CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22720, 5 November 1935, Page 14

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

MORAY PLACE ACTIVITIES The seventy-third annual report of the deacons of the Moray Place Congregational Church, which is to be presented at the annual meeting on Thursday, states:— The records of our church for the past year show no special features. Spiritual progress is always difficult to gauge, but we believe, however, much good haS been done, and we have reason to be thankful to the Great Head of the Church for the strength which we have derived from the various associations of our Christian fellowship and the peace that has reigned in our midst. The attendance at the Sunday services has been well maintained. They arc valued for their revex-ence and elevated tone; and these are the spiritual product of our devout worshippers of God. Our minister, the Rev. Albert Mead, has had a particularly heavy year, having the duties of the union chairmanship, as well as the magazine editorship, but the general standard of his work lias been well’ upheld. He gave an interesting course of morning sermons on “ The Minor Prophets ” and a course on “ The Gospel in the Modern World,” all of which were greatly appreciated, and of spiritual and educational value. His visitation, though affected necessarily by his absence on visits to our churches throughout the Dominion, has been helpful to sick folk. He has maintained numerous contacts with civic organisations which always make a heavy demand upon time and energy. There is little alteration in the numerical strength of our membership, and after allowing for deaths and removals, our active membership stands at 205. -

We regret having to record the death of two members —Mrs W. Sinertaen and the Rev. William Saunders. We record with deep, appreciation the years of service they rendered, and extend to the relatives our sympathy. The following, minute has been recorded, and it is the intention to place a suitable memorial tablet in the church:—“We, members of the church and congregation, worshipping at Moray Place Congregational Church, Dunedin, unanimously desire to place on record our gratitude to God, our Heavenly Father, for the inspiration and influence of the long and valuable ministry of the late Rev. William Saunders. Prom May, 1890, to July, 1928, Mr Saunders faithfully carried out the ministerial duties of our church, assisted in every way by Mrs Saunders. We aregrateful that they were spared to i s tor six and seven years respectively after their retirement from the active work of the church, and we now to place on record our gratitude for their human fellowship which was so helpful to all with whom they came in. contact.” The monthly communion services have been reasonably well attended, but we would greatly like to see a larger representation of the membership. The anniversary services were held on Sunday, November 4, 1934. The preacher in the morning was the Rev, I. J. Scarle, of Papua, who was visiting on L.M.S. deputation work. The evening service was conducted by the Rev. Kenneth A, Saunders, of London, who was on a visit to his home town. It was a special pleasure to welcome' the Rev. K. A. Saunders, the son of our late minister and one of the ministerial products of our church. The annual meeting and rally was held on- November 7 and took, the form of a conversazione. An encouraging and inspiring address was given by our minister on “ The Church of my Dreams.” Harvest services were held on Sunday, March 17, gifts being distributed by Sister Lillian to many who greatly appreciated them as expressions of our tian fellowship. Last May we observed the mouth of consecration in concert with the churches of. the union, using the booklet on “ The Gospel of Friendship,” prepared by our minister. ' . ■ - j

We again have cause for much gratitude to the anonymous donor whoso contribution practically maintains our deaconess, Sister Lillian, whose constant fidelity to her work is acknowledged. We regret to state that Mr Alfred Walmslcy resigned the position of choir conductor, and record our appreciation of his five years’ helpful service. Mrs H. C. Campbell is now acting as musical director, combining the offices jointly. The deacons record with appreciation the many sendees Mr Wilkinson has rendered to our church and Sunday school. As superintendent of our school ho gave devoted and faithful service, and as a member of the diaconate his counsel and guidance were always greatly appreciated. We would also place on record the services of Mrs Wilkinson, particularly in connection with the Federation of Congregational Women. We regret that they are leaving us to take up residence in Palmerston A^orth. We have found it imperative to: renovate our church and property (externally), and we have embarked upon the work, which we estimate will cost approximately £BSO. A report on the financial position of the church discloses that open collections for the year ended on September 30 last amounted to £232 19s lid, compared with £243 7s 2d last year. The envelope collections to the same date amounted to £258 7s, compared with £265 2s Cd last year. The administrative expenses for the year totalled £689 Is. The annual reports of the deaconess (Sister Lillian), of. the choir, the Sunday school, Young People’s Club and Study Circle, Women’s Association, Women’s Guild, Home Workers’ League, and Women’s Missionary Auxiliary all show a -satisfactory tone of increased interest and activity.