United Ministry May Formulate Plan for Houses

A movement is under way to "sound out" Masters as to the possibility of effecting a closer liaison between the United Ministry and the Houses, Rev. Ronald Maitland, secretary of the nine-member group, confirmed recently.

One possible program might involve visits under House sponsorship of prominent theologians for two or three-day periods and arrangements for seminars and dining hall discussion tables. Although "not of one mind" as to the specific details of the program, Maitland said, the Ministry recognizes the need for a different approach to suit the religious needs of the changing University. "Harvard College is not a community of itself any more," he added.

Off-Campus Meetings "Unjust"

Another member of the group, Rev. Richard Mumma, pointed out that it is unjust to invite a famous professor to speak at a sparsely attended, "off-campus" meeting. House sponsorship of such lecturers would not only be fairer to the guest speaker, but would undoubtedly attract a large, more inter-denominational audience, he said.

"Each House is a natural forum for religious discussion," declared Rev. James Blanning. To relieve the Masters of an added burden, the students themselves might arrange invitations to speakers and seminar schedules, he said. "We want to work more closely within the University's framework without trying to ram anything down anybody's throat," Blanning stated.

No "Massive Assault"

Mumma emphasized that the plan was "not a massive assault by the United Ministry." "We are definitely not seeking identification of the University with religion," he concluded.