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V
WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE
Dr. Fred Stripp, in the interests of harmonious functioning of the church, had resigned as Associate pastor when the conflict between the congregation and the minister was approaching the breaking point. Later, as a matter of principle, he decided to reconsider this action and pursue the issue until it was resolved. To effectuate any tolerable solution it was necessary to have a person who was neutral, or at least not so deeply involved in the controversy that he would not be acceptable to both factions. Under such conditions Edward E. France became the moderator, supposedly for one night only. Somewhat in the manner of "the man who came to dinner", the moderator stayed five years.
The pulpit committee, faced with the task of selecting a new minister, was handicapped. The figure of Fred Stripp loomed so large upon the horizon that it was difficult to see anyone else. In September of 1957 all doubt was erased and Fred Stripp became pastor of South Berkeley Community Church.
"When the nightingale sings all other birds keep silent" is an expression used sometimes by Fred Stripp in referring to a rendition of a beautiful solo by an accomplished artist. Hear then the history of South Berkeley Community Church for the years 1958 through 1960 in the words Dr. Fred Stripp:
July 20, 1960
My dearest friends,
I feel very much like a relay runner who has burned himself out negotiating his lap and is more than ready to hand the baton to the next runner on the team. When I started this lap, it was necessary to drop back and pick up the baton where it had been dropped on the track by the previous runner. And then from deep inside and from God above and from all you priceless friends around me came the strength to run this lap. It will be up to the next racer to put us out in front, but at least we are back in the running again, thanks in the greatest part to your unflagging support in the past three years!
Our whole family has made friends here that we intend to keep forever. We have laughed together, cried together, sung and worshipped, worked and played together. We have shared the joys that accompany the miracle of birth, the sacrament of baptism, the sacrament of marriage. We have shared the sorrows that accompany the transition of death. We have watched with warm satisfaction as more than a hundred of the finest people we know selected our church for their membership. We have listened to the most challenging guest speakers in our pulpit. We have been blessed with a musical ministry beyond evaluation. We have watched our mortgage go up in smoke. We have brought into our hearts from far-off Africa a member who is now a son in our family, making us happy with his fine progress in our University. We have helped to send a lovely U.C. co-ed to Poland. We are helping to educate a splendid young man from Mexico for the Protestant ministry there. We have watched our Woments Fellowship grow from one to four friendly and productive circles. We have rejoiced in the faithful leadership of our Church School. Our young people have given us sound assurance of the future of our Church. We have celebrated special days when our men and our women have conducted beautiful morning services. We have camped together at Cazadero. We have shared the hospitality of many homes in our membership. We have proved to the world that an inter-racial, inter-creedal church can be richer by far than one limited to one race or one denomination.
Now it is my fervent conviction that it is time for a new leader to come to the pastorate. September 15, 1960 will round out exactly three years since I was priviledged to assume the opportunities and responsibilities of this ministry. Coupled with the work at the University it has meant a seven day week for most of the three years. To assume the pastorate meant laying aside the research for a study on the religion of Lincoln. This fascinating task will be my next major project. I am submitting my resignation by separate letters to the Trustees and Council, but I wanted all of you to know at the same time.
I look forward confidently to a satisfaction greater than any of those of the past, your fulfillment in the tomorrows that lie ahead of the promising visions which have brightened our yesterdays.
With all my love,
Minister, SBCCC