Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1954, Page 146

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146 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

it was clear that the congregation was making some progress. The
Sunday school grew rapidly, the ladies’ aid was reorganized, much
work was done to improve the physical appearance of the building
and grounds, and financial contributions increased.

With the cessation of hostilities and the return of the veterans
from the Army, the congregation experienced some of its most en-
couraging progress. It began to think about making its present
facilities more serviceable by the addition of a meeting room and
space for more effective work with the youth of the church and of
the community. But right in the midst of these plans two things
happened that knocked the wind right out of our sails. First, the
congregation was assessed about $2,800 for street improvements
(paving, etc.). Not having enough cash on hand to pay off the
debt, the congregation had to choose the ten-year installment plan,
which means an additional 10 to 13% in interest on the balance
each year. For example, on the $209.12 payment for 1953 interest
amounts to $27.00. Although to date the congregation has paid
each yearly installment, the struggle has kept it from doing much
toward getting the additional facilities it needs so immediately.
The second thing that happened was that our congregation suffered
severely from the great exodus of young veterans and their families
to other parts of the country because of certain unfavorable con-
ditions, etc., found here in the Deep South. They simply moved
away rather than face these conditions. In the last several years
we lost five entire families totaling nearly 20 members. Fortunately
the great majority of these have not been lost to the Church, as
they were transferred to other congregations; nevertheless our
congregation sustained a great loss.

With the return of things back to normal again, the rapid im-
provement of conditions in the South, the great increase in educa-
tional facilities and opportunities, better living conditions, better
housing, etc., the opening of many new industries in the South,
the congregation again has visions of a very encouraging future.
Our most recent gains have been among people who are making
Jackson, more or less, their permanent home.

On December 13, 1953, the congregation celebrated the thir-
teenth anniversary of the dedication of its chapel. To use the
words of one of the charter members, “It was the best service
we've ever had here!” Sunday school attendance was 75; and at
morning worship 80. At the anniversary service in the evening,
Supt. G. M. Kramer preached a soul-stirring sermon. Piney Woods
School Choir furnished beautiful music. In spite of the fact that
there was a continuous downpour of rain, 120 people packed our
little chapel to the very altar rail. So inspiring was this service
that the congregation raised over $200 as a special anniversary
thankoffering to start a building fund and included $500 in its
1954 budget to be set aside for the same.

But with the congregation’s best efforts it will take us too
long to get what we need so urgently; hence our earnest appeal
to Synod to help us get the additional facilities that we need.

We feel that the real future of the Lutheran Church in Missis-
sippi lies in the proper Christian education of its youth; we need
the facilities for which we plead for more effective work among
our youth. B. L. Taompson, Pastor