The Ninth Annual Community Breakfast of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta was attended by 1400 persons Saturday, March 3 at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin of Cincinnati was the keynote speaker. He was introduced by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan.

Invocation was given by Bishop Bennett J. Sims, Bishop the Atlanta Episcopal Church.

The musical feature was presented by the Choral Ensemble of Central United Methodist Church.

In his address Archbishop Bernardin discussed two major subjects. The first topic covered was evangelization. Witnessing to Christ and His Gospel, he said, is achieved not only through media techniques such as radio and television, but primarily through each individual’s personal commitment to others. “In the final analysis the most powerful witness to God’s love is the lives of those in whom the love of God is evident and whose love for one another is equally evident...An ecumenical body such as your Christian Council can do a great deal to challenge its member churches to be more effective in their work of evangelization.” Archbishop Bernardin added evangelization is only as strong as the united efforts of Christians. Quoting an Apostolic Letter entitled “On Evangelization in the Modern World” published in 1975 by the late Pope Paul VI, he noted, “The division among Christians is a serious reality which impedes the very work of Christ.”

The Archbishop went on to say that among the many visible projects it can undertake, the Christian Council should focus on social justice. “Work on behalf of justice is so much a part of the Church’s (all Christians’) mission, that one may not be separated from the other.”

Archbishop Bernardin also pointed out that there is “an essential link” between evangelization and the work of social justice. “Perhaps one of the greatest contributions you can make to the work of evangelization, is to convince people that there is a connection between what Jesus said and what is happening in the real world...There is a moral dimension to most problems and the Church has not only a right but an obligation to make its voice heard.”

In addition to the Archbishop’s address at the Community Breakfast, a highlight of the meeting was the presentation of special awards to five local people who have made significant contributions to the Atlanta Community.

The Charles M. Watt Jr. Award, presented annually to the person who has done the most to improve the quality of life in the area, was presented to D.W. Brooks, Chairman of the Board Emeritus of Gold Kist, Inc.

The Mrs. Fred W. Patterson Award for outstanding contributions to a better understanding between people in the metropolitan Atlanta area was awarded to the Reverend John Cross, Director of Inter-Baptist Ministries of the Atlanta Baptist Association.

The Community Service Recognition was made to Richard C. Hicks, Executive Director of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel received the International Service Recognition Award for his ministry with the internationals in the area under the auspices of the Christian Council.

Dr. Harmon D. Moore, Executive Director since 1966 who will be retiring in late summer, received a special award for his 13 years of dedicated service.

The Christian Council celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.