METHODIST CHURCH

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23799, 19 November 1942, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH

CENTENNIAL APPEAL RESPONSE TO THANKSGIVING FUND During the year an additional £26,000 has been added to the total of promises for the New Zealand Center nial Methodist Thanksgiving' Fund. Members of the North Canterbury District Synod were informed yesterday that the total was now £98,000. On this basis, it was believed, the objective of £ 120,000 would be reached by March, 1943, when the appeal would close. “The organisation has been quiet but strong,” the committee reported, “and the response steady but sure.” It was decided that the office of travelling organiser for the appeal should be discontinued as from March 31, 1943.

Synod was informed that £34,316 had been paid locally direct to respective local objectives, but that other payments from individual donors had yet to be notified. Detention Camps

Alter approving the war services and chaplaincy fund report, the synod approved of the following resolution, which was moved by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt:—“That this synod urges the Home Mission Board to consider and take necessary action with a view to ensuring adequate chaplaincy services for the detention camps.” The mover said he understood that a camp for such a purpose was to be established in Canterbury. The Chaplains’ Advisory Board for the Canterbury district was appointed as follows: —Revs. J. H. Allen, W. Grigg, E. Drake. H. L. Blamires, M. A. Rugby Pratt, R. Dudley, E. E. Sage, J. Dennis, H. Whitfield, and Messrs W. A. Bascand, P. A. Le Brun, H. de R. Flesher, F. Thompson, W. G. Wright, E. R. Caygill, and C. H. Perkins. Mr Dennis will be the convener.

The public questions committee reported, with reference to the Bible-in-Schools League, that _ its work had steadily progressed in the public schools. “The verdict that leaders of the great democracies have given that the war is waged in defence of Christian civilisation suggests the question: why in the curricula of the national schools is the teaching of Christianity forbidden?” said the Rev. R. Dudley, who said he believed that there was a growing public consciousness of such a glaring inconsistency. Bible In Schools

The synod, on the motion of the Rev. A. McDowell, recorded its gratification at the increased facilities being given for Bible instruction under the Nelson system as a result of the league’s work, but considered that the scheme was weakened and the work impaired through lack of an approved curriculum for the general use of those conducting instruction. The synod, therefore, recommended that the matter be considered by the league in conference with the national council of the churches, with a view to arriving at some practical scheme of graded instruction, and also an undertaking in respect to its working. The Rev, D. O. Williams addressed the synod on “Growth in Grace.” In the evening the speakers at the annual synod social were the Rev. C. O. Hailwood and Mr G. H. B. Lill (vicepresident of the conference). The Addington Church choir provide the musical programme, and supper was supplied by the women of the Christchurch north circuits.) The synod will resume its sittings this morning.