METHODIST CHURCH

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 116, 2 June 1937, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH

Hawke's Bay-Manawatu Dutrict MAY SYNOD AT DANNEVIRKE The May Synod of the Methodlst OUurch opened, its sessions in the Dannevirke Methodist Church. on Tuesday rder the presidency of the Bev. H, Odell (chairman of the district). All the ministers and home wissionaries oi the district were present, except the Eev. F. E. Leadley ((Gisborne) and tho Eev. J". H. Woolford (Wairoa). The Bev.' J. Copeland, president of the conference, being present, Ihe chairman invited him to conduct the communion service. The pre-communion address was delivered ' by the Eev. T. Coatsworth (Woodville), who spoke of the joy of redemption, the joy of possession and the joy o£ service. ' The Eevs. H. J. Odell and A» E. Waite assistea in the Rdministration of -the Sacrament. The business sessions of 'the synod followed, under the chairmanship of tfee Bev. H. J. Odell. The Bev. B. G. Fordyce (Sai*on) welcomed the Eev. H. J. Odell as the newly appointed chief pastor in the district. The Bev. A. Ashcroft conveyed greetings to the president. - Tho chairman expressed his pleasure at meeting the brethren and thankcd them for their greetings. He conveyed greetings to the newcomers to tho district. The president responded to the welcome extended to him, and conveyed news of various circuits he had recently visited. He urged that ministers should talk less about problems and more about opportunities, for they are many. Mr. Ashcroft spoke of the duty of challenging men.and women with the claims of Christ. The Bev. B. B. Gosnell (Hastings), secretary of the district, ably opened the discussion on "How best to prepare ourselves and our circuits for the bicentenary of Methodism.,J This event will take placg in 1938. He introduced the recent conference's recommendation, and dealt with the Spiritual Advance Committpe 'b suggestions concerning cottage meetings, group fellowship and heipful instructions to young married people. He urged the maintenance of the prayer meeting even although' tbe attendance may be very gmall. The duty of faithful pastoral work was emphasised. Every service should be a means of revival, and every visit paid and all work engaged in should be a means of bringing tho eyangel of Christ to their fellow-men. The Bev. T. Coatswprth supported the suggestion re the setting apart of two ministers as special evangelists. The Eev, A. Ashcroft urged the need for ministers being godly men, and thereby making their expected impression upon their fellowmen. ' The Eev. M. A. McDowell regardod it as oue of the failure* of the Cliurch that ministers had- missed the opportunities for persopal work, The Bev. B, Grice stressed the need for f'ollowing up evangelistic efForts, otlxerwise converts were oftcu lost.