Evening star., 1938-02-27

at all in their attitude toward what IS
popularity considered their second major
function, the maintaining and raising of
the ethical standards Of the community.
Nor do they differ profoundly on the me-
chanics of their constant battle against
sin-exemplary instruction. inspiration to
the higher life, fighting inffuences-such
as gambling houses-which obviously are
lowering the moral tone Of ths people.
United On Best Way = Live.
Here is a nucleus for unity of which the
most will be made at Greenbelt A Metho-
dist and Baptist may differ somewhat
about the best way to get to Heaven They
hardly can be said to differ about the best
way to live on earth. This Is as it
should be.
Anyway, the Protestant community Of
Greenbelt is going to try it. They have
been trying it for the last three months,
with services every Sunday in the school,
house addressed by Washington ministers
of different faiths. Two weeks ago ques-
tionnaires were distributed in Protestant
homes and Sunday night they were re-
turned. There was almost q unanimous
vote for establishing community church.
So this will be done and a pastor having
the appropriate spirit will be called within
a few months
There have, of course, been non-sectarian
churches before-plenty Of them There is
one in Potomac Heights, which is q real
success. But, in almost every instance, the
history has been different. They have
started as sectarian churches and for one
reason or another, chiefly financial, have
been unable to survive. Where two or
three churches in the same community have
been in the same situation they have COM
bined to save themselves. And theological
differences hardly ever have entered the
picture. Actually, folks do not take these
as seriously now as in by-gone days.
No Crusade for Unity.
The Washington Federation of Churches,
it should be emphasized, is not engaged
on any church unity crusade. It is made
up Of congregations of widely divergent
beliefs. They themselves are remaining
steadfast in those beliefs. But they are
striving to meet local situation in what
seems to them commonsense way. There
is no practical possibility of making all
Protestant Greenbelt Baptist or Methodist
or Presbyterian. And it is decidedly i'm
practical to build a dozen churches there,
each to I'LL the needs Of various minority
groups.
Why not take the sectarian label of and
Just go ahead conducting services at which
the average Baptist, Methodist or Presby-
terian might easily make the mistake of
believing that he was in his own church?
At any rate, they will try it.
The movement at Greenbelt was initiated
early last autumn by DR.. Worth M. Tippy,
for 20. years one of the secretaries of the
Federal Council Of Churches, after con-
ferences with interested Government OH
cials and with their approval and that
of the local manager. Roy Braden. DR..
Tippy made a number Of visits out there
and conferred with many leaders on these
occasions As the result 1t was agreed that
the Committee on Comfy of the Washing
ton Federation Of Churches CDR. G. Ellis
Williams, chairman) should be asked to
eAScAoG Ill "O1Al116 OAV ASOCcO0Ay d4IdL8cs
ments. This was done, and the first service
was held in the public school auditorium
on November II. Through the courtesy of
the authorities this will be used regularly,
such services, being held every Sunday
morning. pulpit and other essential fur
nishings have been provided by the kind
ness Of Washington friends.
A Sunday school Is held at 9:45, Prof.
L. S. Dodson of Maryland University being
its superintendent.
A local committee has been selected,
with w. L. Worley as chairman, consisting
Of IL persons, both men and women. to
have temporary charge. As soon as pos
sible an organization will be perfected and
permanent officials chosen by the member
ship. It will be called the Greenbelt Com
munity Church.