CHURCH AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 16

CHURCH AFFAIRS

METHODIST MISSIONS

NEW HOME SUPERINTENDENT conference appointments CANDIDATES FOR MINISTRY' [by TELEGRAPH —Pit ESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCII. Friday Several important appointments were made at' the annual conference oi the Methodist Church of New Zealand to-day. The offices filled were those of superintendent of the home mission department," three youth directors, and a tutor at the theological college to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of the Rev, A. J. Seamer. The Rev. G. I. Laurenson was appointed general superintendent of home missions, the Rev. H. J. Odoll was appointed assistant superintendent, an office previously held by Mr. Laurenson and the Rev. E. L'. Blamires, who relinquishes the post of young people's director after 17 years service, was relieved of circuit work for a year to enable him to visit the United States and England.

The following three new directors were appointed by the conference: The Rev. C. T. Symons, of South Australia, Mr. A. E. Bate and tho Rev. M. A. McDowell. The appointments are for- six years from next April. The Rev. E. W. Hames, M.A., was appointed resident tutor at lrinity Methodist Theological College, Auckland, to take the place of the Rev. W. T. Blight, who has resigned after eight years' 1 service at the collego. Training at College y Eight candidates were accepted for the ministry. Six of these will enter Trinity Methodist Theological College in Auckland for training, and two will be admitted as probationer ministers. The candidates to enter the college are Messrs. J. J. Lewis, W. J. Morrison (Auckland), R. F. Clement (South Auckland), C. H. Skuse, L. V. Willing (Wellington) and A. F. Collins (Otago-Southland). The probationers are tho Revs. H. A. Cochrane (Auckland) and R. Grice (Hawke's Bay-Manawatu). In addition to the two new candidates the following were accepted as probationers from the college:—The Revs. L. A- I) Hayman, C. P. Lucas. C. B. Oldfield, J. S. Waite and J. K. Watson. Ordination Service

Ministers accepted for ordination by the conference were the Revs. O. E. Burton, C. L. Duder, J. L. G. Hanna, C. T. J. Luxton, W. A. Mills, R. Thornley and A., R. Witheford. Except Mr. Thornley, who is m England, and whose ordination will take place there, they will be ordained at a service on Monday evening. The following lay representatives were appointed to the stationing committee:—Messrs. S. E. Chappell, I<. E. Sutherland (Auckland), P. Rushton, J. T. Br van t (South Auckland), G. E. Bellringer. E. Dixon (Taranaki-Wa-mranui), L. A. Davis, Miss L. Hodder (Hawke's Bay - Manawatu), N. R. Seddon, E. Heggie (Wellington), H. J. Savage, M. Wratt (Nelson), M Kershaw, W. 0. Francis (North Canterbury), J. Holdgate, H. C. B. Withell (South Canterbury). D. J. Wesney, G. S. Gapper (Otago-Southland), and D. C. Cameron (Solomon Islands).