In association with the World Methodist Council.

Founder Secretary: Rev. A. W. Shepherd, G3NGF

C I R C U L A R L E T T E R No. 2. APRIL 1 9 6 0

Dear Members,

Hello everybody. With the commencement of 1960 I have now completed three years pioneer work developing this first Church Amateur Radio Society of its kind in the world described as the World Methodist Amateur Radio Fellowship. The organization officially set up to direct this new development is called WAMRAC and dates from November 20th, 1957 (not as incorrectly stated in C.L. No. 1, 18th January, 1958 which is the date of the commencement of the Register). So, with the commencement of 1960, I have started on my fourth year of work on this exciting new Church development, and WAMRAC has commenced the third year of its existence.

Up to now the main objective has been the search for as many Methodist (and other Church) Radio Amateurs and SWLs as I could find, to contact them by post, and to persuade them to become members of WAMRAC to introduce them to each other through the "World Methodist Register of Church Radio Amateurs and Clubs and Short Wave Listeners" (Copyright), issued free only to members, and which I am compiling as a means of introducing them to each other.

Starting on January 18th, 1958 with four names in the Register, it was important to devote one's energies to building up the number of names in the Register, and especially the membership of WAMRAC to a good number from all parts of the world before we could start work on this World Methodist Amateur Radio Fellowship to make it mean something to its members. I am delighted and grateful to God to be able to write and tell you in this Circular Letter that we have now reached that point. But before indicating the possibilities, as I feel you who have given me your support by becoming members of WAMRAC and subscribing to this work will want to know, let me give you an outline of my activities up to present.

Through personal QSO's from G3LQK, G3NGF and now G3NJB, through the GB3BMC Exhibition, through world publicity, and through personal introductions by Methodist and other radio amateurs and SWLs, up to date (21.3.60) I have found 131 Methodist Radio Amateurs from 16 countries. So far only 36 of them from 9 countries have become members of WAMRAC. 17 Methodist SWLs from 6 countries have become members out of the many others I have written to. Only the SWLs who become members are given in the Register so far. Also, in response to suggestions, a place has been found as Associate Members for those belonging to other denominations. 1 amateur and 3 SWLs from 1 country have become Associate Members. All this means there are now 152 names in the Register from 20 countries, and 57 of them from 13 countries are members of WAMRAC.

That achievement has meant a lot of letter writing. As soon as I find a Methodist Radio Amateur or SWL, or one interested from another denomination, I write and tell them about WAMRAC and invite them to become members. Upon joining WAMRAC members are welcomed, issued with the Register, and the scheme is further explained to them. If some of you feel that so little has happened since you became members, I should explain that this, together with other related correspondence, has meant me last year writing 405 letters and sending out 348 circular letters at a cost of