METHODIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 155, 2 June 1937, Page 10

METHODIST CHURCH

HAWKE’S BAY-MANAWATU SYNOD. The May Synod of the Hawke’s BayManawatu district of the Methodist Church opened at Dannevirke yesterday, Rev. H. J. Odell (Napier, chairman of the district) presiding. All the ministers and home missionaries of the district were present, except Rev. F. E. Leadley (Gisborne) and Rev. J. H. Woolford (Wairoa).

Rev. F. Copeland, President of the Methodist Conference, being present, the chairman invited him to conduct the Communion service. The preCommuuion address was delivered by Rev. T. Coatsworth (Woodville), who spoke of the joy of redemption,, the joy of possession, and the joy service. Revs. H. J. Odell and A. E. AVaite assisted in the administration of the Sacrament. The business sessions of the synod followed, under the chairmanship ot Mr Odell. Rev. R. E. Fordyce (Sanson) welcomed Mr Odell as the newly appointed chief pastor in the district. Rev. A. Ashcroft conveyed greetings to the President. The chairman expressed liis pleasure at meeting the brethren and thanked them for their greetings. He conveyed greetings to the newcomers to tne district. The President responded to the welcome extended to him,, and conveyed news of the various circuits he had recently visited. He urged that ministers should talk less about pioblems and more about opportunities, for they were many. Mr Ashcroft spoke of the duty or challenging men and women with the claims of Christ.

Rev. R. B. Gosnell (Hastings), secretary of the district, opened the discussion on “how best to prepare ourselves and our circuits for the bicentenary of Methodism. This event will take place in 1938. He introduced the recent conference s recommendation and dealt with the h>P lr - tual Advance Committee s ‘suggestions concerning cottage meetings, group fellowship, and helpful instructions to voung married people. He urged maintenance of the prayer .ihMrtuogs, be 2very small. The duty of faithful pasvery small. The duty of faithful pastoral work was emphasised. Every service should be a means of revival, and every visit paid and all work engaged in should be a means of bringing the evangel of Christ to their fellowmen. _ - Mr Coatsworth supported the suggestion regarding the setting apar of two ministers as special evangelists. . Mr Ashcroft urged the need for ministers being godly men, and thereby making their expected impression upon their fellowmen. Rev M. A. McDowell regarded it as one of the failures of the Church that ministers had missed the opportunities for personal work. Rev G. Price stressed the need for following up evangelistic efforts, otherwise converts were often lost.