METHODIST SYNOD

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1931, Page 14

METHODIST SYNOD

WELLINGTON SESSION

THE YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

The Wellington district Methodist Synod was con tinned yesterday afternoon. The Rev. T. R. Richards presided. It was recommended by the Synod thnt the Greytown-Featherston circuit receive a grant of £100 from the Home Mission Fund. The following statistics were reported by the Rev. J. Dennis: An increase of 13 local preachers, 4 class leaders, 73 senior members, 78 communicants, and 339 on public 'worship. Grants were made as follows: —Thorndon circuit, £45; Johnsonville, £60; Eketahnna, £50; Otaki, £50; Paraparaumu, £60; Upper Hutt, £50. The Rev. H. Ashworth, District Home Mission Secretary," reported on the Spiritual Advance movement in the- various circuits and home mission stations. He stated that evangelistic missions had been held in the Taranaki Street Church and at Johnsonville. Great strides were being taken in connection with the youth work of the church in all parts of the district. The Rev. E. P. Blamires, the general secretary of the youth department, in speaking on the subject of church membership, stated that the church had over thirty thousand young people connected with its Sunday- schools and Bible classes, but that a large number had not yet been brought into direct church membership. Strong efforts should be made to secure the definite attachment of young people to the church. He stressed the necessity of preparation classes and suitable recognition services. At to-day's sessiou, the Foreign Mission report was presented by the Rev. 13. S. Harkness. The income amounts to £1251 13s 3d, an increase of £74. Mrs. J. F. Hill, the newly-appointed Dominion president of the Methodist Women's Missionary Union, presented the annual report. The membership numbers 2753 in the Wellington district. Five new auxiliaries have been formed. The union supports four sisters working amongst the Maoris in New Zealand and six sisters working in the Solomon Islands: £2663 has been raided, and 106 boxes of goods, valued at £334, have been sent to the missionaries for their work. Mr. S. T. Martin presented the report on church property. Land has been purchased at Belmont and additions to buildings at Johnsonville. A long discussion took place on the question of the reduction of the size of the conference. The Synod approved of the principle of representatives to conference being elected at district Synods instead of at quarterly meetings as at present. _^__