City Evangelism
Diocesan Press Service. May 8, 1963 [X-4]
Most inner city parishes have alarming rates of turnover in their congregations. St. Edmund's, Bronx, N. Y. is no exception. Massive new public housing projects outside its parish area and the movement of younger members of its congregation to the suburbs are a continuing drain on its strength.
How to attract new members to the parish? How to make these newcomers welcome and an active part of parish life ? These are the questions of dominant concern to the rector, the Rev. David R. Sass, and the lay leadership of the parish.
The parish laymen's representative, John Murphy, recently received a copy of a one-day course entitled "Evangelism in our Parish" (National Council) that seemed particularly relevant to this parish need. Dr. Howard Harper, executive director General Division of Laymen's Work of National Council and the author conducted the course at St. Edmund's during Lent.
The course was developed by Dr. Harper at a parish conference in Florence, S. C. Dr. Harper has conducted the course since that time at three different locations in Japan. The reaction at St. Edmund's proved the effectiveness of the course.
The 27 men and women who attended this all-day session were for the most part parishioners who had been active in the missionary effort at St. Edmund's. The perspective given by Dr. Harper's course will help focus their efforts and give them greater courage to pursue their mission despite the difficulties they encounter.