FIRST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 23350, 21 August 1939, Page 16

FIRST CHURCH

NINETY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT The ninety-first annual report of the Kirk Session and Deacons’ Court of the First Presbyterian Church of Otago has been circulated, and will be submitted to the annual meeting of the congregation, which will be held in 'Burns Hall next Thursday evening. In a pastoral letter, the Rev. W. Allen Stevely expresses appreciation of the loyal co-operation of the officebearers and other workers, and of the devoted service of the session clerk (Mr W. H. Adams), the clerk of the Deacons’ Court (Mr A. L. Salmond); and the treasurer (Mr C. Morris). The deaconess (Sister Elinor), in her letter relates many activities of a busy year of social service, and extends her thanks to members of the congregation for tjie numerous gifts that enabled her to assist those in need. REPORT OF THE KIRK SESSION. The Kirk Session report contains appreciative references to the faithful services of Messrs E. Cameron and T. Scott, elders whose deaths occurred during the year. Mention is made of the devotion'of the large company of workin all departments of the church. For the work in the Sunday schools and Bible classes special thanks are due to the superintendents, teachers, and Bible class leaders. The women of the congregation also have made an important contribution in many ways, particularly in the Ladies’ Association and the P.W.M.U.

The junior choir lias clone good work, and the senior choir is thanked “ for its loyal co-operation with Mr Walrnsley and Miss Mavis M'Donald during Or Galway’s absence in England, Mr Walmsloy, as choirmaster, and Miss M'Donald. as organist, earned the very grateful appreciation of the whole congregation for the sterling quality of their ■ music and the infectious enthusiasm with which they gave of their best to the service of praise. After 20 years as organist and choirmaster, Dr Galway enjoyed a well-earned leave of absence, and choir and congregation wore glad to welcome him back and enjoy once more the fruits of his brilliant musicianship. During his busy holiday abroad be not only added to his musical and artistic experience, but had the satisfaction of being raised to a professorship in the University.” The Kirk Session expresses to Mr and Mrs Stevely the grateful affection that the whole congregation feels for them. “ They have been with us for nine years, and every year confirms the first impression that they made of a couple radiantly happy in the noble work to which they have devoted themselves, and commending the love of God to their people by lives spent in the glad service of others. The abounding hospitality of the manse, their unnumbered acts of personal kindness, especially to those in sorro.w or trouble, their keen and actively helpful interest in every department of the congregational work—these and many other manifestations of their spirit of loving service attest the deep sincerity of our minister’s pulpit message, aned have won for the manse trio a"warm place in the hearts of us all.” Appreciation is expressed of the faithful work performed by the deaconess. Sister Elinor. “ Her work is such that -enumeration of its many branches is impossible. She is many-sided in her accomplishments. We thank her sincerely for the great things she has done as our representative.”

OWN MISSIONARY,

First Church is represented on the mission field at Kong Chueng by Sister Eileen Reid!. Amidst her many duties and perils Sister Reid has found time for a monthly letter to the congregation, and these have been read with special interest. In June a box packed with a line supply of new linen was sent to the hospital at Kong Chuen. “ We assure Sister Reid,” states the report, “of the congregation’s constant prayers for herself and her work among the sick and disabled. We realise that it is a, great privilege to have sucli a representation on the foreign field.” The report indicates the large contact of the congregation with the community through the many special services that have been held during the year. Ninety-eight members joined during the year. There were 74 disjunctions, oil by certificate and purging of the roll, "and 15 by death. The roll now stands at 1,080. The deepest sympathy is extended to all who have suffered bereavement. The children are encouraged to form the habit of regular church attendance by means of the Young Worshippers’ League. This work has had the devoted attention of Miss E. Cole. THE DEACONS’ COURT. The report of the Deacons’ Court contains a reference to the loss suffered by the death of one of its oldest members (Mr W. Wilson)i who had given valuable service The meetings of the court have been well attended, and the deacons have taken a keen interest in their duties. Improvements in the church buildings have been carried out. A greatly improved lighting system has been installed. The caretaker (Mr Cunningham) and Mrs Cunningham are thanked' for the efficient manner in wliicb they have performed their duties. The envelope treasurer (Mr P. C. Stewart) commends the method of systematic giving provided by the envelope system. He reports that there has been a small increase during the year in the number of eonfribufors by envelope. >

SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND BIBLE CLASSES. The Sunday schools _ continue their great task of lighting in'every child’s heart the vision of the highest citizenship. The Central School, superintendent Mr N. Mollison, meets now at 11 a.m. After many years of devoted service, Mr 3H. P. West resigned the post of superintendent of the Russell Street School. The session has .put on record its appreciation of Mr West’s fine service. Mr J. H. Don Miller has been appointed superintendent. Both schools have been served by a loyal band of teachers. , The eight Bible classes have enthusiastic leaders, and! the attendances at Bible study have been well maintained. WOMEN’S WORK. The Women’s Missionary Union records a year of splendid co-operation and fellowship, and also a growing missionary interest. Every year the members make the same generous freewill offering for missions. Gifts were sent to the home missionaries, and letters of thanks were received. The Maori Mission Birthday League has doubled its number of subscribers. Members are kept in constant touch with ‘the various mission fields by . letter • from our missionaries. . . The Ladies’ Association has had another busy year; 285 garments have been made by the ladies, and have been appreciated by those m need. For 63 years this goodly fellowship of consecrated needles has been a friend to many in want. . , , , The Young Women’s Club lias; hud another year of happy social gatherings, and of interest in social service. Members have made garments for Chinese refugees, have assisted on Poppy Day, and provided flowers for the hospitals and Talboys Home. The Russell Street Women’s Club re. ports a happy Christian fellowship. The ladies have been busy helping the Cliinese war ■ orphans. The third anniversarv social (of the opening of the new hall) was a successful function, m which the Russell Street Parents’ Association took part. , _ The Centra] Mothers’ Club continues to provide a haven of friendship for and their children. YOUNG PEOPLES’ ACTIVITIES. The Russell Street Children’s Church continues its good work among the voung people. ' , _ The Girls’ Life Brigade (Bth Dunedin Company) has 42 girls on the roll. Captain I. Hanna and Lieutenant

K. Knox have carried the brigade t» great efficiency. The Boys’ Brigade, under the direction of Captain D. Grant and Lieutenant F. Smith, has had a year of' progress. The boys are keenly interested. The Central and Russell Street Busy) Bees contine their great task of making our young people missionarynimded. The movement, commencing 25 years ago, has raised the sum or £17,558. Their motto explains this result, and is the mainspring of all its service.. The motto of the Bees is: “ The Whole Wide World for Jesus.” The Tennis Club, with its diligent secretary; Mr Frank M'Farlane, imports a season of pleasant recreation, and fellowship. The newly-erected shelter has been much. appreciated.. Members look forward to another successful season.

CENTENARY THANKSGIVING FUND. Mr F. Foote _ has been the popular chairman of this fund, and has,been ably supported by Mr A. Gray as secretary and by a large band of ladie* and gentlemen. On the first Sunday of October 1938 (the day set apart by the assembly’s committee), • th« amount promised by the congregation was £4,095 Cs 6d. The committee confidently anticipates that on the coming thanksgiving Sunday in October it will be possible to announce a considerably augumented amount as the result of another year’s effort.' P.S.S.A. First Church retains a generous interest in the social services of . our city, particularly Ross Home and'the children's cottages at Anderson’s Hay* This. year the sum of £l5O was contributed to these worthy objects. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer reports that tlm amount received from the centenary fund has enabled the congregational debt to be reduced by a further £1,600, and this, including last year’s payment. makes a reduction of £2.000, together with a contribution of £I,OOO sent to the church treasurer for tlm four centenary schemes. ’ The grosa receipts for the year amount to £6,551. The debit balance at the bank ha« been reduced from £llO to £55 14s 9d. During the year the endowment fund has been augmented by £2OO -from a. legacy, and other bequests have been received for the Russell street budding fund, for missions, and for thm central Sunday school building fund. The support given to objects under the snecial funds’ account totals £l,Oll 11s sd.