ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 5

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

INCREASED ATTENDANCES The attendances at divine worship have shown a marked increase arid the financial position is now better than for many years, says the annual report of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church which will be presented at the annual meeting of the church tonight. During the year the minister, the Rev. C. J. Tocker, officiated at 27 baptisms, and 69 weddings were solemnized in the church, 46 by Mr Tocker and 23 by other ministers. Thirty-one persons joined the church by certificate and 17 by profession of faith.

“The mid-week service has been discontinued in the meantime and in its place our church is open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. when any and everyone may drop in and have fellowship with the Father of their spirits and so be strengthened for life’s duties,” says the report. Mr Tocker is in attendance each day and conducts a 10-minute prayer meeting from 12.5 to 12.15. This has been arranged for the dinner hour workers to whom we trust it will be of service.

“A very fine effort lias again been attained in mission collections carried out by the various church organizations. At the beginning of the year a men’s mission fund was opened at the request of the director of missions and Mr A. Adam was appointed to collect and receive donations from men in the church. This is quite a new and profitable scheme in our mission collections and Mr Adam has been very active in his honorary duties, the amount collected being £127 and the total amount collected for missions is £4BB/12/3. “During recent months, quite a number of young men connected with the church, including Mr R. Baker, a member of the Deacons’ Court, have volunteered for active service and already many have gone overseas. A roll of honour bearing their names has been hung on the walls of the church and other names, as they become available, will be added. Our sincere wishes go with these young men during their absence, and we pray God that the time is not far distant, when they will return, having helped to attain a lasting victory for freedom, justice and Christianity, and that the enslaved peoples of the world m. y be set free once again.”