CHURCH MEETINGS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2756, 27 April 1916, Page 9

CHURCH MEETINGS

ST. MARE'S 'ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS. • The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Mark's Church was held in . St. Mark's Schoolroom last evening, tlio Eev. C. F. Askew presiding.. Tlio vicar in a short address expressed his great appreciation to those who had so ably kept the work of the church going during his lengthy indisposition. Owing to many causes, the year had not altogether been satisfactory, but ho looked .forward with hope to the coming period. Ho wis most grateful to those who had done such excellent work in keeping the financial ,sido up. The best of the young men of the parish had answered the country's call, there being now quite'a considerable number of them under arms. The work of the Eoseneath Church was also highly... spoken of by Mr. Askew. The annual :eport and balance-sheet were adopted. The report stated that the finances of the parish are fairly satisfactory. There' was a slight decrease 'in the amount of pew rents as compared with last year, ■ but, on tho other hand, tho general offertories 6how an increase of £43-on last year's total'. It is pointed out to parishioners that even with this increase, the offertory averaged under £10 per Sunday. In order that the work of the parish may be carried on smoothly and efficiently, and free from financial worry to the officers, an average offertory of £12 is essential, and it is hoped to see this attained during the coming year.. The parish Trust Board's statement shows a total of £1339 lis. fxL to credit of the rebuilding fund, an increase of £50 lis. lOd. during the year. The collections of the Missionary and Benevolent Society show a "decrease of £9 during the year; new subscribers to this important, fund are required. Tho best of the young men of the parish are serving with the colours, and there arc vacancies in the Sunday school, choir, and Bcllringqrs' Guild. The bollringors have a particularly proud record, all their eligible members having enlisted. The report regrets to record the death of Mr. C. H. Ghatwin, who for so many years was intimately connected with tho work of tho parish.

'The following officers were elected:— Vicar's churchwarden, Mr. W.'H. Madeley; parishioners' churchwariTen, Mr. W. J. Gaudin; vestry, Messrs. A. Stace, G. W. Barltrop, J. Besanti F. J. Caterer, C. Eyre, H. S. Hawker, R-. E. Rawnsley, A. J. S. White, Barry, and M. J. Speeding. ST. PAUL'S PARISH. The annual report of the churchwardens of St. Paul's Parish (Thorndon) states that the attendance at the services have been well maintained during the year, and the increase in the offertories bears evidence of the interest of the congregation in the work of the parish. Ordinary offertories this year show an increase of some £40 over thoso of last year, while the receipts fur seat rent's are larger by some £12. The credit Galanco is largely swelled by the proceeds of the legacy left by the late James Stephens, which amounted to '£74 17s. !M

"Tho credit at the end of the present financial-year was £101 6s. Ud., as against a debit balance last year of £11 Is. 7d. In last year's accounts there occurred; an item of £35, loan to tho Bolton Street Trust. The finances oi the St. Paul's (Thorudon) School Society were last year not'very satis-, factory owing ro tho falling off in the receipts from the letting of the Sydney Street Schoolroom, and in last year's report a further decline,was,anticipated. Fortunately this-anticipation was aiot realised, as tho income derived by the society from the lotting of the room to the Sohliors' Club Committee lias rem dered unnecessary v any , contribution from the general funds of the parish. With the consent of the Diocesan Synod this Trust has "been detached fromMflie St. Paul's (Thorndon) School Society, and the property" i s vested-in a separate Trust Board, which is beiug incorporated. Tins was done with tho ject of giving- greater freedom in dealing with the property, but the continuance of the war has,prevented any steps being taken in this direction at present. "Tho annual sale of work was this year a<~very great-success, the sum of £247 16s. 7d;. being tho net result of the effort. Of this sum £150 has -been applied in reducing the mortgage oil tho Sydney Street Schoolroom, and £63 15s. in painting the building. Groat thanks are due to the ladies 'of the parish, by whose efforts this most satisfactory result was obtained."'

ST.'THOMAS'S CHURCH. The report of tho vestry of St. Thomas's parochial district (Wellington South), to ho presented at the annual meeting of parishioners, states that the finances of tho parish on the' whole are satisfactory. The aggregate shows an increase, although tho general account has a. liability to tho Vicarage Fund to meet interest duo in June next. . All buildings are .in good • repair. Tho Vicarage Debt Fund has been decreased by £125. Through, the splendid effort in September last, tho debt now stands nt £630, with over £50 in hand for further reduction. . St. Cutlibert's Churchroom debt lias also been decreased by £66 by a similar effort, thus reducing the mortgage to £483. A special 'report upon the. organ recommended repairs and additions estimated at £300. The vestry only authorised sonic pressing repairs, and has received an anonymous donation of £25, which will nearly meet the outlay.