CONFERENCE AT RICCARTON

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 3

CONFERENCE AT RICCARTON

Student Christian Movement

A hundred and twenty students from all parts of New Zealand are attending the annual summer conference in Christchurch of the New Zealand Student Christian Movement, a branch of the World Student Christian Federation The conference is being held in the St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall, Upper Riccarton.

The theme of the conference is “Christian Vocation,” and representatives of the four universities and five of the six teachers’ colleges will have discussions in study groups, and hear talks on this theme. A study book has been prepared by the Rev. C. I. L. Dixon, chaplain to the movement at the University of Otago. The host for the conference •is Mr D. Patterson, of Wellington, who is chairman of the movement in New Zealand. He is assisted by Miss J. P. Morrison, general secretary of the movement, who will deliver one of the conference addresses, and a large committee. The students are living at Riccarton School, where sleeping accommodation has been provided, and all their meals are being provided at St. Peter’s by a professional caterer. The conference is also using the hall of the Upper Riccarton Methodist Church, for tutorials and study groups. The programme for the conference is a full one: the students are called at 7 a.m., with prayers at 7.45 a.m. and breakfast at 8.15 a.m. The mornings are occupied with faculty meetings, study groups, and tutorial or discussion groups. The afternoons are generally free for other activities. Addresses on topics of common interest are held during the evenings Speakers at Conference Speakers at 'the conference include Professor G. A. F. Knight, professor of Old Testament studies at Knox Theological Hall, Dunedin; the Rev. W. van Wyngen, minister of St. James’ Presbyterian Church, Spreydon, and former secretary of the movement in the Netherlands; Professor R. T. Sussex, of the modern languages department of the University of Canterbury; the Rev. W. P. B. Gamlen. Mr R. Kilgour, and Mr George Burns, as well as Miss Morrison. A special service will be conducted on New Year’s Eve by the Rev. D. J. Brown. A picnic will be held on January 1, when all members will go out for the day. The conference will end of January 4, but executive officers of the movement will stay behind for a three-day special conference at the Old Stone House. Cashmere.