BISHOP SUMMONS SYNOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 599, 27 February 1929, Page 1

BISHOP SUMMONS SYNOD

hopes to settle DISPUTE WAIKATO CHURCHMEN BUSY ' (From Our Oton Correspondent) HAMILTON, Tuesday. There is much speculation concerning the outcome of the special extraordinary meeting of the Diocesan Synod called for March 12. It was admitted by a member of the synod to-day that the move was with the object of settling the local ecclesiastical dispute. The Bishop told a Sun man that he did not intend to state his reasons for summoning synod. He had a certain proposal to make which might be rejected and, in view of this, he considered it inadvisable to say anything just yet. He was unable to state Whether the meeting would be open to the Press or the public. This question was not for him to decide. In the meanwhile Dean Barnett and the Kev. P. Claary continue with the onerous duties of ministering to a huge district without help. I n the Dioceoan Magazine it is stated that :he Cathedral Chapter recently allocated £250 toward assistance for the Dean, apparently for the purpose of supporting a curate. The note adds: In the meantime the Dean's hands are tied in the matter.”

An announcement is also made that next month the Chapter will hold a special meeting with the object of completing thorough organisation of the duplex envelope system. At Frankton, St. George's Church is still heavily in debt and the Bishop, who is preaching a series of sermons there every Sunday night until Easter, appeals continually for financial assistance to place the parish on a sounder footing. ANNUAL MEETINGS CLOSE

In April, the various Anglican church districts in Hamilton will hold their annual meetings, and lively times are again indicated. At Claudelands the question of forming a separate parish, a scheme that lias twice been rejected, will probably be resurrected, while opposition to Anglo-Catholic tendencies is bound to be the subject of discussion. Hamilton Hast parishioners are concerned with raising sufficient money for a church hall of their own. and a fund has already been started. At their annual meeting further steps in thie direction are likely. Many Hamilton East Anglicans are also gravely affected by recent events and a discussion on these would not be a surprise. Frankton Anglicans will review the past year with depression and will be concerned chiefly with liquidating the debt on the church. Chief interest will centre on St. Peter’s annual meeting, when the new Chapter will be elected. Last year, it will be recalled, a “ticket,” pledged to oppose any ritualistic innovations, was oiseted. Subsequently the whole Chapter resigned. At the “by-eiection,” the Chapter was practically re-elected and has carried on more or less amicably since. Bishop Cherrington is making efforts to secure Dr. H. D. A. Major, of Oxford, England, the noted modernist, to preach the Synod sermon at the end of June. SUNDAY SCHOOLS GROW CLERGY ENTHUSIASTIC (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, Tuesday. Anglican clergy in the Waikato Diocese do not appear to sympathise 'yith Bishop Cherrington’s opinion that Sunday Schools are unnecessary. In the latest issue of the Diocesan Magazine various writers in the parish notes emphasise the great value of '"Sunday schools and speak enthusiastically of the progress made. At 3*. Peter's Cathedral. Hamilton, only : «*e the attendances described as lower than what they should be. Vicars of Frankton, Te Pahu, Ohura, Matamata and Uriti mention Sunday school work in their parish notes and speak optimistically of the prospects tor increasing attendances.