ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3632, 30 April 1927, Page 2

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

The annual Parishioners meeting was held in All Saints’ Sunday school on Thursday evening. There was an attendance of about 30. The Vicar, Rev. W. 11. Walton, presided. In moving the adoption of the balance-sheet, the vicar thanked all those who had loyally worked for the church during the past year. The most important event of the year was the jubilee, which had proved a great success, and was thoroughly appreciated. The splendid response had given all great encouragement. A marked improvement in church attendance had taken place during the past six months. The work of the choir has shown great progress. The Sunday school is slowly but steadily on the increase. We have a staff of six, but need at least two more teachers. Owing to the illness of the President of the Ladies’ Guild the assistance to parish finance has not been as great as in former years. The fact also of the destruction of the Town Hall made a great difference, especially in the receipts from the children’s ball. He said the thanks are due to Mr Murphy, secretary and treasurer. The.task of a church treasurer is never an easy one. If each church family would make small regular offerings through the envelope system the finances would soon he in a sound condition. If members of the church would each take their part, and realise the purpose of the church viz., the extension of the Kingdom of God, and each adopt the spirit of prayer and service our church life would become to us one of joy and gladness.

The report and balance sheet was adopted. The election of officers then took place: — People’s Warden, Mr. A. S. Easton, Vicar’s Warden, Mr. F. Robinson j Vestry: Messrs IV. Nve, T. East, F. Woods, B. Taylor, R. Warwick, A. Alsop and W. Harris. CHOIR REPORT. Miss A. M. Williams, choir secretary, reported as follows: —During the year the choir has been ably conducted by the Rev. W. H. Walton. Practices have been regularly held, arid the attendance very satisfactory. Our membership has considerably increased by the addition of junior members early in the year, which has contributed largely to the interest taken on Sundays. This year has been one of the most successful since my connection with the choir. Our finances, too, are in a sound condition. Besides a valuable collection of music, which should serve the choir for many years, we have also the sum of £1 l()s 8d standing to our credit. The Easter and Christmas services were particularly bright, owing largely to the work of the choir. For several weeks prior to All Saints Day the choir was busy practising speial music for the jubilee, which was fittingly celebrated by a most inspiring festival, choirs coming from Rongatea, Levin, Feilding and Terrace End to take part, the result being a particularly pleasing and delightful rendition of the musical portion of the service. To our conductor, Rev. W. H. Walton, and our organist,'Mrs Jackson, we owe our sincere thanks for their energetic and untiring zeal in bringing to such a successful issue the services, which mark an epoch in the history of All Saints’ Church, Foxton. A series of social evenings has done much to keep the choir together. In this respect we are indebted to Mr, Mrs and Miss Nye, also to Rev. Walton and Miss Ritchie, for placing their homes at,our disposal, and for an excellent evening’s entertainment. During the year Miss Browning returned to England, and Master Gilbert T.ver was transferred to Wellington. We very much regret the illness of Mrs Walton, our most valued choir member, to whom we extend our sincere sympathy, and trust that ere long she will be restored to health and strength. Mrs Walton has been greatly missed, and we trust that we shall soon have her amongst us again. Mr Walton, too, has the sympathy of all in this respect, in concluding, we trust that God’s blessing will rest on those who use their talents in His service, remembering that:

“We give Thee but thine own, Whafe’er the gift may be; All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, 0 God, from Thee.”