PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 14

PRESBYTERY OF DUNEDIN

ADMISSION OF DEACONESS The Presbytery of Dunedin met last evening in Knox Church to admit to the Order of Deaconess Miss Catherine G. Weir. Miss Weir is a daughter of Mr and Mrs J. A. Weir, of Balclutha. She completed , her studies at the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute in 1936, and for the past six months has been a deaconess on the staff of Knox Church. The service, which was well attended, was conducted by the moderator of the presbytery (Dr J. D. Salmond). The hymn of consecration was sung by Miss Jean McLay. The charge to Sister Catherine was delivered by the Rev. H. A. Mitchell, of Roslyn, who stressed the need for a gracious ministry and the taking of words of comfort to a needy world. He emphasised the importance of work with individuals, which could reallv be termed that of a “silent” ministry among mothers in the home and children. This quiet work would not.have headlines in papers, he said, but it was the work that really counted. He declared that a deaconess must take courage to the timid, strength to the weak, and hope to the downcast. Mr Mitchell concluded his charge by emphasising the need for maintaining a vital personal religious life. Without the spiritual glow in the heart all Christian work was unavailing. The service was attended by 10 members of the Deaconess Order. Numerous greetings were received, including one from the Training Institute.