St Gary's Levin

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 April 1915, Page 2

St Gary's Levin

YICAR'iS ANNUAL REPORT. Following is the full text of the report of the Rev. H. T. Stealey. vicar of >St. Mary's, Levin, read at the annual meeting on Wednesday evening^— Dear friends and parishioners.—The past year, I believe, lias been one of slow but steady progress. This is not saying that every department of the Church work is in a flourishing condition. Our choir badly needs a feu more male voices; again, teachers foi our three Sunday schools are difficult t ) procure. At the present time we have fifteen but could do with two additional teachers for Levin and Weraroa. Another weakness in the past has been the lack of any definite work amongst the young men and lads of the parish. This. I trust, will be remedied by an Anglican Boys' Club, which I have recently started. Tile meetings are held in the church-room every Wednesday night. 1 hope parcuts will assist this work by let •ig their lads attend the meetings Should any of you have any game: which you do not require, suitable for ese in the club they will be most acceptable.

The number of scholars belonging to the Sunday schools has increased. 1 nit some children are most irregular in their attendance. During the year we have had some very valuable helpers in the Sunclay schools. Miss A. Palmer recently left us to join hev parents at Longburn, and Mr Oswald Horrobin. from Oh ail Sunday school, is now in Egypt with the Expeditionary Force. It was most encouraging to see so many communicants at St Mary's, Levin. on Easter Sunday. In all previous records were broken. Titiyear that namber was exceeded by an additional thirty-two Communicants. Every improvement in Cnurcli matters shou'd encourage us to lorw-i' d : w > should never allow ourselves to be satisfied. So long as indiffere r i :e am! m exists in the community there i> w<n ! <o be done,—souls to bo won fur Christ ;id His Church. Let us prtv an I work that everyone in this parochial district may learn to love and scno the. Lord Jesus Christ, and ll'ii-.t may be what the Master desired. "Oik: (lock and one Shepherd. ' (R.V.) During the year, thirty-five infants and one adult were baptised, and twenty-six persons were confirmed. Thirteen mai'iiages were solemnised. In spite of the fact that so many of our youiijr men have gone to the front, the attendance at t"he services has* been maintain en. There is still room for improvement in this respect. If all those ■who profess, and call themselves Church people made an effort to be present at Divine service once every Sunday .the seating accommodation in the parish Ohurch, Levin, would be taxed td the utmost. I regret to say that Major Burlinson. acting under medical advice, has, for the present, discontinued Church work. You all. I am sure, wish him a speedy recovery, and will be glad to sea him in the near future again conducting Divine service in St Mary's Church, Levin. - Mr T. Brown has stepped into the breach caused by the temporary retirement of Major Burhnson from active Church work. I am sure we are all grateful for what he is doing in various parts of the parish. Wo are pleased to" welcome to the parish Mr H. .Easther, who for many years past has acted as lay-reader in the diocese. He has promised to help us in Levin. Mr Arthur Horrobin. one of our layreaders, has volunteered tor the front, and is now in training at Trentham. Wo are sorry to lose him for lie has done good work at Muhunoa and Weraroa. We all wish liini God-speed and a safe return. Mr Harold Horrobin has undertaken some of the work formerly done by his brother. Mr A. Thorley, Ohau. has recently received a bishop's license to act as lay-reader. He is to iielp with the services at Muhunoa and Weraroa. Thanks are due to all the lay-readers for the valuable work they are doing; to the Sunday school teachers in Levin, Weraroa, and Ohau : to those who play for the services in Levin, Koputaroa. Arnpaepae, Weraroa. Ohau and Miiliunoa; also to the district visitors, and those who organise and manage the candidates' class and the Girls' Friendly Society; and last. b"t not least, to the churchwardems and ves-

try men in Levin and Ohau who look after the business part and finances of the parish. Our thanks are specially due to Mr N. C. Holdaway, who so faithfully fulfills his duties as peope'e warden in Levin, also to Mr E. Elinton for his work as secretary and treasurer during the past year.

The weekly class at the Boys' Training Farm has been continued during the year. Between sixty and seventy lads belonging to tKe Church receive instruction every Wednesday morning.

The Ohurch of England Men's Society has recommenced its fortnightly meetings. Practically ;i!' fh" numbers were present last or i:. This organisation deserves tc he Ijetivr known. 'Ilie rules are sin.pi- : tiaeh number pc»inises to pray in God d;>ily jnui to undertake some definite work tor Him.

As there is no Church wardc-'b report this year. I should like to explain the fian:.:ioiiii position of the parish as to March 31st. I!)m. In Levin we began the year vhiiy. CIO 14s in band, and ended it .vithX c 7 Os 2d. This is very satisfactory "hen it is remembered thai, diving -,!n- vear, we paid off a debt of 2,s Id on the Church room. TV <,t:!v oulMiimiing liabilities on March HKi la. t. were £2 due to the caretaker and iI I due from the Levin vestry to the Weraroa Chnrtftroom Building Committee; this sum' has since 'boon cleared off by the G.F.S.. the Ladies' Work Guild and money collected by s}rs .Duckworth. The assets consist of £160 6s 2d (belonging to the Weraroa Church-room Building Committee? and £22 2s 8d (raised some years ago towards the enlargement of Levin ClTurch and a new chalice and paten).

During the year the sivm .of £390 12s 2d has been raised by the parishioners. Of this sum £51 8s 6d was given to .Missions, Belgian Relief Fund, Pension Fund, Bible in State Schools, and the Diocesan Social Service Fund.

Tn response to an appeal from the diocesan authorities, the churchwardens and vestrymen decided to increase yiy stipend £15 per annum. Personally I refused to accept the money while there was any debt on the parish As my objection carried no weight either in Levin or at headquarters ir. Wqjlington, I paid the sum of £11 5s (being the. additional increase for nine months) into the Ohurch funds a 6 a donation from myself.

I must take this opportunity of thanking the parishioners for their Heiierous Easter offerings of £9 10s, These gifts I generally devote to the upkeep of my horse and gig, which use for travelling about the paris' As the Weraroa Church room Building Committee is anxious to erect a church room without delay, I gave them £5 I rom the above sum. In conclusion, let me thank you all for the kindness and sympathy which von extended to me during my recent illness. lam pleased to say that my health is very mueli better than it has been for some time past. It is so encouraging to know that one has the love and affection of one's people while ministering to them in spiritual things. That God may 1)1 ess and pr sper His work in this parish during the coming year is the prayer and wish of your friend and vicar.