ST. MARY’S PARISH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20108, 15 May 1935, Page 6

ST. MARY’S PARISH

WORK OF THE YEAR REVIEWED AN UNSETTLED PERIOD The annual meeting of St. Mary’s parish was held in the Parish Hall last night, when there was a large attendance of parishioners. In the absence of the Vicar (the Ven. Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan) the priest in charge of the parish (the Rev. J. Evans) presided.

In his annual report, Mr Evans said that durnig the year the work of the parish had been anything but settled, for, apart from the Vicar’s ill health, other unforeseen events necessitating changes in the staff, vestry and the arrangement of the working of the parish had to be met and overcome. In October the valuable services of Mr C. S. Hammond who, as Vicar’s warden had given unsparingly of his time and ability, had been lost and in December the Rev. D. D. Thorpe had left to take charge of Okains Bay and his departure had been keenly felt in the Waimataitai and Washdyke districts. The Rev. Taylor had proved a very able colleague and his work was appreciated. The parish had been fortunate in securing the services of the Rev. P. Dunnage for St. John’s and St. Michael’s, and the Rev. J. Rogers foist. Peter’s. The work of the Sunday Schools, under the able and enthusiastic guidance of Miss Kay, assisted by a willing and devoted band of superintendents and teachers, of whom Messrs Bentley, Whitehouse, Ruston and Long deserved special mention, had been well up to the standard of past years. Last year 110 candidates had been confirmed. 20 of whom were from Washdyke, which was a standing testimony to the Rev. Thorpe’s work there. The Washdyke community now had a regular fortnightly Communion service which was greatly appreciated. St. Mary’s Girls’ Bible Class and Club had again played a prominent part in the activities of the parish and congratulations were offered to their leaders for their success. St. Mary’s Men’s Club also had flourished, owing to the enthusiasm and self-sacrifice of a few, and the palish were grateful to them. The other young people’s organisations, guides, harriers and Bible classes had been active and in connection with the Bible classes special acknowledgment was made of the work of Miss Stubbs, Mrs R. L. Vvigley, Misses Woollcombe, Islip and Broadhurst, and Messrs Bradley, Whitehouse, Hamilton and Long. The Young People’s rally from June 1 to June 3 woi Id provide an opportunity for all to assist with the provision of beds for the children who would be codling from all parts of the district. Mr A. Y. Berry would be in charge of the billetting. St. Mary’s Guild, the Mothers’ Union, and the Sanctuary Guild had all done good work. Timaru’s Leper Home Special mention was made of the work of the Missionary Guilds of St. John’s and St. Mary’s, who had done so much towards the realisation of the parish’s responsibilities overseas. Through the zeal of a small body St. Mary’s parish had not failed in its obligations. Besides regular study and intercession the Guilds had collected £97 of which St. John’s had contributed £2l and St. Mary’s £76, showing what could be done by the regular contribution of 3d a week. Besides raising its quota, the parish had been able to help the Bishop of Melanesia to the extent of £3O. A house for a leper family would he built with St. Mary’s contribution and would be named “Timaru” in honour of the donors. Thanks were extended to the choirs of St. Mary’s and of the suburban churches and to the organists and choirmasters. St. Mary’s choir, under the talented and willing leadership oi Mr A. W. V. Vine, had in the past year set a high standard which it was hoped they would be able to maintain. The parish was indebted to its lay readers, Messrs G. A. Bridges, Andrews and Long, to the district visitors, altai servers, church decorators, to Mi Beckett and to all who had served ir the councils and guilds of the suburban churches. The Vestry, under the leadership of the church wardens, was deserving of hearty congratulations foi its service and loyalty during a difficull year. In Mr W. W. Baxter had beer found a worthy successor to Mr C. S Hammond as Vicar’s warden. To Mi R. S. Goodman thanks were due for his untiring efforts on behalf of the parish In conclusion, Mr Evans said it wa.' with regret that the deaths of severa prominent parishioners were recorded but by the grace of God they liac

“joined the Choir Invisible whose music was the gladness of the world.” Church Wardens’ Report The church wardens (Messrs R. S. Goodman and W. W Baxter) presented the following report:— The revenue has been sufficient to meet all expenditure, leaving a balance of £2/12/7 to be carried forward. The cash offerings are less than last year by £43/5/5, and the income from envelopes has again declined by £7O/7/-. The sustentation subscriptions were increased sufficiently to make up the loss of income from these sources. To balance the “For Others” fund it has been again necessary to transfer £25/10 7 from the general account along with £25 from the “For Others” reserve account. This is a serious decline, which can only be remedied by securing new subscribers to the envelope system. Our architects kindly prepared plans and obtained special specifications for a peal of bells for St. Mary’s. A fund was inaugurated many years ago and has gradually increased by accruing interest. During the year a well-wisher gave a special donation of £25, which now brings this fund up to £lls/2/6. However, it will not be possible to instal a complete chime unless further donations are received for this purpose. The Vicar and Mrs Monaghan left during March for England. For the last seven years the vicar has carried on the work of the parish in a very able and faithful manner, and is deserving of a good rest. We all wish them a holiday full of happiness and joy, and we look forward to welcome them on their return. During the vicar’s absence the parish will be in charge of the Rev. J. Evans, by the Revs. F. Dunnage and D. D. Taylor, and we ask for them the support and sympathy of all the parishioners. The Rev. D. D. Thorpe has been appointed Vicar of Okains, and left the parish during December. He carries with him our best wishes. Miss Kay continues to do valuable work in connection with the parish Sunday schools. Parish Debt Reduced The golden offering amounted to £345, and a special contribution of £25 was received for the extinction of the parish debt; also debentures to the value of £6O were cancelled by the holders, being special gifts of thanksgiving. These sums reduce the parish debt from £4320 to £3890. The patronal festival services were again an occasion of thanksgiving, when Dean Julius preached to crowded congregations. We were all pleased to see the Dean again. As in the past, valuable assistance has been given in working this large parish by the Sunday School teachers, organists and members of the choirs, and the guilds, and their work is much appreciated. The vicarage, which has served the parish for more than 50 years, now requires heavy expenditure to make it more convenient and comfortable for our vicar. .It is considered a new vicarage should be built, but nothing can be done until the present property has been sold. The panelling of the choir vestry was comnleted during the year and the heating and lighting greatly improved. This work not only adds to the beauty of the church, but to the comfort of the choir. St. Mary’s Guild gave a very generous gift of £6O towards this work. The late "Mrs Elworthy bequeathed £250 to be used as the vicar shall direct. The money has been invested in parish 3* per cent, debentures, and the income is expended for the purchase of books for use of clergy and others. It is to be known as the “Sarah Elworthy Bequest,” which will • enable the best of books to be puri chased for our parish library.

Appeal For Support In moving the adoption of the report, Mr Goodman made an appeal for greater support of the envelope system which, he said, was the proper method of financing the parish. The wardens had forecast that at the end of the financial year there would be a deficit of £IOO and their reckoning had proved correct. He was pleased to say that, in order that the coming year should not be begun with a deficit, three parishioners had generously contributed a second time and had subscribed the £IOO. That, however, was not the correct way in which to finance the work of the parish. During the year expenditure had been curtailed to the lowest. It had been possible to pay £430 off the parish indebtedness and debentures falling due had been renewed at 3J per cent. Referring to the Book of Remembrance, Mr Goodman said he thought the object of the Book was not understood. It had been installed w-ith the idea of creating a fund of about £SOOO which could be invested, the interest to be used for the maintenance of the church building. Also, the church windows were all full and it was thought the Book would provide an opportunity for parishioners to have the names of deceased relatives recorded. Payment for the privilege was optional, but during the year only £39 had been received. He thought that was due to the fact that thfe purpose of the Book was not understood. The Vicar was taking a well earned rest and had handed the great responsibility of the parish to Mr Evans, who was assisted by the Revs. Rogers, Dunnage and Taylor, and all should see that they received the support they deserved. Mr Goodman paid a tribute to the work done by Mr C. S. Hammond, and expressed pleasure that he had been elected to the Diocesan Synod in Christchurch. Mr R. W. Simpson also was on the Standing Committee of the Synod, and was doing good work. Mr Goodman concluded by expressing his thanks to Mr Baxter and members of the Vestry for their co-operation. The motion was seconded by Mr R. W. Simpson who said that, in spite of what Mr Goodman had said, the parish was to be congratulated on completing the year with a credit balance, although it was a small one. The best thanks of the parishioners were due to Mr Goodman for the time .and attention he had given to work as parishioners’ warden. Very few 7 people knew how much work he did, and it was largely due to him that the parish was regarded as a model one. He assured Mr Evans of the support of every parishioner, so that when the Vicar returned he would be able to see that they had not drifted. Mr C. G. Bryan King paid a tribute to the work which had been done by Mr Evans and assured him of wholehearted support during the Vicar’s absence. The motion was carried. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: Vicar’s warden. Mr W. W. Baxter; parishioners* warden, Mr R. S. Goodman; vestry, Messrs A. Y. Berry. A. Oborn, A. J. Leslie. J. Hamilton, H. J. Mathers. G. H. Andrews, J. C. Bentley, J. Palliser. G. A. Bridges and C. Whitehouse; auditors. Messrs H. H. Fraser. W. J. Cotterill, H. A. Innes-Jones. and F. G. M. Raymond. Votes of thanks were accorded the auditors, the Vicar. Mr Evans and the assisting cleray, the architects (Messrs J. S. Turnbull and P. W. Rule), church workers and all who had in any way assisted in the church’s welfare during the year.