The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-12-23
CHURCH PREPARES FOR GREATER SERVICE
Threat to American Way OF
Life Speeds Movemnt for
Unification of Many Groups
THE WEEKS NEWS OF RELIGION
Nv Religion. New. serxice

Nv Religious News Service
Religion IL due 10 play = vital
part In the maintenance AZ civilian
morale and tolerance during what
looks like q long war.
As the attitude Of the churches
toward the war effort erystalized
itself more clearly. II becomes evil
dent that the main function
Of the churches would be 10
act as a stabilizing force, exert
ing . sane and wholesome influ-
ence which would help the nation
to avoid hate and hysteria and
maintain our traditional civil
liberties.
Developments last week point
ing towards such q conclusion
were:
I)-The Church Federation Of
Los Angelo. and the Fellowship Of
Reconciliation made plans to aid
distressed Japanese persons. who
number about 10000 IN that area.
The plans include the opening Of
homes to excited Japanese fsmi-
lies. the ioaning Of cash and the
provi ding of employment A
speakers bureau will plead for
tolerance toward younger Japa-
nese children. fnter-racial re-
ligious services are expected TO be
held in increasing numbers.
R)-The Council Of Bishops
Of the Methodist church. In .
"war-time message" 10 the
church. warned against race
prejudice. asked that freedom
Of conscience and civil nber-
ties he safeguarded. that social
gains he preserved and that
those living among US whose
national origin stems from an
enemy country Ne treated
with Christian consideration"
t3-Fifty leaders Of three ma
jor churchwomens groups adopted
a resolution calling upon church
women To combat hatred. to min
lister TO those suffering from war.
TO show friendship and under
standing to men and women In de-
Tense service, and to build q
democracy at home which recog-
nizes individual worth and strives
for justice to all the people.
(D-Religious pacifist groups
called upon their members to help
eliminate "hysteria. persecution
and denunciation," to maintain
civil liberties. and urged the
churches &c stabilize and comfort
people.
(5)-LocaI church fedora
tions and ministerial sssocia-
tions In various part Of the
country, including those In Ta-
coma, pledged themselves to
strengthen the public morale.
and 10 bring comfort. calm and
assistance should catastrophe
or disaster occur In their
community.
Indicative Of the morale func-
ton visualized by many religious
leaders il the plan for an Emer-
gency Chaplains' Organization set
up in Pittsburgh. This plan aims.
in the event Of civil disaster in
Allegheny county due to sabotage
or bombing, to provide chaplains
services for patients and casual
ties. to alleviate hysteria and
create and maintain morale among
the casualties and To create and
maintain civilian morale.
A similar plan was suggested at
the meeting of Tacoma ministers
last week.
DIR. william b. Pugh, stated
clerk OF the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian church In the
u. 8. A.. said this week In Knox
vile, Tenn, that the war will have
pronounced effect on Presby-
terrain unification. DIR. Pugh was
in Knoxville in connection with a
movement for reunion between the
Northern and Southern branches
Of the Presbyterian church. In
making this statement, Or. Pugh
reflected the opinion of many
church leaders that the war Will
speed UP church unity.
First major move In speed
ing-up the unity process was
made last week when roo
church leaders, meeting st
Atlantic City. n. j.. voted rec
ommendation Of q plan cali
ing for the establishment of .
single corporate body 10 com
bine eight agencies now op-
Grating In the interdenomina-
tionAi field The new group
would BE- called Council Of the
Churches Of Christ In North
America"
The agencies which would BE-
combined are the Federal Council
Of the Churches OF Christ In
America. International Council Of
Religious Education. Home Mis-
sionk Council Foreign Missions
Conference. National Council Of
Church Women. Council Of Church
Boards Of Education, Missionary
Education Movement. and the As
ISOLATION OF Council Secretaries.
Al the same time that this