by Jack Chapin, editor (1951)

"Let’s look at The Record!" An all but forgotten slogan awakens to bright new life as the long-awaited diocesan newspaper makes its bow. This first issue of The Record will be read in 15,000 Michigan Church homes by an estimated 45,000 people. A real means of communication at last!

The Record has come to reality as the result of a need, long felt by all of us in parishes and missions scattered over this large Diocese, for a means of establishing better communication and closer ties. Proposed at the Convention last January, The Record plans were given to enthusiastic go-ahead signal by both clergy and lay delegates.

Never before have the 137 parishes and mission in Michigan had such a chance to be neighborly. Now it is possible for the accomplishments and progress of one group to be shared by all on a "this is how they did it" basis. The "how" of a new church building here or of an outstandingly successful Christmas bazaar there, can be retold for the benefit of others. A city parish suddenly has a thrilling increase in Church School attendance, or a little mission doubles in size within a year; a challenge met by one becomes a profitable experience for all, through the medium of The Record.

Church News is Dull Stuff

The Record will seek to dispel the commonly held idea that Church news is dull stuff to be dutifully read by clergymen, and possibly by women’s auxiliary members and vestrymen. Clergy are people too, we happen to know, and they will read and participant in these columns. But it is the man who worships with his wife in a pew on Sunday mornings (perhaps not every Sunday at that), that lends a hand when the church needs redecorating and sends his children to Church School who, by and large, makes the Church tick. We feel that his interests and activities are far from dull. This is his paper—for and about him. We hope he will read it.

Yes, we do want him to read it, for the success of The Record depends entirely upon him and his family and all others like him throughout the Diocese. The paper will thrive if it is really read. It is as simple as that!

Subscriptions Underwritten

Some months ago vestries and Bishop’s Committees were asked to underwrite subscriptions for their people. The response to this request was most heartening. Many thousands of subscriptions were thus guaranteed for a year. Still other parishes and mission have sold subscriptions to their people and more are coming in all the time. A paper in every Church home is the goal. To reach it, The Record staff urges every family to subscribe individually. Where underwriting has been done, this will ease the financial load on vestry and mission committee. In any case your own subscription will insure your paper in the mail at your door each month—September through June. Fill out the coupon on page 8.

This was the initial editorial that launched The Record in 1951,
written by editor Jack Chapin.