DUBUQUE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

DUBUQUE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. Founded in 1940 as a clearinghouse for united activities of most of Dubuque's Protestant churches, the Council claimed membership of nineteen churches in 1960. The most obvious symbol of the Council's activities locally was the aluminum trailer which visited city schools weekly to provide religious instruction to over eight hundred students in grades 3-5. The"Sunday School on Wheels" was only one of the many Council activities. According to its constitution, the Council was to express through cooperation the essential unity of the Christian church. Secondly, the Council was to provide an interdenominational agency for cooperation of churches in Christian education, public relations, social action, evangelism, world Christian fellowship, and other services which might achieve the objectives of Christianity. Lastly, the Council was to study the religious needs of the community and devise plans through which these needs could be met.

Each church had four representatives on the Council in addition to their pastor. Chairpersons to lead specific activities and members of the executive committee, which met each month, were chosen from this group. A regular meeting of all the representatives was held annually.

A leadership training program operated a yearly school held each winter for lay church members to give them a better understanding of church belief and background. This school was held alternately at the University of Dubuque Seminary and WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. A second activity was the vacation church school in which teachers trained in religious education instructed children in programs operated by individual churches. Youth work operated at two levels. PYADS (Protestant Young Adults, Single) was open to those beyond high school. UCYM (United Christian Youth Movement) was available for high school students. The Council also provided ministerial service to BETHANY HOME, Finley Nurses Home, SUNNYCREST MANOR, and the MOUNT PLEASANT HOME.

In the area of evangelism, the Council provided religious counseling work and aid carried to missions and jails. Activities of the Council were financed by assessments on the member churches.