ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2270, 30 April 1921, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual general meeting of parishioners of All Saints’ Church was held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening, there being a good attendance of parishioners. After the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the Vicar announced that he had re-appointed Mr G. A. Tver his warden for the ensuing year, and called upon him to present the statement of receipts and expenditure. Commenting on the statement, the warden drew attention to the fact that for the first time for many years the balancesheet showed a small debit. He knew that the old woi’kers in the church who had striven so hard and so long to maintain a credit balance were keenly disappointed, but lie pointed out,that they had every reason to be proud of the year’s work. The total revenue for the period was approximately £6OO, establishing a positive record over any previous year, and a considerable increase over any recent year. Offertories and subscriptions both showed a big increase, and the ladies’ guild had supplemented the funds by approximately £2oo—a wonderful performance. On the expenditure side there were slight increasese all round, consistent with the times, but there were four items of extraordinary and non-recur-ring expense amounting to practically £2OO, which had been paid out of the year’s revenue. He estimated the expenses for the ensuing year at just on £4OO, so that it would be necessary to work hard to carry on successfully. At the conclusion of the Churchwarden’s report, the Vicar spoke in very high terms of the splendid work achieved by the Ladies’ Guild. Ho did not know what would have happened without- their help, and he thanked them very heartily for their loyalty and zeal. He went on to say that he was surrounded by a little bund of ardent workers who wore always energetic and untiring in their effort. Sunday after Sunday as he viewed his congregation he found it consisted mainly of those same people, but where were the young people? He was greatly concerned at the absence of young men and young women from Church worship, and their entire lack of any interest in church work. In this direction lie felt the need of a church institute to attract the young people and bring them within the atmosphere of church work. Already a Young Ladies’ Guild had been formed, with a very promising number of members, and it was hoped very shortly to organise a young Men’s Social Club. Another great need was that of a lay reader. It was absolutely necessary for a clergyman to have a holiday sometimes. He had been without one for a number of years, and he had felt compelled to go away for a lew days a.fter Easter. Failing to find a lay reader, he had been obliged to persuade the Rev. L. 11. Venn to come down from Palmerston at much personal inconvenience, and he desired now publicly to thank Mr Nye for gowing all the way to Palmerston and bringing him down. Referring to the outlying districts Oroua Downs and Marotiri —the Vicar pointed out that already the work there was bearing fruit, there living even now several candidates for Confirmation. He had held services at the Beach during the Summer, and much interest had been taken in them. During the year there had been an increase of over 100 in Communicants, which was very gratifying, and he was pleased also to be able to say that the Sunday school attendance had nearly doubled. He desired to thank the Sunday school teachers and superintendent for their devoted work, but more teachers were urgently wanted. In conclusion, he thanked (he Choirmaster (Mr Betty), and the choir for their fulfilment of a very important duty. He also wished to thank Mr S. 11. Poole for auditing the books, and Mr C. Spiers for all the numerous duties and thoughtful deeds he had so faithfully carried out.

The following officers were elected: —People’s warden, Mr A. S. Easton; vestry, Messrs Barber, Betty, Christie, Furrie, Moorhouse, Nye, Poole, Frank Robinson, Symons, Spiers; Marotiri representative, Mr Jewell; hou. auditor, Mr IV. Bock.

At (lie close of the meeting, musical items were rendered, and refreshments provided by members of the Ladies’ Guild.