The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-05-02

Tho Connecticut Council of Churches and Religious Education hns dedicated Sunday, May 9th as Rural Lifo Sunday" and has mado an appeal to various organizations to cooperate.
 Tho Connecticut Council of Churches and Religious Education commendB tho observance of Rural Lifo Sunday, May 9th.
 It is highly fitting that our Christian Churches in Connecticut should observe "Rural Llfo Sum day.. Such m observance, which has been designated for May eth, may well Do used among town and city churches to deepen tho ap- prcclatlon of tho valuo and of tho strategic importance of tho rural Christian Church in America. In tho past much of tho strength of tho church at large, in leadership D and in loyalty, has had It's origin In tho rurai churches. Henco 1t Is yory much worth while for our town and city churches to take oc- casIon to romlnd themselves of this fact, in order thut they may HVb UtCVUiV op BsRSRSeRaN1 NtNs' their own local problems and pro- grams ns to loso tho largo vision of tho wholo Christian community at work in all areas of American life. Such m observance may well be used also to create among town and city churches a koener senso of responsibility for tho rural churches. out of their larger re- sources they are obligated, by the very faih they profess. to support and strengthen their sister church. es in rural communities where the resources arc so much moro limit ed. For, indeed, have not all ono Lord, ono faith, ono hope, one pur- pose? Such an observance ahong our rural churches may well be used to help them to new vision of their own value and of their own importance to tho community which they serve. In a period of great and rapid social change such as the present Is for rural com. munities, tho rural church can and ought to play n very important role. It can play such role, if 1t has the vision and will to do SO. Because of these considerations wo therefore commend to the church- es of Connecticut the observance of Plural Life Sunday" on May eth, as an opportunity for widening their vision of their opportunities and of deepening their sense of responsibility for the message and program of tho Christian church in rural America. As guide for such an observance we commend the Suggestions for the Observ- ance of Rural Life Sunday" issued by the committee on town and County of the Home Missions Council and the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America"
 Marion J. Crceger, president.
 Governor Cross says: "I have learned with much interest that May 9th next is to be observed throughout Connecticut as Rural Life Sunday. The first settlements were built around the church as the center of community and re- ligious life. This same influence entered the colony and afterwards the state after the United States constitution had become reality. Tn tho future development of our community life, the churches can be of great and increasing value, and I am confident that they will discharge this responsibility. IL is a pleasure to endorse the ob- servance and voice the approval of the State of Connecticut"
 Bishop Budlong says: "In re- sponse to your request for mes sage regarding the important place of the rural churches in the life of Connecticut, I take pleasure in quoting from the last Convention Address of our beloved Bishop Acheson. He said in part Farms have been abandoned, houses have decayed, little mills of industry have fallen to pieces; the little church still remains. It minis tered to the people all through the years. Now new roads are opened; city people are buying up land. New houses are appearing