Series 3 - Research materials for reports, briefs, and statements submitted by the Board to the church and external bodies

There is a great deal of research material found in the Board of Evangelism and Social Service accession which is not directly related to the activities of its various committees, or the operation of its various social institutions. An examination of the Minutes of the Executive and Sub-executive of the Board in the 1960s for example, will show that the members were interested in several issues that were either of an immediate nature (like the Vietnam War), or were not considered to be central to its mission as a vehicle for evangelism and social service (assistance to American draft resisters from that war who were resident in Canada). Examples of the use made of this type of material are found in the briefs presented by the Board, on behalf of the United Church, to Parliament on an issue like abortion; as background briefing materials for delegates attending a conference on racism and human rights; or for studies undertaken on issues like poverty or urban unrest. The collection of the research reports, newspaper clippings, statements from other denominations and non-religious bodies was often undertaken for a period of time beyond the immediate need of it for a specific report, brief or statement.

Series consists of the following sub-series: 1) Human rights and civil liberties, 1951-1971; 2) Human rights, racism, and native Canadian concerns, 1958-1971; 3) Medicare and Abortion, 1962-1971; 4) The church and urban issues, 1959-1971; 5) Experiments in ministry, 1963-1968; 6) American draft resisters in Canada, 1967-1971; 7) Reports to the Board, 1962-1969.