CHRIST CHURCH PARISH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 6 May 1925, Page 9

CHRIST CHURCH PARISH

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of parisliioivers of Christ Church was held in the library of the, Marsden Chureh House last evening. The vicar (Rev. C. F. Askew) presided over an nttendanee of about 100. The. vicar's report stated : "The past vear has been one of consolidation rather than any great- or startling change. The attendance at the great central net of Christian worship, the Holy Communion, lias been one of the most -satisfactory features in our Churoli life during the past year. There have been 5070 acts of Communion during the year, as against 503 uin the previous year. The Easter celebrations were a marked feature and the attendance nearly 100 more than the previous Easter. During the year 86 candidates were, presented for confirmation, no less than 46 of the candidates being males. Baptisms showed an increase of one over last year’s figures. A very pleasing feature, nf the work has been the excellent response on the part of the parish to the Missionary appeal. Last- year I said in my report : It will be a great joy to me when the mother church of the diocese takes its proper place in heading the list of missionary contributions in the diocese of Nelson.’ I have not bad long to wait for this desideratum, for while the precise amounts are not yet available, it seems more than probable that the Cathedral Parish will not merely head the list of parishes in the Diocese (which it ought- to do) but will have contributed twice as much as any other parish. Is it too much to hope that the Cathedral parish may yet held the list of parishes in New Zealand? To the ladies at- the head of our missioinry organisations and to all who worked so well, and supported the cause so generously our best tliarks are due. The Sui day school and the Wood Mission Hall have been under the charge of the Rev. F. C. Lawrence, and the kindergarten Sun-lav school presided over !v Miss Eui.twBrown. In order that parishioners may realise the excellent work that is being carried on their reports are append, d I cannot close my report without referring to the great loss the parish sustains in the resignation of Mr A. R. Dyson from the position of people’s warden, which he has filled for several years with conspicuous ability. During the past two years there have been many matters of great importance requiring careful handling and it is not too much to say that Mr Dyson’s advice, judgment and ungrudging labour have been of inestimable value to the parish We (.till lop; to have him on the vestry and thank him for his splendid services in the past. The Cathedral schema under tho guidance of the Bev. J. G .S. Bartlett makes steady progress, and we are under a debt of gratitude to him for hiphelpful services from time to time. In the course of a -short address t'.-e v-ohr refei red w'tii sail.- motion to the missionary work of the parish, a d trusted tha*- a still greater progress would be made, as a parish that was only living for itself did not justify its existence. Reference to the spiritual life of the parish was also made, and the hope < xpressed that the coming year would be one of spiritual pi ogress and that the blessing of God would rest or. tho parish and the parishioners. The report of tho Sunday schools in the parish ; and of the churchwardens’ and vestrv was also presented to the meeting; as well as.the statement of receipts and expenditure. On the motion of Mr Dyson, seconded by Mr Richmond, the reports and balance sheet were adopted. The mover made complimentary reference to the progress of" the- WoorJ Sunday school, reflecting great credit on Rev. F. C. Lawicnee. He nho urged all parishioners in give the envelope scheme earnest consideration, stating that this was ’he; only satisfactory method of church finance. The motion was seconded by Mr Richmond and carried. Mr F. H. Richmond was re-elected vicar’s warden ; and Mr Arnold people s warden. Mr Dyson, who has been peoples’ warden for tho past three years, did not seek re-election. Following vestrymen were appointed after a ballot: Messrs J. C. Coote, A. 11. Dyson, G. Samuel, T. E. Maunseß, Goldsmith, York, Farmer, Wallace, Dr. W. D. S. Johnston, and Professor Eastcrfield. : Mr F. A. Bamford was re-elected hon. auditor.

Oil the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Harrison, hearty votes of thanks were passed to all voluntary helpers during the year. Special* reference was made to tho valuable service rendered by Mr Dyson during his term as people’s warden; and on the motion of Mr Edmonds, seconded by Mr Samuel, it was resolved that his resignation be accepted with the greatest regret and that the resolution bo recorded on tho minutes.

At tho conclusion of the business of the meeting, refreshments were handed round and a pleasant hour was spent in social intercourse;