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Historical Perspectives...(Cont. page 3)The church's effort during WWII was extensive, and supported those in need during the war. The church's facilities hosted the Red Cross regularly in its blood collection. In February, 1945, 700 persons donated blood for plasma at the church. Gifts to the church given in memory of men killed in the war were directed to youth recreational services. On the Sunday before the Hiroshima atomic bomb was dropped, Aug. 5, 1945, singing of the Star Spangled Banner was omitted from the service. When V-J Day ended the active struggle, the church counted 24 fatal casualties among its servicemen members. One woman in missionary service, Margaret McAllister, died in a Japanese prison camp.Nationally, Congregationalists added 69,000 persons from 1943 to 1945 to their membership. The denomination's nearly 6,000 churches counted a total of 1,093,325 members. Two significant examples of the congregation's commitment to its work and responsibilities were the Endowment Fund and the Agency Fund, both started in 1943 as long term projects. The Endowment Fund's principal purpose was to provide income to benefit retiring church employees with records of long service. The Agency Fund was conceived of as an emergency cushion. Its original amount has grown through investment and contributions from church income. Its goal was to equal the cost of one year's church operation. Other special funds contributed to the church's work include scholarship resources that aid deserving young people. In late May, 1955, a Church Council was formed, encompassing the trustees, deacons and deaconesses, church school administration and other committees. The Council's purpose was to coordinate church work and promote communication among the areas of activity. To better bring church members into contact with one another and integrate them into church activity, a "colony" plan was drawn up. The congregation was divided into 14 geographical areas. These colonies were further divided into neighborhood groups, consisting of four to 12 families. Each colony leader had direct contact with each other. Leaders of colonies with council members and ministers acted as indirect contacts to the other colony leaders. The arrangement aided in making members more aware of the church's work, and through cooperative contact they felt a continuing and vital part of the church's function. Churches can come to depend on a minister, but their continuity and strength is in their members. Through a general vote in January, 1961, the church accepted the constitution of the United Church of Christ, but with the beliefs of its members and their local control of church affairs still intact. Responsibilities for function of the growing church were organized among standing committees listed as building and maintenance, finance and endowment trust, pulpit and church staff, music, organ, parsonage, insurance and taxes, long-range planning, by-laws and office administration and audit. Dr. James M. Lichliter, former pastor from 1961-81, said, "The problem of building in any church is not one of size but of motivation. The church is created by God, working through Jesus in our hearts and minds." Church membership reached a high point in 1960-61 with 3,029 members, and a Sunday School enrollment of 1,200. Although membership in other Protestant denominations with long histories in America also was high, church leaders here and abroad warned of trends that would reduce membership in individual churches. Interest was diverted from Bible-oriented Christianity toward scientific, political and social solutions to issues. The First Congregational Church, which always had offered strong fellowship and social programs, found itself competing with a proliferation of secular activities for people of all ages. To offer more to members of the congregation in a time of competing interests, the church moved towards emphasis on adult education. In 1962, the Women's Fellowship founded its long-running Town Hall series of celebrity lectures. The October annual meeting in 1969 was the last to be held in the fall. New bylaws were adopted, consolidating all boards and committees into one council with overall responsibility for operating the church. The annual meeting was changed to June, allowing the council and officers the summer months to settle into their responsibilities. As an addition to the enrichment programs a fellowship period with coffee in the dining room following the morning service began in 1972 and continues to this day. Also that year, the Hanging of the Greens became an annual congregation celebration of the start of the Christmas season. Families worked for a few hours in early December to garland the sanctuary, erect evergreens, hang wreaths and place candles throughout the church. Resulting from the newly renovated space in 1999 under the guidance of senior minister Dr. David D. Young, there was now room in the Courtyard for a tree of impressive proportions. High school young people participated more actively in church services. Beginning in 1975, they carried flags, banners, and the cross to lead the processional at the beginning of regular Sunday services. The youth continue that tradition today, including processing with the Bible, and a small child presenting the Christ candle and reciting the Call to Worship. The young people in the church now also hold positions on standing committees, and participate in youth fellowship and youth mission trips. Youth programs have been, and continue to be, a vital ministry of the church. | |||
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