ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 12

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which will be presented at a meeting of the congregation on Thursday evening, states, inter alia:— The session has suffered the loss of three members during the year whom it will be extremely difficult to replace: Mr Alfred Burn and Mr John MTnerson by death, and Mr Robert Duncan by resignation. Each of these gentlemen in his own way rendered invaluable service to St. Andrew’s. At the beginning of the financial year a new departure was made in the election of two women, Mrs W. K. Cameron and Mrs T. M'Gregor, as deacons. The presence of these ladies at the court should add materially to its affectiveness. At the ‘ morning service 'on Sunday, April 30, a brass tablet in memory of the late Dr Rutherford Waddell was unveiled by the minister, before a large congregation. It was felt by the officebearers that in view of the success of the memorial volume to Dr Waddell gnd in view of the present ’ difficulties, the proposal to found a bursary or prize, in memory of Dr Waddell should be abandoned in the meantime.

The beginning of the_ year saw the close of the mission. This important department of St. Andrew’s congregation was established 45 years' ago as the Walker Street Mission, when the mission hall was built. Mission work was, however, being conducted as early as 1875, when a branch Sabbath school was established in Stafford street. In later years, after the mission hall was removed, the work was carried on in'the Bible school. It is not without regret that this feature of the congregational, life was terminated. Conditions, however, are radically changed to-day, and do no warrant the continuation of this paticular piece of work. y A tribute must be paid to Sister Annie for the continued and faithful work done by ■ her in cdnnection with the mothers’ meeting and the general social relief work connected with the congregation. The Rev. J. M. Simpson continues to act as supply at Kensington, which, under his care has shown a marked advance in membership and church attendance. Towards the end of last year the organist and choirmaster (Mr ,J. C. Clitheroe) was granted leave of absence to enable him to return to England, Mr Eric M'Farlane and Miss May Farquharson were appointed temporarily in (his place as choirmaster and organist respectively. On Mr Clitheroe’s appointment to a position in Belfast, the temporary appointments were made permanent. DEACONS’ COURT. The report of the Deacons’ Court states: — , The total revenue from all sources amounted to £1578 11s lOd, £l2lO Os 7d was devoted to our own needs, and £576 5s to the needs of others; while it is a matter for regret that the total shows a reduction compared with the previous year, in the face of present conditions some reduction was almost inevitable. We were again able to raise the amount required for our own missionaries’ salaries and also something for General Foreign Missions. Our .contribution to the Sustentation Fund amounted to £75. The ordinary revenue from collections and envelope contributions amounted to £873 Is 10d,' a reduction of £155 9s 4d compared with the previous year. . This shrinkage is to some extent offset by the splendid effort by the ladies of the con-: gregation. The treasurer received from them the sum of £OO 17s. The General Account closes with a debit balance of £154 5s 7d. Considering that no deficit reduction appeal was made this year the position is a comparatively favourable one. fortunately no unusual expense

had to be faced this year, maintenance costs being about the same as for 1932. Grants in aid of repairs for both &t. Andrew’s and Kensington were this year received from the synod. The Brown bequest was drawn up to provide the annual grant of £2O to the Bible School and also to the extent of £lB 16s 6d to provide extra heating in the class rooms. The organ pipes sent to London during the year for re-voicing were returned artd placed in position again. The Organ Improvement Fund bore the whole- cost. A balance of £5 13s- lid remains, the Kensington branch account showed -that its reve.nue has been fully maintained. A grant from the Home Mission Committee has , agaiVi been received. _ The branch accounts close with a debit balance of £l9 2s 2d, showing an improvement of £25 8s 3d over the 12 months. The report of the Kensington branch states that the pastoral work carried on by the minister (the Rev. J. M. Simpson) is indicated by the fact that several times during the past year the church has been filled to capacity. Twenty new members have been added to the roll, which now stands at 72. The Sunday school is still a big ’ department of the work at Kensington. There are now 145 scholars on the rolls, including the Bible classes. The school contributed £ls to missions, namely—Sudan £6, Canton Villages £6. and Punjab £3. Reference is also made to the Bible class, the Boys’ Brigade, and other youth activities. The report of St. Andrew’s Bible School states that the work of the school in the past year has been both instructive and interesting. The roll number is at present 102, with a staff of 21. Collections for the year amounted to £27 3s 6d. and were allocated as follows: £2O to our own missionaries and £2 7s 10d to each of the following:—Home Mission, Maori Missions, and New Hebrides Mission. The men’s Bible classes have met regularly during the year, Mr Ryburn taking the Junior class, Mr Hayward the Intermediate, and Mr Woods the Senior. The classes unfortunately have been small, and irregular in attendance, especially in the senior class, and has at times made the progress of the studies somewhat uneven. The Young Women’s Bible classes’ report states that there have been three Bible classes—the Junior, Senior, and Intermediate, which have raised a contribution of £ls for the St. Andrew’s Foreign Missions.