NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23577, 13 August 1938, Page 8

NORTH-EAST VALLEY PRESBYTERIANS

ANNUAL' MEETING The North-East Valley Presbyterian Church annual meeting was held on Wednesday last, when the Rev. N. E. Oakley presided over a good attendance. The balance sheet was adopted on the motion of Mr G. S. Smith (treasurer). He said that the collections had made little headway during the year, and strongly urged all non-contributors to join the envelope fund. The Session and Deacons' Court reports were adopted, and other reports from the P.W.M.U. Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, Busy Bees' choir, and other societies were read and adopted. Messrs C. Lloyd and G. N. Dalglish were appointed auditors, and Mr Lloyd was thanked for past services. Mr J. McL. Miller moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to all workers and organisations who had assisted the church from time to time. Mr Beath moved a vote of thanks to the church treasurer. Miss Gray moved a vote of thanks to Miss Young (president, P.W.M.U.). Mr Oakley welcomed the congregation, and congratulated the members on having such a successful years work. He was deeply thankful for the interest the leaders of the young took in their different Glasses, to the choir and choirmaster for their regular work and attendance, to Sister Lysbeth for her work, and to the office-bearers and congregation for their sympathy in all matters connected with the welfare of the church. Mr Steven moved a vote of thanks to the minister and his wife for their services to the needs of the congregation, also to Sister Lysbeth for her faithful and valued work. SESSION REPORT " Instead of the usual week of prayer, the year's work was commenced by the holding of special services conducted by the Rev. Bertram Wilson, and many were

spiritually benefited as a result of his faithful preaching. "Our minister (Mr Oakley) has now been four years with us, and so whole-heartedly has he devoted his whole being to the work of the Master in his friinistry here.that the various generations of members have taken him to their hearts. As each year draws to its close we should be singularly lacking if we failed to record our indebtedness to our minister, and equally to his wife, for they both give themselves heart and soul to every branch of our congregational life, and have won for themselves the grateful affection of the whole congregation. "The deaconess, Sister Lysbeth, has had another year's difficult work, and has proved herself a true and worthy servant of our Lord. Her duties are manifold—sick visiting, giving help to the needy in mind and body, leader of the Busy Bees and primary department—are all in her weekly work and are of great value. Her ready sympathy and kindly words have endeared her to many anxious and weary folk. To all our choir members our thanks are again given for their effective and helpful services in leading the public worship. The anthems Tendered each Sunday represent enthusiastic practice, and the Easter Cantata, Stainer's " Crucifixion," was exceptionally well rendered. To Mr F, K. Macfie for his inspiring control, and earnest, and painstaking service, we are truly grateful, and pray that he may continue to carry on for many more years. The weekly prayer meeting is fairly well attended, but could do with many more. Communion was held four times during the year, 307 being the highest attendance out of a roll pf 420. There were 34 names added to the roll and 25 were removed, seven of these by death Seven special services were held, 20 baptisms took place and 20 funerals were conducted. The Sunday School has 317 scholars in four departments, and about 40 teachers and helpers." DEACON'S COURT REPORT • "All meetings are well attended, and four deacons resigned owing to remoyal from the district. The manse has now been repaired and improved at a cost of £lO3, and the question of a new manse is now deferred for some years. Finance is still a problem, there being a debit for the year. We recommend the congregation to support the 'Centenary ' Fund collection." The treasurer reported that £920 had been raised from all sources and spent on congregational needs. The "For Others" Fund showed that £286 had been raised, and of this amount £ 194 went to missions. £3O to beneficiary funds, £l9 to assessments. £ls to Chinese relief, £lO to the P.S.S.A., and the balance (£2O) to various other schemes. The court has no debt on any of its properties. The Busy Bees, numbering 80, under the leadership of Sister Lysbeth, raised £23 by their efforts. The P.W.M.U., which meets monthly, has 71 members, and through their efforts raised £54 for missions and other schemes.