Episcopal Layman Honored for Ecumenical Work
Diocesan Press Service. January 22, 1975 [75026]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- More than three hundred members of several Christian denominations gathered at the University Club in New York City on January 21 for a dinner honoring the contributions made by two Episcopalians over the past several decades toward the furtherance of Anglican - Eastern Orthodox ecumenical relations.
The dinner honored Dr. Paul B. Anderson, an Episcopal layman, on his 80th birthday. It was also in memory of the late Bishop Lauriston L. Scalfe who died in 1970 soon after retiring as Bishop of Western New York. Hosts at the celebration were the Most Reverend Archbishop Iakovos, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, the Reverend Sterling Carey, President of the National Council of Churches, and the Most Reverend John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
The celebration also served to inaugurate the Scaife -Anderson Fund which will be used to complete the Scaife Memorial Scholarship at Harvard University and also to assist young persons from the United States to study and work overseas in the interest of strengthening relationships between Eastern and Western Christians.
Dr. Peter Day, Ecumenical Officer of the Episcopal Church, told the gathering that a little more than $12,000 has been contributed since the Scalfe -Anderson fund was announced several weeks ago. He said he anticipates total contributions will amount to $65,000. Friends of Bishop Scaife have already contributed some $35,000 toward the $50,000 Harvard scholarship.
Archbishop Iakovos told the gathering he was pleased to participate in the honoring of "two great Christian gentlemen -- both still living -- one in eternity and one still with us. "
"We of the Orthodox family keep a dear spot in our hearts for these great personages," he said.
Others who spoke at the dinner included Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, vice-president of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Claire Randall, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Episcopal Bishop Jonathan G. Sherman of Long Island, and Harrison Salisbury, retired editor of the New York Times.
In his response to the talks, Dr. Anderson outlined his half-century ministry in China, Russia and other places mostly under the auspices of the YMCA. Several members of the Anderson and Scaife families were present at the dinner, which was preceded by a Vesper service in St. Thomas Episcopal Church sung by the choir of the Russian Orthodox Seminary.
(NOTE TO EDITORS: A photograph from the dinner will be sent in a few days.)