FAREWELL FUNCTION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6240, 10 June 1946, Page 4

FAREWELL FUNCTION

MR AND MRS C. W. RICKIT HONOURED WORK FOR ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH RECOGNISED i St. Andrew’s Church Hall i was tastefully decorated for the social evening given to Mr and Mrs C. W. Rickit who have left Te Awamutu to reside in Auckland. The Rev. L. F. Gunn presided and associated with him on the platform were the guests of honour and Mrs Gunn. Mrs S. C. Price presented Mrs Rickit. with a bouquet. Mi s A. L. Storey on behalf of the P.W.M.U. thanked Mrs Rickit for all her work as a member of the Missionary Union and expressed the appreciation of the women of the congregation for her willing help on all occasions. Mrs Storey asked Mrs Rickit to accept a leather bound hymn book from the members of the P.W.M.U. Mrs Rickit suitably replied. Mr H. Mandeno on behalf of the office-bearers spoke of Mr and Mrs Rickit’s long association with St. Andrew’s Church. Mr Rickit,. for over 25 years, had been a member of session, and had carried out his duties faithfully and well. He was always ready to help in whatever way he could and took a keen interest in every department of the church’s work. Mr Mandeno paid tribute to Mr and Mrs Rickit’s example in church attendance and loyal service and concluded in wishing them long years of happy retirement in Auckland. The Rev. L. F. Gunn, on behalf of the congregation, asked the guests to accept the gift of a barometer and occasional table as a small token of appreciation and spoke of the great loss to the church their departure was. Mr Rickit was an ideal elder, a faithful shepherd of his and a good and loyal friend to the minister. He was one who did not go in for a great deal of talking, but acted instead and in countless ways had made a ynique contribution to the life, not only of St. Andrew’s Church, but of the community. He, too, wished Mr and Mrs Rickit happy years of retirement. Mr Rickit in rising to’ reply was greeted with applause and the singing of “For they are jolly good fellows.” He spoke of the wrench it was to leave Te Awamutu and to sever his connection with St. Andrew’s Church. He appreciated greatly what had been said that night; but he had only tried to do his best for the church. Both he. and Mrs Rickit had happy memories of St. Andrew’s, and would always be interested in the work of the parish. He thanked the congregation for its gifts. During the evening items were given by Mrs C. Lees, Misses Ethel McNaughton, Margaret Knight, Jean Bathgate, Jean Fullerton, and Mr Murtagh, while Mr Ray Blennerhasset led a most enjoyable Community Sing. Mrs Knox Clarke was accompaniste. Supper was served by the ladies of the P.W.M.U. and “Auld Lang Syne” brought the evening to a close.