Retirement of Rev J A T van Dorp
After many years of faithful service in the Gisborne congregation in New Zealand, Rev Johannes van Dorp tendered his resignation, to the Australia and New Zealand Presbytery, from the pastoral charge of the congregation. Mr van Dorp cited the burden of old age; he felt the time was opportune due to the arrival of a new minister in Auckland. With sincere regret, but gratitude to Mr van Dorp for his many years of faithful service, the Presbytery accepted his resignation, and wished him well in his retirement. Mr van Dorp has also retired as Clerk of Presbytery, a position he occupied for many years. Several members of the Presbytery acknowledged their indebtedness to Mr van Dorp for his diligent work as Clerk, and a motion to that effect was placed on record. We wish Mr van Dorp and his wife the Lord’s blessing in their new home in Grafton, Australia, and trust that, as the Lord permits, he may be strengthened to preach the glorious gospel of Christ. (Rev) G B Macdonald
Ordination and Induction in Auckland
On Friday, 23 September 2011, the ordination and induction of Mr Jett Smith took place in Auckland. For more than 30 years the congregation had been pastorless since the death of Rev Donald M MacLeod, its only previous minister. During the long vacancy, the congregation was faithfully cared for by the interim-moderator, Rev J A T van Dorp of Gisborne. It was thus with much thankfulness that the Presbytery met for the solemn and significant occasion of the ordination of Mr Smith and his induction to the pastoral charge of the congregation. Following the constitution of the Presbytery, Mr Ken van Kralingen was appointed Officer of Court and was instructed to read the final call for objections three times at the church door. During this proclamation, the Presbytery was seated in a private room. There being no objections, the Presbytery was clear to proceed immediately to the duties in hand and returned to the main body of the church. The Moderator went to the pulpit and conducted public worship, preaching from the words addressed by Cornelius to Peter in Acts 10:33: “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” After public worship was concluded, the Clerk read a narrative of the proceedings in connection with the Call to Mr Smith. Following this the Moderator called him to stand and addressed to him the questions appointed to be put to a Probationer prior to ordination and induction. When Mr Smith had answered these questions satisfactorily, the Formula was read by the Moderator and signed by Mr Smith before the congregation. He was then asked to kneel and the congregation to stand; thereafter the Moderator came down from the pulpit and engaged in solemn ordination prayer, and was joined in the laying on of hands by his two ministerial brethren on the Presbytery. Prayer being ended, he then formally admitted the Rev Jett Smith to the pastoral charge of the Auckland congregation and in token of this gave to him the right hand of fellowship, as did the other members of Presbytery then present. Following this, the Rev E A Rayner addressed the newly ordained and inducted minister, and Rev J A T van Dorp the congregation. Several messages of goodwill were also read; thereafter the Moderator concluded the meeting with praise, which was heartily sung from Psalm 133, and the Benediction. The new minister greeted the congregation at the church door, and afterwards a lovely supper was provided at Tyndale Christian School, to which thanks are due for the use of their school hall. Thanks are also to be extended to all who helped to arrange this welcome provision. It is our prayerful desire that the ministry now begun in Auckland will be owned and acknowledged by the Lord, and that Mr Smith will be upheld in all of his new responsibilities in the work of the holy ministry. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20). (Rev) G B Macdonald
College and Library Fund
By appointment of Synod, the second of the year’s two special collections for the College and Library Fund is due to be taken in congregations in December. W Campbell, General Treasurer
Magazine Prices
Rising costs over the last number of years regrettably require an increase in the prices of the Magazines from January 2012. The price of The Free Presbyterian Magazine is to rise by 20p per issue and The Young People’s Magazine by 10p (to £1.80 and 90p per copy respectively). UK Subscription rates, including postage, are: The Free Presbyterian Magazine £23.50, The Young People’s Magazine £14.00, both magazines together £35.50.