Episcopal Press and News
Faith Alive -- Five Years Old
Diocesan Press Service. June 23, 1975 [75237]
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- At the recent annual meeting of the FAITH ALIVE Board of Directors at Kanuga Camps & Conferences, Hendersonville, N.C., Fred C. Gore, President and Executive Director, announced that over 500 FAITH ALIVE WEEKENDS have been held in Episcopal churches in over 80 dioceses during the five years that FAITH ALIVE has been in existence in the Episcopal Church. In addition, approximately 50 churches of other denominations have been assisted in having these events, which in general terminology are called lay witnessing missions. President Gore stated that of the 161 WEEKENDS completed in 1974, 90 percent were rated by the clergy as excellent or good.
Plans for 1975-76 include more attention to follow-up after WEEKENDS and more information to make this approach to spiritual renewal more widely understood. A budget of $52,800 was approved to operate the FAITH ALIVE National Office. This figure represents an approximate 17 percent increase over the year 1974-75 which will need to be met by increased contributions from individuals and parishes who believe in this effort. Fees to help parishes hold WEEKENDS were kept at the same level.
FAITH ALIVE was founded as an Episcopal organization in 1970 and is controlled by a Board of Directors consisting of 24 Episcopal lay and clergy members.
Present officers were re-elected except that Mr. Barry Peters of York, Pennsylvania replaced Mr. Douglas Mims as Treasurer. Mr. Delavan Baldwin of Jacksonville, Florida is Chairman of the Board. The Rev. Claxton Monro of Houston is Vice-President and Mr. Elmore Hudgens of York is Secretary. New Board members are Messers Baldwin, Martin Clark of Columbus, Ohio, Buck Kendrick of Los Altos, California, Donn Tee of Akron, Ohio, Mr. Elmore Hudgens, the Rev . Albert Lawrence of Winona, Minnesota, and the Rev. Claxton Monro.
The lay witnessing mission approach involves a number of lay men and women from several Episcopal parishes coming at their own expense, to a parish holding a FAWE and sharing what their faith means to them. This is done throughout the weekend in large groups, small groups and on a one to one basis. The tone of the WEEKEND is one of joy and awareness that God loves us and responds to our commitment to Him. It focuses on Jesus Christ rather than the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The FAITH ALIVE National Office, P.O. Box 21, York, 'Pennsylvania 17405, in return for a small fee, provides leadership and materials to plan and hold the WEEKEND.
