HELD IN PAEROA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3260, 7 May 1943, Page 8

HELD IN PAEROA

MISSIONARY GATHERING METHODIST CONVENTION WORK IN SOUTH AUCKLAND Between 60 and 70 Methodist women from various parts of the South Auckland District gathered on Wednesday in the Paeroa Methodist Church for a convention of representatives of women’s missionary auxiliaries operating in a number of circuits in the district. The circuits represented included Thames, Paeroa, Hauraki Plains, Te Aroha, Morrinsville and Hamilton. There were also present representatives of the Paeroa Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army, bringing greetings and good wishes from/ the missionary organisations of sister churches.

Mrs H. W. Firth (president of the Paeroa Methodist Women’s Missionary auxiliary) presided, supported by Mrs H. Wood (secretary of the auxiliary.

Answering the roll-call, appropriate scriptural responses were made

on behalf of the various missionary activities represented.

The convention opened with a communion service conducted by the local minister, the Rev. J. R. Nelson, who gave a suitable address.

At the session immediately following addresses were given by Sister Violet Kruse, of Hamilton, and Miss E. M. Rishworth, of Auckland, the former of whom gave details of the working and aims of the New Zealand, Methodist Deaconess Order, and of the work of the deaconesses operating in the South Auckland District and elsewhere; the latter speaking of the plans for rehabilitating the properties and activities of the Methodist mission in the Solomon Islands, which have suffered severely from war operations in the South Pacific zone, and also traversing the financial prospects involved in the reconstruction scheme.

A solo was rendered by Mrs J. Stevenson.

Lunch, dispensed by the members of the Paeroa auxiliary, was provided in the Masonic Hall. Appreciation was expressed of the kindness of the lodge in making the building available for hospitality to the visitors. The local hostesses also provided morning and afternoon tea. At the afternoon session the special speakers were 'Mrs W. Oatman, Hamilton East, who gave a devotional address touching upon the spirit and example of Chnst as affecting Christian experience and service, and Sister Vera Cannon, of Tauranga, one of the recently evacuated missionary workers in the Solomon Islands, who spoke very impressively of

the work- in the and particularly of recent trying experiences of the missionary staff and of the native church, resulting from enemy aggression.

Fart of the afternoon session was occupied with special prayers. A duet was rendered by Mesdames L. Trim and H. E. Whitton.

The officiating organists for the day were Miss Winter and Mrs J. R. Nelson.

Appreciation of the various features of a Successful convention, and of the capable arrangements and generous hospitality of the Paeroa Methodist was expressed on behalf of the visitors 'by Mrs L. A. Brooks, of Te Aroha.