DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 22989, 21 June 1938, Page 13

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

MOKTHLY MEETING Business mostly of a domestic nature relating to the finances of the church was discussed at the monthly meeting last night of the Dunedin Presbytery. The moderator (Rev. G. H. Jupp) presided. NEW CLERK APPOINTED. In succession to the Rev. J. D. Smith, who has accepted a call to Mount Eden (Auckland), the Rev. H. A. Mitchell, of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church, was appointed clerk of Presbytery. MUSSELBURGH CHURCH. A commission waited on Presbytery intimating that the congregation was desirous that a call be made to the Rev. S. D, Baird, of Waiareka. The call was sustained by Presbytery. and it was decided to transmit it to the Oamaru Presbytery, the Rev. J. M. M'Kenzie and the Rev. J. M. Bates being asked to prosecute the call there. EXTINCTION OF DEBTS. The basis on which the congregational debt would be reckoned for centenary fund purposes was outlined by Mr J. M. Dick, reporting on behalf of the Finance Committee, which sub-' mitted recommendations dealing with the debts in relation to the fund.

There was a discussion over finance when the following recommendation was being discussed:—“As Mr H. Lang (organiser of the centenary fund) made the statement in Dunedin that the basis for debts was to be 1937, and not 1936, and as he further stated that where urgent expenditure was necessary in congregations for church buildings, and the money has not yet been raised, a double appeal to the congregation should be made, the proportion to be decided going to the local need and the other part to the fund; and as Presbytery believes this to be a felt need throughout the church it asks the committee to confirm the statement of Mr Lang.” The Rev. D. C. Herron said the proposals of the Centenary Committee could not be adopted till they had been discussed by the Assembly. _ He added that were the extension of time to have church debts fixed at November, 1938, instead of . November last, churches would be able to spend money with the assurance that the expenditure incurred would be borne by the fund. The Rev. H. A. Mitchell said there was no .r.eason for churches to get into debt within the next three years; they should make a double appeal to their congregations. The recommendation was adopted.