No national ecclesiastical gathering occurred during the year but important regional meetings were held in Springfield, Mass., and Omaha, Neb., augmenting the annual sessions of the Boards of Home and Foreign missions. Very active visitation of churches has been carried on by the energetic lay moderator, Ex-Gov. William E. Sweet of Colorado. Rather sharp differences of opinion with respect to war appeared within the churches. There was much opposition to the formal entry of the United States into war, while an important group of leaders earnestly advocated a negotiated peace.
The Congregational Christian Churches undertook to meet the war situation by the appointment of a responsible committee representing all the missionary boards and the General Council. This committee has raised funds for the assistance of chaplains in the Army and Navy in the service of the men under their care, in the belief that the Church has a responsibility to follow its men who go into the forces defending their country. The Congregational Christian Churches have also organized a Committee on Aid to War Victims which is carrying forward a vigorous campaign for funds for the assistance of refugees in this country and war victims abroad and has been able to send considerable sums of money to the aid of suffering Congregational churches in England and to ministers in distress.
In preparation for the next national meeting of the denomination, to be held at Hanover, N. H., June 23-30, 1942, a Theological Commission has been organized which brings together for a cooperative thinking seven leading theologians from as many seminaries. This Commission is planning a long range program in behalf of intelligent theology in the Congregational Churches. A strong Committee of Thirty-Five has also been constituted to propose revisions of the formal Statement of Social Ideals adopted by the General Council in 1925.
The Congregational Christian Churches have shown a modest growth in membership during the year and a considerable increase in gifts to missionary and benevolent work. The American Board (the foreign missionary agency of these Churches) has had many serious problems due to the necessity of withdrawing missionaries from Japan and relocating many other missionaries whose work has been interrupted by war. A significant event of the year was the celebration of the 125th anniversary of Advance, the national publication of the denomination.
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