Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1961 - Rparchives.org

62 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THE
problems of chronic aid-receiving congregations.
Some of our aid-receiving congregations are making a determined
and sacrificial effort to become self-supporting, and to
them the Board expresses its admiration and thanks.
In the field of Church Extension, the Board has taken steps
toward preparing a so-called "package program" for beginning a
new work, should the personnel become available. Details are
not yet ready for presentation, and, in view of the present vacancies
in congregations, neither is the personnel available.
The Board of Home Missions and Church Extension ended
the year with a balance of $17,620 in the treasury, due primarily
to receipt of an unexpected bequest from an estate. Budgeting a
balance of $12,000 at the end of this year, the Board is asking
$6,250 from Synod's Budget.
The Southern Mission
The Rev. Claude C. Brown, D.D., LL.D., is superintendent
of the Southern Mission. He and Mrs. Brown are doing an excellent
work among their people. Mrs. R.M.C. Evans is city
visitor. Mrs. Catherine Lockett and Mrs. Bertha Glover are workers
in the kindergarten and used clothes departments. Mrs. Glover
is paid by the congregation. Probably no other church building
in our denomination witnesses such an array of activities throughout
the week as does the Selma Church, and that in addition to
the kindergarten which meets five days a week in Knox Hall
(present enrollment 62). Likewise, probably no other pastor of
our denomination is involved in more community projects than is
Dr. Brown. He is respected everywhere as a Christian gentleman.
He has done much to break down the racial hatred existing between
the white and negro. He has done a great deal for his
people in establishing community and church programs for social
and spiritual growth.
This past fall a Committee of the Board together with a
representative of Illinois Presbytery, visited Selma and conferred
with Dr. Brown and others with a view to placing the Selma congregation
on a self-sustaining basis, to assume its full responsibilities
as a congregation. To this end the Board has taken
actions and made recommendations to the Selma congregation for
the election of a Board of Deacons and other necessary legal
officers, and to Synod's Board of Trustees to take steps for the
transfer of the deed to the property to the Selma congregation as
soon as it seems advisable. Also, effective June 1, 1961, the
congregation was placed on the same basis as other aid-receiving
congregations, to make its application for aid through the Presbytery.
A new building approximately 20 x 24 feet is being erected
at the rear of the property between Knox Hall and the parsonage,