Any appraisal of the work of the Religious Research Association during this past year must take cognizance of the significant advances that have been made in the work of the Publications Committee. Dr. Frederick Shippey and the other members of his committee have done an outstanding job in launching the Review of Religious Research in its new format and in continuing to enhance the quality and expand the scope of our journal. It is with regret that we have received the resignation of Dr. Shippey as the Editor of the Review and the Chairman of the Publications Committee after these many years of faithful and responsible service.

One doesn't have to be an "old timer" to be able to recognize the great strides that have been made in the work of the Publications Committee. It seems just a few years ago that wheat was an informal sharing of mimeographed papers within the religious Research Fellowship became formalized into the Review of Religious Research -- which in a very short time became the journal of quality and prominence that it now is. We shall greatly miss the dedicated leadership of Dr. Shippey in this key position. However, we recognize that with him, as with the rest of us, it become necessary for us to respond to other demands that are placed upon us -- and for new leadership to assume its rightful role in our growing organization.

As we look to the future, we would do well to explore the possibilities of closer working relationships and better communications with researchers of various religious traditions and from different lands. Dr. Lauris Whitman, former president of the Religious Research Association, will be representing our organization at the annual meeting of the American Catholic Sociological Society in Montreal this August. As some of you probably know, there are very significant developments occurring within this professional group and that considerable interest has been expressed in a greater involvement amongst their membership in the RRA.

Father Houtart, a key leader in European sociology of religion circles, will be visiting our nation this coming fall. It has been suggested by several persons that we should explore much more fully than heretofore the possibilities for greater interchange amongst European and American sociologists of religion. Possibly the journal with which Father Houtart is associated, Social Compass, and the Review of Religious Research might serve as vehicles for accomplishing this purpose. Discussion along these lines will probably be pursued this fall.

It is with real pleasure that I announce our H. Paul Douglass lecturer for the annual meeting June 17-19, 1965 in Chicago. He is Dr. Talcott Parsons, eminent sociologist from Harvard University.

No review of the work of the Religious Research Association would be complete without the expression of a deep appreciation to those countless numbers of persons who have devoted many hours to the various facets of our work -- whether in finance, membership, development, program, publications, or nominations -- to all I say on your behalf a sincere "thank you" for a job well done. At the same time, I am sure that the chairman and members of these various committees join with me in requesting of you, the RRA members, your suggestions and recommendations for the continuing improvement of specific aspects of the life of this your Religious Research Association.

Respectfully submitted,

Walter Kloetzli, President