NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22125, 1 December 1933, Page 11

NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING The North-East Valley Presbyterian Church annual meeting was held on Wednesday, the Rev. G. Miller presiding over a gooa attendance. The balance sheet was presented and adopted on the motion of the treasurer (Mr H. S. Manson). Notwithstanding a drop in the ordinary revenue, they had managed to balance with a shilling on the credit side. The mission revenue had fallen considerably. He thanked Messrs J. B. Mitchell and Gordon Daglish for their assistance during the year. The session report and the deacons’ report were adopted unanimously. Other reports from the Sunday school, Bible classes, P.W.M.U., and other societies were read and adoptee. SMr Miller said he was glad to see so many of the congregation present, and congratulated them on the satisfactory nature of their reports. He was well pleased to see the good work performed by the young people of the church, and it augured well for the future progress of the church. He hoped -that next year a number of volunteers would come forward and assist with the teaching in the intermediate Sunday school, which had been badly understaffed during the year. He thanked the congregation and all those who had helped to carry ,on the work. His relations with the office-bearers had been quite harmonious. The retiring auditors, Messrs R. H. Robertson and G, S. Smith, were thanked for their services and re-elected on the motion of Mr G. M, Wilkinson. On behalf of the Jubilee Committee, a bound volume of the souvenir booklet and other proceedings was presented to Mr Miller by Mr D. S. Beath. Mr A. Steven, who has been session clerk for some 12' years, resigned to take up the duties of chaplain to the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society. A minute of appreciation of his services was read and adopted on the motion of Mr D. S. Beath. —Mr G. S, Manson referred to the valuable services performed by the Rev. G. Miller and Mr G- Buchan. —Mr J. Strang moved a hearty vote of, thanks and appreciation to the minister for all the services he • had rendered to the church and other kindred bodies. He also moved a similar vote to Sister Lysbeth for her earnest efforts amongst the young people and in visiting the congregation. These votes were carried by acclamation. —Mr G. Manson moved a comprehensive vote to all who had in numberless ways assisted in carrying on the work of the church. The meeting closed with the benediction, after which supper was handed round.

The annual session report stated that the ministry of the Rev. G. Miller, which had extended to close on 10 years, had been greatly blessed amjr he had endeared himself to all his flock. It was therefore with general regret that the announcement of his retirement had been received, and as an evidence of the desire on the part of the office-bearers to retain his services the following resolution was passed at a special meeting;—“ That the meeting of office-bearers being well satisfied that the work of its is prospering under his care, learns with great regret of his proposal to retire from the charge. Furthermore, it is of the unanimous opinion that it would be in the' best interests of the congregation that he remain for a further term and that this meeting of office-bearers pledges itself to stand by him in all the work of the church. On the other hand, if he has made up his mind to retire on account of private and other reasons then this meeting hesitates to place any obstacle in the way of carrying out his suggested plans.” NORTH-EAST VALLEY SESSION REPORT.

Sister Lysbeth, the deaconess, has been with the church for nearly 20 years and God has continued to bless her work in the various departments in which she concentrates her energies. While taking, a special interest in certain departments, Sister Lysbeth took a kindly interest in the whole work of the congregation, and the session greatly appreciated all she had done and was doing. Mr R, NMacfie, our choirmaster and organist, continues to lead the praise of the sei'vices with great acceptance, and the work of the choir was perhaps never shown to greater advantage than it was during the past year. Representatives of the session visited all the departments of the church’s activities, and reported on the splendid work that was done, and the session expressed its warmest thanks to all those who were labouring in the cause of Christ in the church.

The work at Upper Junction wa s carried on faithfuly and well by Mr J. Strang, 8.A., until September 3, when Mr Strang asked the session to relieve him of the work as his course for the ministry was almost completed, and he was contemplating leaving the district. The session in accjiiiesing, thanked him for the self-sacrificing work he had rendered to this church. There were 29 baptisms. Throughout the year 13 were received by profession of faith and 14 by certificate. Disjunction certificates were issued to 24 persons. Mrs Fleming, Mr A. Cuff, Mrs Beveridge, and Miss Maggie Robertson were removed by death. Miss Robertson was a member of the Flower Committee, a member of the choir, and a Sunday school teacher, and therefore was greatly missed. The number now on the roll stood at 417.

The deacons’ court report stated that three deacons (Messrs G. M. Brock, J. E. Lloyd, and A, Batchelor) resigned dui’ing the year and five new deacons have been elected in their place, . namely, Messrs R. Summers, C. J. Lloyd, W. Milne, J. R. Kemp, and G. S. Robertson. The number of deacons was now 19, and elders 20. Miss E. Young, one of the deacons, was elected to represent the Otago Nurses’ Association at the international conference held in Paris and Brussells in July. The treasurer’s report showed that the revenue for congregational funds collected was £BOS 3s 4d, and that this amount had been expended, less a shilling. A falling off in collections amounted to £6O. -A surplus of £8 10s 8d was received from the jubilee fund “for others.” The total amount received from all organisations was £272 6s lid, of this amount £195 2s lid went to mission, £l4 4s to the P.S.S.A., £2O to the Beneficiary Fund, and the balance (£43) to other funds. An endeavour to raise extra mission funds brought in a response of £24. The building fund had increased to £134, and the cookery book fund has £lO5 to its credit. The church was free of any debt in connection with its properties. The Dorcas Society had done the usual mending of stockings and the making of garments for the boys and girls’ homes, and a sum of £lO had been expended in relief to the poor and needy. The Busy Bees have a strong band of workers numbering 100, under the leadership of Sister Lysbeth, whose activities had resulted in £l6 being raised for missions and other purposes. The P.W.M.U. have about 60 members, who met once a month, and whose efforts had resulted in a contribution of £4O to missionary work. The Sunday school has four departments and has over 300 scholars in regular attendance, with a- staff of 35 teachers. Its income for the year amounted to £BO raised by its own efforts, no grants being available from the deacons’ court.