METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1938, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY NOTABLE OBSERVANCE. GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED. The 82nd anniversary of the Methodist Sunday School in Masterton was celebrated in the traditional festival way on Sunday and yesterday. Sunday was marked by three special services in the morning, afternoon and evening, and large attendances were the order of the day. The church would not accommodate all who desired to enter for the evening service and special seating had to be brought in, and finally the minister’s vestry and choir vestry were filled with worshippers. The large children’s choir, composed of the Sunday School scholars, gave excellent renditions of the choruses chosen and reflected the greatest credit on the conductor, Mr Walter Davies. Valued instrumental help was given to the choir by Miss Jones, L.A.8., at the pipe organ, Miss Valmai Davies at the piano, and a light orchestra consisting of Misses E. Beale and N. Judd, and Messrs J. Grey, E. Larsen, A. W. Russell, R. Davies and L. Bullick. The Rev Fred J. Parker was the efficient minister at all of the services and he had no difficulty in holding the rapt attention of the boys and girls in three splendid object talks, while at the evening service he delivered a short, arresting address to the adults on “Dad, the Boy’s Best Pal.” Variety- was lent to the singing of the children by the introduction of duets, trios, and quintettes, all of which were admirably presented. The celebrations were brought to a happy conclusion last night when the annual demonstration and prize-giving was held, presided over by Mr Parker. Mr Parker was supported on the platform by the Rev J. R. Metcalf, a Methodist. Missionary on furlough from Choiseul,' Solomon Islands, and after being enthusiastically welcomed, Mr Metcalf gave a brief address. Recitations, dialogues, and choruses were given by the scholars while the superintendent of the school, Mr J. H. Conly, M.A., in a short talk, outlined something of the work done. ANNUAL REPORT. The school secretary, Mr Arch Wellington, presented a splendid annual report, which stated, inter alia: The Sunday School attendances were affected by the sickness prevalent among children generally. A tribute was paid to the services rendered by Mr Conly (superintendent). The change to morning assemblies of the Sunday School had proved to be advantageous. The roll at the close of the year numbered 244 scholars and 22 teachers and officers, which showed that the numbers had been retained. The. average attendance this year was 179 or 67.3 per cent, as compared with 185 or 70 per cent last year. Of the 16 scholars who entered for the Scriptural examinations, 14 gained certificates (5 firsts, 6 seconds and 3 thirds). Of the first-class winners, congratulations were especially extended to Betty Conly, who topped her grade with 95 and Bob Shoosmith 89 and Graeme Lyttle, 85, who came well placed in their grade. The Cradle Roll and Young Worshippers’ League had memberships of 40 and 67 respectively. The Sunday School picnic, held on the property of Mr L. T. Daniell, Akura, proved most enjoyable. A Christmas contribution was made to the Solomon Islanders. The Girls’ Life' Brigade experienced a happy time, the roll -figures, 25, showing a decided increase in membership. Interest had been well maintained in the Bible Classes, the ladies’ classes having a ' membership of 39 and the men s a membership of 43. Graeme Lyttle was Dux of the School for the year and congratulations were extended to him and to his teacher, Mr Greenwood. The year closed with a credit balance of £7 14s 7d. Thanks were expressed to all who had assisted with the various activities. ; Among those taking part m_ the 1 evening’s entertainment were the following:—Emblematic Flowers: Nora Larsen, Betty Conly, Margaret Hunt, Kathleen Knowles, Joan Hunt, Nola Saunders, Margaret Lyttle, Shirley Watson, Kathleen Wiltshire, Esme Staines, Marie Lindsey, . Mary Sherbrooke, Betty Lindsey. Thanksgiving Dialogue: Elizabeth Daniell, Ngaire McGavin, Audrey Staines, Graham Lyttle. Our School: Girls, Melva Macpherson, Eileen Wiltshire, Grace Saunders, Ngaire McGavin; boys, Owen Prior, Tom Mannell, Ivor Perrin, Bob Shoosmith, Melvin Hoar, Kingsley Parker. The prizewinners were as follow:— No 4 Girls (Miss J. Jones), Betty Conly, Margaret Lyttle, Ngaire Orsborn, Nancy Hodder. Special prizes given by Miss Jones: Betty Conly, Nancy Hodder, Norma Evenden, Ngaire Orsborn. No 3 Girls (Miss E. Beale): Kathleen Wiltshire, Margaret Hunt, Shirley Watson, Kathleen Knowles, Joan Hunt. No 2 Girls (Miss P. Hessell): Elizabeth Daniell, Marion Hodder, Ngaire McGavin, Valma Brader. No 1 Girls (Mrs Shoosmith): Eileen Wiltshire, Melva McPherson, Millie Knowles. No 4 Boys (Mr E. Richardson): Robin Richardson, Melvin Kjar, George Swinn. No 3 Boys (Miss Bennington): Owen Prior, Jack Bailey. Ivor Perrin. No 2 Boys (Mr A. Handyside): Jack Hessell, Gordon Mygind, Charles Richardson. No 1 Boys (Mr C. Greenwood): Bob Shoosmith, Tom Mannell, Trevor Davies. Dux: Graeme Lyttle. Mr Parker officially received the Dux of the School, Graeme Lyttle, and presented him with an inscribed reference Bible. An interesting feature of the proceedings was the reading of telegrams and letters of greeting from all over the Dominion from ex-teachers of the school. Thanks to all the participants, and the singing of the Doxology brought a happy gathering to a close.