CHURCH MEETINGS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 805, 30 April 1910, Page 7

CHURCH MEETINGS

ST. MARK'S. ADDRESS BY THE VICAR. The annual meeting of tho parishioners of St. Mark's was hold in tho schoolroom last night, tho vicar (the Rev. A. M: Johnson, M'.A.) presiding over an attendance of nearly fifty. The vicar, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (which have beeu summarised in The Dominion), tliauked the parishioners for the help and sympathy extended to him during the year—his second year as vicar of St. Mark's. He had been greatly disappointed that his health Had not permitted him to do as much visiting and other work as he had hoped. He was deeply grateful to his curate, the Rev. C. E. Tobin, for his valuable assistance. The parish was not, a rich one, but it had a creditable balance-sheet. St. Mark's was probably the only parish in New. Zealand that had no verger. That was a saving of money, but more than that, it meant a great amount of noble voluntary service. There had been a marked drop in tho offertories, which, he attributed to the absence of a number of wealthy supporters, and to. some .extent to the depression in trade. Referring to the completion of the new infant schoolroom, tho vicar said the lessons given there were the most helpful that' could be given to children, and it was a lesson in itself to seo the lady teachers at their work. The vicar, also warmly .praised the work and management of the Sunday School in general. The memorial prizes had proved a great incentive to-the scholars to learn, and to be regular. The' Sunday School was efficient, the teachers were a splendid staff, and the management under Mr. Bray, the superintendent, was good. All those concerned'' were very grateful to Miss Vare for her very successful concert, which realised £14 for, the Sunday School library. The vicar also spoke very appreciatively of the choir and; the organist (Mr. L. F. Watkins, Mus.. Bac), and to Mr. Smith for his work with tho boys. One of tho most interesting events of the year was the election and dedication (on July •25) of tho beautiful Coffey Memorial Font. Mr. Johnson also spoke hopefully iof the: prospect 'of reviving the parish magazine. Tho churchwardens (Messrs. W. J. Gaudin and W. Besant) were warmly thanked by the vicar, who expressed regret that Mr. Besant would not be able to accept nomination for the' ensuing year. Thanks were also accorded to th« eight lay-readers. The death of Mr. Samuel Brown and other parishioners was feelingly referred to. There were 147 births, 43 funerals and 56 marriages in the parish during.the year. More work for the boys should be.done, for those who were cut away from religious influences at the most impressionable age.- With the consent of the vestry,, he had engaged ; Sister Constance, who would shortly bo.here to begin her work, which would include visiting parishioners in the hospitals, and would also, ho hoped, be the beginning of a regular mission. The ladies' guild, the decorating guild, tho bellringers and 'other helpers were all 'thanked by the vicar. He announced that a prayer meeting and singing practice- after ■ evensong every Sunday would-soon be begun. . ■.-■: •'. . The report and balance-sheot. wore adopted. . . It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. W. Barltrop: "That the vestry be ordered to pay .to the parish trust the sum of £105 for ' the rebuilding fund." . . > v..;.v>. . ■ " It was resolved: "That, this;meeting regrets that > votes :at parish meetings wero not granted to women at the last General Synod, and urges on the delegates to still advocate, that course." The following officers were^clected: —Vicar's churchwarden, .-r Mr.' >W. J. Gaudin; parishioners' churchwarden, Mr. T. W. ; Pilcher;. vestry. Messrs: G. W. Barltrop, J. Besant, 'C. B. Burdek'in, F. J. Caterer, C.H. Chatwin, W. J. Hueston, E. J. Hylton, W. H. Madeley, R. E. Rawnsley, and A. P. Williamson; parish - trust board, the vjcar and Messrs., W. J. Hveston and G. W. Barltrop; syn'odsmen, Messrs. C.H. Chatwin,, G. Shirtoliffe and F,"R.' Russell; -auditors, Messrs. H. D. Vickory'and GIT. Hall. ■-.■■.■.. ,'\ •: , Votes of .thanks -were.'passed to the' committee of St. Barhabas's ..Churchroom, Roseneath, and.to the officers and organisations connected with,. St. Jilavk's.i •■■ •■■''.,' ~-'.'

ST. THOMAS'S.

•', The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Thomas's, Newtown, was.held in the Schoolroom last evening. The .vicar (the Rev. J. Walker), in addressing the parishioners, expressed his great regret that lie was presiding for ths last time at a meeting of St. Thomas's parish, and was speaking his. last words as- vicar. . For over seven years.and a'half he had been associated with work among them; and 'so intimate a bond' as that between parish priest and peoplo was a hard one to break. It might be some time before anyone was appointed in his place; and he would advise them not to speculate as to who would fill it, and, above all, not to entertain any kind of prejudice against whomever it might be." Much misunderstanding and much unfairness would bo avoided. The newcomer 'should be allowed to work on the lines' of liis own personality in actual methods of t work. He hoped that they would all keep together, and not lose ground in the work in the meantime. He was very thankful that a branch of the Chnrch of England's Men's Society had been formed herei, as it was a great help and inspiration. It had completely "revolutionised the Church of England.at Home,.and it will do an equally great work in New Zealand. The report and balance-sheet, which were adopted, appeared in last! Tuesday's issue. •'''•' A considerable amount of discussion centred about the resolution to authorise the'vestry to guarantee till the vicarage was .built tho sum of £50 at least towards house allowance to the incoming vicar, and also about beginning a fund towards the building, sums of money' being promised straightaway. Much regret was felt by the parishioners at tho loss of Mr. Walker, and great appreciation of his.work among them was expressed; It was stated that it would bo very much to Aramoho's gain when ho wont there. : Tho election of officers resulted in Dr. J. _H. Kemp and Mr. J. AV. Salomon being reappointed vicar's churchwarden and parishioners' churchwarden respectively. Auditors, Mr. Boulcott and Mr. Noble-Campbell. Messrs. G. H. Butler, M. E. MiCall, A. E. Jeffs, A. L. Haylock, C. M. King, 'M. F. Christie, and A. S. Chapman were appointed vestrymen. A vote of thanks was passed to all helpers, the choir, the organist, and tho church decorators being particularly mentioned.