PORT CHALMERS PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 21785, 30 July 1934, Page 11

PORT CHALMERS PRESBYTERIANS

ANNUAL MEETING

The Rev. Gilman Dunn presided over a good attendance of members and adherents at the eighty-second annual meeting of the Presbytehari Church on Wednesday evening. In a brief opening, the Moderator referred to the church’s long history and to the long (ist of previous members' of the church occupying important positions in church, school, and business life in many parts of New Zealand arid in Australia. The church persisted through the changing years because it had a message mankind needed arid made real to men the abiding presence of God.

The kirk sessioa report referred to the jubilee of the present chutcb, which had been celebrated in a manner worthy of the occasion in ‘October last. The communion roll at the end. of the year showed a membership of 242. The attendances at thqinofriirig services had been very encouraging. Evening attendances had remained about the same. Bible class work was being carried on efficiently under godd leadership, and in a fine spirit of co-opera-tion as between the different clashes. There were sixty-seven Bible class mem T bCrs and 131 scholars in the Sunday school With a vihw to bridging the gap between the Sunday school and the Bible £lass a company of the Boys’ Brigade had been formed. The session commended the congregation, on the support accorded to missions and schemes of the' General Assembly, tfie generosity of the people, assisted by, an aftonyinous donation of £lO, making it possible to hand over the suni of £IOO to the general treasurer. The P.W.M.U. had as in the past rendered great' assistance, with the aid of the Girls’ Auxiliary and Busy Bees, in keeping alive the ' missionary interest and helping to find the assessment for missions. With the aim of drawing all the women of the church together in the bonds of a closer friendship, a women’s fellowship had been ' formed. Another much appreciated organisation formed during the year was a winter club lor the young women of the congregation. The session thanked choir members for, their continued loyalty arid contribution to the service of praise. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr A. W. Chisholm (session clerk), seconded by Mr J. Miller. The Clerk qf the Deacons’ Court and .Church Treasurer (Mr W. D. Sutherland) moved the adoption of the report, also the statement of receipts and ex-> penditure. The work of renovating the church and. Sunday Scjiodl Hall had been completed, leaving the property ,in really good order. The debt reduction scheme adopted last year had been launched by the court, with Mr J., L. Walker as secretary, the monthly promises making possible a reduction of about £6O annually. Two debentures had been paid off during the year. The year closed with a small credit, balance, after paying the Assembly budget assessment in full, £l3 15s to the P.S.S.A.. and £4 2s 9d to the British Sailors’ Society. ... „ . The motion was seconded by Mr A. L. S. Cassie, who congratulated the congregation on the satisfactory state of the property and finances. The reports of the various missionary organisations (the P.W.M.U., Girls’ Auxiliary, and Busy Bees), the Sunday school and Bible classes, the choir, women’s fellowship. Men’s Society. Young Women’s Winter Club, and Girls’ Physical Culture Club, were adopted on the motion of Mr W. J. Johnston, seconded by Mr John Wat°Tbe retiring deacons —Miss Johnston and Messrs W. D. Sutherland, Cecil Wade, and A. L. S. Gassie-rrwere reelected, with the addition of Mr John Jelly. A comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had so generously and loyally assisted in the work of the' church throughout the year was carried on the motion of Mr Dunn,, supported by Mr W. J. Wilson. After the singing of Psalm 122 the meeting closed with the Benediction, which was followed by a social hour and supper, provided by the Women’s Fellowship. Songs were rendered during the evening by Miss Rene Farqiiharson, Miss Ngaere Macpherson,, and Mr Cassie, who were accompanied by the organist, Mr G. F. Mirams.