Smethurst Trust Fund
SMETHURST TRUST FUND
ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW ZEALAND METHODIST WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
INFORMATION LEAFLET 2024
This Fund offers financial assistance to:
(a) Women from Methodist Parishes and Uniting Congregations with a Methodist component within the Methodist Connexion of Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa New Zealand.
(b) Indigenous church workers in the South Pacific.
Applicants are expected to be actively involved in the life of the Church where they regularly attend
Courses of study will not need to be specifically theological, but grants will not be given for any study or training which is contrary to the beliefs and principles of the Methodist Church.
Application Forms are available from The Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa New Zealand web page: www.methodist.org.nz – in the Grants & Scholarships section.
Please ensure that you use the current application form
APPLICATIONS will be received at any time for events or study still to be undertaken
No retrospective applications will be considered
The Convenor will acknowledge each application by email
TYPE OF ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
1. New Zealand Women:
(a) Attendance at conferences, courses, seminars, etc. (Church Conferences and Methodist Women’s Fellowship Convention / Council are excluded).
(b) Lay leadership training and ongoing education.
(c) Assistance may be given for tertiary academic courses provided the application includes proof of satisfactory progress.
This is not considered for the first year of study when the applicant is commencing straight from school.
(d) Assistance is not given for Secondary School students.
2. Indigenous Church Workers of the South Pacific:
(a) Women to study in Pacific Island colleges, or in New Zealand, if the required course is not available nearer to their home setting.
(b) Fare for those women studying in New Zealand for:
(i) home leave if the course is more than one year, or –
(ii) the spouse to visit New Zealand for a brief stay during the time of a course provided that the course is for not less than six months.
(c) Secondary education (preferably in their own country) for children of Presbyters or Church workers.
3. Emergency Grants: A small provision may be made for emergency grants.
THE FINAL DECISION ON ALL GRANTS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
SMETHURST GRANTS COMMITTEE.
Master copy Application Forms for 2024 are available for every Parish with a Methodist component.
Please display these prominently on your notice board and include in your information leaflets.
Each applicant is responsible to photocopy (download from website) an Application Form as required.
2024 APPLICATION FORM ONLY WILL BE ACCEPTED
The Smethurst Committee values the co-operation of Presbyters in providing a reference in support of a grants request.
Please Note:
1. All applicants require a reference on headed paper from their Presbyter or a recognised church leader.
2. Where the applicant is studying away from home, a referee in support of the Grant request must be from the Parish where the applicant is currently attending.
Please ensure that all applicants and referees read both Information leaflets PRIOR to an application being made.
Revised Information Leaflet (2022) will give guidance in determining eligibility for assistance.
Where the applicant is a Presbyter or partner of a Presbyter the District Superintendent must be the Referee.
Closing dates for all Applications for 2024
20 March – 20 June – 20 October
N.B. No late Applications will be considered
Siniva Vaitohi
Convenor Smethurst Grants Committee
February 2023