PUTARURU METHODIST CHURCH

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 296, 11 July 1929, Page 1

PUTARURU METHODIST CHURCH

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting vas hi Id in the church cn Monday evening, when Mr. Ashworth prr.ided ever a weir attended meeting. The Home Mission department reported that the Maori Mission Party would visit Put an; ru on October 16, and it was decided to suggest that the date be altered to the 15th. The chairman of tha district wrote that the church buildings in the earthquake areas had greatly suffered, and asked whether the church could help. It was decided to hand the whole of last Sunday’s retiring collection to the local fund as arranged and to have a collection for the buildings next Sunday. Rev. Mr. Ashworth feeling referred to the death of the brother of Mr. Hall in Vancouver on his way to England, and the meeting passed a vote of syrnpthy to Mr. and Mrs. Hall in their bereavement.

Mr. Edmeades reported good progress in the Sunday school, but said that they were faced with the loss of two teachers in the near future. The matter of the appointment of a visitor to the Sunday school was left in the hands of Mr. Ashworth and Mr. Edmeades.

The chairman referred to the loss the church will soon sustain in the imminent departure of Mr. Marshall, who in his short stay has taken such an active part in the work of the church. Mr. Ashworth said that Mr. Marshall had readily and willingly given his services at ail times in taking services, teaching in the Bible Class and Sunday school, and in work among the young men of the church. Several other members referred in terms of praise to the splendid work of Mr. Marshall, after which Mr. Marshall suitably replied, saying that his main interest was in young people and that he counted it a privilege to be allowed to help with them.

Mr. Ashworth then read the resignation of Mr. Reid as circuit steward, who has disposed of his practice here and intends commencing practice in Lower Hutt. Mr. Ashworth said this announcement had come as a shock to him, and he was sure that all members would feel the loss of thei” secretary. He had come to expect him to carry on the work for many years to come, and the only consolation to them was that he was moving on for his own betterment. It was sad that the church was losing such younger men as Mr. Marshall and Mr. Reid when there was so much to be done. After other officers had spoken in the same strain, Mr. Reid replied that he wished it was not necessary. He was grateful for the opportunity of working with such a body of people, and felt that Putaruru was unique in the spirit of its people and would leave a deep impression on him. He would be glad to carry cn for some weeks to enable his successor to be appointed. It was decided to invite Rev. Mr. Brown, of Matamata, to take the services on August 11, Mome Mission Sunday.

Mr. Marshall and Mr. Reid were authorised to take steps to form a club for young men on Saturday evenings, and many articles of equipment for ping pong, draughts, dominoes and ether games were promfor next Saturday.

Mrs. A. R. Vomer served a very enjoyable supper during the evening and the meeting concluded at a late hour with the benediction.