CHURCH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 254, 24 July 1944, Page 3

CHURCH AFFAIRS

National Council Meets

Problems of spirit uni anil community life arising bcr-anse. of Ihe great new housing areas were discussed by the National Council of Churches at. its third annual meeting in Lower Hutt last week. Using their experience of conditions in the Hutt. Valley, the Revs. L. V. Bibby and A. S. Lowe brought, before the council a statement of the sititalion. and spoke of experiments in meeting the spiritual needs of such areas which are being made in other countries. Proposals put before the council are to be followed up in the coining year. A report was received from a Commission on Christian Education, which has been sitting for some time. It was stated that a course in divinity had been set before the University Senate for its consideration in order that New Zealand, in line with almost every other part, of the British Commonwealth, might give facilities for the study of this science in the University.

The Bev. M. A. Hugbv Pratt, Christchurch, speaking on tiie responsibility of the churches fop the island peoples of the Paeilie, referred with appreciation Io the clauses in the Canberra Paet, which recognized the rights of Christian missionaries to carry on their work, so valuable in guarding the life of these people, now in danger of disruption through the impact, of flic war and the violent, upheavals caused by the garrisoning by Europeans. “Tim growing unity of the churches in New Zealand in common action and in deeper mutual understanding was fully in evidence during the meetings, and the council heard of the steady development of councils for common action and understanding in many parts of the country,'' says an official statement. “It is planned to hold a conference on a nation-wide scale next, year to consider questions of vital importance in the future of the nation and careful preparation is to bo made by means of five commissions working on subjects related to the question of Christian Order.” Tim third annual report of the council eonnnenting on the Caint>tiign for Christian Order, stated that there was evidence that if had made the churches in many places .'leciistomed to working togi'tlu'r in unity, and challenged (he Church io remember that Christianity must, become an effective force in the events of daily life. Signs were in evidence that .the campaign had brought fresh religions conviction and dedication.