FIRST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 14

FIRST CHURCH

REPORT OF YEAR'S WORK The eighty-eighth annual report of tho Kirk Session and Deacons’ Court of First Church of Otago will be submitted at the annual meeting to be held on Thursday next. _ The session recognises that the activities of a. largo congregation are many and varied, and call for the unstinted service of an army of devoted men and women cooperating with divine grace, and records “ with gratitude tho loyalty and enthusiasm of the largo body of workers which carried on the multifarious organisations. Recognising the supreme importance of work among tho young, tho session expresses its appreciation of the faithful and self-denying labours of superintendents, leaders, and teachers. To all choir members thanks are given for their effective and helpful service in leading the praise at public worship. To Dr Galway, for his inspiring control, and to Mr Walmsley thanks are due. To the ladies whose activities in the Ladies’ Association, P.W.M.U. and Young Women’s Club make a most valuable contribution, particularly to the cause_ of missions.” Very cordial appreciation is expressed of the wholehearted service of Mr and Mrs Stevely, and of the many duties of the deaconess, Sister Elinor. Hearty congratulations were extended to. Sister Elinor at a largely-attended social held in her honour on the completion of 21 years’ service as a deaconess. Enthusiastic work has been performed by a First Church missionary, Miss Joan M'Neur, M.A. On May 27 Miss M'Neur was married to Dr S, W. Moore, of the Methodist Mission Hospital, Shinchow, South, China. Mrs Moore sent warm thanks to the congregation, and also to the ladies of First Church P.W.M.U. for their wedding gifts. The church regretted parting with Miss M'Neur, but rejoiced that she will be ' a ready helper to Dr Moore in his Christian service. The thanks of the session are given to Mr and Mrs Cunniivdiam for the keen interest they take in First Church, and for the efficient manner in which the duties of church officer are performed. In a pastoral letter to the members and adherents of the congregation the Rev. W. Allen Stevely says: “To all we send heartiest greetings. We express our warmest appreciation of the co-operation of the office-bearers and other workers, and of the devoted service of the session clerk, tho clerks or the Deacons’ Court, and the treasurer.” A message or peace and -confidence is added that, in changing days and in changing conditions, the minds of-ail may be° more surely stayed on Him Who abides. In a letter, Sister Elinor, deaconess, speaks of the joy and sadness of her varied social service, and expresses gratitude for sympathetic cooperation in the task of relieving distress Tho congregation is glad to know that Sister Elinor has now been restored to health. One hundred and twenty names were added to the communion roll during the year. The disjunctions were *A3 bv certificate, and by death 12—Miss M. W: Miller, Miss A. Swann, Mrs H. b. Reid, Mr jD. Brown, Mr J. J. Clark, Mrs J. Brown, Mr J. Cunningham, Mrs C. Anderson, Mr W. Ewing, Airs Cairney, Mr W. R. F. Cairney, and Mrs Davidson. The session expresses its warm sympathy with all connected with the congregation who have been bereaved. There has been an increasing interest in -the week-night prayer meeting. It is gratifying to record an increase in the membership of the Young Worshippers’ League, the object of the league being to encourage children to form the habit or regular church attendance. Doubtless the increase is largely due to the earnest work of the secretary. Miss E. Cole, and of the Sunday schools. The report of the Deacons’ Court makes reference to the largo attendance of deacons at the monthly meetings. The court records the loss by the resignation through ill-health of Mr James Wallace after 33 years service as clerk. Mr Wallace has carried out all his duties with conspicuous efficiency and fidelity. Mr Arthur L. Salmond was appointed clerk. Durinw the year tho new hall at Russell street ivas built. Electric heating has been installed in the church, and the task of redecorating the interior of the church is being earned out. , .... Good fellowship and a spirit of cooperation have been special leatures of the P.W.M.U. during the year. The freewill offering of the ladies amounted to £IOS. Attendances at the meetings have been well maintained, and missionary letters have been frequently received and are always inspiring. Another busy year has boon ex-' perienced by the Ladies’ Association. Over 300 gat incuts have been made for Sister Elinor’s work at Central and Russell street. A service is given in the two Sunday schools—tho Central, with Mr N. Mollison as superintendent, and Russell street with Mr H. P. West as superintendent. These leaders have the welfare of the young at heart, and with a company of devoted teachers and officers a great work is being done. The new hall at Russell street, which replaced tho old after nearly 70 years’ service, lias made for greater efficiency in that .school. Associated with the Sunday school work is that of the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades. These have made excellent progress. The interest of tho ladies and of tho officebearers in these activitis has been most encouraging. The children’s church at Russell street continues to render a valuable service. Both the Central and the Russell street branches of the Busy Bees have continued the fine enterprise of developing file missionary outlook in the minds of the children. The various Bible classes at Central and Russell street have had intensive Bible study, and have enjoyed a fine spiritual fellowship. Leaders and members have co-operated to this result. The Central Young Women’s Club has a, dai-ge membership. ■ While the object is mainly cultural fellowship, the young women are not unmindful of missions, and help in many forms of social service in the community. Russell Street Women’s Club has worked iiard for tho new hall. They have had inspiring meetings during the year, and the same friendly spirit as was associated with the meetings in the old hall abides. • The mothers’ meetings held during the year in First Church Hall have brought sunshine and joy into many hearts. Sister Elinor and the Indies who giro this service have earned tho gratitude of ail who attend. The treasurer reports that the gross revenue for tiie year is £4,089. The amount contributed to tho General Assembly schemes (mission and other objects) was £859, and for other benevolences, including the Presbyterian Social Service Association, £174. During the year there was an expenditure on the new Russell Street Hall of £1,475. The year ended wtili a small surplus in Iho working account. The total assistance given to objects outside tho congregation was in excess of such amounts last year. Tho P.W.M.U. raised the sum of £2lO, of which sum £ll7 was donated to the women workers’ superannuation fund.