CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1930, Page 7

CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

FINANCES IN SOUND ORDER

FORWARD STEPS IN COMING YEAR

PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING

Two forward steps were taken at the annual meeting of parishioners of Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, last evening. The meeting decided to take steps to sell the old vicarage and build a new vicarage on the church grounds adjoining and to set about raising funds for the purchase of a car for the vicar. There was a good attendance of parishioners, the vicar (the Rev. W. S. C. Stephens) presiding. “It is very difficult for me to make any report on last year’s work as I have been your vicar for very little over two months,” said the vicar in his report. “I do desire, however, to thank you for the manner in which you have received'Mrs. Stephens .and myself; we feel ‘at home’ and among real friends, and are looking forward to several years of useful and happy service together.” A great deal had been accomplished already and he felt that so long as they continued to pi'Jl together, goodwill would banish all fears regarding, the future. He hoped that in the coming year the Church ,would be entirely self-supporting and that they should be. able to leave the Ladies’ Guilds free to work for definite objects of a permanent nature and that it would not be necessary to ask them to assist in the ordinary running expenses of the parish -—this of course would mean that everyone must pull their full weight. To that end he was hoping that, a full vestry would be elected for the coming year—a full vestry composed of persons determined to see the church forge ahead wae the first, essential of a live parish. He would like’to thank those who had so manfully done their work on the vestry for the difficult year just finished. The balance-sheet was a testimony to this and a memorial they might well be proud of. SUNDAY SCHOOL’S PROGRESS. Services and Sunday schools had been, carried on as formerly and the. latter was now progressing very favourably. The last Sunday in March saw a change in the usual services. For the first time (so far as he was aware) a Communion service was held at Tarurutangi; it was much appreciated and the arrangement would be adhered to in the future. The choir was now going ahead well and Miss M. J. Fcarn was to be thanked for what she was doing and was to be congratulated on the improved singing. Both ladies’ guilds had done wonderful work in the last twelve months; whatever they had taken in hand had been an unqualified success; their assistance to the vestry alone had made it possible to close the year as shown in the balance-sheet.

The statistics for the year were 'as follows (Easter Day not being in the period under review):—Baptisms 11, confirmations 14, marriages 13, funerals 11, celebrations of H.C. 77, communions made 1299.

The churchwardens reported that, after an unsettled period of appointments, in December, 1929, the standing committee nominated the Rev. W. S. C. Stephens, and following his acceptance of the position he took charge in January, 193'0. In spite of a great disinclination on the part of the men of the parish to act on the vestry, a number sufficient to carry on the duties were appointed. The unrest in the parish found a reflection in the state of the choir. The members gradually dwindled until there were only two or three. The two organisations which had been functioning during the year were the Ladies’ Guild and the Mothers’ Union. In the Ladies’ Guild the parish has an organised band of workers of which any parish- might be proud. The Sunday school had under the superintendence of Mr. Childerstone been a factor in keeping the church alive.

UNREST IN DIOCESE.

The unrest in the parish and diocese had a very disturbing, effect on the finances and the year commenced with debts amounting to nearly £5O ana only £8 to meet them. However, owing to the work of the Ladies’ Guild and the Mothers’ Union, together with the splendid response of the parishioners, the balance-sheet was now in a satisfactory position.. They acknowledged the help, of the St. Mary’s Trust Board and Lodge Te Henui. With the advent of Mr. and Mrs. Stephens into the parish, the report concluded, a distinctly more hopeful tone had been noticeable. Attendances at the church services had improved and the finances had become distinctly easier. They sincerely hoped that the good work might go on improving until •!< itzroy was able to take, as-it should, its rightful place *s one of the best parishes in the diocese. : Full reports were also received from the Ladies’ Guild, the Mothers’ Union, the Sunday school, the St. Lukes Church committee and the St. Luke Ladies’ Guild. The balance-sheet showed an of receipts over expenditure of £6 8s - . T-he reports and balance-sheet were adopted. Church officers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows:—X icars warden, Mr. L. N. Fairhall; peoples warden, Mr. George Giddy; vestry, Messrs R. W. Tate, W. M. Webster, F. Copestake, L. McLean, R. C. Torlesse, R Day and L. M. Monteath. Two more vestrymen will be appointed to represent Bell Block at the meeting of the Bell Block parishioners this evening. Mr. C. Waterston was appointed supervisor of the duplex envelope system. There was sufficient ground behind the old vicarage to build a new vicarage and have a garden, said the vicar in referring to the proposal to sell the old vicarage. The meeting decided to sell the old vicarage, the matter of the sale to be left in the hands of the vestrv. A car was an absolute necessity, said the vicar. The work of the parish could not be carried out properly unless he had ft conveyance. The cost of the car would be limited to £290. He had been

greatly indebted to Mrs. Coulson for assistance with her car, but that could not continue indefinitely. . The meeting decided to set up a committee to devise means of raining money. The committee at Te Henui is: Mesdames Webster, Chivers, Hadfield, Sladden and Messrs Hadfield, Fairhall, Webster and McLean. A vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to the honorary organist, Mrs. Stafford, who was voted an honorarium of five guineas.