METHODIST CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1931, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH

WOMEN MINISTERS ADVOCATED. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) DUNEDIN, February 27. A keen discussion took place at the Methodist Conference on the question. ,f whether women home missionaries, .iioul.l be registered under tile Marriage Act. The Rev. S. Lawrv moved: “That die Conference take steps to induce Parliament to make the necessary aleration to the Marriage Act, so Quit it might lie possuile lor women home ' missionaries to be recognised as officiating ministers. There was a wide difference of jpinion. lbo Rev. (>. Frost moved an amendlient that the privilege ho not granted ail the church had decided the quesion of whether it was expedient, lawul and advisable to admit women to he holy ministry. .lie amendment was lost by 86 votes :o 59, and the motion was carried. A recommendation requesting the) conference to appoint a commission on he subject of church membership anti other related matters for all periods,, from infancy to adult life, with a view .o an improvement upon tint present dieorv and practice in each grade, and especially to emphasise the value of •hurcli membership ill childhood, both : o the child and the church was adopted. The Conference agreed at Hie request of Archbishop Avenll to cooperate in a day of prayer on March' S, asking for the guidance of those dealing with unemployment problems. METHODST EARTHQUAKE FUND. STARTED BY CONFERENCE. DUNEDIN, February 25. The Methodist Conference was continued this afternoon. The Treasurer of the Home Mission and Church Extension Fund reported the income for 1,930 was £12,791 18s sd, and the expenditure. plus the 1929 debit balance was £12,934 19s, leaving a debit balance for 1939 of £142 15s 7cl. In the matter of earthquake relief, the following resolutions were carried: "That this Conference expresses its appreciation of the promptitude and 'iherality of our Churches and people throughout the Dominion in contributing to the general earthquake fund; that, to meet the special needs that have arisen through the disastrous earthquake, the Conference resolves that there be established a Methodist Earthquake Relief Fund, the object of which shall he to sustain the work of God iii the stricken area; that an immediate appeal be maae to our Methodist people lor liberal assistance to our impoverished circuits iii their great need ; that the earthquake relief monies now held by the Circuits and Chairman be paid into this fund. The Conference further commends tins appeal to the Trust Boards throughout the Dominion. The Chairman of the Hawkes Bay Manawatu district said that the rehabitation of the earthquake area was a connectional responsibility, as many of the members were practically ruined, and the Cricuit’s resources were practically nil. From £IOOO to £I2OO was ' . needed for immediate relief, to say nothing of what would be required Inter for the restoration of properties