NGATEA SERVICE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3250, 9 April 1943, Page 5

NGATEA SERVICE

MINISTER INDUCTED

CEREMONY LAST NIGHT

PLAINS METHODIST CHURCH

Newly appointed to the charge of the Hauraki Plains circuit of the Methodist Church, the Rev. G. W. Crammond was on Thursday evening publicly inducted to the charge at a well-attended service held in the Ngatea Methodist Church. In addition to the local congregation, representatives were present from Waitakaruru, Turua, Kerepeehi and other parts of the circuit.

The Rev. J. R. Nelson, Paeroa (supervisor of the, circuit), presided, and the ceremony of induction was conducted by the Rev. C. H. Olds, 8.A., Hamilton (President of the Dominion Methodist. Conference, and chairman of the South Auckland District), who delivered an impressive address to the minister and the congregation. The new incumbent was presented for induction by the circuit stewards, Messrs A. Baker and E. Sherlock.

Appeal to Congregation

It was stated by the inducting .minister that owing to the urgency of the need for ministers throughout the Dominion, due to war conditions, it had been found' necessary to release Mr Crammond from college before his period of theological training was completed.

Counsel having been given to the new minister concerning his studies, pulpit preparation, pastoral work and contacts with the people, especially the young people, the President of the Conference next appealed to the members of the various congregations represented to help their minister by their prayers, regular attendance at the services, and sympathetic attitude to him and to his difficulties, stiessing the need for the church in these exacting* days to be wholeheartedly in accord with its ministers in • the task of building the kirigdom ,of God, in an age when many malign influences threatened the progress, if not the very existence, of the church of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Olds Introduced

A brief response having Been made by the Rev. G. W. Crammond to the reception given to him, the new minister conducted the closing exercises of the service.

Subsequently, prior to the handing round of refreshments, '.he Rev. J. R. Nelson formally introduced the Rev. C. H. Olds to the gathering on the occasion of his first visit as Chairman of the District and President of the Conference, to the Plains circuit. The President responded to the welcome with a few further words of appeal for wholehearted service of the church and the kingdom of God. Brief- addresses of welcome to the new minister were given -by the Rev. R. K. Dobson (Anglican vicar of the -Hauraki Plains parochial district), Rev. J. More (Presbyterian minister, Turua), and-Messrs A. Baker and E. Sherlock.

Mr E. Cocks officiated at the organ