HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, TE HENUI.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1919, Page 6

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, TE HENUI.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of parishioners of the parochial district of TVHenui and Bell Block was held last evening, May 7, in the Sunday school room, the vicar (Rev. H. A. Favell) presiding. The following was the report presented by the vicar and wardens on behalf of the veatry: Your vestry, in presenting the third annual report and statement of accounts for the parochial district, desire to acknowledge the very willing and generous support which has been given throughout the year. The year just passed has had its own special difficulties and drawbacks, and it is a matter of satisfaction to your vestry that they are able to present an encouraging report. The seventy-third anniversary of the Church of the Holy Trinity, the mother church of Taranaki, was kept on Thursday, May 30th, 1918; the observance being extended to the following Sunday. On the day of our festival the Venerable the Archdeacon of Taranaki celebrated the Holy Communion, and the Rev. E. Lionel Harvie, vicar of Inglewood, preached the anniversary sermon. On the Sunday, the Archdeacon officiated throughout the day. We are grateful to all those who contributed in any way to the success of the anniversary observance. The annual visit of the Bishop of the Diocese to the Archdeaconry was interrupted by the influenza epidemic, and the parish Confirmation had to be postponed for a time. On his return to Taranaki in December the Bishop was able to fulfil his Confirmation engagements. Our own Confirmation was held on Sunday evening, December 15, 1918, when fifteen candidates (five male and ten female) were confirmed. >

At the parish church during the year 96 celebrations of the Holy Communion have been held, the number of receptions being 1128. There have been 13 baptisms, four marriages, and 27 funerals. At St. Luke's, Bell Block, the Holy Communion has been celebrated 14 times, with 190 A comparison with the figures of the previous year shows a decrease in the number of receptions, but this is to a large degree accounted for by the facts (1) that the year 1917-1918 included two Master Days, while the year just ended was without one, and (2) the closing of the churches during the epidemic.

Ladies' Guild.—The members of the guild have continued to do steady work throughout the year. Unfortunately the sale of work purposed to be held in October last, in aid of the Vicarage Fund, had to be abandoned in conse-

quence of sickness amongst the members. It is intended to hold a sale of work during the coming year, the date fixed being Wednesday, September 10, and it is hoped that all parishioners and well-wishers will support the ladies to the of their ability on that day Out of the balance in hand of £l6 8s lOd the ladies have since ms.de a donation of £lO to the vicarage fund, but the amount was transferred too late to be included in last year's figures. Sanctuary Guild. —The work of the Sanctuary Guild is important, although a great part of it is inconspicuous. It includes the provision and arrangement of flowers, the care of the brasses and of the church liuen. To the members of the guild, who have faithfully carried on the work during the year, and to whom the well-cared-for appearance of Holy Trinity Church is due, our church people are much indebted.

Choir.—The choir, although numerically weak, has continued to give willing and satisfactory service. Miss Bertha Matthews, who helped us so splendidly for several years, had to surrender the work she loved. She carries with her, to her new home in England, the very best wishes of all our people. Miss Blundell, who has given most cheerful and efficient service for many years, was also compelled to relinquish the work. The loss of both these ladies was severely felt. We have been extremely fortunate in having their talented help for so long a time, and your vestry desire to place on record their appreciation of the services so kindly given. Mr C. White continues to give splendid service as evening organist, and has also many times helped us at the morning service. Mrs. Smale kindly came (» our rescue when Miss Matthews resigned, and has given most efficient service for some time. Unfortunately, and much against her will, she is now compelled to give up the work for reasons of health.

Sunday School. —The work of the Sunday school has gone on satisfactorily throughout the year under the superintendence of Mr. Childerstone. The loss of Miss Meade, a faithful and willing and amazingly cheerful worker in many departments of church life was heavily felt. Miss Meade threw herself heartily into service for others during the epidemic, and was serving at the hospital as a volunteer nurse when she contracted the disease from which she died. The kindergarten department has continued under the care of Miss L. Cutfield, assisted by junior teachers. The sum of five pounds has been contributed for the third year in succession to the Melanesian Mission for the support of a mission scholar. Owing, possibly, to the epidemic the Arehidiaconal conference for Sunday school workers was not held. The previous conference was very* helpful and suggestive and it is much to be hoped that a similar conference will be held during the coming year. Lay Reader.—At the time of the last annual report we had only one lay reader, Mr. G. C. Childerstone, our other two helpers having been taken from us by the claims of the war. Mr. Childerstone continued to help us until October, when he was compelled by family pressure to retire from the work. Since then Mr. R. Day has kindly helped, and has given faithful service at the parish church and at St. Luke's, Bell Block. . The vestry, on behalf of the parishioners, desire to express their appreciation of the services rendered. Archdeacon of Taranaki.—Your vestry must again acknowledge the very ready and cheerful help given during the year by the Venerable Archdeacon Evans. No mew welcome vuitw than the Axah.

deacon is heard at Te Henui, and it is to be hoped that his kindly and sympathetic help will be available for many years to come.

Finance.—Taking into account the circumstances of the past year, the financial statement will be looked upon as a satisfactory document. In common with the other churches of the Dominion, our local churches were closed for three Sundays during the influenza epidemic, with, of course, a consequent loss of revenue from collections. It is, therefore, a matter of satisfaction that the collections for the whole year show an increase over the previous year. The amount for subscriptions (£49 5s Gd) includes a number of subscriptions from the previous year (approximately £l4) which were outstanding at the time. The parochial endowment income also includes £2O outstanding on March 31, 1918. No special effort was made for the vicarage fund during the year, but the fund will benefit from the year's work to the amount of £3O 7s 7d, being £2O 7s 7d from the quarterly collections, and £lO grant -from the balance in hand of the Ladies' Guild. Bell Block.—The services at St. Luke's, Bell Block, have been regularly maintained throughout the year. Mrs Colson has continued her good work as Sunday school superintendent 'and as organist. The committee have recently taken actively in hand the question of painting and repairs to the church, and the proper care of the church grounds. A generous response was made to a canvas for subscriptions to meet the expenses of the work, which is now in progress. Thanks are due to Mrs Fair-fax-C'holineley for her work as canvasser, and to many others for their voluntary labor, which will considerably reduce the cost of the work.

The vicar, in nominating Mr. L. N. Fairhall to be minister's warden for the current year, paid a tribute to the valuable work done by Mr. R. Day in the capacity of warden during the past three years. The election of officers and vcs try men resulted as follows: People's warden, Mr. 11. J. Johnstone; vestrymen Messrs. W. G. P. O'Callaghan, G. til Grover, R. Day, G. C. Childerstone, K. Inglev, Clemow and Hellaby; auditor, Mr. C. F. Foote.

At a subsequent meeting of the vestry it was decided to institute an annual chrysanthemum show as one of the parish fixtures.

Votes of thanks for good and efficient work were accorded to Mr. C. F. Foote for his work as auditor, the organists and members of the choir, the members of the ladies' guild, sanctuary guild and the Sunday school staff, and the meeting closed with the benediction.