COLUMBA CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26544, 20 August 1947, Page 3

COLUMBA CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING The Rev L. W. Rothwell. who was in the chair 'at the annual meeting ot Columba Church on Monday night, paid a tribute to the work °f the church members during the year. He also mentioned the regularity with which the Bible class members bad attended. The session clerk, Mr R. Jenkins, said that the attendances at the services had been very good. The roll stood at 413 communicants—a record for Columba and he asked that the attendances be maintained and, if possible, increased. Finance Mr B. B. Walton, who presented the balance sheet on behalf of the treasurer, Mr A L. Clark, said that during the year the church debt of £2OO had been paid off, leaving the church free of debt Considering that the church debt in 1937 was £I3OO, this was very satisfactory. The budget quota for the coming year was £355, compared with £302 last year. Mr Rothwell said that the collections in Otago for the P.S.S.A. hospital in Oamaru had been coming in satisfactorily. Columba’s contribution had been exceeded bv only one other church in Otago—the First Church. Dunedin. The treasurer’s report showed that £IBOS had been sent forward from Columba, and further sums had been promised for this project. The excess of assets over liabilities was £11,157, the main assets being: The churcn and land (£5000), Sunday school and land (£2750), manse and land (£1920), and furniture and fittings (£1380). Church Activities Reports on the church activities were presented by the Rev. W. G. Hannah (P.W.M.U., Busy Bees, and Flower Guild), Messrs R. Brown (Sunday school and cradle roll), A. Rudduck (League of Young Worshippers), H. FT. Wise (Bible class), R. J. Hinkley (choir), E. J. Smith (Social Club), W J. C. Daniel (Scout Group). Officers Elected Messrs E. J. Smith and E. C. Ferris were appointed additional elders, and Mr B. U. Stanger was appointed to the Management Committee. The retiring managers, Messrs A. W. Wallace, B. B. Walton, and H. R. Wise, were re-elected. War Memorial Mr Rothwell reported that it had been decided to erect in the vestibule a roll of honour similar to the honours board for the First World War. It was felt, however, that something in addition to the honours board was desirable. Two Suggestions had been received—a memorial window and a Bible class hall. A poll had been taken of the communicants and the majority favoured the hall scheme. Further discussion was invited, and :,t was finally decided to build a memorial hall at the back of the church for use as a Bible class hall.