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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1945

District Council Report — Victoria University College—S.C.M

District Council Report
Victoria University College—S.C.M.

V.U.C.S.M. vascillates continually between two inherent tendencies. On the one hand it knows that it has a message that concerns the whole college, and on the other hand, due to the number of clubs at Victoria, it finds that in reality it is regarded tolerantly as just another club. Perhaps the tension between the two is the only condition of progress.

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There has been an increase in numbers and in enthusiasm of activity this. year, which is at least a hopeful sign of the impact of the movement on the college. Shortly after the beginning of the first term we lost our chaplain, the Rev. R. Thornley, who had been appointed to a Methodist circuit in Invercargill. As chaplain the Rev. Thornley gave much strength and incentive to the movement and our debt to him is very great. We hope that in the near future V.U.C.S.C.M. will again have a chaplain—one of its true motivating forces.

Preparation for this year's work was done by Wellington members of executive before the 'Varsity year began, including the printing of the year's programmes, and the arranging of pre-sessional executive retreats. The V.U.C.S.C.M. again printed a very useful student's handbook, and conducted an information bureau over the enrolling days at college. Another major outside activity of the V.U.C.S.C.M. has been the running of a second-hand bookstall. The need for such an institution was apparent from the number of books that passed through the stall, and the efficient way in which it was managed reflected much credit on the ingenuity and patience of the bookstall controller.

The executive was depleted at the beginning of the year, but by April had co-opted members to its full strength. From then on the executive meetings have been held every fortnight and have been well attended. The work has been spread over the different members of executive, who have all given of their best to their particular job.

Two study circles commenced half-way through the first term, the Rev. Bates leading one on the Epistle to the Romans, and Miss Helen Murray one on Bible study. The attendances at both, especially the former, have been good. Just recently, to meet the demand of students who could not attend either of the existing groups, a third one was begun—"Students, the Church, and the Churches," led by the Rev. Grocott.

A very encouraging sign this year has been the increase in attendance at Devotions. Short devotional periods are held twice daily at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. With the exception of devotions led by Miss Joan Benton and Mr. Cochran, the leadership has been entrusted to V.U.C. students. Worship is the core of our work and it is good to feel that the S C M-ers are realising more fully the value of devotions. We are indebted to Mr. Cochran for allowing us the use of his room for devotions, executive meetings, study circles, etc.

The Saturday evening talks and discussions held during the year have again been very successful from the point of view of numbers and enthusiasm in discussion. Subjects and speakers have been

"What to do with the Germans and Japanese."—Mr. A. Richards.

"Christianity in the Post-war World."—Rev. Mr. Underhill.

"The Position of the Church in Modern Society.—Rev. O. E. Burton.

Besides these discussions, two S.0 M. parties to the Religious Drama Society's productions have been well attended and enjoyed.

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Two open meetings at the college followed by a weekend at Wallis House were held in mid-June. Addresses at 'Varsity were given by Mr. O. E. Burton: "What Faith for the Modern World," and by the Rev. J. M. Bates: "The Problem of the Individual in a Mass Society." Both subjects were excellently handled and we were very fortunate in securing two such able speakers. Those who attended the addresses, however, were mostly S C M-ers. Perhaps if our activities are limited to those of a college club we should have expected no more. The weekend at Wallis House was very profitable and enjoyable. The general subject of the weekend was "The' Cultural Components of Worship." Speakers and subjects were:

"Introduction to Worship"—Mr. H. Wadman.

"Language and Worship"—Rev. W. Morrison.

"Music and Worship"—Miss Hirst.

"Drama and Worship"— Mr. J. V. Burton.

"Films and Worship"—Mr. A. Richards.

The Bible tutorial on the Epistle to the Ephesians was led by the Rev. W. C. Comber, and periods of meditation on the Lord's Prayer were led by Sister Allan. Altogether this was a most worthwhile weekend.

Pre-sessional retreat, at which we planned our work for the year proved very valuable to the executive. May Camp was not so well attended as we thought it would be—this may have been due to the distance from Wellington of the siteOtaki. Apart from the distance, the site was ideal and we are indebted to the Wellington City Mission for allowing us to use this site. The theme was "The Implications of being a Christian." Speakers and subjects were:—

"Christianity in the Community"—Mrs. A. Salmond.

"Christianity in the University"—Miss Joan Benton.

"Christianity in the Personal Life"—Rev. J. N. Grocott.

Introductions to Time of Quiet were taken by Canon Fry, of Levin, and the Bible Tutorials, based on the Psalms, were taken by the Rev. J. N. Grocott.

Three church services have been held during the year. The first one—the Opening Student Service— followed a Welcome Tea for Freshers, and held in St. Andrew's Church. Again the service was attended almost entirely by members of the S.C.M., although there was a fair proportion of freshers. The Pacific Area Day of Prayer Service was held in the Central Baptist Church and was well attended. The service was conducted by the Rev. Duncan Hercus, assisted by students, and the address was given by the Rev. J. M. McKenzie. The World Student Day of Prayer, the major service of the year, was held in the Pro-Cathedral and was well attended by all branches of the Wellington S.C.M.

The co-operation with Training College S.C.M. has been well maintained throughout the year to the advantage of both branches. Training College students have attended all our activities and we have been free to attend theirs.

The V.U.C.S.C.M. has again given its wholehearted support to I.S.S., although in this very support there is the danger that I.S.S. might be pidgeonholed by an apathetic college executive as

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just another branch of S.C.M. activity. I.S.S. is the concern of all students, and it would be a very real danger to its influence at Victoria if it was looked upon merely as an activity of the S.C.M.

One of the highlights of the year's activity has been the debate, S.C.M. v. Debating society, that "Christianity offers the only solution to present-day chaos in Society." S C.M-ers and others turned out in full force and the gym was well filled. A pleasing feature of the debate was that church differences did not undermine the fundamental unity of the Christian doctrine as propounded by S.C.M-ers, members of the Catholic Student Guild, and E.U. The adjudicator's decision and the verdict of the audience were in favour of the motion. Perhaps the sceptic may argue this was only because Christians packed the gym., but the very fact, plus the basic unity of the Christian message for society as propounded by the speakers, plus the point that this unity was shown by university students, are factors of tremendous importance.

Increases in numbers, more widespread activity, and enthusiasm in that activity, may be no direct index of the impact of the movement on the life of the college, but they certainly are necessary preliminaries. At times the smoke has been vague, shadowy and diffuse, but the fire is still the voice of God.

Frances Fyfe,

Secretary, V.U.C.S.C.M