METHODIST SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17631, 18 November 1920, Page 9

METHODIST SYNOD.

ASSEMBLY IN AUCKLAND.

MEMBERSHIP OF CHURCH

TEACH KI.S' TKAIMXG CLASSES.

The annual synod of the Methodist Church 'if Now Zealand was opened in the I'll I St root schoolroom yesterday morning, the Rev. P. X. Knight presiding over a largr attendance.

The follow i frii ials were elected Secretary : The Rev. ,1. H. Haslam ; assistant set ret.arics : 1 lie Iters. J. Southern. H. I. Itiiliards. ,J. ]•,. Parsons. \V. A. Riirif\. I'. 1. Cooke, and W. T. Hooper. I In' chairman, who was welcomed by the r>'\. (~ Bptid. referred in his opening speech !d the questions confronting the synod. fli-ponsation on grounds of illness was _'!'.i •-.! t" the Hi-vs. ,). A. Luxford, > '.M.i.;., J. .1. Matner, E. T. Cox and T. 11. R. Woolloxall : also to the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, who is in Australia.

A committee was appointed to report to ihe sv nod at a later stage on the question <>[ the services in the Strand Theatre.

It mis agreed to divide the Ngapuhi .Maori circuit into the Whangaroa circuit and ihe Hokianga circuit.

It was urged that the needs of the suburban district of Avondale be attended (■>, and that the pre war staff of three agents ho restored. The Avondale circuit was recommended to have a second married minister appointed next year.

Reports presented to the synod indicated that the number of church members and the number of pupils attending the Sun-day-schools had slightly decreased. The number of communicants in the districts approximated two-thirds the number of members on the church roll.

At the afternoon session Sunday-school work was discussed. The training of teachers was emphasised, and it was resolved that all Sunday-schools be urged to insiTtute teachers' training classes. It was also agreed that recognition services for new members be held as frequently as is necessarv.

Mr. J. Bailey was appointed Home Missionary at Kaikohe, and Mr. J. Allen was a.-ked' to supply from the Bay of Islands in the meantime.

The Ministerial Committee has recommended that the Rev. W. T. Blight be ordained at the ensuing conference. The !>t»v. Nsitarae Tauroa was passed in his year, Messrs. 1.. Brooks, T. H. Burton, K. Attwood and E. Hames will continue in the college for another year, and Mr. H. Benny was recommended to leave college on probation next year. Messrs. J. Bailey and K. H. Brooker were, unanimously recommended as candidates for the ministry.

A welcome social was held last evening and was wed attended.

The synod will resume its sitting this morning.