ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 4, 4 December 1931, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING. Rev. J. E. Parsons presided at the annual meeting of St. Paul’s Sunday School this week. Sympathy with Mr C. East in his illness was expressed. Regret was voiced that Mrs E. Lock found that she was unable to continue the superintendency of the infant department which has been most successful under her leadership, and Mr G. H. Stiles, superintendent of the Sunday School, was empowered to secure a suitable leader in her stead. Mr J. Bowker was appointed to take, charge of a boys’ class, and pleasure was expressed that he was able to resume his place in the school. The report and balance-sheet were presented by Mr E. Lock and showed a most successful year’s working. . The report stated, inter alia : —“Our roll numbers at September 30 were as follow : Senior Bible classes, 35; main school, 150; and the primary department 63, making a total of 248, an increase of five for the year. The senior Young Women’s Bible Class is under the leadership of Miss Jones; Mrs East having resigned that position recently. The intermediate' and junior classes have combined under the control of Mrs Wild, owing to the latter class being without a leader, but we hope to secure the services of Mr G. H. Bycroft in the new year for this class. Mr Alan McLeavey is the leader of the senior Young Men’s Bible Class, Mr Stan Laurenson has the intermediate, and Mr East the juniors. The main school is superintended by. Mr G. H. Stiles and tire primary department by Mrs E. Lock. Altogether we have a permanent staff of 27, and three auxiliary teachers. During the year we have lost the services of Misses E. Green and J. Pacey, and Mr and Mrs Birch (nee Ida Walker), but have been pleased to add to our staff Mrs Gooch, Misses Rowntree and Cameron and Mr Barnett. Our anniversary services have been held as usual during November, and we are again indebted to Mr Tregurtha tor his splendid work in training the childrefi, their singing being greatly appreciated by all who were privileged to be present. In the Scripture examinations which were conducted by our local union, 25 scholars entered, all securing prizes. The marks for the school averaged 75 per cent. During the year our school took part in celebrating the Robert Raikes jubilee. Prior to this a house-to-house canvass was made to enrol more scholars and we are pleased to record that our roll number is the highest we have had, and the average attendance has increased also. Our annual rally day was held later than usual this year, in order that we might have our own minister, Rev. J. E. Parsons, with us. We had a record attendance of 137, out of a roll number of 159. The League of Young Methodists meets regularly and has a membership of 40. The Young Worshippers’ League, which is superintended by Miss Lyon, has a roll number of 55, and an average attendance of 44. This is not as large a number as we would like. Rev. J. C. Draper commenced the practice of the children singing part of their hymn by themselves, which practice we are pleased Rev. J. E. Parsons has continued, and which we feel the congregation appreciate, besides giving the children an extra part in the service. The Junior Christian Endeavour, under the leadership of Mrs Wild, meets every Monday, and has a membership of 30, with an average attendance of 26. The children read their own papers. During the winter the Wesley Guild was entirely reorgamised, and now meets fortnightly. The roll call is 37 and the average attendance 25. The girls have a club, led by Mrs Wild, which meets every alternate Wednesday. The roll number is 20 with an average attendance of 14. The club is four square, catering for the mental, physical, social and spiritual nature This year the members have been making toys, scrapbooks, etc., for the Maori children under the care of Sister Nicholls. We have a cradle roll of 54 under the superintendency of Mrs E. Lock. Each child is sent a birthday card, and on the fourth year an invitation to attend our primary department, if they have not already done so, and in this way. our primary roll is assured. An Association football team has been formed by the older boys, under the coaching of Mr H. Lock. We contribute regularly to both home and foreign missions, our contributions being home missions £lO 15s 6d and foreign missions £25 10s 2d, both showing a considerable increase over last year. A splendid service is being rendered at Aokautere by four members of our staff who cycle out regularly every Sunday morning to conduct a school and Bible Glass. Mr Seymour superintends the work, with Miss J. Cressweli as Girls’ Bible Class leader, Mr Wild, Boys’ Bible Class, and -Mr F. Cosslett. The school has a roll number of 40. The same members, assisted by Mr Bettany, have formed a club called the Aokautere Sunday School Games Club, which meets every alternate Tuesday. The average attendance is 50. Half an hour is spent in devotion, the remainder of the evening in games. We de-

sire to express our sincere thanks to all our helpers. We wish to place o record appreciation of the splendid work done by Rev. J. C. Draper during his short term here in our young people’s departments, especially in tne primary, where he visited so much. VV nave been pleased to welcome back again, our own minister, Rev. J. K. Parsons and we wish to thank nim for all lie has done for the children. Arrangements were made for the continuation of the school during the summer weeks. It was decided that, vacation Sundays l>e December 27 and January 3, but that the school be open on January 10, 17, 24 and Jl, under the leadership of Rev. J. E. Parsons, Mrs Gooch. Mr J. H. Hancock and Mr H. Lock respectively. The following officers were elected for the ensuing .year:—Superintendent, Mr G. H. Stiles; assistant-super-intendent, Mr H. Lock; secretary and treasurer, Mr E. Lock; pianist, Miss Stiles; representatives to circuit quarterly meetings, Misses M. Cunninghame, V. Cressweli and Mr J. H. Hancock.