Miss Wolff Director of Christian Education
Diocesan Press Service. November 8, 1963 [XV-3]
For the first time in the 44-year-old history of the National Council, a woman has been named director of a department. Miss Carman St. John Wolff on Nov. 1 became director of the Department of Christian Education.
She replaces the Rev. Dr. David R. Hunter who has become the associate general secretary of the National Council of Churches. Dr. Hunter was named to the second post in the NCCC by its General Board at meetings Oct. 17-18.
For the past two years Miss Wolff has served as associate director of the Christian education department. She will be succeeded by the Rev. Robert C. Martin, Jr.
Miss Wolff, who will direct a staff of 34 persons, sees her role primarily as a coordinator of vast and varied skills. The department, which has the largest staff of any Council department because of its curriculum development, wi 11 launch a more centralized mode of operation beginning Jan. 1.
In implementing the new ideas, Miss Wolff feels that the department "must strengthen its adult education program", which she contends, "has been neglected for too long." She views the task of Christian education as preparing people "to know that they are the Church where they live" and, in all areas of their lives, "they must understand the mission to which they are being called in today's world."
To this the former missionary to China and Brazil added her belief that "God is acting in history and society as a whole in all the changes that are taking place," whether they be social, economic or political.
Dr. Hunter will succeed Dr. R. H. Edwin Espy who in July became NCCC General Secretary. In his new post, the Episcopal educator will have "particular responsibility for general program operations," Dr. Espy said.