Evening star., 1950-11-27
Church Council Opens
Cleveland Meetinq
On S-Ageney Merger
By Cospor Nonnes
Stor Stoff Correspondent

SAE ELAlND. NOV. ZI.-1n6
Federal Council of Churches and
seven other interdenominational
agencies today opened meetings
looking toward their dissolution
when these bodies form the Ma
tional Council of Churches of
Christ in the United States of
America tomorrow.
Despite the record blizzard that
almost paralyzed Cleveland. prac-
tically all of 200 official delegates
to these meetings and to the Ma
tional Council constituting con-
Vention tomorrow managed to
reach the scene. But of those
who were expected to be here in
other capacities, only 1900 of an
estimated 1000 probably will
show UP.
Hard Work Getting There.
Stories of difficulties in reach
ing Cleveland for these meetings
were so many they became prac-
tically commonplace. Numerous
instances were reported of dele
gates starting out for Cleveland
by auto, of their being begged
down in the high snow, of leaving
cars in garages and other places
along the road and OF making
the last lap by train.
Convention officials were con-
templating some revisions in their
program as the snow continued to
blanket the city. Downtown Cleve-
land was empty and ghostly,
with only occasional pedestrians.
huddled in overcoatS, trudging
through the mushy snow.
Meanwhile. the Federal Council
and the other seven national
interdenomination agencies
opened meetings today that will
end tomorrow in the dissolution OF
these bodies.
These other agencies are the
Foreign Missions Conference OF
North America, Home Missions
Council of North America. Inter
national Council of Religious Ed
ucation, Missionary Education
Movement of the United States
and Canada, National Protestant
Council on Higher Education,
United Council of Church Women,
and United Stewardship Council.
When the National Council
comes into being this week, these
agencies will cease to exist and
their functions will be taken over
by the new body.
DR.. Cavert Explains.
DR.. Samuel McCrea Cavert,
general secretary of the Federal
Council, told the biennial meeting
of this 42-year-old body today
that "the chief significance of the
new council is that it will repre-
sent the wholeness of our CO.
operative unity in way that has
not been possible before.
For the first time church CO.
operation in our country. hitherto
parcelled out among a dozen ma
tional bodies, will make one clear |
pattern. Each part will be organ
ically connected with all the other
parts; each will make its own
distinctive contribution to a
united movement: each will gain
insight and reinforcement from
the experience of the Others"
Pointing out that the National
Council does not mean church
union but does mean church CO.
operation as a more deliberately |
adopted and Systematically Or
ganized policy" DR.. Cavert noted
three levels where the new body |
should prove effective.
He asserted that the local
church will receive new inspira-
ton and vision" from being di-
rectly related to IAN advancing
movement of Christian unity" and
will have quick access "at a single
center to the best ideas. methods
and materials available in all of
the denominations"
Predicts Added Influence.
On the national level the council
"will mean Weightier public in
fuence" with a resultant greater
impact on public opinion" DR..
Cavert predicted.
For the church in its worldwide /
relationships the national council |
will mean a far more adequate
contact between the churches of
our own country and of the other
areas Of the world"
Later today the Right Rev. |
Angus Dun, Episcopal Bishop of
Washington, will present a report
of a commission appointed by the
Federal Council. The report is
called THE Christian Conscience
and Weapons of Mass Destruc-
ton"
Two Washington residents, Miss
Mamie Burroughs and the Rev.
w. H. Jernagin. both of the Ma
tional Baptist Convention, U. S. A.,
Inc, have been appointed to the
national councils General Board.
The General Board will function
as an Executive Committee be-
tween biennial meetings Of the
council.