ST. MATTHEW’S

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1939, Page 7

ST. MATTHEW’S

PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING YEAR OF MARKED PROGRESS. FINANCIAL POSITION SOUND. The annual general meeting of parishioners of St Matthew’s Parish, held in the Parish Hall last evening, was largely attended and was a very enthusiastic and happy gathering. The Rev E. J. Rich, who presided, thanked all church workers for the magnificent support which had resulted in such a year of marked progress. Mr J. Ninnes, as Churchwarden, and Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale as treasurer, referred to the sound position of the finances of the parish and to the fact that in spite of extra expenditure the position of the parish as one free of debt had been maintained. Officers for the year were elected as follows:—Churchwardens, Messrs R. E. Maunsell and J. Ninnes; vestry, Messrs E. J. Coleman, E. Hale, W. L. Hunter, G. Hyde, A. O. Jones, C. R. Mabson, T. C. H. Miller, P. G. Ramsay, R. G. Russell and W. E. Vowell; hon auditors, Messrs G. W. Sellar and N. H. James.

Appreciative reference was made to the work of the hon auditors, hon secretary, and hon treasurer and all church workers. The serving of supper brought a very happy meeting to a close.

The Vicar’s report stated, inter, alia: The year that has just ended has been a very happy one for our parish. All our activities have been maintained. Attendances at the services, notably at the Holy Communion, have increased, and all our parish organisations have made progress. In December, the Rev T. V. Pearson was ordained to the priesthood and both he and Mr V. W. Joblin have carried on their work throughout the year. This is the first full year that we have had two assistants on the staff, and their work has borne fruit through extra visiting, and in increased attendances at Sunday Schools. The appointment of an extra member of the staff has more than justified itself. Every department of the church’s work has prospered during the year. The various organisations have helped the parish and a fine spirit of fellowship in service has been manifested. The Bible Classes attained a record membership and the C.E.M.S. has reached a membership of 50. Splendid service is done each month by our great-hearted band of Magazine distributors. During the year there were 74 baptisms, 44 weddings and 52 burials; 89 candidates were confirmed. Acts of Communion for the yeai - numbered 5565. Even with the increased staff the work of this great parish could not be done without the help of a great band of voluntary workers.” The Churchwardens’ report stated that, thanks to the splendid support of parishioners, they had again finished the year with a credit balance. Offertories showed a slight increase, and subscriptions and donations an increase of £22. Kuripuni, as usual, contributed its £lOO for parish- purposes. Special offertories showed a substantial increase, and the parish paid its quotas to the Maori Mission and the Board of Missions. Contributions to Sedgley Home showed an increase. A . special feature this year was the launching of the Diocesan' Centenary Appeal. This met with a magnificent response; £942 had been given in cash and when promises were added the total was £3328. Substantial repairs and renewals had been carried out to parish buildings and the money for these had been found. Thanks to the great work of the Ladies’ Guild, a substantial sum was in hand for permanent improvements to the church paths. The report expressed the gratitude of parishioners, to the Rev Rich and his assistants, the Rev T. V. Pearson and Mr V. W. Joblin, for their work during the year.