GRADUATES IN PARISHES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29224, 7 June 1960, Page 14

GRADUATES IN PARISHES

Panel Discussion At Conference

There is plenty of work to be done by graduates in parishes, providing that they are dedicated members of the church, according to a panel discussion by three clergymen, a layman and a doctor held at the second annual conference of New Zealand Universities’ Federation of Anglican Societies yesterday. The panel which was discussing three main questions on the place of the graduate in a parish consisted of the chairman, the Rev. J C. Froud. the Rev. W C. Arnold and the Rev. L. Morris. Mr I. Reynolds and Dr. J. A. Lewis. Some 28 representatives from the universities of Auckland, Victoria. Canterbury and Otago attended. The three questions discussed were: Had the graduate any particular place in the parish that could not just as well be filled by a non-graduate, should only graduates be lay readers, and what openings could be created for graduates within parishes? To the first question the panel decided that a graduate or nongraduate had a definite place within a parish but that he or she should be a dedicated member of the church On the subject of lay readers the panel was unanimous. It considered the main qualification of reader should be that, whether graduate or non-graduate. the candidate should posses a certain standard of Biblical knowledge and in addition with permission to interpret, should have the ability to pass on that knowledge. Suggesting that there was plenty of work for graduates in parishes, the panel felt that so often graduates were not prepared to go forward and offer their services. services which any vicar would appreciate. Many people with special qualifications in teaching while not P'epared to take Bible or Sunday school classes could at least make their services available for instruction in teaching others, the panel considered. After a closing service at St Mark’s Church, Opawa, where it ?! ™ the conf erence ended •bout 4.30 p.m.