CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3097, 30 May 1917, Page 6

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE

TERRACE. ■ There was a large attendance at the new Congregational Church in Cambridge Terrace last evening, the occasion being the twenty-ninth annual meeting. The Rev. A. E\ 'Hunt resided. Together with the annual meeting, the anniversary tea was combined, the latter being I'eld in the large schoolroom attached to the church.

Before calling the secretary of the union to read the annual report, the Rev. Mr. A. 13. Hunt stated that since last .Saturday, when the church had Ireen officially opened, he had received telegrams and letters of congratulation' regarding their fine new church from the secretary of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, the secretary of the Christchureh District Union, and the executive committee of the General Union. Mr. T. Reynolds then read the annual report, which stated that the membership roll stood at 135. Five iiew 'members had been received in the church, and eight pawes had beeu removed from the roll, three of which had been removed through death. 'Ihese three, had been Mrs. Fielding, Mrs.'A. Jβ. Hunt, the wife of their pastor, and Mr. CI. Henderson. The financial portion of the report staled that they Jiad commenced the year with J2G us. Sd. m hand, and total amounts raised had brought the total up to JJGIS on April SO, 11)17. The sum of JJlliO had beeu contributed to tho missionary funds. An appeal on behalf of the United Institute at Trenthain had resulted in an amount of JM being raised. A sum of J;IC 18s. Ikl. had been raised towards the Hospitality Fund. Going on to the School, tho report stated that the pro!>lein had been a difficult one. By courtesy of the School Committee, however, the school had been held in the Cldye Quay infants' schoolroom. For various missions there had arisen a paucity of teachers, and all appeals for help had proved futile. Mr. D. M. Banks, in leBignim,' membership of the church, had seen fit to resign his position as secretary of the school: Regarding the Ladies' Guild, they continued to hold their monthly meetings, " and the time had been profitably spent. During the year £% 2s. had been added to the guild' fund by various entertainments, in loving memory of the lute president (.-Mrs. A. K. Hunt) and as a mark of respect it had been decided to .leave the position vacant lor the current year. The report expressed appreciation of the removal of the Congregational Union headquarters to-Wellington. It congratulated the Kev. Mr. Hunt ou hie appointment as secretary. They had hoped to open the new church free of debt. This had been found impossible, but the deficit would probably not be more than MbO.

The Eev. ill , .- Huut, addressing the meeting in connection with the Sunday School, stated that since there had been a. prospect of the new school room attacked to the church being brought into use there had been a number of. school teachers who had offered to take classes, and he thought the number of scholars would increase. He thanked the staft and officers of the Sunday School for the trying period they had helped the school, through. Several others addressed the meeting. Mostly they dealt reminiscently with church matters and the new church in particular. The speakers were the Jlcv. Mr. Aspland (Palraerston North), the "Rev. Afr Knowles-Sniith (Mission), the Rev. Mr. Evans (Constable Street), the 'Rev. Mr. Glnsson (Terrace), aud Mr. A. E. Lindsay, of Wellington. Messrs. Hewitt and Stewart had resigned from their positions in the church under the rules governing their appointments. Mr. Hewitt did not sock re-elec-tion. Durin;: the evening several hymn's were sung, and two which -were contributed by Hie choir were especially appreciated.