The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-11-16
UNITED CHURCH
 CANVASS OPENS
Personal and Financial Support for Religious En.
 terprises Sought

Protestant churches Of Waterbury opened a united every member" canvass for donations and pledges of renewal of church affili- ations. About 2l churches will par ticipate in the drive which will con- tinue through December 6.
 A first report meeting of the Bunker Hill Congregational church drive workers was held last night and the next one is scheduled for night. Personal solicita- tions were conducted during the day.
 John A. Coe is chairman of the sponsors group which is directing the campaign.
 St. Johns Episcopal church will open its drive November 9 while the First Congregational, Second Congregational and Baptist churches will start theirs November 29, &C., cording to an announcement made by Rev. Francis O. Ayres, chairman of the pastors planning committee.
 New York, N. Y, Nov. 14-For the first time in American religious his tory. sixteen faiths, Christian and Jewish join. started yesterday in a united effort to present to their con- stituencies, and to the unchurched world, the claims of religion upon mankind of this age.
 The United Church Canvass, ac- cording to Charles E. Wilson, vice chairman of the War Production board and former General Electric president, who is national chairman of the committee sponsoring the plan, is to secure personal and financial support for the religious enterprises of the country; to re- call nation that has drifted away from religion, back to a realization that the American way Of life as it is today, must be brought to the recognition of spiritual needs-so that men may not live by bread alone, but "by an indwelling spirit which emerges only from the depths of our souls. from God.
 Joining in this presentation of faith to America, are these religious bodies: Northern Baptist. Episcopal, in America, United Brethren. Dis ciples of Christ, Presbyterian Southern Baptist, Reformed Church Church, U. s. A..-Synagogue Coun- cil of America, Congregational- Christian. Church of the Brethren, Methodist, United Presbyterian, Evangelical, Evangelical and Re- formed, African Methodist Episco- pal, United Unitarian Appeal.
 These religious groups have, dur irg the past few weeks, set up com- mittees and laid plans for simul- taneous efforts in their communi- ties everywhere. Jointly the groups are using advertising, the radio. the mails, and starting tomorrow there will be personal visitationS of the various constituencies.
 The sponsors committee reminds that peace cannot be won alone with men and guns and tanks and airplanes and ships. God must be- come the generating force of our lives, of the lives of all men every where"
 At a time when religious freedom is in jeopardy through conflict on a global scale, the United Canvass aims to bring our people to realiza- ticn of the preciousness Of that her itage. and to a determination to stand together as a unit, that this heritage shall be preserved.
 Strengthening of the religious forces of the land. according to the leaders Of the movement. is to be a vital factor in the building Of a just and durable peace, with relig- ious influences working with those who build the peace and rebuild the world, so that never again can this world chaos be repeated.
 President Roosevelt has endorsed the plan. The American Newspaper Publishers association has pledged its support. Business men, college presidents. religious leaders. repre-. sentatives of the arts, the stage, thG government. have lent their efforts on behalf of the united movement.
 In thousands of communities thu united appeals will be made. witf emphasis on the urgency of thu need for a return to religion-now
 These are times of trial for ever! one of us." says the canvass organi. zation. They are times that try oul strength as a nation, our fiber as | people, our courage as men. Eacl day We see the truth more clearly these are the times that test ou faith in God. We must be, oncl more. men unashamed to pray: un afraid to place our destiny in God hands. Faith alone can bring us true victory; it alone can give { meaning to our future"
 Among the leaders who are be