KNOX CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22956, 11 August 1936, Page 2

KNOX CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORTS _____ The following extracts are taken from the annual reports to be presented to the annual meeting of Knox Church to-morrow evening:— PASTORAL LETTER Possibly the outstanding feature of this year has been the offer made by an anonymous donor and his family to become responsible for the support of a second " own missionary." This offer comes from a good friend of the missionary cause who again and again has made generous donations to this and the other work of this congregation. Such action should prompt us each one to examine our own giving to sec whether it is in keeping with the standard thus set. The new "own missionary " will be Dr Eaton, who expects to leave for Canton this year. It would be inspiring if this example caused some individual or group to offer a trained young minister in what probably is the most strategic home mission field in New Zealand—the area for which we are responsible around the University. The right, kind of colleague devoting the major portion of his time during the session to the students—the leaders of to-morrow—-and at other times to the non-church - going parents of Sunday school children, could exercise an influence which would be felt even to the uttermost parts. There are between 300 and 400 students going out from our University every year to take leading positions throughout the world. Think of what their lives could do if they were won for Christ! The Anglican Church in Christchurch proposes setting apart a minister there for student work. Knox Church could not do it out of general revenue, but it constitutes a challenge and the offer of a splendid investment for someone. (Since the above was written a member has offered, if this project is taken up, to give £SO a year towards it.) KIRK SESSION Our minister has now completed six years of service in our midst, and it is pleasant to be able to record that as the years pass Mr Herron more deeply establishes himself in the affections of his people. His unwearied labours in visiting the sick and suffering and those who are in need testify to his earnest desire to follow in the footsteps of Him Who went about doing good. In all his endeavours he is ably assisted by Mrs Herron, who also efficiently plays her own special part in connection with the work of the various ladies' organisations and in many other ways. The additions to the membership of the church during the year numbered 138—95 by certificate and 43 by profession of faith. There were 89 disjunctions—6B by certificate and 21 by death. The present membership is 1050. The attendances at communion were:—September, 743; December, 692; March, 724; June, 768; average, 732. As we near the end of another year it is natural that, in thinking of the very varied and far-reaching work of our church, our thoughts should take distant flight to our own valued missionaries in India. Though we have been in the habit of using the singular and saying " our own missionary," then adding, "Mrs Harvie" or "his wife" when speaking of these our fellowlabourers, we are now more arid more thinking of our representatives as being equally our missionaries, and so in the future will refer to them in the plural. We feel that Mrs Harvie, with her gifts and experience, may be doing just as valuable and lasting ,a work as the doctor himself, and that even their children may be helping in their own small way. While we know that Dr Harvie's great medical and surgical attainments must be increasingly valuable to the mission, we realise that it is also by his unselfish kindliness that the Master's Kingdom is being extended in that needy field. Our thoughts are much with them both and their children, and our prayers often ascend to the Throne of God on behalf of them all, that God may guide, protect, and bless them always. THE STAFF No change in the personnel of the staff took place during the year, but just at its close Miss Young, church secretary, intimated her desire to relinquish her duties. Miss Young's resignation was received with regret, and steps were taken to procure a new secretary, resulting in the appointment of Miss Kathleen Standage to take up the duties of the position on July 23. The Deacons' Court has taken steps to recognise the faithful and valuable work which Miss Young has done for the church during the 15 years of her service. Our deaconesses and Nurse Torrance continue with their usual efficiency to carry on their devoted labours in the interests of the sick and needy. Mr Spackman earns in every succeeding year the increased appreciation of the congregation for his work both in the capacity of organist and in the training and conducting of both senior and junior choirs. A word of praise is due to Mr Wilson for the efficient manner in which he performs his duties of church officer, and for the courtesy with which he meets all requests and inquiries. Mrs Wilson also spares no pains in rendering much valuable assistance in the same fine spirit. The session, report also makes reference to the loss by death of one of the elders in the person of Mr C. R. Smith, to the resignation of another (Mr C. C. RawlinsonT on account of his removal to St. Clair, and to the death in Scotland last year of the Rev. A. P. Davidson, M.A., who for some years was a colleague with Dr Stuart in the ministry of Knox Church. DEACONS' COURT Envelope contributions and plate offerings—our principal source of revenue for general purposes—show a falling-off compared with last year. Envelope contributions for ourselves totalled £1332 9s sd, a reduction of £IOB 4s lOd, and plate offerings £571 lis, a reduction of £44 4s 4d. It is probable that last year's effort for debt reduction (£1330) may have had some effect on the current year's contributions. There is a small credit balance on the year's work of 2s sd—general revenue totalling £2861 6s Id and expenditure £2861 3s Bd. The revenue includes £2OO from anonymous contributors without which there would have been a considerable deficit. The total amount received for assembly enterprises and all benevolent purposes was £1425 14s 6d. Assembly enterprises, including " Our Own Missionary," received £1147 lis lOd. P.S.S.A. £ll2 16s lOd, Patients and Prisoners' Aid £ls 18s Bd. and relief work £lOl 16s. The various relief funds have now been grouped under the heading of social work. In addition to the above, the P.W.M.U. and the various Young

Women's and Young Men's Bible Classes raised £195 2s lOd for assembly and olher purposes. The amount actually paid over for the missionary and other enterprises of the church, excluding amounts sent direct by the P.W.M.U. and other organisations, was £ll47—equal to £1 Is lOd per member on the roll at the end of the financial year. This included £3OO given anonymously by a generous contributor whose benefactions have become well known in recent ysars. The amount expected from the church for the year was £1290, so that its contributions fell short by the sum of £143. The assessment for the next financial year is the same as for that just passed, and an extra effort will therefore be required on the part of members if it is to be met.

By Mrs Glendining's legacy of £3OO and the special collections taken at the anniversary services, which amounted to £ll2 0s Id, the debt on the buildings has now been reduced to £625 2s 6d. The court has decided to postpone indefinitely any further appeal for the reduction of this debt, but proposes instead to ask the congregation to make its anniversary thank-offerings for some specific improvement required in connection with the buildings. It is believed that this decision will meet with the approval of the congregation. The Endowment Fund now stands at £219 13s 6d. It has been decided to discontinue the charging of seat rents, which have latterly been paid by only a small proportion of the congregation. It is hoped that those who have contributed to the funds of the church by means of seat rents will in future give their contributions through other channels,' and representations with this object in view will be made to them in due course.

It has been decided to restore as from July 1, 1936, the balance of the "cuts" made in the salaries of the minister and staff. These workers have shared with other members of the community the reductions in salaries and wages made in recent years, and the court feels it proper that they should also share in the general restoration now being made. It was decided in February to discontinue the retiring collections which have been taken every Sunday during recent years for the relief of distress, it being felt that the special need for them has now largely passed. The total amount received per medium of these collections, which were commenced in May, 1932, was £368 Bs, and with this sum relief was given in a great many directions to those in distress.

The hot-air heating system installed in the church last year has proved much more efficient than the heating methods previously in use, and at the same time it has been much more economical. It is probable that the court will install an automatic stoker in connection with the heating plant in the near future. A- considerable amount of work on the maintenance and repair of buildings has been undertaken in an effort to catch up on the arrears that have accumulated in recent years. The expenditure in this connection was £203 9s 3d, compared with £62 Is last year. The amount received through the envelope system was £2065 6s lid, and this has been allocated as follows:

£ s. d. Amount for " Ourselves" 1,332 9 5 Amount for " Others " .. 547 2 0 Amount for "Our Own Missionary" .. .. 185 15 6