ANGLICAN SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 6

ANGLICAN SYNOD

CONCLUDING SESSIONS The final sessions of tho twentyfourth Anglican Synod of tfie Diocese of Dunedin were held in St. Paul’s Schoolroom yesterday, Bishop Fitchett presiding. ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES.

The Rev. C. E. P. Webb moved—- “ That Synod recommends that the name ‘ Anglican Orphanages ’ be changed to the ! Anglican Children’s Homes.’ ”

The mover said that in the superintendent’s report for the year it was said that the word “ orphanage ” sounded too cold. A tremendous work was carried out by the board, and an attempt was being made to obviate any suggestion of an institution. There were two homes, St. Mary’s Orphanage, which was for girls, and the Anglican Memorial Home for Boys. Canon Small seconded tho motion, slating' that all of the children in the homes were not orphans nor Anglicans. He’suggested that the words be “ children’s'Anglican home.” Bishop Fitchett warned the Synod that certain properties were connected with tho orphanages. . There were left from time to time legacies which might cause confusion if a change were made in the name. He did not know 1 what the objection was to the word “ orphanage.” It was no disgrace to be an orphan. It should be remembered that there was also a children’s rest home in the city. It did not belong to the church, though the bishop of the diocese was chairman. He thought a change would be Very unwise. Mr W. E. Earnshaw pointed out that an alteration to the name could be made only by an alteration of the statute. In reply, the Rev. Webb said he thought the‘alteration should be made and that the legal difficulty could be solved. The motion was lost. SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

The Rev. A. W. Stace moved—“ That the Synod commends the work of the Diocesan- Sunday School Teachers’ Association to all parishes in the diocese.” Mr Stace said that a great debt of gratitude was owing to the association for providing a syllabus which unified the work throughout the year and for going to the trouble of arranging an annual examination. The association was deserving of a sincere vote of thanks.

Seconding the motion, the Rev. W. A. Hamblett said it was difficult in these days, when there were so many calls on the interests and time of young people, for them to find an opportunity for carrying out any other work. The work of the teachers, for which they were very grateful, was of tremendous importance. With the increasing opportunities for pleasure it was becoming more evident that the people were leaving town for week-ends and were taking the children with them. It was to be hoped that the syllabus would be uniformly adopted, which would give greater continuity in the event of children changing from one school to another. It had been suggested that one syllabus be drawn up for seniors and another for juniors. The Rev. L. D C. Groves invited members of the clergy who resided outside Dunedin to forward any suggestions_ they might have for the better working of the association, and also jisked them to bring-the benefits to be derived from affiliation with the association before the Sunday school authorities in their districts. Only a few of the Snnda.v schools were affiliated with_ the association, and he urged all provincial parishes to make it a diocesan association in' fact as well as in name.

The Bishop urged all Sunday schools to become affiliated with the association. He took no credit for the work performed by the association, he said, but he was quite conscious of the fact that a large number of the clergy were doing a great deal of work on its behalf. Referring to the suggestion of drawing up two syllabi, he said he thought that the junior one should remain much as it was' at present, while the senior one should consist of church history. In reply, the Rev. Stace said lie realised the difficulties which faced the supervisors and teachers. If they took instruction from the clergy great benefit would accrue. The motion was carried.

The report of the Sessional Committee on Sunday schools was as follows: The committee believed that just as there was a direct relationship between the day school and the State on the commercial, intellectual, and social sides, so did the Sunday school stand in like relation to the church. It was the nursery for the development of a strong spiritual intelligence that would make its way into the larger religious home of the church and wield its power to uphold and propagate the eternal principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. As a visible institution the church must die out if its religious nurseries ceased to' have a place in her affection and care. In this nursery the child life received impressions and imbibed principles which played an important part in the formation of character and church life. As the ultimate future of the church depended very largely upon its younger members, the Sunday school is of first importance. The committee commended the practice in those parishes where mprniug Sunday schools were held, of bringing the children into the church for the early portion of the service and in others of arranging some services specially for the children. Some had found the use of stamps and albums had been very beneficial in securing good attendances. Tlie committee expressed its appreciation of facilities given for Bible teaching in State schools, and believed that it had a splendid effect in assisting the work of the Sunday schools. It rejoiced that the Otago and Wanganui Education Boards had given permission for devotional exercises at the daily opening of school, and with pleasure it learned that this latter privilege was already being availed of in 20 schools in and about Dunedin. The committee commended the work of the Diocesan Sunday _ School Teachers’ Association in providing a syllabus and in arranging for an annual examination. The association would have pleasure in furnishing copies of the syllabus to any school at present not using it, and would welcome their affiliation. The committee gratefully acknowledged the self-deny-ittg labours of Sunday school teachers, and in view of the supremo importance of their labours urged them to devote adequate time to the preparation of lessons and to avail themselves of the assistance of the clergy. In view of the increased facilities for recreation, especially at the week-ends, parents were urged not to interfere with the regular attendance of their children at Sunday school and church, and to support th'/r children’s attendance at church oy their own example. The committee commended to both parents and teachers the encouraging of the children to take advantage of every opportunity of fitting themselves for useful citizen's service. The report was received.

CHILDREN AT SERVICES

The Rev. A. W. Stace moved—- “ That the Synod urge upon all vicars the advisability of encouraging the attendance of tho children at the regular church services.” The mover said that some church members failed to realise that tho future life of the church depended qn the children of to-day, and their spiritual welfare was most important. Some people objected to children coming into the church at all, maintaining that they should be kept in the Sunday school until old enough to attend church. In view of the increased facilities for recreation during the weekends, the speaker urged parents not to allow these conditions to interfere with the church and Sunday school attendances of their children. Nor should it be merely a question of sending the children to church —parents should go with them and set an example. The Rev. D. Hillman seconded the motion. ... Bishop Fitchett maintained that the children should be encouraged to attend the regular churches and not only special children’s services, and suggested that tho regular service should periodically be mainly for the children. 'The motion was carried. SOCIAL QUESTIONS COMMITTEE. The Rev. A. B. Pywell moved—- “ That Synod reappoint the Diocesan Social Questions Committee, and that the following constitute same for the ensuing vear:—Rev. A. B. Pywell (convener), The Dean, and the Reverends L. D. C. Groves, R. Newcombe, and C. E. P. Webb, and Messrs J. T. Dawson, D. H. Hastings, H. H. Clarke, E. Bond, and W. J. Strong.” Bishop Fitchett explained that the committee was not appointed by the Synod but by himself. After the word “ reappoint ” hpd been replaced by the words “ respectfully requests the bishop,” the motion was carried. ASSESSMENTS ACCEPTED. Archdeacon A. C. H. Button moved —“ That the assessments as per schedules be fixed for 1936-37.” It was decided that the schedule as set forth be accepted. BY-ELECTIONS OF SYNODMEN. The second reading of a Bill to amend the. Election of Synodmen Statute was moved by Mr J. T. Dawson, who explained that the Bill was put forward to make provision for by-elections. The Bishop said it was at his request that Mr Dawson undertook to draft the Bill following two experiences during the year when vacancies for Synodmen arose. The motion was carried and tne Bill was put through the committee stages and passed. FUNDS FOR MISSION FIELDS. Tho Rev. W. A. Hamblett moved; “ That this Synod heartily endorses the appeal of the Diocesan Missionary Committee for £1,569.” He said that there appeared to be a serious lack of organisation in some parishes, _ particularly in the case of those which gave only about one-quarter of the amount asked. He suggested that the members of church vestries and committees should adopt an attitude of co-operation with the vicar. The church was not an expensive institution, and when they thought of the amount spent on pleasure,, the sum spent on the propagation of God’s faith overseas was infinitesimal. He advocated the wider use of the duplex envelope and the home box systems, supported : by more frequent sermons, in obtaining funds for missionary purposes. Mr Hamblett said there was a prospect that the mission steamer Southern Cross would visit New Zealand next year, and would visit as many ports as possible. The Rev. F. V. Fisher said it was not too much to expeot the parishes to meet their quotas. In his parish, which last year contributed 10 per cent, above tho quota, the box system had proved the most successful and fruitful means of obtaining contributions. Parochial finances, which, admittedly, had been difficult, were now improving, ami the request of the Missionary Committee was reasonable. The Rev. A. C. W. Stace considered that the issue of missionary envelopes twice yearly would meet with a generous response. The motion was carried. It was decided to recommend to the churchwardens that the coi’ection on Good Friday should be devoted to missionary purposes. ‘ CHURCH ENVOY.' The annual report of the ‘ Church Envoy ’ Board drew the attention of members of Synod, and through them tho church officers concerned, to the very large amount of arrears of payments to the ‘ Envoy.’ It was to be hoped that something ivonld be done by those in arrear to suggest some basis of agreement as to the settlement of their indebtedness, which in some cases went back beyond 1931. Following on tho report from Synod last year, the board endeavoured to ascertain from parishes and districts in arrears particulars of any amounts in hand collected for sale of the ‘ Envoy ’ in order to arrive at some definite estimate as to the effect of tho writing off suggested by Synod. Very few replies were received, and tho board did not feel justified in making the reductions suggested without some more definite details from those concerned. The accounts showed an excess of assets of £39 17s 5d after provision of the writing off of some amounts prior to 1931 and allowance for doubtful arrears. The hoard pointed out that this writing off had been done at the expense of the managers, who had handled tho work of the paper since 1927 without honorarium. There were many parishes and districts who had tho matter of the distribution as provided in the statute properly organised—lo of them having paid their accounts up to the end of 1936. It was to be hoped that other districts would try to put their ‘ Envoy ’ affairs on a similar footing. The advertising revenue had kept up, and a satisfactory settlement was made of the diocesan and orphanage amounts outstanding and for a continuance of the advertisements. On tho present circulation the cost of tho printing and distribution of tho paper was barely being covered. Thanks were due to Mr Rackley for the work ho had done in looking after the management of the paper from July 1, 1931, to October 31. 1935 This work had been done without any payment of honorarium. The board conveyed thanks to the joint editors. Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead and tho Rev W. A. Cnrzon-Siggers, for conducting the editorial side of the paper. The report was received. The following motions were carried:— “ That this Synod expresses thanks to Mr E. Rackley for his service to the diocese in acting ns manager of the ‘ Church Envov ’ from July 15, 1931, to October 31. 1935.” “ That the following be appointed as tho ‘ Church Envoy ’ Board:—The Rev. F. V. Fisher. Messrs J. T. Dawson. W. J. Strong. R. R. Koofood, and tho Rev. J. N. Thompson. ASSESSMENTS.

Synod delegated to Standing Committee the power to make the assessments this year.

ASSESSORS APPOINTED. On the nomination of the Bishop, the following six clerical and six lay assessors were appointed :—Dean Cruickshank. Archdeacons J. T. Russell, L. G. Whitehead, J. A. Lush, C. H. Button, and the Rev. W. A. Cur-zon-Siggers, Messrs J. Ash, J. T. Dawson, F. W. Knight, G. R. Ritchie, L. D. Ritchie, and A. F. Cheyne. DATE OF SYNOD. 11 That the Bishop be requested to consider favourably the calling of Synod at an earlier date than October,” was moved by Air W. J. Sheat, who said tho Synodmen who were farmers found extreme difficulty in leaving their farms in October owing to the seasonal occupations. Air W. Kelcher seconded. The country laymen had no desire to be selfish, but usually they were uneasy in their minds when leaving their farms in the spring. Dean Cruickshank supported the motion, and moved that the Dean and tho Archdeacon of Dunedin be appointed a commission, with power to act, to deal with the question. If it were possible to hold Synod at the end of August, Selwyn College would probably he placed at the disposal of married clergy and their wives. He suggested that the Synod should extend for a week, including a week-end, in which the visiting clergymen could obtain inspiration in the city parishes. All that the commission could do would be to recommend to the Bishop. Ho warned the country clergy not to bo too hopeful, at the same time assuring them that the commission would do its best. Tho Bishop said his own view was that October was not the best month for the Synod. Ho agreed that a Synod extending over a week-end would be beneficial to the clergy and the visitors’ own parishes. But for the fact that tho year ended in June ho believed that June would lie the best month. He would welcome any advice and _ consider it seriously. •* The motion was carried and the Dean’s suggestion was adopted. VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were passed to Archdeacon Button for taking the Synod sermon, Archdeacon Lush for conducting the quiet hour, tho president and committee of the University Club for granting honorary membership to members of Synod, the hosts and hostesses ol the country clergy, the officers of Synod, the ladies who had provided afternoon teas, and the lay readers ami Sunday school teachers of the diocese.

A special vote of thanks was also passed to Bishop Fitchett for the manner in which he had conducted the business of Svnotl.

Replying, the Bishop expressed his thanks to Synodmen for their attention to business, much of which was wearying, hut had the objective of producing tho host machinery possible for making the spiritual work of the church more effective ami easier.