NEW MINISTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32415, 3 April 1944, Page 5

NEW MINISTER

INDUCTION IN PAEROA ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH WELCOME TO MR G. W. MOORE The induction of Mr G. W. Moore, formerly a member of the Police Force at Thames, to the charge of the Presbyterian parish of St. Andrew’s, Paeroa, was solemnised at a service held recently. The church was well filled for the occasion, the service being conducted by the Rev. K. McKinney, M.A., of Thames (interim Moderator of the Paeroa charge). In the course of his charge to the minister and the congregation, Mr McKinney briefly expounded' the passage from 11. Corinthians, 3.2,3 Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts . written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God . . . m fleshy tables of the heart.” The preacher observed that the most potent and far-reaching of letters was that which was written, in the heart and life of a person, and he urged that in this sense it was the duty and privilege of both preacher and congregation to be “living epistles, read and known of all men.” Having addressed some words of counsel to the new minister relating to his pulpit preparation, devotional life and parochial work, the Moderator besought the congregation to give the minister every support by their prayers, sympathy and service, thus creating an atmosphere in which it would be easy for him to preach and work. The closing part of the service was conducted by Mr Moore, in Scripture reading and prayer. Musical Programme Afterwards greetings and words of welcome were extended to the new minister and Mrs Moore by the Moderator, and also by the Rev. J. R. Nelson (representing the Methodist Church), Adjutant Armstrong (Salvation Army), Mr C. N. O’Neill (Boy Scouts), Mr G. Buchanan (representing the Church Session), Miss Joan Blackwell (Young Women’s Bible Class), Mrs J. Brocket (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). In the welcome given by the Session to the minister, Mr W. F. Johnstone was associated with Mr G. Buchanan, in the capacity of elders. In a brief response, Mr Moore expressed gratitude to all wfip had spoken welcoming words to himself and Mrs Moore, and said that while making no promises for the future he was confident that in the atmosphere of cordiality and goodwill manifest on the present occasion, and with unity of prayer and. effort on the part of minister and congregation good work could be accomplished. He was especially grateful for the spirit of fellowship shown, and the co-opera-tion promised by representatives of other Christian congregations in the town.

An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental music was provided by the following contributors: —’Cello solo, Miss J. Collins; vocal solos, Mesdames J. Stevenson and W. J. Noble, Miss E. Davie, Messrs R. Jutson and Ferguson (Thames); vocal quartette, senior girls’ Bible Class, Misses O. Ardern, F. and O. Hollinshead and S. Fisher.

The accompaniments, were played by Mesdames J. Craig'. andJ. Brown, and Miss E. Davie.

The organist for the induction service was Mrs W. Tubman.

Supper was dispensed at the close.