MASTERTON METHODIST CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10656, 11 June 1912, Page 7

MASTERTON METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL REPORT, IVU-V2. The following report for the p.ist year was road at the congregation.:!! meeting held in the Masterton Mcthdist Cinnrch last night:— "I have the honour to submit this report on behalf of the Trustees of this iC'liiiTcii. 1 have much piuisii.ro in reporting progress, under the siiperintendency of t'iio Rev. S. J. SeVpell, and his co-worker, Mr Parson;:;. Both the Masterton and Kuripiini Churches are prospering under their care, and we ia.ro trusting the coining year will he still more prosperous. One and all were sorry to say good-" hyo to Mr Parsons. Mr Olds was appointed in his place, and is-now settling down among .the people at Kuri. .puni, iintl tb:)/ r.n-e. expecting a happy Itime. \Ve have lost two of j our members by death, the kite Mrs ' Wellington being a member for ma.ny > years, and always willing to help hi ' Church work as far as she was able. Also the wife of our Minister, after a long illness, has been called to higher service. Our sympathy is with the bereaved ones. The members' roll' stood last year at 212, this year 237, an increase for the year of 25. /

.Regular services have been held during the year at Wangaehu and Rangitumau by our Pastor, Messrs Parsons and Olds, and our local preachers. One of our Church members and Sunday School scholars has been accepted o.s a candidate for tho, ministry, and W/<5 are very proud of Mr Lester Minifie, and pray that he may be very successful. The congregation tendered him a farewell so-

cial, and wished him goodbye. | The Sunday School, under the sup- ! crintendency cf Mr C. E. Daniel I and his assistants, continues in its work among the young people. The Infant Department, mow under the charge of Mr A. Hoar and Miss King, conr iti'irues its good work. The Ku.ripu.ni School, with Mr Minifie as superintendent, reports good progress. The Bible Classes and Christian Endeavour Societies are still doing good work under their re- ' spectivo leaders. ! The week-night meeting is held each ( Wednesday; when everyone is made welcome, and a pleasant time is spent. During the year Mr Ralph resigned from the Choir, and Mr Clough was appointed choirmaster and organist. Our thanks are clue to Mr Ralph for all his past services so .cheerfully rendered, and ato a.s u Church were veryproud of him and his choir for: the position they held last year in the competitions. We also tender our thanks to Mr Clough as organist, and all members of the choir for their services on Sunday and other times when called upon. Also to Master Tyaeke for organ blowing. Thanks are tendered to the. Ladies' Guild for their very valuable help in maintaining the upkeep of the parsonage, and for their help at socials and other things.

Turning to finance and improvement of Church property. Members have received a financial statement. We.have paid hack to the Building Society £26, leavling a balance of £274; .repaid the Loan Fund oft* £35, leaving a balance of £65 due to the Loan. Fund, paid in £5 quarterly instalments. You will see that we have reduced the debt on the church by £6l. The Trustees find this debt a drag on them. As the income does not meet expenditure the Trustees among themselves and a few friends collected £52 10s, and this has carried them on up to May 31st, but we feel something will have to be done this coming year to increase the income, and we shall meed 1 your help. It will interest the members to, know the amount of-money raised during the year:— ~ ' £ s. d.

Total £914 10 5 The choir donated £lO won at the Competitions to the organ fund, which now stands at £IOO. In connection with the Sunday School, a visit is paid every Sunday by two of the officebearers, the object being to encourage the Sunday School workers, and take an interest in the work.

A' Boys' Club has been started, and a very successful opining took place Friday, May 31st. The Trustees have granted them the use of the schoolroom every Friday.

We are deeply grateful to all who have helped us in the past. The prospect for the coming year is a very pleasing one, and Ave hope will prove one of the best. May God bless -all our efforts and help us to do our duty by our Church. Special thanks are due to Miss Roberts for her visiting amongst our people. Her visits are much appreciated, especially among the sick. The Church good worker in Mr S. Cresswell, who as agent- for "/The Methodist performs ■a service for which we tender him our sincere thanks.

We wish to thank those who from Sunday to Sunday have provided flowers for the church.

We are fortunate in having Mr Serpell as our -Minister, and) we believe our church /is going to progress, and it will, if every member will do his or her best to help him. May each one of us do our best. —H. Beale, Hon. Secretary Masterton Methodist Church Trust." '' '

Masterton Trust 163 19 3 Masterton Circuit 473 0 3 Masterton Sunday School, ,50 0 0 Ladies' Guild 15 0 0 Kuripuni Trust 71 0 0 Ruripuni Sunday School' 48 15 11 Foreign Missions 43 15 0 Home Missions 49 0 0