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Smethurst Trust Fund

Smethurst Trust Fund

Closing date for the Smethurst Trust Fund applications 2025

Closing dates for all Applications for 2025 20 March – 20 June – 20 October

N.B.   No late Applications will be considered

 

 

Tuitui Salevao

Convenor Smethurst Grants Committee

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All previous Application Forms are now outdated

 

Master copy Application Forms for 2025 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.  Smethurst Information and Application Form

 

2025 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 (2024) 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.

SMETHURST TRUST FUND

ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW ZEALAND METHODIST WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

INFORMATION LEAFLET 2025

 

This Fund offers financial assistance to:

  • Women from Methodist Parishes and Uniting Congregations with a Methodist component within the Methodist Connexion of Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa New
  • Indigenous church workers in the South

 

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: http://www.methodist.org.nz/ – in the Mahi/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:

  • Attendance at conferences, courses, seminars, (Church Conferences and Methodist Women’s Fellowship Convention / Council and World Federation Area Seminars / Assemblies are excluded).
  • Lay leadership training and ongoing
  • Assistance may be given for tertiary academic courses provided the application includes proof of satisfactory

This is not considered for the first year of study when the applicant is commencing straight from school.

  • Assistance is not given for Secondary School

2. Indigenous Church Workers of the South Pacific:

  • Women to study in Pacific Island colleges, or in New Zealand, if the required course is not available nearer to their home
  • Fare for those women studying in New Zealand for:
    • home leave if the course is more than one year, or –
    • 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
  • 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

 

FINAL DECISION ON ALL GRANTS IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SMETHURST GRANTS COMMITTEE