CHURCH MEETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 21

CHURCH MEETINGS.

ST. LUKE'S, REMUERA. BUILDING OF NEW CHURCH. An exceptionally busy year was commented on in the annual report presented at the meeting of the committee of management of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuerai, on Wednesday. The moderator,, the . Rev. : , J. A. Thomson, presided. The extra business was largely on account of the . building of the new church. The report showed that the total amount contributed y by the congregation to all Schemes during the year was £3477, over £1000 more than in the previous year. Ordinary revenue amounted to £1538, while ordinary expenditure was £1022. The new church building fund was in credit to the extent of £6743 at the end of the financial year, while the sum of £870 was available as a legacy from the Rev. G. B. Monro. To this fund £1678 had been received during the year. The excellent progress made by the Church was commented upon by several speakers- The sound position of the finances, the good spirit prevailing among the various organisations and the untiring work of the minister, the Rev. J. A. Thomson, and his wife, were also the subject of favourable comment. Mr. Thomson infonmed the meeting that three members of the congregation, Messrs. H. Burnett, D. Spence and W. Carmichael, were taking up the ministry and would commence their college course at Dunedin next year. Officers elected were as follows: Managers, Mrs. R. Porter, Mrs. Smart, Miss D. Dempsey, Mr. J. McDonald, Mr. J. Hardie, and Mr. H. J. Fletcher; representatives on the Council of Christian Congregations, Messrs. C. H. Furness, E. W. Burcli, and R. G. Sellar. Arrangements for the laying of the foundation stone of the new church were made at the meeting of parishioners. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the stone will be laid by Miss S. Dingwall, a foundation member of - the congregation. The moderator of the Presbytery, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, will give an addressy while the dedicatory prayer will be oliered by the ex-moderator of the assembly, the Rev. George Budd.

ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIAN. The annual meeting of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday, the Rev. D. D. Scott presiding. Considerable progress in most branches of the church's work during the year was recorded. Mr. H. A. Stoupe, session clerk, said the membership stood at 253 and the average attendance at Communion had been 143. There were 320 scholars in the main boys' home, Tawhiri Road, and Te Papapa Sunday Schools, with a teaching stall of 25. The Bible classes numbered five, with a membership of 51. Other organisations mentioned were the choir, branch of the P.W.M.U., Children's Worshipping League, etc. The manager's report showed a total income exceeding £1000. Mainly through the earthquake relief appeals, the giving to others had considerably increased at the expense of the local needs.

The report of the treasurer included recommendations for improving the general fund inconic, including the formation of a permanent women's association.

Dr. J. Kirkwood and Messrs. N. Benfell and J. R. Bowmer, managers retiring in rotation, were re-elected, and Messrs. R. A. Falla, MA., and Lyle Davies were elected to fill vacancies on the board. Messrs. D. G. Cole and H. Murdoch were re-elected as representatives on the Council of Christian Congregations.