National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

Gerhard Elston served as an officer or staff member in many peace and international organizations including as Executive Director for Amnesty Internationl USA (1978-1981), board member of Clergy and Laity Concerned, Bread for the World, American Christians for the Abolition of Torture, and the American Civil Liberties Union. He died suddenly in 1992 at the age of 68.

This collection contains the correspondence and writings of Dean Freiday (b. 1915), a Quaker writer and theologian. The papers reflect his wide range of activities in numerous Christian church groups and discussion groups. The correspondence includes leading Friends, such as Arthur Roberts, Douglas Steere, and Larry Miller. His writings on topics specific to the Society of Friends and interfaith issues of ecumenism, ecclesiology, and the sacraments.

The records of the FCC and NCC highlight the unifying issues for national church work, including labor rights, anti-racism, and conscientious objection.