PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 19408, 17 November 1926, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY

ACUTE SHORTAGE OF MINISTERS [Pose Unhid Peess Association.] WELLINGTON, November 16. At the meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly to-day the Supply and Ap* pointments Committee reported During the year six appointments have been made—Rev. E. H. Kedgley, Otorohanga (three years); Rev. L, .Thompson, M.A., Island Bay (four years); Rev. S. rrenter, 8.A., Hinds (three years); Rev. A. J. Davis, Hampden (four years); Rev. J. M‘L., Brodio, 8.L., Seaciiff-Warrington (five years); Rev. D. M'Coll, Oteramika (five years). After the appointment of the Rev. J. H. Starnes, 8.A., by last Assembly to New Lynn, but before his settlement, the charge desired to become self-sus-faining. As Mr Starnes did not seek the cml the committee, with the consent of the Auckland Presbytery, cancelled the appointment. It desires confirmation or its action. Since last Assembly at least six aid-receiving charges on falling vacant, in order to retain their privilege of call, rose to the selfsustaining level. It is the opinion of the committee that if the minimum over the church were raised to £3OO the majority of the congregations, on becoming vacant, would undertake to reach this figure in order to retain this privilege. The work of the committee is now being seriously hampered by the acute shortage of ministers. The position in Otago Central is most serious. To maintain the existence of this Presbytery it would almost appear necessary for the Sustentation Committee to be empowered to make a special grant to charges there. If the minimum in this area were raised to £3OO perhaps the situation might be saved. This suggestion is made merely that the position may be brought under :ho notice of the Assembly. The committee is glad to be able to report that it is serving its end in bringing interim moderators and ministers desiring a change into touch with one another, and some happy settlements are thus being effected. The report on sustentation fund was presented by the Rev. J. Pringle, of Dunedin. It stated: —■“ Through the equal dividend being raised from £275 to £2BO a number of charges which had been paying the lower figure came in for a small dividend under regulation 7, section (b). Several of these Cave voluntarily agreed to increase their payment to £2BO, so as not to be a charge upon the fund. In Otago the system of direct contribution to the mstentation fund has been maintained, miHng ’a total income of £960 13s 9d ' rom congregations. Grants amounting to i 937 17s 2d have been made to thirty-nine charges. The reason for carrying forward the balance of £379 I2s 7d is to meet the necessary payments for the first half of the financial year, when few congregational contributions come to hand. In the rest of the church the Assembly treasurer has made disbursements totalling £766 5s to nir.rty-threo charges. The dual system now in vogue of receiving direct contributions from congregations in osie part of the church and of augmenting stipends by money from the Budget lor the other part is not very satisfactory, and can, ctly be regarded as transitional. The committee thankfully acknowledges the valuable services of Sir Walter Gtw, the treasurer of the fund.” The Presbytery in Auckland ferwajded am overture guaranteeing ad vances whereby small churches ; n now districts might be helped. The matter was referred to the Finance Oo nmittee The report on the insurance fund was given by Mr A. D. Thomson, Wellington. Insurances an. unting to £71,417 were distributed over 381 churches, 214 manses, and 193 schoolrooms. The amount to the credit of the fund was £10,479. Scholarships of £SO to the Theological College and £25 to colleges are to he granted. The amount of £4OO was transferred to beneficiary fund. Various other reports wore submitted.