CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 261, 2 October 1940, Page 8

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

A novel gathering was enjoyed by a large audience which filled the Congregational Church Hall to capacity on Monday evening. The occasion was the commencement ot the second year of the ministry of Rev. W. M. Garner, who was accompanied by Mrs Garner. The function took the form ot a birthdav party, and a central feature was a large birthday cake measuring 4ft by 2ft on wliicn a single candle burned. The evening opened with the National Anthem followed by the ceremonial lighting of the candle by Mrs Garner, and with the other lights extinguished the audience rose and sang the Doxology. The following artists contributed t'o the programme : Violin solos. Master Cyril Bock; sketches, Mesdames Humphrey and Tiddy; songs in character. Misses Betty and Dawn Olsen; pianoforte duets, Mesdames Whitehead and Riddle; yocal duets, Mesdames Jamieson and Ax; recitations, Miss Wilma Garner. Telegrams of greeting were received from Wellington and Christchurch, from the matron and children of the Willard Home and the Central Mission. The cake was cut during the supper period and quickly disposed of to keen buyers. In responding to the greetings brought bv each department of the church Mr and Mrs Garner challenged the' members to an even greater rear’s service, and referred to the progress so apparent in each branch of the work. Thanks were offered to the committees in charge of the programme, supper and decorations, and to the hostesses.