YEAR OF PROGRESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 11

YEAR OF PROGRESS

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH. PARISHIONERS’ MEETING. Satisfaction was expressed by several speakers at the annual meeting, last evening, of the parishioners of AH Saints’ Church, that the total debt was now but £2OO, this being an item in the vicarage debt account. The meeting was well attended and the chair wa.s occupied by the vicar (Canon G. Y. Woodward). In moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) and the balance-sheet, Mr J. Holmes Runnicles expressed pleasure at the reduction of the parish’s debt to ils present state and said it was a remarkable tribute to the clergy, churchwardens and vestry, and for this happy state of affairs particular thanks were due to Mr H. G. Bagnall, the people’s warden. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by Mr C. 11. Handley and carried. Detailed reference to the various phases of the church’s activities was made by the vicar in his annual report, which he read. The following statistics were quoted, the totals for the year 1938-39 being given first and those for the year just closed second: Baptisms, 139, 137; funerals. 64, 73; marriages, Si, 117; Melanesian Missions Fund, £67 15s 4d, £73 12s sd; golden offering, £289 15s 6d, £233 7s Id; Board of Missions, £205 7s 6d, £230; candidates confirmed, 61. 65; number of communicants on Easter Day, 591, 637; number of communicants on Christmas Day, 633, 654. Inter alia the report stated that the progress of the Ladies’ Guild had been steady and the Mothers’ Union was an active body. The Girls’ Club was termed a great boon to the parish, and the district visitors were commended for good work in connection with the parish magazine, on which a profit had been made. The Men’s Club had had to face many difficulties, and had an objective in trying to provide entertainment for all its members. The attendance of the choir members was commended, and it was stated that their work was heartily appreciated. The activities of the Scouts, Cubs and Rangers were reviewed in detail, and praise was paid to the Altar Guild, servers, decorators and lay readers. The Missionary Guild had played a big part in securing the parish’s quota of missionary funds. The report referred, further, in appreciative and eulogistic terms to the work of the wardens (Messrs O. Monrad and H. G. Bagnall). The members of the vestry were thanked for their labours, particularly Nlr J. Ax, the leader. The Sunday Schools’ work and staffing was reviewed, particular reference being made to the work of Rev. D- V. de Candole, who is in charge of the boys’ senior section. The activities of the Bible classes were also referred to. and it was pointed out that these classes were an important section of the church’s workNEED FOR STRONG CHURCH. The vicar’s report, which added that the war was a call to every Briton to put every ounce of weight into bringing it to a successful issue and to see that a righteous cause was not defeated, reminded parishioners that these were days when they must make the Church strong. That could be effected when parishioners were loyal and true to Christ and His Church. To-day the whole man-power of Christendom must be mobilised if the world w;as to be saved. As a parish, All Saints’ was a unit in this army. The parish was In the Church militant and, as such, was called on to stand firm in its allegiance. Mr Monrad accepted an invitation by the vicar to continue as his warden, and Mr Bagnall was elected unopposed as the people’s warden. Mr de Candole submitted a report on the Sunday School developments during the year, and he was commended by Mr L. M. Abraham, who spoke also of good work being done by a number of helpers. This work was, lie said, as important as any other in the parish. Mr Abraham proposed a motion of thanks to Mr de Candole and his helpers, and this was seconded by Mr AVliitcombe and carried by acclamation. Mr Monrad conveyed thanks to the clergy (Revs. AVoodward, de Candole, G. AV. Davidson and H. F. AA 7 ilson) for their work at the present time. There was a tremendous lot of ground to cover, Mr Monrad said, and they were never satisfied. They required the sympathetic support of all, particularly the vicar, who was the senior member and, as such, had the last word in the Church’s teaching in.the parish. To the clergy Mr Monrad expressed the parishioners’ deep gratitude. Canon AVoodward acknowledged the remarks made.

Mr 11. Tait was reappointed auditor for the ensuing year and thanks were accorded him for his work in the past. On the motion of Mr Bagnall, Air Runnicles (organist and choirmaster) and the members of the choir were thanked for their assistance throughout the year.

The following were elected members of the’vestry: Messrs T. R. Lees, L. G. Callis, L. M. Abraham, L. Tucker, E. AVliitcombe. C. (i. Langridge. J. Ax, P. Bass, J. T. Boswortli and C. H. Handley. Air Runnicles moved that the reredos fund account be applied to the installation of a reredos as a memorial to the late Rev. H G. Rosher, who was for four years vicar of the parish and who was'instrumental in the provision of the present church. The meeting carried the motion, an explanation being given that ivliile the. reredos could not be provided immediately it would be a fitting memorial built of oak. ' It was announced that Rev. J. S. Holland, formerly the curate of the parish, and now of Manaia, is to be married early in Alay at Hamilton.