1940: United Church Of Canada

The union of the Congregational Churches of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Methodist Church (Canada), constituting the United Church of Canada, in 1940 raised a total of $11,673,098 for all purposes. The membership stood at 711,712 with 1,768,098 persons, divided into 7,389 congregations, receiving pastoral oversight.

During the year the War Service Committee was active. To date 697,000 useful articles have been sent to Canadian soldiers. Forty-three Chaplains are serving the Forces at home and overseas.

Throughout the Japanese Empire and the occupied areas in China foreign missionary work was carried on under increasing tension, culminating in partial evacuation, but in Free China, where The United Church has one of its largest missions, the greatest opportunity in a generation has presented itself.

The Ninth General Council met in September and elected Rev. Dr. Aubrey S. Tuttle as its Moderator. Among important enactments were the setting up of a Commission to carry out an impartial investigation of the Publishing House; the adoption of a plan arranged with the Government whereby the Church may receive matured War Savings Certificates purchased by its members; and the official recognition of the Lay Association and the adoption of a constitution to govern its activities. A 'Moderator's Fund' to augment the salaries of ministers receiving less than $1,200, was instituted by asking congregations to contribute two per cent of the amount paid for ministerial support; and an amendment to the Basis of Union enabling Conference Settlement Committees to settle ministers in emergencies during the Conference year and another amendment giving authority to the Transfer Committee to transfer Candidates for ordination to any Conference where their services are most needed were passed.

The Council also set forth a 'Statement of Faith' telling in concise form what the United Church conceives to be the substance of its belief and petitioned the Dominion Government to amend the 'National Resources Mobilization Act' so as to protect the individual conscientious objector as is done in Great Britain and the United States.

Two important centenaries were observed during the year, one of Robert T. Rundle, the first resident missionary in Alberta, the other of James Evans, who opened up work among the Indians at Norway House, one hundred miles north of Winnipeg.

In October the Church suffered a grave loss in the death of Dr. Robert Laird. He had been Treasurer of The United Church since Union. He was also President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System and as a Churchman was well known in Europe, Great Britain and the United States.