Evening star., 1943-12-11
Churches Must Lend
Aid 10 Human Needs
Charles P. Taft Says
Episcopal Diocese Plans
To Engage Director to
Expand Social Work

Plans OF the Episcopal diocese o.
Washington to expand its christian
community service by engaging 6
full-time executive director ir
charge Of social work, were outlined
last night at the Church of thu
Epiphany after Charles P. Taft O,
the State Department emphasized
that mlnistering to human needs i.
definitely a church function. The
meeting concluded a two-day in.
stitute.
Discussing youth vandalism ane
Sex delinquency, Mr. Taft, son o1
the late President and Chief Justice
William Howard Taft, termed socia
work a service to the human need.
OF people. Our family love anc
affection that comes from the
Christian faith we profess"
The Rev. Peyton r. Williams
chairman of the Department OF
Christian social relations of the
diocese, said the expanded work
would be financed by asking Epis-
copal churches to increase by IL
per cent their contributions to mis-.
sions in the diocese.
Opportunity and Obligation.
This war-boom community, Mr.
Williams said, presents an "oppor-
turity and obligation" to the church
to work with young women who
need personal counseling; to con-
tinue case work in city missions ano
to labor in closer cooperation with
other religious faiths. One of the
duties of the proposed executive di-
rector, he added, would be Ito edu-
cate our clergy and lay members to
the needs of human beings, physi-
cally, morally and spiritually. and
help develop leaders in the diocese
for social work"
Terming churches the first re-
source for social work." Mr.. Taft
said hospitality and fellowship ex-
tended servicemen should not cease
with the ending of war: told of the
impact of war plants and construc-
tion workers on small communities:
urged sympathetic understanding of
the rights of minorities, and in
telligent Christian leadership in the
solution of problems.
He said boys under II, "compet-
Ing with older men i'll uniform in
social contacts with girls, are the
forgotten men of this war" This
has led to slashing Of seats in
theaters and rise in juvenile de-
linquency, he added War, he con-
cluded. gives churches the chance to
put more spiritual power into their
social work"
Afternoon Session.
During the institute sessions yes
terday afternoon both the Washing
ton Federation of Churches and
the Council of Social Agencies of
this city came in for praise from
speakers who discussed opportuni-
ties for community service here.
The Rev. DR.. Joseph E. Fletcher
of Cincinnati, dean of the grad
uate school of applied religion
who had made survey of Episcopal
institutions in this city declared
the opportunity was challenge to
the church here at the heart OF
the Nation"
The effort toward common Chris
tian service carried on by the Fed
Grafton of Churches here" he said,
lis one Of the finest in the country,
and every denomination, including
the Episcopal. finds it an asset of
which they should make good use"
The Rev. Francis McPeak of the
Federation of Churches stressed the
need of interfaith cooperation in
Washington to help implement the
social ideals of the churches of the
national Capital He pointed TO
over 100 different types of private
agencies, and many Federal re-
sources here. which were available,
he said, for helping solve the social
welfare problems of this city.
The Rev. Dr.. Almon R. Pepper OF
New York City. director of the de-
partment of Christian social re-
lations of the national council of
the Protestant Episcopal Church,
outlined the Forward in Service"
program of the church. He urged
church leaders to know your COM
munity, to prepare spot maps" To-
eating outstanding institutions and
problems in each area.
Miss Edith F. Balmford of New
York, national secretary of the
Church Mission of Help, spoke at
the luncheon on The Christian Ap-
proach to the Social Needs of the
Individual"
Presiding were the Rev. Mr.. Will
llams and the Rev. DR.. Charles w.
Sheerin, rector of Epiphany.
Housewives - Save your bacon
driDDin1S and prooSa fbo eI,;l A.