The Presiding Bishop's Special Fund, The Church And The Racial Crisis 1964
Diocesan Press Service. May 6, 1964 [XXI-12]
More and more of our Churchpeople are caught up in the racial turmoil which is sweeping our nation. Individuals, entire families and parishes find themselves involved either by choice or by circumstance in the fast-moving and often violent changes occurring in our society. Legal and medical assistance and emergency help of all kinds are needed.
Many Episcopalians are participating in the civil rights issues in their localities and on a national level. They are manning picket lines, writing letters to Congressmen and Senators, contributing financially to civil rights organizations. Prayers are offered at altars throughout the country.
Our Presiding Bishop said in his Whitsuntide Message last year: "It is not enough for the Church to exhort m3n to be good. Men, women and children are today risking their livelihood and their lives in protesting for their rights. We must support and strengthen their protest in every way possible, rather than give support to the forces of resistance by our silence."
Bishop Lichtenberger at Epiphany of this year issued an appeal to the Church - to us - for a Special Fund of $150, 000 to enable the Church better to respond to the demands and opportunities the racial crisis presents. This fund gives all Episcopalians an immediate opportunity to take a responsible part in the drive for racial justice.
Expenditures of this Special Fund are under the supervision of a committee of the National Council appointed by the Presiding Bishop. Members are the Rt. Rev. William H. Marmion, Bishop of Southwestern Virginia; the Ven. David R. Thornberry, Archdeacon of Southern Ohio; and Mr. Ernest Greene of Washington, D. C.
Your gifts to this fund are urgently needed - now. 1964 has all the markings of the most crucial year of our nation's civil rights struggle.
Please send your contributions to:
THE PRESIDING BISHOP
EPISCOPAL CHURCH CENTER
815 SECOND AVENUE
NEW YORK, N. Y. 10017
Please make your checks payable to: Lindley M. Franklin, Jr., Treasurer, and mark them: "Racial Appeal. "