ST. LUKE'S PARISH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 594, 27 July 1933, Page 6

ST. LUKE'S PARISH

annual meeting PARISHIONERS RECEIVE SATISFACTORY REPORT WORK OF THE CHURCH | The annual meeting of St. Luke's parishioners was held in the church hall last night presided over by the vicar, the Rev. Arehdeacon F. W. Chatterton. The annual report was presented as follows: — The financial year of our Church's activities in this Parochial District which has just closed, has not been an easy one. It has made great demands upon the faith and patience as well as upon other high qualities of our Church people. Many appeals have been made to them to meet the demands of the times through which we are passing. It is often forgotten by those who criticize the Church that not only do its members assist various oustide organisations to which they also belong, but that they endeavour to keep up the ministrations of the Church in its witness for God, not only in the Parish to which they belong, but in its social work connected with its Children's Homes and its Rescue Homes, as well as the Missionary Department of its work in obedience to Christ's command for the extension of His Kingdom among the non-Christian and heathen races, which must ever be regarded as one of the first duties of the Church. Calls on Parish For these two important branches of Church work we, in this Parish are asked to raise a quota of £100 each annually, which we endeavour to do, and have generally managed to get near and sometimes to exceed. We are thankful to report that though we have failed to reach our quota for our Diocesan Fund with its social work, we have exceeded our quota for Missionary purposes. Under all these circumstances, we need not be surprised that we have had some difficulty in meeting our f ull obligations, and that we closed our financial year with an overdraft at the bank only just under our limit of £100. The Diocesan Synod last year decided to make its financial year close in future on June 30th, instead of March 31st, which means that our accounts for this year cover a period of 15 months instead of twelve. This change, we much regret as, in the circumstances of Rotorua, our year now ends at a time when everything is very dull, as there is little or no tourist traffic to depend upon. Difficult Comparison It is difficult for this reason to compare this year's financial statement with that of the previous year, especially as some of its items on the expenditure side, such.as insurances, represent payments that extend beyond the additional three months. Taking all things into consideration, and seeing that it is the third year of the depression, and that each year private incomes have been deereasing, we have much to be thankful for that we have come out as well as we have. Self saerifice for the sake .of God's Kingdom, carries its own blessing with it, and so long as we see that God's work is not the first, but the last that is ollowed to suffer, we shall find comfort in sorrow and joy in tribulation. We must mention here a generous contribution of £5 5s from Ngongotaha to St. Luke's Vestry in view of the difficult financial period they have had to face. Church Improvements We are looking forward to the immediato carrying out of some longfelt improvements in our Parish Church, and providing for additional accommodation which has long been felt by some to be needed, especially in times when large numbers of visitors are in the t-own. Not .only are some unable to find room in our small Church at such times, but it is more than probable that not a few imagine that it will be overcrowded and make no attempt to come. We believe the enlargement scheme will fully justify itself. At the same time we propose to revise the electric lighting and make provision for better heating in winter, both of which are long overdue. Another change that has been made already, has been the placing of a pulpit in the Church, which is a gift of the Yicar's and will, when the Church is lengthened, be found to be a great improvement. The work has been admirably executed by Mr. J. Wrathall. These improvements will not be a call .on the general funds of the Church, as a fair amount has been gradually accumulating for some time and alreadv a good response towards

the balance has been forthcoming from Parishioners and others from various parts of New Zealand. We have every confidence that other amounts will come in for so desirable an object, making it possible to complete the work without incurring any debt . The total cost will be a little over £300 and already there is about £200 in hand, and the promise of a subsidy from the Unemployment Board, which may be somewhere in the region .of £30. With regard to the spiritual side of the work, there are some indications that point in the direction of progress Congregations have throughout the year been generally good, but they should be better if those who call themselves members of the Church realized the obligation that such membership implies. Public worship is part of the duty we owe to God, and carries with it a blessing when it is faithfully discliarged. Records are only kept of the numbers attending the Communion Services, and these show that at St. Luke's Church, the numbers who'attended the period which closed on June 30th exceeded those of the same period the year before by about 300, while at Devon St. the increase was 200. Country Districts There have been increases also at the same service. in some of the country districts. Regular Sunday serviees have been conducted at Taupo, Reporoa, Mamaku, Ngongotaha, Rotoiti, besides those in the town at St. Lukes, Devon St. King George V. Hospital and the • S'anatorium, so that every month over 30 serviees have been provided for. Thanks are due to the Maori Clergy- , man at Taupo, the Rev. E. Eruini, for his assistance in taking extra English serviees at Taupo and Mokai. There are however large areas in the nntlvinfr districts of the Kaingaroa

Plains, Atiamuri and elsewhere which it is impossible to provide serviees for with our present taff and this calls for the earnest consideration of the Diocesan authorities in the near future. We are greatly indebted to Messrs W. A. Carter and G. F. Oulds for the valuable help they have so readily given as lay readers. In August last year 33 candidates were confirmed by the Bishop and 30 more have been prepared for the Confirmation which is to take place on Sunday July 30th. The Ladies' Guilds at St. Luke's, Devon St. and Ngongotaha have done valuable work and the St. Luke's Girls' Club has

done some very useful ^ work and fills an important place in the activities of the Parish under the able presidency of Miss Mactier. Sunday Schools at St. Luke's, Devon St. and Mamaku have done most important work through the selfdenying efforts on behalf of the children of the loyal band of S.S. Teachers. To all these and .other workers we offer our grato ful thanks. We trust that we shall have a con- i tinuance of the rich blessing of Almighty God upon all our efforts for the advance of His Kingdom.