SOCIAL SERVICE BY METHODISTS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26263, 7 November 1950, Page 5

SOCIAL SERVICE BY METHODISTS

ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED

DECISIONS AT CHURCH . CONFERENCE

(Net 6 Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 6. The establishment ’Of a Methodist Social Service Association was approved by the annual conference of the Methodist Church this iporning. The general purpose of the association, which will be an incorporated body, will be to survey annually and make recommendations to the conference, district courts, and circuits on the initiation, development, or co-ordination of social service work, to ensure adequate publicity for the work, and to administer funds given to the church for such. In recommending the establishment of the association the welfare of the church committee said: "The committee is of the opinion that the time has come for major institutional movements within Dominion Methodism. There is no doubt that our church lacks a defined and long-terrn policy in relation to its social services.” The conference decided that an annual survey of church property should be made. No recommendation was made on the' suggestion «that ministers might own their own furniture. The committee also suggested that a proposal that ministers should have the right to retire at the age of '6O. instead of after 40 years’ service, should be considered. The conference decided to make no recommendation. Plans for the construction of a new central mission in Auckland on the site of the present building opposite the Town Hall were described by the superintendent (the Rev. A. Everil Orr), in presenting the annual report of the Auckland Central Mission. The building fund now stood, at £48.249. He said that March. 1951. would make the centennial of the historic Alexander (now Airedale) Street Church in whi-h the mission was operating. He said it was honed to lay the foundation stone of the new building at the cen jnnial celebrations.