UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 20864, 6 August 1931, Page 1

UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

FINAL ANNIVERSARY IN RLE) BUILDING Members of the United Congregational Church spent their final annuersary in the old building in' King street last evening. A transfer to the new church at the corner of Castle and Albany streets will bo made at the beginning of September. Large attendances were the order at the Sunday services conducted by the Rev. James M. Smooth; and the church was full on the occasion of the annual social last evening, when the pastor presided. The annual report, submitted by Mr J. H. Wilkinson, contained, inter alia, the following clauses:—A summary of the outstanding events of the year that mark it as the greatest in our history is as follows:—The electing of a new minister, the gift of a manse, erection of a new church,- the appointment of a deaconess, starting of a Christian Endeavour Society, the formation of an orchestra, and the receiving into fellowship of forty-eight new members. Surely a splendid achievement, and tho more noteworthy that it has been accomplished in a period of unprecedented depression. When the year opened all were looking forward hopefully to the arrival of the Rev. James M. Smeeth. During the eleven months he has been with us he has laboured with such zeal and devotion as to prove a blessing to all who came under his influence. His sermons have always been of an inspiring and helpful character, while -his unique addresses to the young in an exceptional manner appeal to the youthful imagination. It has been gratifying to notice tho improved attendances at the Sunday morning and evening services, and especially' at tho monthly The chief event of tho year was the erection of the now. church at the corner of Castle and Albany streets, to be opened the first week in September. The Ladies’ Guild, under tlie presidency of _ Mrs Smeeth, has done valuable work in relieving distress in the district and raising funds- for general church work. The hou. deaconess, Mrs A. Simile, has been of invaluable service to tbe church and to the needy ones of the congregation and the district. Mr Joseph Abernethy, with a staff of teachers, has carried on the Sunday school work with zeal and efficiency. The choir, directed by Mr W. 11. Sinclair, with Mr Ron. Abernetby as organist, lias maintained its numerical strength and its standard of efficiency. Under Miss Laing’s leadership the Girls’ Club lias fulfilled a useful purpose: The orchestra and the Christian Endeavour Society, both organised and led by Mr Smeeth, have been valued adjuncts to the church work. Special thanks are due to Mr J. L. Gardiner, collector for foreign missions ; Mr Gordon Abernetby, agent for tho ‘ Congregational Magazine 1 ; Misses Etheridge and Dawson, distributors of the ‘ Missionary Chronicle ’; Miss Mav Benfell, secretary of the / Watchers" Band; and to the ladies wlfo week by week so pleasingly adorn the rostrum with flowers The treasurer’s report presented by Mr James , Douglas disclosed that despite the demands of a special year tho position ■ was very satisfactory. By the generosity of donors and the backing of one of the leading members of the church tho financing of the new church building had been all arranged. Tbe Rev. James M. Smeeth expressed his deep gratitude for the wonderful progress that had been made since bis advent eleven months previously. Ho desired to see the work develop still more vigorously, more particularly on the spiritual side. He paid a tribute to the choir and to Mrs Binnio for her splendid work as deaconess, and expressed his appreciation of the invaluable co-operation of the secretary (Mr J. H. Wilkinson). The Rev. Albert Mead congratulated tbe church upon its progress both spiritually and financially, and offered tbo good wishes of Moray Place Church. The Rev. A. H. Wallace, formerly pastor of King Street and Leith Street Churches and first pastor of the United Church, delivered an address full of amusing reminiscences, and wished the church all prosperity. Special music was a feature of tho Sunday services, the soloists being Mrs D. E. Ewart, Miss Alison Tyrio, ■ and Mr Dudley Poole. A choice programme was presented last evening. Miss Helen Roy, Miss Alison Tyrio, and Mr James Ferguson sang solos, all being warmly recalled. Miss Kgata Buswell gave a dramatic recital, and responded to a recall with a humorous number. Mr John Connor’s flute solo earned a spontaneous recall, and Mr Walter Sinton s delightful xylophone recital with pianoforte accompaniments by Mr Pettit was received with warm appreciation. The choir, under the direction of Mr W. R. Sinclair, with Mr Ron. Abernetby as accompanist, sang special anthems on Sunday and part songs at tbo social. Mrs John Connor, Mrs A. Matlieson, and "Miss Foguson shared tbe accompaniments. Supper was served by the ladies, who received a vote of thanks.