Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-02
REV. II. S. WORCESTER RESIGNS
Passionate Ar manga,


Giving as his reason that the work of
the pastorate at the First Congregational
church in Madison, Wis, had become too
great burden for one man and that
me church did not seem to be moving
TO relieve the situation Rev Edward S,
worcester read his letter of resignation
OF the pastorate on Sunday morning.
April %, the resignation taking effect in
June
Rev. Mr.. Worcester went to the
church at Madison May l. 1918, having
been pastor here for several years of
Broadway Congregational church.
He made the announcement of his res
ignation at Madison in the Following let
ter:
"a little over four years ago I was. in
Madison to confer with a number of you
with regard TO the nature of the change
to which you had just invited me. At
that time I was informed that the work
of the pastorate had manffestly outgrown
the powers Of any one person. and that
measure of assistance had in fact been
provided toward the end of DR.. Updike's
ministry though. alas! too late. It was
pointed out also. and reasonably. that the
abnormal conditions resulting from our
country's PARTICIPATION in the great war
then at its height would make it Diff
cult to arrange for a larger staff imme-
date1y
'The next sDrine however. after the
armistice. the matter was taken IN. on
the initiative of various members of the
denartment of administration. and Miss
Elizabeth Wootton was presently nnraged
as parish secretary. In this Office she
continued very helpful 70 the nastor AMI
with evident benefit tn the church. until
her rnrrnva, to New York in the fall OF
1920. Since then the church has not hid
a secretary at any time-a fact which
shou'd be mentioned heca-'ee still find
members Of the church under the irln-oq-
sion that Il has. Part-tirne clerical helm
has. indeed been authorized. hut we could
NOT avail ourselves of tho authorization
without incurrine drAcit
"On May a. 1921, the church decided
TO seek n full time assistant to the pas-
tor and on three occasions since then
has reaffirmed the decision by vote Tho
committees aprointed to carry ont that
nurpese. however have heen much ham
noonin as to whether this or some othcI
form of relief was what was really need.
/ Ell and by the absence of funds to sup,
port any Of the plans considered.
THE contention about which much o.
| this discussion has seemed to turn IS that
until the pastor has showed himself ahlt
| 10 do all the work of the church ideally
under existing con aitdons there is no hop,
| of ar income sufficient to warrant the en-
largement of the staff Naturally. If ont
person. could do the work satisfactorily
| unaided tlnre would be no point in en-
gaeing another. but that annears to hav'
| been overlooked. The pastor has beeI
Obliged. therefore, tn carry amour
of clerical and administrative detail
which has contributed directly to def
cheney in other respects which no on
could regret more than himself.
'The effort to compass the impossible
together with these months of uncertain
ty as to what could or would be done t.
give effect to the churcf's expressed in
tention to arrange matters otherwise. ha
constituted a strain from which one mus
inevitably ask relief. I therefore. asi
your consent to the termination of m.
pastoraee at such time in the month o
June next as may be mutually satisfac
tory"