TAKARO CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 9

TAKARO CHURCH

ANGLICAN PARISHIONERS. ANNUAL MEETING. Although' there was only a fair attendance at the annual meeting of the Takaro parishioners of Air Saints’ Church, last evening, considerable interest was displayed in tire welfare of the parish. Statements wero presented disclosing a very satisfactory financial position, but the meeting' expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with the. arrangements made for staffing All Saints' and the outlying parishes, including Takaro, which was declared to be “spiritually starved” through the inability of the #lergy to spare more time in the outer areas. The actingvicar (Rev.. AV. Langston), who presided, agreed to bring before the vestry of All Saints’ the position, which ho agreed required remedying.

Expressing pleasure at being present, Mr Langston said the work of . tho parish was still very arduous, so much so that house-to-house visiting was quite impossible. So far as the country districts weij'e concerned, the position was also very serious. The clergy were doing their utmost in an understaffed parish, and it was hoped that the vicar (Canon G. Y. AVoodward) while in England, would be able to procure an additional clergyman. In presenting his annual report the secretary (Mr A. D. Bnrkwith) commented that, while it was pleasing 'to report a large credit balance, he regretted that it was again necessary to mention the poor attendance at the services.

“Two lantern services conducted by the vicar in June and August were instructive and well attended, but the congregations of 75 and 53 fell to 17 and 11 respectively, on the .Sundays following. Excluding these services, the average attendance has been 10.6. To those who are endeavouring to keep the flag flying this apathy on the part of parishioners is most disheartening. The Ladies’ Guild, the backbone of Takaro, have had a most successful year. Although the sale of work held at All Saints’ this' year was not as profitable as in former years, jumble stalls and other functions enabled the guild to contribute over £3O towards the hall funds. A large and appreciative audience attended a children’s concert hold in July, which was a great success in every way, and realised nearly £lO. In comparison with last year, the balance-sheet discloses a decrease in the revenue- from offertories and donations for the use of the liall, but this is offset by the splendid efforts of the Ladies’ Guild, who have contributed half of the revenue, over £4O. Although our credit balance lias been almost doubled, £2O represents money earmarked for the reduction of the mortgage. During the absence of Mr and Mrs Hall on a holiday visit to England, Miss Cooksley efficiently superintended the Sunday School, which continues to do good work. In July, our treasurer and committeeman, Mr G. Young, was transferred to Auckland. Both Mr and Airs Young were keen workers for Takaro and the social functions organised by them were most successful. In November we lost two other valuable members in Air and Airs Tuson, who have given valuable service for tlfe past eight years. Prior to leaving Palmerston North, Mrs Tuson was entertained by the Ladies’ Guild and presented with a handsome handbag. Thanks are due to Mrs Barlcwith, who has 1 carried out the duties of organist; to the Sunday School teachers; members of tho Sanctuary Guild, the various lay readers for thenfaithful sorviccs during tho year, and the auditor (Mr A. H. Preoce).”

The financial statement disclosed a credit balance in the bank of £43 5s Bd, the year having commenced with a credit of £22 18s lid. Offertories had totalled £2l 11s and the sale of work organised by the Ladies’ Guild £3O 13s. A concert had realised £9 19s Bd, subscriptions £lO 9.5, and a donation for the use of the kindergarten £ll 4s 3d. The report and balance-sheet were, adopted. The acting-vicar congratulated the parishioners on tlicir good work under difficulties, and paid a warm tribute to the Ladies’ Guild for their splendid effort.

Mr Barkwith -was re-elected secretary and treasurer, and the following committee were appointed:—Messrs J. L. C. Merton, W. Hall, F. Dodson, C. M. Bambery, T. B. Arlidge, C. M. Heath, J. It. Denham and Cl. S. Penny. Mr Hall presented the balance-sheet of thc'Sunday School, showing a credit balance of £l3 18s 7d after beginning the year with £7 Is Bd. Ho handed over £lO to be used for the reduction of the mortgage. Mr Langston, commenting on the healthy position of the school, said it was most unusual for a school- to be able to make such a donation. A vote of appreciation was accorded the school for its generous gift. An expression of appreciation was also accorded Miss Cooksley and her fellow teachers for their excellent service. ■ DISCUSSION ON STAFFING. The staffing of the parish was reintroduced by Mr Arlidge, who attributed the difficulty to lack of faith by All Saints’ vestry to go into debt to enable an extension of the work by increasing the staff. “It is a great pity tfiat there is not longer vision. We are spiritually starved in this part of the parish. Wo don’t get to know the vicar or his assistants. It isn’t right,” declared Mr Arlidge. “The thing is not to bring out the Church on a credit balance. It would be an honourable debt to get a clergyman ; it would be a debt that would be paid.” The acting-vicar said lie realised the difficulties to the full; he had been in the parish only a few days when he had realised it was understaffed. The Bishop had realised that the parishes weije understaffed and had professed himself depressed with the position in Taranaki. His Lordship would sugg'est to the Synod the establishment of a central fund for the diocese. However, Palmerston North should be able to provide for three clergymen, otherwise it ought to be ashamed/of itself. It was a dangerous position to rest on the oars and to drift. There was no better direction in which the vestry could aim.than in providing means for extending the work. All Saints’ had the possbihty of being the best parish in the diocese, but it needed a staff of at least three hard-working men. Mr Langston said he was “holding the fort” till Canon Woodward. returned, and he felt that all that was needed was an increased staff of men giving themselves over wholly to the work. There would then bo no difficulty in securing the co-operation of the people. Mr Arlidge Stressed that the remarks he had made were not only his own view, but that of the Takaro parish. It behoved the All Saints’ vestry to set an improvement in operation. “We are starved, and if you are starved you can’t do much. The whole trouble is finance—-we don’t pay our clergy. enough,” Mr Aldridge added. “I quite sympathise with you. Takaro could do with a man to minister to it. I will bring the matter before the vestry,” said the acting-vicar. The meeting concluded with an ex-

pression of thanks by Mr Langston to all who had been, responsible for, the welfare of the parish, and. the pronouncing of the Benediction. At the conclusion of the business session supper was served by the- ladies.