KURIPUNI METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10701, 23 August 1912, Page 3

KURIPUNI METHODIST CHURCH

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REL'ORT. Following is the report presented at the annual meeting of the Kuripuni Methodist Church : —Again the whirligig of time brings us to another milestone, the thirjteenfh, in the history of our Church at Kuripuni. Last year was a record one, but this year our Church has reached a higher watermark still, and, generally speaking, both the spiritual and financial parts of Church life are on a high level. The congregations have been huge from Sunday to Sunday, and the weeknight services are much appreciated, and, taking weather circumstances into consideration, are well attended.

The Rev. J. E. Parsons finished his term with us last April ,and was appointed by Conference to Taihapc. Hia work here was excellent and made a lasting impression for good on the cause at ;th:s end of the circuit. We wi.v'i him every good thing, and that hi- future will be a very successful one.

Mr Parsons was succeeded by the Rev. E. T. Olds, a young man of ability, who nobly sustained the work of his predecessors. Unfortunately, he fell ill, and is at present unable to resume his work. We tender him our sincerest sympathy, and hope th.it soon he will be able to take up his work again. Our best thanks are due to our superintendent the Rev. S. j/Serpel» for the splendid "supplies" ho has arranged for us during Mr Olds's illness. It is evident that Mr Serpell i<s keenly interested in the success of jthis branch of his circuit.

May we here tender to Mr Serpell and family our sincere sympathy with them in their great loss, by the death of Mrs Serpell. May the God of Grace comfort them all. During the year Mr Shmte -retired from the super!ntendency of tho Sunday School, and Mr A. J. Minifie was appointed to fill the position. Many thanks are hereby given to Mr Shutq for his good work, and a cordial welcome to Mr Minifie.

Mr Rogers still continues to lead the Young Men's Bible Class, whilst wo are pleased ;to record that Mr F! W. Temple lias taken the leadership of the Young Ladies' Bible Claes. Both loaders are doing well in their respective positions. A new room for the use of the Young Ladies' Bible Clas<. is badly required, the present one being all tco small. A start hat; been nude to raise funds for this purpose. Wo are proud to acknowledge' itho services rendered to our Church by Mr Lester Minifie, who is now a student for the ministry at Wesley College, Auckland. Our best wishes for his success are ungrudgingly given.

A Mutual Improvement Society bus l>een but o'wing to the bar! wca'tlier, was some time ui setting going, it is now doing good-'work, and should prove of groat benefit to the young life of the Church. Thanks are duo. to 3:1 r G. I3!aue for his servicer as choirmaster and to Miss Burton as organist, and also to all the members of the choir. -The congregation appreciate the services d' all.

The Ladies' Wesley Guild is jitill doing good work, and through their enthusiasm raised sufficient to pay off the debt on the infant -mom to tin lout fund two years before due date. I A garden party organised by the ' Guild was a great pieces.'*, realising £22 3 S -'ld. Special thanks are due jto the Guild for the gift to the trus- /

tees of a sacramental service, i\ku to Mr G. Terry for his kindness In- making and supplying the stand therefor. Bravo, ldaies! What would the Church —or any Church, for that matter—do without ladies?

It is hoped, during the coming year, to raise sufficieiijt funds to paint both the interior and exterior of the Church.

Last year the debt on the piano '} stood at £23 los. This has been re- \ duced to £7. It is hoped during 'tin.?. J rear to extinguish this debit altogeth-1 ! of. M

A sigp. of progress is the notieo loard erected outside the Church. This is the gift of Messrs G. Terry and A. J. Minihe, and the thinks of a! are duo to them for this.

Coming to finance jthc total sum raised since my salt report is £222 2s 2d, inado up as follows: Circuit £IOB 18s 3d, Trust £3l, Ladies' guild £6 2g Id, Sunday school £4B los lljd, F. M. £7, 11. M. £6 3s 3Jd, Band of Hope £1 2 S sd, total £222 2s 2d, TliG allove -shows an lncrcaso '„f £-16 Is !)d on last year's inconip. This iy very satisfactory, and -Indicates that workers are net scarce. Whilst thi*' is so iit muyt not be forgo Hen that spiritual growth must bo fostered by spirituality, and members wi.l do well to give t" this cf church work the importance it deserves. We thank God for His upon us as n CJiureh in the past, and hope ithnfc with His guidance Ave may in every way prove 'worthy of the blessings that are ours in. the future.