The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-06


by working together-this Is the
outstanding fact in the report OF
the United Church Canvass.
For the first time in church his
tory IS communions and creeds,
both Christian and Jewish, Joined
In conducting a nationwide: finan-
cial drive last fall, and the report,
Just released, proves that the ex-
pertinent struck fire .. =. and gold.
Contributions went up ID percent,
81 percent, 30 percent.
Hoover, Lehman, Grew spoke over
national radio chains In behalf OF
the United Church Canvass.
Laymen Did Most Of Work
World relief, support Of great re-
ligious principles In wartime, the
church as the champion Of liberty,
as well as financial support were
stressed.
Big names gave weight-and tai
ents-to the November December
phase Of the campaign, names like
Willkie, White, Taft, Stassen,
Dodds, Green, Luce, Mott, Roberts,
Saltonstall, Sibley Skinner Seymour
and Goldman.
Leadin; churchmen supported the
campaign.
Eager to bring the United Church
Canvass to O successful conclusion
In Its secondphase-Feb .2l-March
14-in hundreds Of communities,
the Planning Committee, 297 Fourth
avenue, New York City (F'ederal
Council OF the Churches Of Christ
In America headquarters building),
Is rushing material for this late
winter drive. The Reverend Earl
Frederick Adams, Baptist, is ma
tional chairman, Joseph E. Boyle,
Episcopal, co-chairman, and The
Reverend Doctor Roswell P. Barnes,
Federal Council, executive Secre-
tary.
Charles e. Wilson, vice-chairman
Of the War Production Board, Is
chairman Of the Sponsors Commit.
tee. o.
Proof Of Success
Encouraged by such typical re-
ports as follows, the officials OF
the United Church Canvass are
asking hundreds Of other local
communities to Join the second part.
A series Of national radio programs,
newspaper mats, publicity material,
promotional material, are being de-
veloped.
Here are some Of TIE reports:
New Haven, Conn.-1ncrease in
financial results up to 38.5 percent
Excellent publicity including news
paper, radio and paid display ad-
Vertising. Council Of Churches has
endorsed repetition Of United Can
vass next fall.
Naugatuck Valley, Conn-Eight
communities and thirty-one church,
es Joined in Canvass. Newspapers
used all of United Canvass ads; no
difficulty in selling the space. Re-
suits excellent.
Effects Of War
The demands of the war upon the
church world relief, Christian
ministry to service men, etc !. g.
have caused concern in religious
circles. ,--
Institutional churches must have
money to live.
The United Canvass plan - in
which local communities hold ST.
multaneous church financial cam
paigns within the dates set by the
national committee-was projected
after extended studies of the eff
fects of the war upon financial eff
forts of the churches.
The pressure Of war emergency
appeals, government bond drives,
the Red Gross, income taxes and
the dislocation of vast numbers Of
Americans from their normal lives,
impressed church leaders with the
necessity for united action during
this war period.
The dates for the two phases Of
the national canvass were deter
mined early last fall-and were
cleared through government agen-
cies. They have recently renewed
their approval, although. being q
non governmental agency, 1t does
not require any official action.
President Roosevelt has given 1t
his blessing.
A Tremendous Task
Over $500, OO0,000 Is needed an
nually for the program Of American
churches.
The BIZ purpose Of United Church
Canvass, according to Mr.. Wilson Is
10 secure personal and financial
support for the religious enterprises
Of the country; to recall o nation
that has drifted away from religion
back TO q realization that the Amer
lean way OF life as II 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 emergeh
only from the depths Of our souls,
from God"