AUCKLAND METHODISTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 984, 29 May 1930, Page 8

AUCKLAND METHODISTS

MAY SYNOD HELD The May synod of the Auckland district of the Methodist Church opened in the Pitt Street Church yesterday morning, with a communion service. About 50 home missionaries and ministers were present. The Rev. Edward Drake, chairman of tho Auckland district, was assisted in the service by the Revs. G. Bond, S. Griffith, G. T. Marshall and T. A. Jougliin, and a pre-communion address on “The Centrality of the Cross” was delivered by the Rev. E. E. S 3 age, of Whangarei. The business sessions were held in the church parlour, where the subject of “The Church’s Opportunity” was dealt with. Very extensive surveys of the work of the Church in the various districts were given by the following: The Rev. H. L. Fiebig, B.A. (southern area), Pastor D. Hickman (northern area), the Rev H. Drake (central north) and Pastor J. Common (eastern area). It was decided to have these reports put into writing and presented to the District Home Mission Committee and the Home Mission Board as’ recommend * tions for Church extension. The Rev. W. Walker recommendeu the holding of eight-day evangelistic missions and services for the deepening of spiritual life, to be followed by preparation classes for Church membership, culminating in public services for the reception of new members. The importance of the Communion service and its use in the recruiting of new members was likewise stressed.

At the afternoon session comprehensive and enthusiastic reports of the Easter camps held by the Young Women’s and Young Men’s Bible Class Unions were given by the Rev. G. I. Laurenson and by the Rev. W. Rowe. Written reports were read from Miss M. Worsley (Rawene) and Miss R. Clark (Paerata). A resolution congratulating the leaders of the two Bible Class movements and commending tho Bible Class camp 3 to the churches in the district was carried unanimously. The remainder of the session was devoted to the considers, tion of the subject of “The Church and Religious Education,” which was introduced by the Rev. E. P. Blamires. organising secretary of the youth department of the Church. An inspirational meeting was held in the Pitt Street Church in the evening, under the chairmanship of the Rev. EL Drake, in preparation for the 1,900 th anniversary of Pentecost. The speakers were the Rev. S. J. Werren and the Rev Georga Frost.