500 ATTEND CONFERENCE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 12

500 ATTEND CONFERENCE

Presbyterian Youth In an attempt to relieve the monotony of addresses the Presbyterian summer youth conference, at present being held at the Heaton Street Intermediate School, will divide into groups for discussion of suitable topics. More than 500 persons from all parts of New Zealand, all between the ages of 17 and 30, are attending the conference. “We are trying to avoid straight addresses,” said the Rev. A. Goss, director of Christian education and chairman of the conference, yesterday. “The 500 present will divide into seven groups of 70 and each morning will discuss such topics as ‘race’ and ‘poverty.’ “We want to look at the changing concept of the parish itself, and the ministry,” said Mr Goss, “particularly, how the Church should be adjusting itself to the great social changes going oh.” The conference began with a Communion service at 10 a.m. yesterday and will continue until January 1. A Church of South India service was held, this being one of the few united churches in the world.

Delegates had a free afternoon, although the group leaders met to discuss arrangements. Delegates had the evening meal in private homes, and then attended parish services. Afternoons will be devoted to sight-seeing and sports, and set functions will be held in the evening. This evening there will be a film and a panel to discuss it, and tomorrow evening a panel of overseas missionaries will be questioned by the conference.

Each group will produce an item on the subject of race relations on Wednesday night, and on Thursday the Rev. L. Jones will give an illustrated talk on the problems of the inner-city church. On Friday the Rev. J. C. England will begin the evening with his views on the place of Christianity in the future, whch will lead to a general discussion.