MINISTER WELCOMED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18707, 13 May 1924, Page 10

MINISTER WELCOMED.

"•> REV. L. B. FLETCHER ARRIVES i'' " , :: A 'VV : V v \".' '\ '.. ■ --i, '.'AN EVENTFUL CAREER. ; Among the passengers :by the/R-M.S. Niagara yesterday was • the , Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, who has come from England to take over the BeresforcF Street Congregational , Church. Mr. Fletcher is a son of Mr. John Fletcher, who was for soma years principal of Wesley College in this city.. The minister-elect was; however, born in Australia. At. ah early ago ha went to sea; and later worked in Australia as a miner, subsequently engaging in journalism. He, -however, decided to enter the ministry, and after passing through Divinity College; occupied several pulpits in South Australia and Queeiw-. land. About 20 £ears ago. he went "to England and in recent years conducted a successful ministry at Wood Street Congregational ; Church in Cardiff. For the past two • years Mr. Fletcher has ; been working in * the New Life Campaign, established by the Congregationala Union of England and Wales. He still holds; the office of president of the Christian Endeavour Union ■of . Great Britain. and Ire-; land, and ' is a director of the Colonial Missionary Society. •' i 1 Mrs. Fletcher, who, with. her daughter, accompanies the Rev. Lionel Fletcher, . has made va v special hobby of the welfare 'i of women and children. While in Cardiff she started - the Sunshine Guild, by which r bands of 50 girls were r enrolled to ; spend their leisure time ' bringing sunshine and happiness into'the ' homes of • the . less fortunate. \ Mrs. Fletcher also , established the Australian idea of a " Cradle Roll " for the ' Cardiff : Congregational £ Church, and through it she. had access to - the homes ' to spread: her welfare ! ideals. > Be fore r leaving she had • 2000 , little i members enrolled:^ For women she established the " Sisterhood," in which 500 women re * ceived ;' religous instruction, were entertained :at social ;/ functions, and v-taught> thrift. Mfa. Fletcher *waa also president of the Mothers' Union. ' Mr. and • Mrs. Fletcher,, were met yesterday by a number of personal friends and members of the church. . The now minister will be inducted at the Beresford Street :, Church to-morrow evening, . and will open his ministry on Sunday. A combined welcome iiy which representatives of the Protestant churches : and i the Salvation Army will take part, will be held on Wednesday, May 21.