CHRISTIAN TALKS

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 18

CHRISTIAN TALKS

11 Delegates From N.Z. The progress of the ecumenical movement will be reviewed by 280 delegates from 15 Asian countries, including 11 delegates and two observers from New Zealand, at the fourth assembly of the East Asia Christian Conference to be held in Bangkok from January 30 to February 8. The conference, which was registered as an ecumenical organisation in 1957, includes members from Anglican, Protestant, and Orthodox churches. Discussions will also include the role of institutions in the life of the churches, ChristianMuslim encounter, structures needed for effective ecumenical co-operation, the church’s healing ministry, relations between churches and church union negotiations. The King of Thailand will address the assembly. Other speakers will include Dr E. C. Blake, the general-secretary of the World Council of Churches, and Dr D. T. Niles, the general-secretary of the East Asia Christian Conference. Delegates from Christchurch who will attend the conference are Mrs K. Hamilton (Anglican), Mr R. H. Thompson (Anglican), and the Rev. J. D. Grocott, president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. Mr R. M. O’Grady, assistant general-secretary of the National Council of Churches will represent the N.C.C., and Mr F. G. Heard, inter-church aid secretary for the N.C.C., will attend as an observer.