CONGREGATIONAL UNION

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL UNION

FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL ASSEMBLY WELCOME TO DELEGATES The fifty-second annual assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand began in Christchurch yesterday, approximately 100 delegates from all parts of the Dominion, from Whangarei to Gore, attending. The assembly will meet each day for a week, its business concluding on the evening of Wednesday, March 13. After the meeting of the union committee yesterday afternoon, delegates gathered at Dixieland, and a public welcome to the city was extended to them. In the evening the new chairman of the union, the Rev. A. Mead, of the Congregational Church, Moray place, Dunedin, was inducted by the Rev. G. Heighway, who presented him with the Union Bible as the symbol of his office. After the induction prayer by the Rev. H. Johnson, Mr Mead delivered his presidential address, his subject being "The Church of the Spirit." A full programme has been arranged for the week during which assembly will meet. Domestic husiness will be transacted in the morning. In the afternoon there will be conferences, for men and women, and in the evening public meetings. The general theme of the evening addresses will be "The Living Church and Society." Specific titles are "Why a Church at All?" "The Social Implications of a Church in Society," and "What is Going to Happen to the Church and Society, Death or Re-Birth?" There will be particular discussions of missions and youth work. The union sermon will be delivered on Wednesday. as the closing event of assembly, by the Rev. J. Milburn Stewart. . On that day also the chairman for 1936 will be elected by ballot. Speakers' Remarks Mr H. Sturge presided over the gathering at Dixieland, and as chairman of the Canterbury District Committee welcomed the delegates to Christchurch. He referred to the fine work being carried on in the city, and stressed the value of a Congregational Union. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and of the Deputy-Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, Councillor F. T. Evans extended a welcome on behalf of the Christchurch City Council.

"We are honoured that the conference should be held in Christchurch," said Cr. Evans. "We are proud of our city, particularly of our parks and reserves, for which so much has been done in the last two or three years by relief work, some of them having been created out'of sandy wastes. "In these critical times, when there is so much national distrust," continued Cr. Evans, "everything should be done to foster the Christian faith. There are millions of people on the road of life not knowing where to get comfort. In the recent troublous times, one fact is prominent, that the Christian churches have stood firm. I have had great pleasure in listening to the services broadcast from Congregational churches, and I hope that your labours here will be profitable and far-reaching." The Rev. T. W. Armour (Knox Presbyterian Church), representing the Christchurch Ministers' Association, expressed thanks for the courtesy done to the association in the invitation to be represented. He hoped that the assembly would experience all happiness and fellowship, and all prosperity in the work to which they had put their hands. "There has been much talk about a union of the churches," said Mr Armour. "I am in favour of such a

union, but I cannot say that I am in favour of uniformity. In any system there must always be a great place for the things for which the Congregational Church stands." The delegates' thanks for the welcome and hospitality received was returned by the Rev. S. Campbell (Wellington) and Mr J. Abernethy (Dunedin). .