CHURCH & YOUTH

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 166, 10 April 1931, Page 11

CHURCH & YOUTH

Advance Made by Methodism NEW OFFICE OPENED To Methodism in New Zealand, and particularly to Methodism in Wellington, the official opening of the Connexlonal Youth Office last evening by the Rev. E. D. Patchett, president of the Methodist Conference of New Zealand, was an Important event The establishment of this connexlonal office, admittedly long overdue, will enable the youth work of the church to find fuller and more effective exprssion, a fact brought out by speakers last evening. The occasion is of more than ordinary Importance from Wellington’s point of view, for the establishment here of a connexlonal office has, with the help of the Wesley Church trustees, become now a reality. The ceremony last evening began with a brief dedication service, attended by about 50 people representative of the Methodist Church in different parts of Wellington. The service began with a hymn, which was followed by a prayer said by the Rev. E. P. Blamlres, general secretary of the Young People’s Department,' and a Scripture reading by Mr. G. C. Burton, president of the Young Men’s Bible Class Movement The act of dedication and benediction were pronounced by Mr. Patchett At the end of the service those who were present inspected the new office before re-assem-bling in the main hall nearby. In his opening remarks the chairman, Mr. Patchett said that he had had in his heart throughout his term in Wellington a strong feeling that the youth office should be established here. He was glad to see the project worked out and brought' to fruition and to know that those who were to carry on this work would do so with better arrangements. New Era Dawning. The whole ehurch, he said, believed that a new era was dawning in connection with youth work ns a result of the opening of the new office. They could hope for nothing better in the church than that the youth movement should grow and progress and gain strength. He wished especially to thank the trustees of the Wesley Church for the part they had played. The trustees bad been put to considerable expense in making the office available and equipping it. They had shown the utmost interest in the youth work and had tried in every way possible to meet those who were seeking the establishment of the office. Speaking as a representative of the Young Women’’® Bible Class Movement, Miss Tocker, its president, expressed first of all appreciation of all that had been done toward the setting up of the new office, and the interest and help that had been given to the Bible Class by the chairman, Mr. Patchett. Miss Tocker went on to describe the work that had been done and was being done by the young women’s branch, as well as its aims and responsibilities. Mr. Burton, president of the Young Men’s Bible Class Movement, referred at the beginning of his address to the work which had been done for the youth of the church both by Mr. Patchett and by Mr. Blamires. Continuing. Mr. Burton said that ever since the idea of a youth office had first been beard of, they had looked forward to the present occasion. Both Bible Class movements had reached such a stage that to have cooperation in a youth movement was necessary. The speaker concluded by describing the work that the Young Men's Bible Class was doing and the bright future of the church toward which he was sure it would assist. Turning Point Reached. Mr. Blamires said that they were indeed at a turning point in the development of young people’s work in this country. The proposal to establish a youth office had been made, he said, tome years ago In conference, and the Wellington Synod had asked whether it would not be well to make Wellington the centre. Four years ago, at Auckland, it had been recommended that the time for the setting. up of a youth office was already overdue. They had waited altogether too long, and the work had suffered during the last four years, but now that the office had come into being they could look forward to the future with great hope and ambition. There was a problem in church life today that could not best be solved by solving it in the youth period, he continued. It was vital and strategic. He trusted that Wellington would soon come to realise that it could not have any department which would have a better effect on the whole range of church life throughout New Zealand than the department of youth. It would act not on behalf of the Wellington district only, bnt on behalf of the whole country. At intervals between the addresses last evening, and before the final benediction, vocal solos were given by Miss Eva Wilkins. Mr. H. F. Gardiner, and Mr. K. 11. B. Strong. ViolSn solos were played by the Rev. Allen Carr. Mr. Clement Howe was the accompanist.