DEACONNESS COMMUNITY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16550, 14 May 1914, Page 7

DEACONNESS COMMUNITY.

■ ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Christchurch Diocesan Deaconess Community of the Sacred Name was held at the Deaconess House, Barbadoes Street, yesterday afternoon. The annual report dealt with the history of the Cummunity in Christchurch. Twenty-two years ago, the call to come to Christchurch was heard by a number of Sisters in Chapter, in a Community House in London. It was then decided that nothing could be done immediately, but that the Community should keep it in mind, and respond whenever it was

possible". The following year another and more urgent letter was received, followed closely by tho Bishop of Christchurch himself, and, in answer, Bister Edith, was chosen and sent out, arriving in the diocese in August, 1893. Some preparations had already been made towards the establishment of a Deaconess Institution, both in tho way of women and money; but the Community actually began in the spring of 1893, when one or two women went to live with Sister Edith in the house In Gloucester Street, known in those days as St Catherine's Lodge. Tho short history showed how steadily the Community had grown, and now that the sisters were accommodated in the

large and imposing building, opened two years ago, in which there was still plenty of room, the great need for more workers was increasingly felt. The committee deeply regretted to have to record tho resignation of Mr 8. S. Blackburne through illness. The Community owed much to him in tho past, and he would be very much niks•d. All who knew Mrs Morton, and had had experience of her enthusiasm In helping the work of the Church,

would sympathise with tlio committee on learning that she too had boon obliged to re-sign on account of impaired health and strength. . It was very hard to lose two such active members of the committee at the same time. Thanks were given to those who had helped the Community in different waysj The report and balance-sheet were i adopted, and officers were elected.