PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 11

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETINGS. ST. LUKE'S, REMUERA. The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuera, was held last night. The report stated that owing to the alterations in the financial ysar of the Presbyterian Church, the review covered a period of 16 months. During that time the membership had increased from 252 to 273, and there were improved attendances at the service!. There are 113 children's names on the roll of the Sunday School, with a staff of 19 teachers and officers. The statement of the treasurer showed that the total amount contributed for all purposes was £4743. The year began with a debit of £96, and closed with a credit of £54. Revenue from all sources amounted to £2015, of which £1109 came from the weekly freewill offering. The total given to mission and benevolent schemes was £634. The. new church building fund, which stood at £1075 at the beginning of the period was now well over £4000, which, with £800 invested under the will of the late Rev. G. B. Munro, brings £5000 within sight. Owing to the generosity of members of the congregation, who contributed £150, Sister Grace had been appointed full-time deaconess to the congregation.

Mr. J. W. Y. Ryburn, chairman of the committee for the fund for a new church buildiug, reported that £7000 was now in sight and an additional £4000 had been promised within three years. The members of the committee whose term of office had expired, Messrs. E. Bond, jun., H. Duncan, G. C. Holmes, 11. Burnett, jun., and H Donaldson, were re-elected The following ladies were also added to the committee: Mrs. Coutts, Miss A. Scott and Miss D. Dempsey.

ST. DAVID'S, KHYBER PASS. The attendance was large at the annual meeting of the congregation of St. David's Church, Khyber Pass, last evening. The Rev. D. C. Herron presided. The report and statement oi accounts (previously published) were adopted on the motion of Mr. J. M. EllifTe. The treasurer, Mr. W. Pirritt, expressed the opinion that if all members would adopt the free will offering system the worries of treasurers would cease.

Mr. J. Robertson presented a summary of the report of the committee for the new church fund, which showed that £25,600 had been raised for that purpose during the past 10 years. The congregation then rose and eang, "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow."

In recognition of the generous gifts and service of Mr. and Mrs. John Fleming, they were presented with a fine enlarged photograph of the new church building. A cheque was also presented to Mr. W. Pirritt who is leaving for Christchurch, after five years' good service as church treasurer.

The following were appointed to fill vacancies on the board of managers: Messrs. O. Ash, A. B. Doughty, R. Gordine, J. Wynne, A. W. Wyness, J. Campbell and J. McConnell.

Messrs. A. W. Probert, G. A. Haydon, E. C. Farr, J. Wallace and J. G. Miller were appointed to represent the congregation on the Council of Christian Congregations.

PAPAKURA CHURCH. The Rev. T. H. Roseveare, interim moderator, presided at the annual meeting of the members of the Presbyterian Church at Papakura on November 25. The report of the kirk session stated that the average attendance at Communion was 83-,- and the roll stood at 127. Their late minister, the Rev. R. R. Greenwood, had resigned the' charge on June 10, to take effect on August 31. He suffered an illness, but recovered sufficiently to sail for San Francisco, where he died a few days after landing. The Sunday school, under Mr. Charles Garlick, bad a very year. There were 140 on the roll, with an average attendance of 79. The managers' report showed the revenue from all sources was £555 9/3. ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIANS. The 69th annual meeting of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church was held last night, the Rev. D. D. Scott presiding. The report stated that the spiritual work of the church had thrived well during the year, and all the church's activities were reported as being in a healthy and prosperous state under Mr. Scott's ministry, to whom the 264 members expressed their loyalty, and to Mrs. Soott. The three Sunday schools had 357 scholars, an increase of 36, with teaching staffs of 28. Services had been held regularly at Tawliiri Road and Te Papapa. ,

The treasurer reported that the tota cost of the recent improvements to the church amounted to £767. Of this sum £513 17/4 had been received to date. Promised contributions of £158 are to be received next year, leaving £95 to clear the debt. The total income from all other sources was £1685, and more than met the expenditure, including £356 for Home and Foreign Missions.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted, coupled with a vote of appreciation moved by Mr. J. Craig, who said that it was a great tribute to the personality and personal influence of Mr. Scott to have retained the good will and esteem of the church and congregation of a quarter of a century. In acknowledging the vote Mr. Scott referred to two foundation members, the Rev. G. Brown, 99 years of age, and Mrs. A. Whyte, who will be 93 to-morrow (November 29). They are to receive the greetings of the church.

The election of officer* resulted:— Managers, Messrs. A. Skinner, R. Bissett, A. A. Smyth, G. Davies, D. Chalmers, R. Ramsay; auditors, Messrs. J. Park and N. A. Whyte. Messrs. H. Murdock and D. G. Cole were reappointed representatives to the Council of Christian Churches.