On 7 March 1935, at the Conference of the Methodist Church, just three years after the endeavour was initiated, Rev. Charles Perry brought a devotional address based on Saint Paul’s call to obedience ‘to the heavenly vision’.
Rev. Charles Schafer rose and proposed a motion of Executive Committee:
‘That this Conference establishes, at Brighton, a Home for Aged Women, to be known as “Rest Haven”.’
To further his case, Rev. Schafer had already gathered £100 for furnishing the home.
The motion was carried without dissent and a committee of 49 men and women — reflecting all aspects of Church life — was appointed to officially begin the venture. It was particularly noteworthy that the Church had moved away from the idea of providing care for both men and women and had chosen to make the ministry to women only. No explanations were provided as to how this shift in opinion had occurred.
Rev. Norman Lade described his view of events at the conference:
‘Thus, in the heart of Methodism in this state was conceived the idea of “Resthaven”, a home for aged women, where, in a tender, gracious and sympathetic environment, lonely women might forget their loneliness...'
'Among those of their own generation and experience they might find light and warmth and good fellowship at eventide.'
'There, the unintentional carelessness of the bustling world would have no power to hurt those whose devoted and fruitful service it so often forgets. There, the dread of dependence, the fear of being a handicap to younger and more vigorous souls who have their own way to make, would be banished.’
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