METHODIST CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 151, 21 November 1914, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH.

Annual 'district synod. Tlie animal Synod of the TaranakiWanganui District of the Methodist Church, will assemble in Whiteley Memorial Church next week. The District extends from the North Turanaki area down the coast to Marton, and thence up the Main Trunk line to Wainiariiio. The ministerial members number twenty-two, the home missionaries seven, and the lay representatives thirtyseven. Of the ministers, the lie v. T. Cannell, now living in retirement in New Plymouth, is the oldest in the chronological list of ministers of the district, and next to him in order conies the Rev. T. G. Hammond, who is now in charge of the West Coast Maori Mission. Mr Hammond will be Chairman of the Synod, in place of the Rev. 11. L. lilamires', who is absent as a chaplain with the expeditionary force. The ministerial committee will meet on Tuesday morning for a. devotional session, at which the Rev. A. Reader, Stratford, will give an address, and that afternoon for committee business. On Tuesday evening, a public welcome will lie tendered to the visiting members of the Synod. Addresses will be given bv the Revs. L. Hudson (of Wanganui), and E. T. P. Ifaddon (in charge of the Maori work at Normunby.) A good programme of music will he pres'Tiod, and refreshments will be dispensed. The Synod business session will open formally on Wednesday morning, and be continued throughout that and the following day. On Thursday mroning, prior to the Synod session, a meeting of the district [ branch of the Social Service Union will be held. At this the R t . v . A. 11. Chappell will speak on "The Call to Social Service." The Synod business w i!l be largely of a routine character, but some questions of an unusual nature will lie discussed with a view to reeoimncndi-.fion ty the next New Zealand vonfeiviicc. Among these will be the length of term of pastoral appointments. At present five years is the limit; a remit advocating an unlimited term., witli special conditions for all years after the fifth, will* be discussed and voted upon. The last conference approved this extension, hut sent it down to .Synod for ratification.