Conference President

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30899, 4 November 1965, Page 8

Conference President

The Rev. A R. Witheford, who was inducted as president of the Methodist Church Conference in Christchurch last evening, was offered as a candidate for the ministry in 1931. He was ordained in Christchurch in 1939 after receiving theological training at Trinity College, Auckland, and serving his probationary period at Waiwhetu and Kai-kohe-Kawakawa. Apart from four years as a chaplain to the forces, Mr Witheford has served in Matamata, Cashmere-Somerfield in the Durham street circuit, Invercargill central, and Ashburton, where he is now completing his ninth year. He graduated bachelor of arts at Canterbury College in 1946. His earlier working life as a bank officer provided valuable training for his later administrative service to the church. He has had eight years as secretary of synod districts, and was on the secretarial staff of the conference for 13 years. He was associated with the board of examiners for 15 years, nine as assistant secretary to the board. For five years he has been chairman of the South Canterbury district Mrs Witheford was known at one time as Sister Rona when a deaconess among the Maoris. Their four children share their parents’ interest in the church. Mr Whiteford will hold office until November, 1966.