PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 8

PRESBYTERY OF CLUTHA

The Presbytery of Clutha met at Balclutha on Friday, when the moderator, the Rev. A. R. Harper, presided. The Rev. J. N. Whittington was welcomed, and also the newly-commissioned elders for the year 1941-42. Presbytery committees were appointed as follows:—Life and Work—The Revs. A. R. Harper (convener), W. C. Comber, J. N. Whittington, Messrs Osborne, J. T Sutherland and C. F. Shaw; Youth—The Revs. W. S. Brettell (convener), A. L. Cardno, and Mr William Sutherland, together with representatives from Young Women's and Young Men's District Committees; Theological—The Revs. William McNeur (convener), F. W. Winton, J. R. Shaw, and Mr F. J. Bishop; Temperance —The Revs. F. W. Winton (convener), William McNeur, J. R. Shaw, S. T. Nicholls, with their elders, and Mr J. B McKinlay; compiler of statistics, the Rev. A. L. Cardno; Finance—The Revs. S. T. Nicholls (convener), W. C. Comber. Messrs D. Grant, J. Grey, L. M. Scott and C. F. Shaw; P.S.S.A. representative, the Rev. W. C. Comber; representatives on Synod Committee for Revision of Regulations, the Revs. W. C. Comber and S. T. Nicholls.

Mr Comber, reporting on the church union debate, stressed the importance of sessions giving this matter careful consideration. Copies of the proposed basis of union had been distributed to sessions to be discussed and reported upon at a later presbytery. Mr I. Dent reported on the maintenance of the ministry debate, and submitted the new scale of stipends set for 1942. Mr Dent reported that a Sunday was to be appointed in 1942 for a special collection for the maintenance of the ministry fund. Mr Harper reported on the life and work debate, and upon the presbytery's overture. He drew the attention of presbytery to a proposed ** Campaign for Christian Order," to be conducted in New Zealand during the months of August and September, 1942. Reporting on the Catlins home mission station, Mr Leslie stated that the position at present was satisfactory; but, in.view of the impending departure of the present home missionary, he suggested to presbytery a plan of co-operation between the Presbyterian and Baptist ministers at Owaka.—The position will be further investigated and a report brought down to next presbytery. Mr Brettell, reporting on the Popotonoa vacancy, spoke of encouraging developments. A splendid response had been made by the people to the appeal for funds to liquidate the existing debt. As a result, the congregation's finances were now in a satisfactory, condition and all assembly commitments paid up. The charge was being supplied for the summer by Mr D. Steedman. of Duncdin.