FEILDING NEWS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 209, 4 August 1937, Page 10

FEILDING NEWS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ANNUAL REPORT. Rev. A. L. Dixon, minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Churcli, in his pastoral letter accompanying the annual report of the church, states: “The reports before you will carry their own message, and will speak of the iove and devotion that have been given freely to the Church throughout the past year. But that whicli still remains to be done should fill us with humility and thrill us by the call of its opportunity. How much more can we set'out to do in a new year to make the Christ of God rea.l to a world which needs Him so terribly? Cannot we seek to accomplish what is in His'heart for us, by yielding a new obedience to Him and a new fellowship with one another. Our new year should be marked by a deeper love and a larger hope. For your own kindness, consideration, encouragement and forbearance towards me, please accept your minister’s humble thanks. As another year begins I would commend you anew to Almighty God our Father who has brought you safely through all the changes of the past, praying that His blessing may go with you into your homes and your work and your Church.” The session report states, inter alia: At the close of another year the session . with grateful hearts, render thanks to our Heavenly Father for His loving care over us during the past year and for the hope with which we enter upon the new year. The session rejoices at the continued good attendance at the Sunday morning service, but would be pleased to see a larger attendance at the evening service, the opportunity of worshipping with 45 students from the Agricultural High School who attend the morning and evening service is an inspiration to our church. The pulpit ministrations of our minister are much appreciated, and his work has been directed towards laying a good foundation for future building. A deep spiritual awakening is the earnest desire of all, .and the session urges that our minister be encouraged. in his labours and upheld by the daily prayers of the people. The different organisations connected with our church have made steady progress during the year and continue to efficiently carry out their several duties with enthusiasm. During the year twelve communicants have been received into the church by pirolession of faith, ten by certificate, and there were fourteen disjunctions, the number on the roll being 221. The death of Mrs McFarland, the wife of our esteemed senior elder, occurred during the year, and the session extend to him and his family their sincere sympathy. The sympathy of the session is also extended to all who have suffered bereavement. A birthday party was tendered to Mr G. Bartholomew by the congregation on his 80th birthday. The session have regretfully accepted Mr Bartholomew’s resignation as choirmaster after many years of faithful service. “Bible Classes. —Junior Girls: This class, with a roll number of sixteen, has met regularly except during the period when health restrictions were applied. The session would express its grateful thanks to Miss Mayo for her devoted work. .Junior Boys: Mr S. Leitch has been obliged to relinquish this class which now meets under the leadership of Mr Don McKay, assisted by Mr Malcolm Buist. Senior young men: This small class has disbanded meantime, and its remaining members have attached themselves to the minister’s class, meeting on Sunday mornings. Our veteran leader, Mr Pagan, and Mr Leitch are still with us and are willing to take over further reeponsibilitv as opportunity offers. “P.W.M.U.—During the past year 11 meetings have been held with an average attendance of 22. Four new members have joined the union, which now has a membership of 41. Missionary letters have been read at most meetings, and members have taken a keen interest in the. work of our missionaries at home find abroad. The annual social and gift Afternoon was well attended and the sum of £8 16s resulted, while a bring and buy afternoon held in March added another £6 16s to mission funds. The P.W.M.U. has donated £0 to train a native teacher in the New Hebrides. £2 10s to the Maori Girls College, £l6 to Maori missions, £1 10s as a Christmas gift to the missioner a.t Te Waite, £1 to the Training Institute, £1 towards the women workers superannuation fund and £2 10s 9d to the budget. A sack of clothes and toys was sent to To Waite at Ohnstmas, and a sack of wann clothes to Sister Edith at Tokaanu. The ladies of the P.W.M.U. also waited on the com grega.tion and collected the sum of £46 10s lOd for missions. “Girls’ Auxiliary—There are 14 members, with an average attendance of 10. Sewing is done, at the meetings, and letters read from missionaries, and our study book is Dr. Grenfell of Labrador. The annual sale of work in aicl of missions was held in September, a which was raised £23 8s 2d. “Management Committee. tne management committee has to repoi that revenue receipts for the year ending June 30. 1937, were £590-413 10d and the expenditure £6oo 9s 2d, leaving a deficit on the year’s working of £ls 4s 4d. The committee are grateful for the response to the thanksgiving offering appeal—the sum of £132 lbs 8d being contributed. This enabled the overdraft to be reduced by £Go. besides meeting the £SO debit on last years working account and paying £l/ 46s 8d for this year’s instalment on the State Advances mortgage. The total . bank overdraft now stands at £IOO 4s 4d, and the committee trusts this indebtedness will he wiped off during the coming year. The usual harvest festival offering was sent to the Wellington Oiphanage and the produce to the Maori Girls’ College at Marton. It w the intention of the committee m the nrai future to proceed with the u oik of in proving the church frontage, which has been made possible by the bequest of £SO from the estate of the late Mis Nairn The Tennis Club committee We found it advisable to make am addition to the courts which, when completed will be much appreciated by }i members Through the enthusias amoun s from our country supporters ive are hopeful that the neeeswill be forthcoming Mi »ij:_ w the best thanks of the com mittee for his until^ rendered service in any way during the year.” - •