SYNOD OPENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 245, 15 October 1940, Page 9

SYNOD OPENS.

ADDRESS BY BISHOP.

PROBLEMS OF THE DAY.

"The important task of the day, as I conceive it, is to consolidate and strengthen our position to the utmost of our power, and, at the same time, to seek to bring into the field of God's Church the many who to-day are wandering aimlessly and looking for help," said the Rt. Rev. Bishop W. J. Simkin in his address at the Anglican Synod to-day. The bishop said that tliev had met in momentous days. They believed that right would prevail, and although the path to victory might involve sacrifice and suffering, they should be enabled to tr?ad it bravely. Their thoughts went out to the Church in the Old Laud—the Chureh- from which they had sprung— and they offered their fellow churchmen and churchwonien there' sincere sympathy and pre.vers in their trials and sufferirgs. It wa« with a deep feeling that he spoke to the Synod on his first occasion as the bishop. Referring to the missionary duty of the diocese, the bishop urged that the work should be kept in the forefront of parochial activity. The amount which the diocese would be asked to raise this year would be the same quota, but with an additional 15 per cent, and the total required was £3415. Referring to the retirement of Archbishop A. W. Averill in March last, alter 26 years of service, the bishop said that the work of the Church in the diocese had increased to such an extent in the archbishop's term that a division had become necessary, and in 1026 the diocese of Waikato was created. Archbishop Averill had been associated with many works of importance and much expansion. Bishop Simkin said that after careful thought and consultation with the General Trust Board, he had decided to reside in Selwyn Court. The chapel at Bishopscourt would be preserved in its present form, and would be available for any future bishop who desired to live at Bishopscourt. The bishop made feeling reference to the deaths, during the year, of the Rev. Richard H. Johnson, who was vicar at Takapuna, and the Rev. W. H. W. Rattray, also to the resignation of Mr. C. J. Tunks from the office of chancellor of the diocese, and of the board of nomination.