NEEDED IN AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 853, 23 December 1929, Page 14

NEEDED IN AUCKLAND

REQUEST TO REV. L. B. FLETCHER WORK OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH A request that the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher continue his preaching in this city instead of leaving to take up the position of general secretary to the Christian Endeavour Union of Great Britain has been made by the congregation of Beresford Street Congregational Church. In the event of his staying in this country he is promised freedom to undertake special work for the Church in other parts of New Zealand. Mr. Fletcher will not make his decision utnil the New Year. However, it has been arranged that he shall go to London next year to lead the United Youth Campaign arranged by the Christian Endeavour Federation of London and supported by the Free Churches of London. The campaign culminates in the national jubilee which will be celebrated in the Albert Hall in May, 1931. Mr. Fletcher will leave in July and spend three months in Canada and the United States before going to England, where he is to spend five months. After the morning service yesterday a largely attended meeting decided. on the motion of Mr. C. E. Campbell, senior deacon of the church, seconded by Sir George Fowlds. to send Mr. Fletcher a letter expressing the hope that Mr. Fletcher would decide to stay in Auckland. After referring to the importance of the call from London, the letter proceeds:—“We cannot estimate the good that has been done and genuinely feel that it will be a. most difficult matter to find anyone to carry on the great work which you and Mrs. Fletcher d?Fe now doing. We feel strongly that your work in this country of ours is by no means finished and we desire to assure you of our very deep love for both you and Mrs. Fletcher and to express an earnest hope that you may be long spared to remain with us. Should you decide to con - tinue with us we pledge you our wholehearted support, not only while you are away next year, but on your return, when it shall be our pleasure and privilege to spare you for special work in other centres of the Dominion from time to time.”