METHODIST UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 69, 29 March 1913, Page 5

METHODIST UNION.

WHAT HAPPENS IN STRATFORD. The spirit of unionism between the Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan Churches has been, for the last twelve months, manifesting itself locally, but though in February last the united conference officially consummated the union, it 'is not till to-morrow that the decision of the conference will be materially felt in this district. This Sunday the Broadway Church will be closed in the morning, and the Rev. B. Metson will preach to the united congregation in the Regan Street Church., Additional interest should be attached to thus service from the fact that it will be the last occasion for many years, possibly, that Stratford people will have an opportunity of hearing the Rev. Metson preach, as he leaves for Christchurch in the v middle of next week. On Sunday afternoon, a united Sunday school procession will be held, the children marching from the Broadway Church through the main streets, and ending up at the Wesley Church, where a service will be conducted by the Rev. , Mr Reader, In the evening, the Rev. Reader will preach in the Primitive Methodist Church, and there will be no service in the Regan Street building. After this service. Holy Communion will bo celebrated. FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS. At a meeting held recently it was decided that the united congregation will worship in the Broadway Church for the present. At first it was thought that both buildings could be continued to be'used for services, but further consideration showed that this . would not advance the cause of unionism, nor would it be practicable from the financial point of view. The Wesley Church building will be moved to the boundary of the property, and / class-rooms will be added, so as to adequately provide for the large number of Sunday school scholars. There is talk of a big new brick Church to seat four hundred, but this is likely ■ to remain for some time a “castle in the air.”