METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 3

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

FORTY-EIGHTH ANHUAL REPORT AMBITIOUS BENEVOLENT SCHEMES The forty-eighth annual report of the Dunedin Methodist Central Mission states, inter alia; — A study of the many-sided activities of the Mission discloses consecrated culture, quiet service, faithful evangelism and wide social sympathies. A well-balanced programme catering for the needs of young people has resulted in increased membership in Bible classes and Sunday school. Fully 200 young people attached to the various organisations of the Mission are responding to capable leadership. The Women’s Guilds.—These centres of friendship and service sympathetically co-operate with missionary and social enterprise by financially supporting the major objectives of the Church and mission.

Property Matters. —Minor repairs have been effected to the trust properties. The Octagon Hall is to be modernised at an approximate cost of £7500. The Central Mission Board of Trustees has contracted with Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., for an extensive lease of the main hail at an enhanced rental. Both parties reached a financial agreement tor the entire reconstruction of the building, which, when finished, will be a very fine edifice. The reconstruction of the theatre will involve alterations of an extensive nature, including up-to-date seating. On completion of the plans by associated architects, the work will proceed. The board is committed to a mortgage reduction of £IOOO per year, and so far has fulfilled its obligations. The present, debt on all mission properties is £19,500. The present Sunday school and youth hall building is totally, inadequate for national, organisational and recreational work. Departmental and group work is restricted. The erection of a modern hall for benevolent and young people’s work cannot long be delayed. Though not yet officially before the board of trustees for consideration, many have suggested tpat the jubilee of the mission in 1940 might be celebrated by the erection of a jubilee hall for worn such as has been outlined. When the time comes for this move it is likely that a chapel will be incorporated in the scheme.' Company Bay Health Home.—Last Christmas the school medical officer chose 46 boys and 56 girls as suitable patients for the Christmas period. A careful tabulation of weights of both sexes showed that at the conclusion of their period in camp the children increased on an average 3ilb. These annual camps costing about £250 are financially supported by the Health Camp Council, Dunedin Savings Bank and citizens. In addition to the children’s health camps, the home is used as the initial step towards the creation of the Eventide Homes Settlement. At present 35 women are in residence. Three qualified nursing sisters are on the staff, and day and night nursing is provided. To date, £34,000 has been expended on tht buildings with a debit of £4OOO. Before next winter central heating will be installed and staff quarters erected. The home is open to women of all creeds and ages in need of rest and a change of environment About 25 women have made it their permanent home. The Management Committee has been fortunate in securing the services of Sister Grace Barclay, formerly, in charge of the Batchelor Ward of the Dunedin Public Hospital. Sister Constance Osborne, a deaconess of the' church, who has recently qualified as a nursing sister/ has been appointed sub-matron.

Methodist Nursing Sisterhood.—ln order to meet community needs, the Board of Trustees has sanctioned what might be,termed “a Methodist Nursing Sisterhood.” The idea is to train 20 young Methodist women as nurses who will be prepared to undertake the nursing, executive and routine institutional work.

Radio Church of the Helping Hand.— The fifth birthday will be celebrated in the Town Hall next April when it is hoped to report a membership of 5000. The daily broadcast services nave been undertaken by the Revs. B. M. Tasker, Hugh Graham, L. B. Neale and Mr Gordon Adams. Letters of appreciation constantly come to hand. The services, entirely undenominational, are calculated to induce goodwill and to evoke support of the mission’s humanitarian work.

Benevolent Work. —Mrs J. Grant, assisted by a band of willing helpers, has carried out this branch of the work. With limited financial resources the mission has been unable to meet every call. Much good however, has been done.

Eventide Homes Settlement.—During the year the Social Service Department published a brochure of the proposed eventide homes settlement scheme, and informed all legal firms of the details of the movement. The proposal is to erect on a five or sixacre block 25 compact modern cottages. The little homes will be for aged couples, while two hostels identical in character and entirely self-controlled will minister separately to men and women. In addition to these hostels, there will be an administrative block in which separate hospital wards for men and women will be featured, and staff quarters for qualified nurses. The cottages will be built 30 feet back from' the road and architectually designed to admit old couples enjoying rest and care. No age limit Is to be imposed on the residents admitted. Any frail, worthy couple, single men or women will be eligible for admittance into the settlement, without denominational qualifications. It is not the intention of the trustees to proceed with the work until a reasonable amount of the total cost is assured. Deaconess Work. —Sister Hazel continues to exercise her gracious ministry in the homes of hundreds, and she enjoys the confidence of an increasing number of young women. Her work in guild, mission, Bible class and among the old folk i s particularly helpful, and, her long record of honourable service deserves recognition. , V Proposed Hostel Accommodation.— The need of a hostel to accommodate Methodist students is becoming increasingly urgent. It is believed that the failure of the church to provide such a hostel accounts for the increasing drift from ‘the church of many gifted young people. The Methodist Central Mission trustees are to consider the proposal and report progress. It is felt that such a scheme will receive the support of the Dominion Church.