A Glimpse into 1964: Reflections from the Lansing Liberal Newsletter
By Ed Busch
This week, we’re journeying back 60 years to the May 20, 1964 newsletter. The headlines in the Lansing newspaper included:
Hints of an agreement between UAW and automakers on early retirement option.
Delays in further space flights due to the ill effects on astronauts following space travel.
A seizure of a weapons stockpile in Illinois belonging to an anti-communist Minuteman group, which included machine guns, flamethrowers, mortars, and explosives.
Disclosure from the State Department that over 40 microphones had been found buried deep in the walls of the US embassy in Moscow.
At that time, our church was located at 1229 Prospect Street in Lansing, and the church newsletter was titled "The Lansing Liberal." The big news in the newsletter was the upcoming visit of our ministerial candidate, Rev. Thomas L. Smith. The Pulpit Committee had recommended him to be our next minister. At the time, Rev. Smith was 45, married since 1944, and had three children. He had been ordained in 1949 and had served at four churches prior to Lansing. Among his affiliations were the Minnesota Mental Health Association, United World Federalists, and the NAACP. His sermon topic for Sunday, May 20, was "Obedience." [Note: Rev Smith changed his first name to Tomm. He was outspoken on his opposition to the Vietnam War. He served our church until 1969. To learn more about him, see our book “Dedicated Lives” published in 2011.]
Other events listed for the week included a Men’s Luncheon, a Bohemian Supper at Grand Woods Park, a UU Women’s Fellowship tea, an RE Discussion, and open houses at the church on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday evenings. Rev. Smith’s sermon for May 31 was titled "Cybernetics." A special meeting of the congregation was announced for May 31 to vote on the ministerial candidate. This motion had been made at the previous annual meeting.
Details for the Bohemian Supper were also provided. It was held at the Grand Woods Park pavilion, inviting families to bring a casserole or main dish to share, with desserts or salads assigned by last name.
The Board of Trustees included notes on their activities. Much of their previous meeting dealt with the logistics of the ministerial candidate’s visit and nomination. They also moved and passed a motion to grant the Flower Committee an additional $10 and thanked them for their excellent work throughout the year.
Notes from the Annual Meeting held on May 14 were also included. There was a motion to call a special meeting of the congregation, and another motion directed the incoming board of trustees to appoint a committee to study the constitution and proposed amendments.
Additionally, there was a "Welcome to Guests and/or Newcomers" section that listed names and their home location such as MSU, Lansing, etc., and an announcement of a Used Book Sale.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our past from 60 years ago. Do you have an idea for research in the archives? Any burning questions about something at the church? Let me know at uucgl.archives@gmail.com.
Images used:
1. Church building, 1972, UU Lansing Archives.(2007.0132) (Note: taken after we had sold property.)
2. Rev. Tomm Smith, Harvard Divinity School Library (bms01446)
