Presbyterian Women’s Assn. Inaugurated

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 2

Presbyterian Women’s Assn. Inaugurated

“Today we celebrate the beginning not of a new work but of a new organisation, through which we believe we can do our work better,” the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand (the Rev. J. S. Murray) said at the inaugural service for the new Association of Presby* terian Women, in St. Paul’s Church yesterday.

The association was formed by the amalgamation of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, its auxiliary, and the Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship. “To those of you who now assume office in this new organisation, and who will carry heavy responsibilities in the coming years of experimentation and consolidation, I convey the congratulations and greetings of the assembly,” he said.

To the women of the ehurch the Moderator expressed the assembly’s appreciation of the way in which the development had taken place, and gratitude for the wisdom and courage and grace with which the proceedings had been carried out. "The assembly believes that what has been consummated

• today will bear rich fruit for the kingdom of God," he said.

The long process of negotiation, discussion and decision for the merger had been handled with great understanding and restraint, and the church had reason to be humbly proud of the way in which it had been done.

He paid tribute to the work of the three former organisations in the past. The church would have been impoverished without them, and witness at home and overseas would have been much more limited, he said. But what was right for yesterday was not necessarily right for today, and the conviction that there was danger In remaining as they were, while circumstances about them changed, had grown in the women of the church over the years. Finally they had

felt themselves called from their settled pattern of service to embark on the new road which now lay before them, he said. Challenge Ahead There had been and still were some uncertainties about the new development and some were apprehensive that parts of the work already being done could be put in danger, he said. The new association would succeed to the extent that those who were called to be leaders exercised their leadership in the power they had been given by God. It was a challenge to go forward in the face of risks and difficulties and tackle the job they were meant to do, he said. “And as you go your way into this new stage of your service together, lift up your hearts and rejoice in the challenge and the high promise,” he saiid.

“The aim of the Association of Presbyterian Women is to unite the women of the church in prayer, study, fellowship and service, to accept responsibility in furthering the work of the church and to encourage a

living interest in world-wide evangelism according to the policies of the assembly,” Mr Murray said. There was a capacity congregation in the church for ttie service, which also included the formal adoption of the annual reports of the three former organisations, and the constitution of the new association.

There was a ceremony of dedication for the members of the new executive, who had earlier been presented to the Moderator by the Rev. J. D. Salmond, who was convener of tfie special committee set up by the assembly to assist the amalgamation. New Officers

The following officers, all Christchurch women, were elected to the new association: president, Mrs R. S. Royds; vice-presidents, Mesdames A. L. Sutherland and M. W. Wilson; secretary, Mirs G. W. Drayton; assistant secretary, Mrs B. Adair Moore; treasurer, Mrs J, A. McAlister.

For the last three years Mrs Royds has been president of the Christchurch Presbyterial Association, and for seven years was president of the St Ninian’s branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union. Mrs Wilson, the wife of the retiring Moderator and minister of Knox Church (the R*. Rev. M. W. Wilson), has given many years' service to the church.

Mrs Sutherland, a graduate of Aberdeen University, is a former missionary in the Punjab, and has taken an active interest in the P.W.M.U. since 1947.

Mrs Drayton has been secretary of the Christchurch Presbyterial Association for four years, and secretary of the Cashmere branch of the P.W.M.U. Mrs Moore is the mother of a young family and lives in the St Mark’s, Upper Riccarton, parish.

Treasurer of the Christchurch Presbyterial Association for three years, Mrs McAlister has held office as treasurer in several P.W.M.U. branches.