ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1170, 26 April 1884, Page 3

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

The annual Easter meeting in connection with St. John , the Evangelist’s Church was held on Thursday, 24th inst. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Incumbent of the Parish, occupied the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The meeting was the largest that has been held upon such an occasion for ra»ny years, and was brightened and enlivened by the presence of a large number of the congregation, who attended in response to a special invitation. The knowledge they have gained of the affairs of the Church will no doubt be of great use to them in directing aright their labours of love for the Church. The Incumbent briefly addressed tiie meeting, expressing thankfulness to Almighty God for the incieased activity in regard to the welfare of their Church, and the evident deepening of the spiritual life in the congregation, which now assembled in large numbers. Ha spoke in glowing terms of the valuable services rendered voluntarily by the choir, Sunday School teachers and the lay reader—Mr D. L. Inwood —who discharges the offices of lay reader, organist and superintendent of the Sunday School. He explained that the latter office was only held by Mr In wood until someone could be found to take the post. Owing to the want of necessary funds to provide material —text books, rewards, etc. —there was a fear lest the school should collapse. The Rev. Chairman trusted that not only would the necessary funds be forthcoming, but that some earnest-minded member of the congregation would undertake the duties of superintendent. He thought that a great responsibility rested upon the Church with regard to the training of the children, and expressed a sincere hope that a ready volunteer would be found for this noble work. He then called upon the Wardens to present their annual report and balance sheet. The former, whilst noting tiie satisfactory increase of attendance, etc , commented upon tinway in whieh many members who had agreed to give certain subscriptions annually, either by weekly offerings in

envelopes nr by .donation, had failed to keep their promises. A hope was expressed that all arrears would at once be paid up, and a fresh start made. The report stated that 59 services had been held during the year, 28 by the clergyman and 31 by the lay leader. The average number of communicants was 8. and the average congregations 37, as against in the previous year. In fine weather the congregations numbered from 5 ) to 60. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of 13s 9d. The total receipts were £55 7s, and the expenditure was £54 13s 3d. The oustanding liabilities amounted to £4 13s, and the debt on the building was shown to be £6O. £l4 had been paid daring the past year to the Building Society for the interest and sinking fund. On the motion of Mr Steele, seconded by Mr Bishon, the report and balance sheet were adopted, and a hearty vote of thank* was accorded to the retiring officers. The following officers were then elected to serve on the Church Committee for the ensuing year Mr DeKenzy, Minister’s Churchwarden; Mr Steele, Parishioners’ Churchwarden ; Mr D. Inwood, Treasurer ; Messrs Bishop, Budd, Cliff, Dunnett, Young, F. Barker, R. Smith, H. Smith and Klee, Vestrymen. It wa° decided that meetings of the Church Committee could be held on the last Thursday in each quarter. The ladies signified their intention of keeping up the ‘ sewing be*,’ and rendering all possible assistance to extinguish the debt on the Church, Mr In wood proposed, and Mr Bishop seconded —‘That a vote of thanks be accorded to the ladies for their past exertions, and for their promises of help in the future.’ Carried unanimously. Mr Inwood then spoke of the state of the Sunday School, which required immediate monetary assistance, and urged the necessity of calling upon the members for donations. At this stage Mr Doßenzy rose and stated his willingness to canvass the district, and suggested that a subscription list in aid of tlie Sunday School be opened at once ; he believed in ‘striking while the iron was hot.’ The sum of £2 15s was raised in the room, and it is to be hoped that the good example of those present will be followed by all who have the interests of their children at heart. On the motion of Mr Steele, seconded by Mr Budd, a cordial voce of thanks was passed to the lay reader, organist, choir and Sunday School teachers, etc., for their valuable and voluntary services. At the close of the meeting Mr Inwood, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, spoke in feeling terms of the lively interest taken by the Incumbent in all matters relating both to the temporal andspiritual welfare of his parishioners, and his warm sympathy with all that interested the wellbeing of all his parishioners, residing not only in Winchester but in whatever part of the large paitsh of Temuka. The motion was ably seconded by Mr Dunnett, and carried unanimously. Tire meeting then adjourned, the Incumbent pronouncing the benediction.