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		1. Roots in the Sunday School movement
		2. Roots in the Federation of Churches movement
This page:		3. 1933 merger
Next page:		4. Development of conciliar theory and a vision of Christian unity
		5. Social action in the 1960s
		6. Protestant - Roman Catholic relations
		7. Social action in the 1970s
		8. Development of theological dialogue
		9. Social action in the 1980s and 1990s
		10. Protestant - Orthodox relations
		11. Our shared journey

3. 1933 merger

(Click on any image to enlarge it.)

The Board of Directors of the newly constituted Massachusetts Council of Churches met for the first time on November 29, 1933. The Council was incorporated in 1934.

The Board arranged with the Federal Council of Churches to “borrow” the services of Roy B. Guild, one of the Federal Council’s most experienced fieldworkers. Guild served as a transitional Executive Secretary. He was clear about his mandate: “The most important factor is that the new organization shall be literally a Council of Churches and not a group of interested individuals.”

Indeed, the titular change from “Federation” to “Council” signified this shift in accountability.

The denominations were the constituent units of the Council. Their representatives were empowered to make decisions across the whole spectrum of denominational life and activity.

Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:2-4)

In 1935, the Council hired a new Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Frank Jennings. A man of superior intellect, deep faith and stirring eloquence, Jennings led the Council through the early years of transition and into a time of financial stability. He expanded staff and program, and clarified purpose. Serving for eighteen years, he was just one in a series of truly gifted Executive staff members.

From the beginning of Frank Jennings’ tenure in 1935, he emphasized the importance of social action as part of the work of the churches together.

In 1937, for example, the delegates of the churches to the Annual Meeting had these things to say:
- “we petition the Federal Government to grant to all conscientious objectors to war the same rights as are now granted to the Society of Friends.”
- “we urge the churches to agitate and educate against the evils of gambling.”
- “we regret the widespread commercialization of the Sabbath School.”
- “we favor the repeal of the law which permits indirect [public] aid to [private] schools by transportation of pupils.”

And at the 1945 Annual Meeting:
- “We affirm on behalf of our churches our unalterable opposition to all kinds of state lotteries.”
- “This Convention puts itself on record as protesting all forms of discrimination against members of minority groups and urges our churches to give practical expression of good will toward all men regardless of color, race, nationality or creed, and that we take a strong stand against any lessening anywhere of God’s gift of human rights merely because of religious bigotry or race prejudice.”

For the witness of the churches together in commitment to the launch of conciliar ecumenism,
we give you thanks, O Lord


Next page:		4. Development of conciliar theory and a vision of Christian unity