HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 347, 30 April 1935, Page 4

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

A YEAR OF PROGRESS

REPORTS PRESENTED To ANNUAL MEETING.

A year of progress was reported by the Vicar (Rev. K. J. McFarland), at the annual meeting last night of parishioners of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. The report stated that financially and, spiritually the Church made substantial progress during the past year, when attendances at services were generally greater than in the past.

The Vicar drew attention to tlie crowded state of the Stratford church at many services and advised consideraion of the question of a new church. Mr. McFarland presided over an attendance of 50. The Vicar reported that they were gradually beginning to make something like adequate provision for the religious training of the young. There were live Bible classes that met re-

gularly; there were Church Sunday schools at Stratford, Midhirst, Humga, and Bird Road, and at several

of the country services he gave special children’s instruction. He also gave Bible lessons under the Nelson system at the Stratford and Toko primary schools and religious instruction at St. Mary’s school. At practically all the country services there was a large number of young people present.

The Bishop of Waikato took four confirmation services in the parish and confirmed 78 country candidates had been regular communicants since their confirmation, but a large number of the town candidates had been irregular.

The choir, under the leadership of Mr. C. J. Hickson, had done good work, and on the whole was very faithful in attendance at the services, and the music was of a high standard. In addition to the ordinary work the choir, assisted by Mr. Rogers’ orchestra, gave several musical services. - ( The V/ardens’ Report. The wardens, Messrs_ H. C.* Johnson and E. H. Young, reported that the year was marked by a steady progress in all departments due to the conscientious and enthusiastic work of the vicar. The greatest event of the year was undoubtedly the "golden offering” on Trinity Sunday, when .£lO7 was received. That enabled the parish to be run without great ~ financial worry.

Sales of work were successfully conducted by the women of the parish. The guilds at Stratford, Midhirst and Toko-Huinga and the mission guild made handsome contributions. By the efforts of the mission guild the mission quota was again reached.

The year ended with a credit balance of over £2O in the working account, due to a large increase in of-

fertories.

Mission Guild’s Work.

The mission guild, it was reported, functioned in two directions. It had met each second month for intercession services and it organised a missionary sale on June 19. which realised over £3O .towards the mission Quota. The parish w r as asked to contribute the following minimum

amounts towmrds- the missionary work of the church; Maori mission £25, home mission £22, board of missions £56. Each w’as met.

On July 15 the Bishop of Waikato Held a confirmation service in the Toko hall and confirmed 14 candidates. The monthly communion service in the Toko Church was incerasingly becoming a service 'common to the two districts. The number of communicants for the year w r as 356, in comparison with 193 of last year—almost 100 per cent, increase. Harvest festivals and annual meetings were held in both centres. The progress at Midhirs.t was steadily maintained.

Both Cardiff and Pembroke centres held their own fairly well, in spite of the great difficulty of a small church population.

The services at Bird Road were restarted, and so far had met with an excellent response, between 30 and 40 being present on each occasion.

St. Mary’s School helped the parish in many ways. The pupils provided the programme for .the evening session of the missionary sale and helped with the altar flowers and decorations, and were present at the sales of work and garden parties. They intended to provide a choir for the morning services taken by the layreaders

In the report of the Ladies’ Guild Mrs. E. Cutficld said the guild started work in May. A total of £67 6s lid was raised by means of a bazaar and garden party, £44 3s was handed to the vestry and there was £25 16s 3d in hand.

Mrs. Hickson and Mrs. Irving were arranging for a series of dances, the proceeds to he for a fund for the purchase of new carpets for .the church. They already had in hand about £ll from previous social functions.