MISSIONARY WORK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3151, 31 July 1942, Page 2

MISSIONARY WORK

ANNUAL MEETING HELD PAEROA OFFICERS, ELECTED Opportunity -was taken at the regular monthly meeting of the Paeroa branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, on Tuesday afternoon, to ‘welcome to their midst Mrs. Jamieson, the wife of Mr T. H. Jamieson, who is> at present filling the vacancy at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Afternon tea and. a pleasant social hour followed the usual general business, Mrs E. V. Slyfield presiding.

At the annual meeting, held previously, Mr Jamieson congratulated the-branch on their very successful effort for the past year, and on behalf of the church management, he took the opportunity to express appreciation of the valued assistance rendered by. the P.W.M.U. members. The following officers were duly elected: President, Mrs E. V. Slyfield; vice-presidents, Mrs J. .Brocket and Miss C. Keller; secretary, Mrs D. Murdoch; treasurer, Mrs J. H. Mclntyre; Maori Mission Birthday League secretary, Mrs Brocket; harvest field secretary, Mrs J. Craig; corresponding secretary, Miss Keller. .

The annual report reads as under: “In presenting this annual report we would acknowledge, our Heavenly Father’s love and guiding hand in the work we have tried to do. Another year of war has' passed, nations are still in mortal conflict, and our own land is engaged in the greatest struggle of .her history, but we have endeavoured to carry on normally as members of this missionary union. May we continue, each as she has opportunity, to work and pray . for the'extension of His Kingdom, here and abroad.

“Eight regular meetings and one special have been held . throughout the year. The membership., is 12, with a good average attendance. There are 87 members of the Maori Mission’s Birthday League,. through which the sum of £5 has been raised for Maori mission work.

“All corresponding members have received missionary letters each month, and Harvest Field subscribers number 26. Mrs Mclntyre has cleaned and despatched, to Presbytery Assembly 4400 used stamps which are sold to supplement mission funds.

“This year nearly £6oj has been raised by the Paeroa P.W.M.U. branch, £4B being free-will offerings through house mission boxes' and donations, the remainder proceeds, from social afternoons, collections at meetings of the branch, etc. “Missionary letters received each month from Home, Maori and Foreign fields are much appreciated and preserve the personal touch with our missionaries. Minutes of monthly and quarterly executive meetings of the Waikato P.A. have also been regularly received 1 . We have not been able to send as many sacks of old clothing, to our Maori missions, but in August, in answer to a special apI peal from 'Sister Eileen, one wellfilled sack was despached. Again in December, two further sacks were packed and sent to Sister Annie at Ruatahuna. Our usual Christrpas gift parcels to five home missionaries and their families were posted the same month, and the letters of acknowledgement received for these remembrances at the festive season were full of grateful appreciation. “For our studies we are indebted to our president, Mrs Slyfield, who has prepared such interesting talks each month. At our April meeting we were honoured to have as our guests members of the Thames branch of the P.W.M.U., when a most pleasant afternoon was spent. “In May, we were privileged to have Miss 'Sharpe, a returned missionary from China, with us. Miss Sharpe conducted us on a tour of the Lester Hospital, Shanghai, where she was matron for 24 years. This lecture was not only extremely interesting and enjoyable but most educational." -

“Mrs Stevenson rendered the solo “Benediction,” and after the meeting all present had the pleasure of a personal chat with Miss Sharpe. “A bring and buy stall, under the charge of Miss Rickard, did brisk business. In conclusion we would thank all members and friends who have so loyally helped to make our meetings enjoyable and profitable, those who have contributed by donation and through the box system, also those who have responded to our appeals for clothing, parcels, etc. We go forward trusting that with the blessing and help of our Heavenly Father, the coming year may,be one of greater service in the extension of the Master’s Kingdom.”