Evening star., 1936-06-05
METHOD|STSPLAN
WORK Of LAYMEN
Program Places Emphasis
on Activities Previously
Governed by Clergy.
Nv the Associated Press.


WESTMINSTER, Md, June 5.-A
program placing added emphasis on
lavmen's activities, in fields hitherto
governed by the clergy. came before a
united session of the Baltimore Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church today.
The Joint meeting of clerical and lay
delegates to the 152d annual gathering
of the conference was given heightened
interest by four point legislative pro-
gram approved at the organization
meeting of the lay delegates last night.
Conference leaders planned also to
bring to a joint vote the question OF
the unification of the three branches
of Methodism Earlier this week, the
clerical delegates voted 202 to 2 in
favor of the union.
The program which officers of the
lay group brought before today's meet
ing asked that:
The united session vote on the place
for the next annual conference meet
Ing.
All Save One Reelected.
The united session vote on the num-
Der of districts.
The united session fix the amount
of money apportioned to the various
charges for support of district super
intendents.
After re-electing all of its officers
except one. the lay group yesterday
heard President D. Steward Patterson
Of Baltimore present his annual report.
The report listed aims of the con-
ference laymen and called attention to
legislation which will be placed before
united session of clergymen and lay
delegates this morning
Legislation relating solely to laymen
centered about these four points:
Institution of a four-year term for
lay delegates. instead of the one-year
term now in effect.
Recommendations that lay delegates
serve effectively throughout the year
instead of being active only at the
annual conference meetings.
Full-time Participation.
A recommendation that laymen give
"longer or full-time" participation In
church activities, and
That changes be made in the
methods of nominating and electing
lay delegates from local churches.
Patterson's report gave the aims
OF the laymen as seeking to build a
consciousness among the laity as to
the importance and dignity of lay
representation, the placing of stress
on committee work and program
planning and advocating and working
for new legislation"
Lay officers. in addition to Patter-
son. are: J. Harry Grace. Baltimore,
vice president; Mrs. w. E. Beal,
Laurel, secretary, and R. W. Young,
Oldtown. treasurer. Mrs. Beal sue
ceeds Clark s. Hobbs, Baltimore, as
secretary.
Ministers Salaries Fixed.
The conference voted to try to pay
all married ministers at least 1900
per year and all single ones $1,000.
These salaries, under a plan ap-
proved, would be paid out of a sus-
tenation fund if the church is not
able TO pay them. The amount of
salary shall include payments from
various missionary funds and allow
ance for automobile expenses
A list of deacons and elders to be
ordained by Bishop Edwin H. Hughes
Sunday was made public today
The deaconS will be: Karl r. Knox
Mount Airy; Paul J. Sampson, Pear
son; Ira W. Shindle. SmithSburg;
Gordon P. Baker. Baltimore: John
j. Dawson. FinkSburg; Robert H
Parker, Cumberland, and Lawrence
B. Rice Baltimore
The elders will be: Lowell NJ. At
kinson, Washington; Paul E Bohi
Seat Pleasant; Harold R. McClay. Bal
timore; Charles NJ. Robinson, Fred
erick; Edwin A. Ross Washington,
and Clyde D. Williams, Baltimore.