ST. ANDREWS' CHURCH

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 545, 2 July 1920, Page 2

ST. ANDREWS' CHURCH

SOCIAL EVENING. For many years past the vestry of St. Andrew's Church, Pukekohe, has experienced difficulty in obtaining sullicient revenue to meet the liabilities incurred from year to year. With the object of inaugurating a system whereby the revenue required for the year could be guaranteed by the parishioners', Rev. .J. L. A. Kayll, of Auckland, visited Pukekohe, and at a social evening held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday evening, he explained how by an envelope system the difficulty could be overcome. "If the gathering," he said, "was representative of the parishioners," (jnd it was, while there was a large representation of members of the other denominations also), "they could that night put the vestry's finance on an extremely sound basis. If everyone took church work to heart it would be an easy matter for them to get along successfully. He referred to the

"take the plate round system,", and added that everybody gave something. This was not satisfactory enough to assure of the year's finances. The vestry were not in a position at any time to state how much revenue they would receive per annum. In the event of a wet Sunday or so, and the attendance at the church services was not as large as it would be under fine weather conditions, naturally the finances suffered. The system they proposed to adopt, and it was being adopted in other parochial districts in the diocese, was to ask the parishioners to guarantee a certain amount every Sunday, whether they went to church or otherwise. If they adopted the suggestion the Church's finances would soon be in an extremely good position. The vestry required £450 for the year's working, and if this was guaranteed the vestry would be able to meet all its liabilities, and when the matter of the new church and parish hall were under consideration the assurance that ths year's finances were guaranteed would give the vestry heart to enrry out the work. Each parishioner would receive a form to fill in, stating how much she or he was prepared to give weekly. Each would be supplied with envelopes, and the offering would be placed therein and put on tthe plate as it went round, and handed in to the authorities if the person did not attend the services.

Mr. A. F. Brown, people's warden, gave a resume of the church's financial position. He condemned the idea of holding a flower show, and devoting the proceeds to the general upkeep of the church. The proceeds from this show he maintained should be devoted to certain objects and not to be expended in the upkeep of the church. He urged the parishioners to wake up, put their shoulders to the wheel, and do as they have never done before. At che conclusion of the brief

speeches a number of parishioners filled in the forms provided, and we understand satisfactory progress is being made. Dancing was indulged in, music being supplied by Misses Ivy Duncan, Linda Perkins, and Messrs F. Duncan and Jack Brown proved energetic and efficient M's.C. Vocal items, rendered by Messrs. Churchhouse and Brown, were appreciated. Refreshments, provided by tne ladies, were partaken of, and a pleasant evening terminated.