Reformátusok Lapja, 1972 (72. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1972-04-01 / 4. szám
8 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA DECLINE IN GIVING SLOWS While Our Christian World Mission total receipts decreased for the second consecutive year, the decrease in 1971 was 1.71% compared with the larger decline in 1970 of 2.1%, according to the report of Milton Gockley, secretary for promotion of the Stewardship Council, at its annual meeting. “Few conferences have structures or personnel working on the task of raising OCWM dollars,” Mr. Gockley said. He cited the absence of “a clear focus on who raises the money in either the conference or the local congregation. Securing support for OCWM is not a high priority item.” OUR CHRISTIAN WORLD MISSION 1971* Conf. Basic Support $7,641,541 Nat’l Basic Support ........... 8,861,538 OGHS-SOS 945,662 Neighbors in Need ............. 284,410 Crisis in Nation ................... 145,781 Family Thank Offering 248,469 Second Mile ......................... 75,897 Other Directed Gifts 608,699 $18,811,997 *Not including Christmas Fund and certain directed gifts for institutions and conference projects. NATIONAL SURVEY SHOWS UCC GIVING TRAILING UCC lay members give less to the church than their counterparts in other denominations, and they also give less to charitable organizations. The findings, reported at the annual meeting of the Stewardship Council, are based on the North American Interchurch Study of 15 denominations made by the National Council of Churches (see Jan. 15 KYP). Of the 2400 lay people interviewed, 156 were UCC members. —72.9% of UCC lay people interviewed made no contributions to Charitable organizations such as United Fund and Red Cross. 18.2% of all others in the study said they made no contributions. •—the median gift per week to the church for UCC lay members interviewed was $3.80; for all others, $5.52. —13.5% of UCC members gave more than $500 to the church in 1970; all others gave 26.8%. —49% of the UCC members had been visited by a fellow church member seeking pledges; 31% of the others. NEWS ITEMS SERVICES RENDERED All participants in the survey ranked the training and providing of ministers as the most important service a denomination could render the local church. UCC members ranked “provide mission support and outreach at home and abroad” fourth compared with the second-place ranking given it by the others. Asked why they give to the church, UCC people ranked “Giving is a part of worship” first and “Gratitude to God” second. Others ranked “Gratitude to God” first. A full report on the North American Interchurch Study will be published in the fall in paperback by the NCC Section on Stewardship and Benevolence. Sheldon E. Mackey, head of the UCC Stewardship Council, is chairman of the section. CHURCHES RUSHING AID TO BANGLADESH Thousands of cheering Bengalis at the Dacca airport in Bangladesh (East Pakistan) welcomed the inaugural flight of relief supplies sponsored by the World Council of Churches in mid-January. A second flight from Norway to Dacca was completed shortly afterward. Two DC-6 cargo planes will carry out the initial stages of a continuing air shuttle of food, blankets and medicines to the people of Bangladesh. Acting upon a written invitation to serve in the massive task of rehabilitation and reconstruction, the World Council of Churches member churches have moved to cooperate under a sharing of talents and resources. Noting the urgent need for a radio technician and radio equipment for relief program initiation, the churches of Norway have made the personnel and equipment available forthwith. A five-man survey team, on invitation of the Bangladesh government, is completing a preliminary report of rehabilitation activities. Church World Service, the relief arm of the National Council of Churches, has pledged money, resources and personnel to this cooperative effort. At press time, Church World Service and Catholic Relief Services rushed a joint shipment of 37Vi tons of medicines, blankets and other critically needed relief materials via chartered jet plane from New York to Dacca. Value of the cargo was put at Imre Bertalan, baritone Rosemarie Noone, piano CONCERT-LECTURE The Hungarian Folk Song: From The Village To The Concert Hall sponsored by the DOUGLASS COLLEGE MUSIC DEPT. FRIDAY EVENING, 8:00 PM. APRIL 28, 1972 MUSIC BUILDING Douglass College New Brunswick, New Jersey ADMISSION FREE $337,000. The two agencies split the $37,000 cost of the airlift. UCBWM AIDS ARAB FARMERS The Service Division of the United Church Board for World Ministries has contributed $5,500 to a new land development project in the Israeli- occupied West Bank of Jordan. The project, which is sponsored by the World Council of Churches’ Near East Ecumenical Committee for Palestine Refugees, helps villagers to make dry, rocky or hilly land productive by terracing and improving water usage. About 25 acres of land can be reclaimed for $5,500. K.Y.P. BOOKSTORE ANNOUNCEMENT Recently, our United Church Bookstores merged with the Westminster Bookstore System of the United Presbyterian Church. Now, an additional merger can be announced. Beginning in August, 1972, the Cokesbury Bookstore System of the United Methodist Church will be the umbrella organization under which United Methodists, United Presbyterians, and members of the United Church of Christ will find church bookstore services. Since Cokesbury operates nineteen walk-in bookstores across the country, you may find it more convenient than ever to drop in and sample what’s available from our own United Church Press and other publishers. In addition, Cokesbury maintains six regional service centers to serve churches on a mail-order basis. Located in Dallas, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Park Ridge, Illinois; Teaneck, New Jersey; Nashville, Tennessee; and San Francisco, California; these will provide efficient service for orders of books and supplies. A new catalog will be available shortly. Until August 1, you should continue to direct your inquiries to the Westminster Bookstores.
