[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel, April 6, 1946]
During the war years some branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Societies, particularly those located in coastal areas, found it difficult because of the blackouts and restrictions on transportation to hold their business and committee meetings at the usual time. The gasoline rationing limited for many the number of trips which could be made weekly. Consequently, after consulting The Christian Science Board of Directors, and as a wartime measure, some branch churches arranged to hold business and committee meetings preceding or following the Wednesday evening testimony meetings. Occasionally, when a matter of some urgency arose, a brief business meeting was called on Sunday following the church service.
These arrangements were in the nature of emergency provisions. Now that the rules covering civilian defense activities and the gasoline rationing have been entirely lifted, and travel by automobile and public conveyance is wholly unrestricted, the need for such special arrangements has passed. It is advisable and desirable, therefore, that the practice of holding business or committee meetings preceding or following the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, or on Sundays, be discontinued.
