PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 19986, 28 September 1926, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MEETING AT WAIKAKA. THE WORK OF THE YEAR. On Thursday last the annual business meeting of Waikaka Presbyterian Church was held, with which was incorporated the P.WM.U. annual gift evening for missions. The proceedings were opened with the singing of the Hundredth Psalm, reading and prayer. The Rev. W. Fulton Falconer presided and in his remarks he thanked aU the workers in the various departments of the church’s work for their faithful service, and for the loyal support he had received from one and all since coming amongst them. He also remarked what a pleasure the visitation had been to him because of the kindly reception he had received in all the homes in the parish. He had made something like 200 visits in 10 months. He also remarked on the high spiritual tone of the church, and the fine lot of young people who came and listened so eagerly to the gospel on Sunday evenings. He speciaUy thanked the members of the Girls’ Auxiliary for the splendid work they had accomplished in refurnishing the pulpit, and providing new carpeting for the church. Mr. R. H. Gardyne, session clerk, in his report for the year, stated that 14 new members had joined the church, while two members had been removed by death. The session thanked all the Sunday School teachers in the various Sunday Schools for their services during the year, also the various organists. Mr Gardyne remarked on the healthy state of the church in all its branches, and on behalf of the session he thanked Mr Falconer for his faithful ministry and earnest service since coming amongst them. The session also begged to record appreciation of the manner in which Mrs Falconer had associated herself with all the various activities of the church. Mr. A. McQueen, church treasurer, gave the financial statement, which showed that even after a year of extraordinary expenses they finished the year with a credit balance of £Bl 9s lOd. which said a great deal for the liberality of the church members. The balance-sheet also showed that altogether the sum of £l2O 6s 7d had been given to missions and charities for the year. The following reports were given:— P.W.M.U., by Mrs Rennie (in the absence of Mrs Byars); Girls’ Auxiliary, by Miss McEwan; Young Men’s Bible Class, by Mr George Paterson, Young Women’s Bible Class, by Miss Heather Turnbull; Junior Bible Class, by Mr D. Maslin; and Sunday Schools, by Mr Leonard Paterson. During the evening a most inspiring address was given by the Rev. Day, of Gore, which was greatly appreciated by all present. The choir, under the able leadership of Mr Leonard Paterson, rendered two beautiful anthems, and solos were also given by Mrs Day, Miss Byars and Miss McKay, a duet by Mrs Rennie and Mrs McQueen, an instrumental trio by Misses Byars and Gardyne (2), and also recitations by Misses Heather and Jean Turnbull and Miss McEwan. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Falconer, Mrs McDonald and Miss Simpson. At the close Mr J. W. Byars proposed a vote of thanks to all those who had contributed to the evening’s enjoyment, after which supper was provided, and the proceedings concluded by the singing of the Doxology.