PUBLIC WORSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 6, 6 July 1935, Page 10

PUBLIC WORSHIP

SOME HINDRANCES

SYNOD CONFERENCE

The members of the Anglican Synod —the Bishop, clergy, and laity—met in conference last night to discuss the subject of "The Obligation to Worship, Present Hindrances, and New Opportunities." The Rev. G. V. Gerard (Petone) was the convener of the conference. "Sunday Past and Present" was the subject of a paper read by the Rev. 'W. Gye (Wanganui). He gave an interesting account of Sunday life in a village in England where he had spent his childhood, and described the gradual changes in the life of the people caused by the coming of the railway, bicycle, and motor-car. Mr. Gye went on to enumerate the various factors affecting church attendance in England and New Zealand today. : "The Church's Use of Week Days" was dealt with by the Rev. G. R. Gardiner (Waverley). He read the provision of the Prayer-Book as printed in 1662 for the conduct of public and private worship on the days of the week; and he explained the provisions of the Church Calendar for the special observation of the anniversaries of the Saints of the Church. Mr. Gardiner explained the duties of laymen to attend the various services; and then contrasted the conditions of life in our time with those in England in the days when the Prayer-Book was first published. He suggested the advisability, of a possible modification of the formulae of the Church for use under the special conditions applicable to present-day life in New Zealand. ATMOSPHERE OF WELCOME. The third speaker was a member of the laity, whose subject was entitled "Voice from the Pew." Mr. A. S. Kempthorne (Lower Hutt) dealt with the question of fellowship amongst those who attended the same church, and pointed out the various ways in which church people could create an, atmosphere of welcome and warmth amongst the congregation. He spoke feelingly of the keenness of the younger generation to get together and do practical work in their demonstration of their religious sentiments. In this connection he commended to the Synod the work done by the movement known as Toe H, and quoted a statement from the report of the Lambeth Conference of 1930. A keen discussion ensued, various speakers taking part. .Although the falling off in recent years, and especially since the war, in,the numbers of those who attend church was deplored, at the same time it was agreed that those who attended church regularly at the present time did so from a definite sense iof conviction and a desire to take part in the worship of the Church.