Evening star., 1949-05-24
Presbyterians Get
Plans 10 Enlarge
Radio, N Programs
By Cospor konnes
Ssor SsoH Correspondent

ssor ssoff Correspondent
BUFFALO, N. Y, May 24.-The
161st General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in the U. 8.
A. is expected to approve today
q recommendation for enlarge
ment of its radio and television
programs next year.
The report, to be submitted to-
day by the denominations's De-
partment of Religious Radio. urges
that $500 religious radio ex-
pediters" be appointed to the pro-
gram. The "expediters" will work
with the local radio stations In
acquainting them with the radio
and television needs Of the
churches and also with the pro-
grams available.
Additional recommendations by
the department calls for the de-
nominations theological SEM
inaries and it's colleges to extend
training in radio and television to
their students.
New Budget Approach.
The $50 clerical and lay COM
missioners to the assembly also will
vote today on a new approach to
the annual budget problem. In
the last two years the goal set for
the budget fell short each year by
approximately $4,000.000. This
was a result. many felt, Of setting
the totals too high.
The 1850 method will be for
each church to work out its own
share of the general fund, thel
allotment to be reached through
an analysis of what the churches
paid in past years. An unofficial
estimate of the 1850 goal was
given at $11,500.000.
A vigorous extension OF week.
day classes in religious education
was approved by the assembly
yesterday, $50 long as there be
no violation of the law" This
proviso was made to conform toI
the Supreme Courts decision in
the Champaign UllD case which
held that public schools could
not be used for religious sectar-
ian classes.
Released Time Can Be Used.
DR.. T. Guthrie Speers Of Balti-
more. chairman of the Standing
Committe on Christian Educa-
ton, told the gathering the
Supreme Court decision did not
rule out weekday religious in
struction on released time"
Two representatives from sister
Presbyterian bodies emphasized
the theme of future union in
bringing greetings from their as
semblies. They were DR.. Samuel
c. Weir of Dearborn, Mich, for
the United Presbyterian Church
of America, and the Rev. Walter
r. Courtney of Nashville, Tenn,
for the Presbyterian Church In
the United States.
The Rev. Bernard Braskamp of
Washington, pastor of Gunton-
Temple Church, was elected con-
vener and chairman OF election
section S, which consists OF Is
different Presbyteries.
sWashington commissioners who
. were elected to standing commit
s-tees were Howard A. Edison Of
National Church, Board OF Ma
/ tional Missions: the Rev. J. Edr
ward Kidder, pastor Of BerWth
l Church, finance; the Rev. Walter
FL 'Wclfs pastor : Of e.A5uns5onf
ChuIsh, 1social .ASlucandr +xnd1
action, and James St1erier OF Newf
York Avenue Church. moderator
OF the Washington City Presby-
terry, pensions.
VIII Discuss Changes.
Tomorrow the assembly will
discuss several proposed major
changes in its administrative
structure.
First of these is a sharp re-
duction in the number of synods.
with IL as the suggested total
for the Nation. This means the
present Baltimore Synod, which
embraces the Washington City
Presbytery, will be incorporated
into a new synod, including East
ern Pennsylvania. Southern New
Jersey and Baltimore.
Aim of the move is to have
regional synods of approximately
the same strength, each having
about 1000 church population.
Another suggested change is to
increase the powers Of the Gen.
eral Council by reorganizing and
enlarging it.
The meeting voted yesterday to
hold the 162d General Assembly |
next year in Cincinnati. The
dates will be set later.