METHODIST CHURCH
THE ANNUAL SYNOD SMALL DECREASE IN MEMBERS Representatives from all parts of the Auckland district of the Methodist Church were present at the annual synod, which began yesterday in the Pitt Street Church and schoolroom. TLe official opening "took place in the morning, the first act being a service of Holy Commmron. This was followed by the opening of the representative session, and the inaugural address of the chairman of the district, the Rev. E. D. Patchett. The report of the circuit finances revealed debit balances totalling £969 and credits "amounting to £215. It was stated that the financial position w,;s £540 better than last year, and £lls 3 better than two years ago. Reports dealing with church membership wero read, and showed that there were 4917 members in the district —a decrease of 69 compared with last vear's figures, and an increase of 5-59 over the last !0 years. The number of junior members was 1433 —an increase of 13—and the number of infant members 1359 —an increase of 152. Se%*cnteen small preaching places were reported to have been closed during the year —the reason largely being that, people with motor-cars were coming from small places into the larger centres.
Concern was expressed by several representatives at the loss of G9 church members during the year—the first serious loss yet reported—and a resolution was passed on these lines. It also mentioned that this loss could be regarded as a challenge to ministers to pay more attention than "ever to preaching, teaching, and the winning of members to the Church.
The church property returns, presented by Mr. S. E. Chappel), showed an upward trend in the conditions of trust finances generally. The total receipts for trust purposes during the rear were £14.611, and the total expenditure vras £12.116. Debit balances amounted to £1357, and credits to £953. The financial position showed an improvement of £1487 compared with last rear. The synod will continue its sessions to-day and to-morrow.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 14
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330METHODIST CHURCH New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 14
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