a
conference after the morning service and
discussed the matter both pro and con
1t was then decided to postpone voting
on the question until next Sunday. We
publish the following at the request of
Hon. R. F. Dunton, chairman of the
North Church committee, that all inter-
ested may have the opportunity of read
ing it:
An informal meeting of the members
of the parish committee of the Unitarian
Church and the trustees and standing
committee of the Congregational Church
of Belfast was held at the home of Mr..
and Mrs. Arthur Ritchie On September
Is at 7.30 p. m. for the purpose of con-
sidering the question of federation for
the Joint support of a pastor and for
union services of these churches. There
were present Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Ritchie, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph W. Blais
dell, Mr.. and Mrs. James H. Howes,
Mrs. Charles M. Craig, Mrs. Fred T.
Chase, DR.. A. o. Stoddard, Elmer A.
Sherman, Ben D. Field. Giles G. Abbott,
M. c. Hill, R. F. Dunton.
1t was the opinion of all present that
an effort should be made to accomplish
the federation of these churches and the
following persons were appointed COM
mittee to formulate and present plan
for the proposed federation: R. F. Dun
ton, Mrs. Charles M. Craig, Morris l..
! Slugg, Mrs. Ben Hazeltine, Charles S.
Bickford, James H. Howes, M. C. Hill,
To the Members of the Unitarian
Church and Parish, and Members of the
Congregational Church and Parish of
| Belfast:
The undersigned, the committee ap-
pointed to formulate and present a plan
for the proposed federation of said
churches, respectfully submit the follow
= ing for your consideration:
/ ARTICLES OF FEDERATION.
| ARTICLE 1.
The Unitarian Church and Parish and
the Congregational Church and Parish of
! Belfast, Maine, agree to unite for the
purpose of supporting a pastor, holding
| meetings together, ID carrying on re-
/ ligious work in the City of Belfast
ARTICLE II.
| The organization thus established shall
be known as The Federated Church of
Belfast.
ARTICLE III. , e
All members OF either church or parish
shall be regarded as members of this or
ganization and entitled to vote on all
matters pertaining to the purposes of the
organization.
Any person not member of either OF
these churches or parishes. may become
a member of this organization on recon-
mendation of the Executive Committee
by majority vote of the members of the
organization, present at any meeting.
ARTICLE ".
Each Of said churches shall maintain
its separate identity and organization.
ARTICLE v.
An executive committee of ten shal
be chosen by the members Of this organi.
zation at the annual meeting, who shal
have general charge of the business in.
!. terests and material welfare of the or.
gsnization, except the calling or dismissa
/ of a DaSfor