Synod .'Freeze A-arms

Will Hear Bible Class Founder

OCEAN CITY-The 21st annual convention of the New Jersey Synod, Lutheran Church in America, concluded here May 16 with nf nisters and delegates from its 173 congregations taking action on 'international, national, state, and church issues. The convention had reelected its chief officers, approved a 3-year $2 million fund-raising effort to support its urban iministries, ordained five persons for Christian ministry, and approved a 1983 budget of $2,132,050. DELEGATES overwhelmingly supported "an immediate bilateral nuclear freeze between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. as a firststep toward arms reduction," and voiced support of the Nuclear Freeze Referendum scheduled to appear on the New Jersey Ballot in November. They also asked the L.C.A., the synod’s parent body, to call for a "church-wide study and support of the mutual arms freeze.” Expressing deep concern over the Reagan administration’s proposals of cuts in federal aid to needy Americans, the convention directed its bishop to communicate this concern to the state's cpngressional representatives indicating "this synod’s support for the continuation of programs that provide adequate human services and assistance for its citizens who because of circumstances, often beyond their control, cannot provide for themselves." THEY ALSO called upon the synod’s congregations and members to increase their own efforts "to meet the needs of these citizens through church and community-sponsored social ministries." Similar actions were taken to "provide adequate nutritional services" for citizens who, in the midst of affluent America, suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Noting that the New Jersey legislature, as well as those of several other states, has taken action to re-institute capital punishment, the convention asked its congregations and members to study the L.C.A. statement urging the abolition of the death penalty and to communicate their feelings and concerns to the governor and members of the legislature. DELEGATES ALSO call ed on the national church to provide "new and further guidance" for pastors and congregations "in their ministry to and with homosexual persons," and to issue a "statement on abortion which takes into account the insights and changing conditions" since* the last L.C.A. statement was issued. The convention asked the ' synod's pastors and people to write the Soviet Embassy in Washington urging the granting of visas to the Vachenko and Chmykhalov families who have been living in the basement of the U S. Moscow Embassy for the last four years. THEY ASKED the synod to look into cooperative Christian witness and outreach in the Meadowlands with the Interfaith Planning Council of the New Jersey Council of Churches, to seek further relationships with the Racetrack Chapjaincy of

America in ministry at the state's four racetracks, and to ask each Synod congregation to work for , growth that reaches three percent of its communing

membership in 1983. The Rev. Herluf M.

Jensen, Moorestown, Synod bishop, and Dr. Glenn H. Rudisill, Dumont, secretary, were re-elected

synod. Jensen will serve for his second full term, and Rudisill for his

seventh.

The $2 million Advance in Mission/New Jersey fundraising appeal, In the planning stages for several years, was approved to begin in 1983 The funds will be used to support and undergird several of the

SEA ISLE CITY - The women of the United Methodist Church, at a specially arranged meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the church, will have Mrs. Dorothy

Worth as a speaker.

She is the wife of Philip Worth, pastor of'the First United Methodist Church of Collingswood, andisknown as the founder and teacher

classes of the Delaware Valley She also has a radio ministry entitled Women A live heard over WTMR at 8:15 a m daily. Other church women are invited to attend. An offering will be taken

Topie ‘In Our Own Tongues'

CAPE MAY - The Rev Cass L. Shaw will preach at the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at First Presbyterian Church on May 30, Pentecost The sermon topic will be In Our Own Tongues. r New menjbers will be received • during the service, to be followed by a coffee and

to the highest offices of the Synod’s urban ministries of Community Bible , . . fellowship time

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