COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 6

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

OTAGO BRANCH MEETING .The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the National Council of Churches was presided over by the Rev. L. D. C. Groves who welcomed Mr G. S. Gapper after his return from the Methodist Ecumenical Conference in America. While aware of the danger of having too many "special” days in the church year, the meeting recognised the import?^l? ce i >f keeping before each generation the ideals and deeds of the Empire in war and peace. It was agreed that all churches be requested to observe May 23 this year as Empire Commemoration Sunday and to arrange appropriate youth meetings of their own. Plans for a united youth service for next year were left in the hands of the Youth Committee. The Rev. J. D. Hickman stated that an exhibition illustrating all phases of home life would be open afternoon and evening in the Concert Chamber during the special week in August. The Rev. R. S. Watson reported that the programme would include discussions of home and community, success in marriage, preparation for parenthood, bringing up a family, use of leisure, church and home, a brains trust, films and a play. It was agreed that useful work could 'be done by a Dunedin marriage guidance council as wise preparation for marriage was the best preventive to divorce. It was decided that such a council be set up following the Home and Family Week, with the cooperation of other interested bodies. In the appeal for funds to feed the starving children of Europe, individuals and congregations had given £12,500, and this would give a meal a day for 90 days to 12,500 children Two large shipments of food were on the way, and the World Council of Churches in Geneva had written: “We are greatly encouraged by the splendid reports of gifts on their way from New Zealand." In addition to gifts of 30,000 pairs of shoes, £633 had been subscribed toward transport, and £1155 for other reconstruction work. Active support was now being given to the United Nations appeal for children. The Dominion Executive reported that a theological commission was being set up to stimulate interdenominational theological study, to co-operate with the study department of the World Council, and to bring about closer relations between the theological colleges in the Dominion. As a' first step a committee had been appointed in Dunedin consisting of the Ven. Archdeacon L. G. Whitehead, Principal A. L. Haddon, Rev. J. T. Crozier, J. J. Lewis, Principal J. A Allan, Professor G. Knight, Professor J. Henderson, and C. L. Gosling. The election of officers of the Branch Council was:—Chairman, the Rev. L. D. C. Groves; vice-chairman, Mr E. R. Vickery; secretary, Principal A. L. Haddon; execu-tive-present officers and past presidents; auditor Mr L. Farquharson.