MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19550, 4 February 1938, Page 13

MINISTERS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ACTIVITIES REVIEWED The Gisborne Ministers’ Association held its annual meeting at the Y.M.C.A. rooms yesterday, when there were present the Revs. E. W. Batts, A. J. 11. Dow, 8.A., 8.D., F. E. Leadley and 11. A. Gould, Adjutant T. Armstrong, Mr. L. W. Anderson, and the secretary, Pastor L. R. Usmar.

The chairman, Mr. Batts, extended a welcome to Messrs. Gould and Armstrong, who recently arrived in Gisborne.

In presenting the annual report, the secretary, Pastor L. R. Usmar, stated that the year had been both successful and harmonious. He paid a tribute to the work of the president, the Rev. E. W. Batts, and thanked the Y.M.C.A. for the use of its building. “Those who have attended the meetings throughout the year have included the Revs. E. W. Batts, president, F. E. Leadley, A. J. Dow, T. A. Moresby, J. W. Martin, R. C. Aires, and H. Speight, Canon A. F. Hall, Major Taylor, Mr. L. W. Anderson, and the secretary. Owing to distance several country ministers were unable to attend the meetings,” continued the secretary. “There have Been four ministerial transfers from Gisborne—Major Taylor and Revs. Moresby, Martin and . Aires. Recent transfers to Gisborne include the Rev. 11. A. Gould, and Adjutant T. Armstrong. Instruction In Schools “Five public schools have received religious instruction for half-an-hour each week on the Nelson system. Most ministers have assisted at two schools in this connection and valuable help also has been given by voluntary workers. In addition to what is being done, the association favours the introduction of daily opening religious exercises. “Arrangements have been carried out for church services at Bartle't's camp on the third and fifth Sunday each month.

“The Basque children’s relief fund effort, which was held in July-August of last year and sponsored by the associatibn, resulted in £129 being forwarded to assist Basque children refugees in England. Several of the churches co-operated in the ‘Egg Sunday’ appeal to help the Heni Materoa Home. "The ministers’ retreat was held at Patutahi on May 20, and was led by the Revs. E. W. Batts, A. Dow and N. Benham.”

Services, he added, had been conducted at the Cook Hospital, Memorial Home, and children’s health camp.

The latest piece b£ work had been the conducting of services on the Waikanae Beach each Sunday afternoon. The Rev. F. E. Leadley had been in charge of arrangements, and the Salvation Army Band had led the singing. The venture was proving popular. Results Of Co-operation “The above activities, as conducted by the Gisborne Ministers’ Association, are an indication of what can be accomplished through co-opera-tion,” the report concluded. “Most of the ministers are very busy with their own work, but each has been willing to render his part in these combined activities, because of their value to the community.” The report was adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —President, the Rev. F. E. Leadley; hon. secretary, Pastor L. R. Usmar.

It was agreed that the Waikanae Beach services should be continued for two more Sundays, February C and 13. The first week in March was fixed as the time for the reopening of the Bible in schools activities.