THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1734, 26 April 1913, Page 3

THE CHURCHES.

ST. PETER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the churchwardens and vestry of St. Peter's Church states that, considering the increased normal expenditure, consequent upon the additional work and services in the outlying portions of the parish, and amongst tnose most urgently needing the Chureu's care, t'he result —although showing a deficiency on the year's worKing—cannot be considered other than satislactory. The statement of accounts discloses the particulars of the receipts and expenditure. ,The average of the offertories (£U lis. 3d.) is practically, the same as last year (.£ll 17s. llkl), the slightly smaller amount being accountable to tlie larger number "of ' wet and inclement Sundays. The total receipts, excluding tho bajunce brought forward, being .£IOO4 2s. Gd., and the expenditure, excluding liabilities of tho previous year, .61002 Ds., with unpaid liabilities amounting to ,£7B '7s. 10d., against which are assets owing of ,£ls ISs. 6d., leaving a net deficiency of JEG2 9s. id. While this deficiency need not be con'sidered, a serious matter, yet if .the present! clerical and lay staff, and the work the.V are doing in tho parish is to be continued, and on this matter we consider there can be no difference of opinion as the need is pressing and manifest, wo would urgently appeal to parishioners to render such financial support as they ai'.able to, especially through the offertories, in order that the necessary funds be available to meet tho . liabilities of the parish, and relieve the churchwardens of the anxiety they are at times unduly called upon to meet. . The installation of tho electric light has proved satisfactory, and we are pleased to .report that in our opinion the substitution of bags instead'of plates for taking the offertory has not detrimentally affected the receipts, and is much more desirable and satisfactory.

We have again to acknowledge and cordially thank the ladies' working party for their generous and practical assistance to the parish funds. We desire to express our appreciation of the work of the organist and ohoir for the manner in which the musical services are rendered, and to thank them for. their labours, also to Mr. R. Harrison for services gratuitously given to the church.

ST. MARK'S PARISH.

The annual report of St. Mark's Parish, as drawn up by the churchwardens, is as follows-.—

"As in the last annual report, in which it was pointed out that an additional curate should be secured, an appointment was made,'and the Rev. L. H. JFenn, of Colchester, England, who was selected by the Bishop's commissary, took up his duties on Christinas Day. Opportunity was taken in March to formally welcome Mr. and Mrs. Penn, and tho vestry feel sure that the parishioners will do all in their power to make them feel at home amongst us. On the same evening we had the pleasure of meeting the Rev. W. P. Long, M.A., and wishing him Godspeed in his work in Melanesia. Early in the year the vicar inaugurated a missionary scheme, the outcome of which was that the Rev. W. P..Long, M.A., was secured as the representative of this parish in Melanesia, and the Rev. David fc>. David to work India. It is pleasing to know that this scheme was taken up heartily by parishioners. "The finances of the parish mnst be considered very satisfactory, the general offertories having increased by £59 16s. 3d. Donations, which last year totalled «£35 135., this year show tho magnificent amount of .£284 Us. 7d. As you no doubt are aware, a handsome donation of ,£2OO was received early in October. The amount of outitanding pew Tents is greater than last year, but since tho close of the financial year, several amounts have come to hand. On tho expenditure side, the assessment has inoreased from .£555 to *£670, chiefly on account of the appointment of an additional curate. The year commenced with a credit balance of i4B Us. 5d., whiclijtias now increased to .£l6O 16s. ii. Attention may be drawn to the Paris!, Trust Board's statement, which shows the very handsome amount of over J31200 to the credit of the rebuilding fund, which has increased by .£6l during the year. The collections of the Missionary and Benevolent Society show a substantial increase. Thanks are duo to Mr. 0. H. Chatwin as treasurer, and to tho collectors. During the year it was decided to add the Chineso mission to the beneficiaries of the fund. A successful sale of work was held in October. At tho outset it was hoped to raise .£2OO from the effort. Expectations were fulfilled, the sale realising .£2OO Bs. 3d., after paying al lexpenses. The sum of ,£125 was devoted to parish work, and the balance to missions.

"During the year several necessary repairs to the church have been carried out. In this connection tho thanks o:i tlio parishioners aro due to Mr. Madeley, who spared no trouble in supervising the renovations. The 'Parish Magazine' has undergone an alteration, and the 'Dawn of Day' is now the inset. Our anticipations have beon realised, and there are now over 500 subscribers. It is pleasing to note that the attendance at St. Barnabas Churchroom, Roseneath, has shown a great improvement since this portion of the parish was placed under tho care of the Rev. W. D. S. Ogden. The offertories for the year have nearly doubled. Alt organisations in this part of the parish aro in a very healthy state. The thanks of tho vestry aro due to the Sunday School teachers, members of the choir, tho bell ringers, the various parish societies and guilds, and all others who have done so much during the year to assist in carrying on the work of the parish. The vestry cannot lot this opportunity puss without placing on record tho valuable .work done in the parish by Sister Constance, who has fully justified her appointment as dcaconcss.