The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-03

lars was sent by the Protestant
churches of America during the
calendar year 1913 for their united
overseas relief program among nom
military war sufferers, according to
a report issued today by Leslie
Bates Moss, executive director of
the Church Committee on Overseas
Relief and Reconstruction, 297
Fourth avenue, New York City.
Complete total receipts came to
81, $780, 91, representing the gifts of
81 leading denominations. The
united Protestant goal for this work
was $1,553,0OO for the fiscal year
1942-43, and has been raised to
$1,870,000 for 1894, to meet in
creaSing needs.
'It is hard to say exactly how
actual gifts compare with the goal
we set ourselves" explained DR..
Moss. 1.-THE fiscal year of the
denomination varies-some begin in
January, some in May, some in the
fall. Also some denominations have
their own special service organiza-
lions through which they allocate
funds not reported to this commit
tee. I think we can say we did
what we set out to do in 1913. But
we all agree that there is much
bigger job ahead of us. There's be
no relaxing.
Some denominations are setting
aside ten percent or more of their
gifts as a contingent fund, SO that
they may be able to meet sudden
emergency demands. The import
ance of contingent funds was ap-
parent last year in connection with
the India famine. Because the
churches could raise $4,000 within
a week, they were of real help dur
ing the actual crisis.
mo one can estimate the vast
amount of relief work which will be
required as occupied areas of Eur
ope open up. Actual feeding and
clothing operations will be course
be in the hands of the military and
UNRRA, but there are many cases
where the material need is secon-
Diary to the necessity for UNDER
standing and spiritual fellowship.
People often needs courage even
more than bread.
present plans call for the send
ing of one representative from the
American Protestant churches to
each liberated area as it opens up,
for fellowship and to secure i'll
formation concerning the needs Of
the churches there and how Ameri-
can churches can help.
Government officials agree that
a type of help beyond what they
are prepared to render will be nee
essay for the resuscitation of those
people who have been through the
horrors of recent years. More and
more they are expressing their ap-
probation of the kind of coopera-
ton the church agencies offer.
There is tendency, also to turn
to these agencies for experienced
administrative personnel.
"And don't make the mistake OF
saying that $1,559991 represents
the total Protestant giving for over
seas relief in 1943," warned Dr.
MOSS. Church members have given
generously through the humanitar-
Ian channels of the Red Cross and
the National War Fund. They have
basked the organization of UNRRAO
and will support the work of that
organization through the regular
tax channels. But because they call
themselves Christians, they feel
they are under obligation to do
something little more-a little in
excess of what may reasonably be
demanded of them as citizens. That
is why they have raised this fund,
through their churches. It might be
called a Plus because I'm a Chris
tian' fund"
A. l.. Warnshuis, as the foreign
counsellor of the Church committee
on Overseas Relief and Reconstruct
ton, is in constant contact with
government official and with the
American Council of Voluntary
Service Agencies for Foreign Serv-
ice.
1.-THE postwar reconstruction
work of the churches" says DR..
Warnshuis, will fall roughly into
two categories:
I'm Asia and Africa ana the
Pacific Islands. the missionary
boards Of the various denominations
will be called upon to rethink their
missionary enterprises in the light
of new conditions. A denomination
or a church interested in a partic-
ular mission of area will naturally
and rightly wish to continue to
continue to serve there, but the
Protestant Church as whole will
wish to study community needs