PROGRESS MADE

Franklin Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 46, 24 April 1942, Page 3

PROGRESS MADE

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

MORE PEOPLE ATTEND SERVICES

SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION

“For the last seven months ol' the year under review 1 have had the additional responsibility of the oversight -of the parochial district of Waiuku, and although I have had the assistance of a Church Army officer, the additional work entailed has meant the sacrifice of a good deal of time which ordinarily would have been devoted to work on my own parish. As a result of this division of time and energy . . . my visits to parishioners of Pukekohe have been greatly curtailed . . stated the vicar of Pukekohe, the Rev. A. E. Prebble, in his annual report to the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. The Number of Communicants “During the year there were 3779 communicants, an increase of 823 over last year, although the number of celebrations of Holy Communion in the parish church is exactly the same,” continued the report. “The taking over of Waiuku meant a revision of our service lists and Buckland’s quota of services had to be halved, which •meant one Holy Communion service each month instead of two . . . For the first three months of the working of the new arrangement with Waiuku. Captain Allison lived at Pukekohe and ■assisted me in my work here to compensate in part for the time I was devoting to Waiuku. Since November he has been working in Waiuku and living there.”

The vicar's report thanked ihe lay readers for their assistance. Mr and Mrs L. K. Holt for a new altar cross which replaced the one donated by Mr and Mrs I. R. Mercer and which had been converted into a processional cross; the leader of Ihc junior Sunday school, Miss N. K. Brown; Churchwardens, Vestrymen, organists, choir members, sidesmen, the Ladies’ Guild and all who assisted in the work of the church.

The report mentioned the inauguration of assistance al the Holy Communion by junior servers, communicant boys who were anxious and willing to help in the sanctuary. So far there were six, and others were ready to join. “In a little while they will be admitted to the Diocesan Guild of Servers, and will then enjoy tl;e fellowship of hundreds of others who carry out the same service in dozens of churches throughout the Diocese,” said the vicar.

“With thankful hearts we go forward to another year’s work tor God in this corner of His vineyard, and pray for a continuance of His blessing on our efforts for the spiritual welfare of this place, ’ concluded the vicar.

Churchwardens’ Report The churchwardens, Messrs F. .!. Lownsborough and 11. Curd, in theii report expressed gratitude to God that the horrors of the war had not heen inflicted on this country. During the year, it was recorded, many young men of the parish had been larewelled and with them went the good wishes and the prayers of the congregation foi a safe return. in spite ol the difficult times the general finances of the church were satisfactory. For the first time for many years there was a credit balance at the bank. Ordin,ary income last year exceeded that ot the previous year by £75. In addition the Imperilled Missions appeal realised £4B 18s, a result which exceeded anticipations. Thanks to the Ladies’ Guild donation of £IOO. hall debentures had heen repaid to the extent of £l2O. The nett amount owing on the hall was £2OO. The wardens thanked the vicar and Mrs Prebble for the wonderful work they were doing under extreme difficulties and expressed the hope that they would be blessed with health and strength to carry on the good work in the parish for many more years. Concluding, the wardens said: We thank you all and may we follow that, great truth set forth in the great immutable law that we find ourselves anil happiness and real life in the service ol others. The more of our lives we give to others the fuller, richer, greater, more beautiful and happier our own lives will be. That is expression of one of the greatest truths of one of the greatest principles of practical ethics the world has ever seen. When there is a forgetfulness of self in the service of others and we are struggling to be true to what is bright and best in thought and deed. Though the morning break without a glimpse of blue and our paths lead through dangers and difficulties with a keen desire to serve God and our fellow men, we can at least look forward to brighter days, and in so doing make the world ' a little better than we found it.” Both reports were adopted.