METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 22484, 31 October 1936, Page 10

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

ANNUAL REPORT Strategically situated to pursue a vigorous programme of ardent evangelism and constructive social work in a day when socio-economic environment is reacting with tragic effect upon life, the mission has ministered rewardingly to increasing numbers, states the Methodist Central Mission annual report. For many harassed lives there has been an expansion of the horizon and a quickening of self-respect. An historical survey of the work reveals cyclic development. The founder and his immediate successor were engaged in the work of consolidation and administration, making it possible for their successors to adopt a developmental policy which prepared the way for the present period of social and institutional work. Throughout these successive stages the dominant aim has been to help life towards the standards and ideals of the kingdom of God. The young people’s work is distinctly encouraging. Having regard to efficiency, the Sunday school is departmentalised with a membership of 105. Teachers and parents are in effective co-operation by what is termed “ home association.” which encourages understanding of the environment and general home relationships of the children. Bible class work by 7 specialised direction lias assumed an encouraging aspect. The young women’s senior Bible class led by Sister Hazel with a membership of 30 and the young men’s Bible class superintended by the Rev. B. M. Tasker with a membership of 23 are making rapid progress. Two young women’s intermediate classes under the inspiring leadership of Sister Lenna and Miss Olive M'Crone and an intermediate young men’s class led by Mr Gordon Adams are awakening and guiding the spiritual ideals of many young people, while the junior young women’s class under the guidance of Miss Eunice Russell and the junior young men’s class under the leadership of Mr Ron. Ingram are motivating many young people to a different relationship with Christ and the church. It is good to report a total Bible class membership of 122. As an aid to Bible study and creative spiritual idealism several young people meet throughout the week in groups, while other week-night activities consist of. Boys’ Brigade, Life Boys, Girl Guides, Brownies, Lyms, children’s choir, and athletic clubs providing opportunities for physical development, friendship making, and character building. The youth work of the mission is wisely directed by the Youth Council with a membership of 29, which meets the second Monday in every month. The Men’s Club was formed 18 months ago, and it is run on the same lines Dr Soper adopts at Tower Hill. The club is under the chairmanship of the superintendent of the mission. The open forum has revealed the extent to which some men have suffered economic enslavement and their deep-seated antagonism to the present competitive capitalistic system. In no uncertain way many have expressed their impatience with the complacency of organised religion and have advocated unaccepted solutions of modern evils. Such a meeting enables the mission to contact with a number of men who at heart desire their lives to be reinforced with spiritual sanctions. The superintendent of the mission broadcasts daily the radio church of the helping hand, a devotional service from 4ZM, in an effort to inspire Christian faith and hope in thousands of homes. The membership exceeds 4,000, and it is estimated that fully 10,000 people listen in daily. Members make a_ weekly contribution to the social service work of the mission.

Four years ago the board of trustees acquired a small cottage at Company Bay for a health home. During the last two wears a great amount of work has been done in providing permanent facilities for specialised work. As many as 43 men have been employed weekly with a Government subsidy. Apart from the caretaker’s cottage, there are two main buildings in the course of erection. The sleeping quarters, built of concrete, brick, copper, and tiles, to minimise after-costs, will accommodate about 80 children. The administration quarters were made possible by a timely gift of £I,OOO by Mr Samuel Saltzman, of Dunedin. This movement, in the interests of ill-nourished and underprivileged children, has been supported by proceeds from health stamps, radio church, four separate gifts of £I,OOO, Government subsidy on wages, and by donations from very many’firms anil citizens. The purchase of 7J acres of ground, provision of permanent water supply, sanitation system, and erection of the three main buildings have involved an expenditure of £24,000. The buildings will he officially opened on Saturday, December 19. With a view to assisting those who are enfeebled by age and distressed by circumstances, the mission trustees have inaugurated n fund for the building of 20 little even-tide homes. There will he two large homes in the centre of the settlement providing for administration, and for cases needing special care. Persons able to look after themselves will live in their home, and yet come under the general superintendence of the officer in charge of the central home. The trustees are pleased to report that five homes have been provided, including one given this year by Mrs Ada Shacklock, to be designated “The J. B. Shacklock Home.” £SOO provides one of these homes, and it is estimated that the entire scheme will approximate an expenditure of £16,000. The fund is now gradually being built up, and as soon as the hoard is assured that the venture will he financially possible the work will commence. In order to meet the needs of several homes in time of sickness, such as, for instance, the mother of the' family ill in lied with none to attend to her persona! requirements of home duties, and other cases, it has been decided to appoint a deaconess with full nursing qualifications in all branches of the profession. Miss Connie Osborne, now in training in the Christchurch Hospital, will be appointed to this particular work immediately on the completion of her course. The fund for Sister Connie’s employment now stands at £6O, and it is estimated that the annual cost will be £l5O.

The appointment, of Sister Margaret ha. s /enabled special visitation to many aged and sick people and the development of pastoral work. Mr Tasker lias inaugurated and superintended work which formerly was impossible owing to an inadequate staff, while Sisters Hazel and Lenna have undertaken valuable routine work, guilds, and organisational activities.

It is impossible to summarise the number of benevolent ministries of the mission. Last Christmas 800 parcels valued at 10s each were distributed, a children’s party organised with gifts for every child present, a huge gathering of unemployed and their children catered for in one of the city reserves, positions found for the workless, personal attention given to many seeking counsel and personal recovery, and comforts distributed to needy deserving people. During the winter months 90,00011) of beef were distributed at the rate of 7,500 weekly to about 1,000 people. The moat was purchased by the Government and the Mayor’s City Belief Committee and distributed by the medium of the social service department of the mission. In this connection we express onr warm appreciation to Mrs .1. Grant and her staff for the capable and sympathetic way in which they controlled the distribution. It as been the aim of the trustees, to reduce the mortgage by £I,OOO yearly, and in conformity with this policy tin's was done last September, bringing tlio mortgage down to £18,509. Within a reasonable time a more rapid extinction of the debt will he possible, but it is a matter for congratulation that annually the trustees are reducing the debt. In this connection special mention must be made of the work of the secretary and treasurer (Mr H. H. Johnson), who for a number of years has inspired confidence and hope by his administrative ability and the confident way lie lias guided the financial projects of the mission.