ST ANDREW’S CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 927, 23 November 1933, Page 8

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH.

A Satisfactory Year of Work. The annual report of the activities of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, which waa presented to the annual meeting last, evening, showed that the church had experienced a difficult year. The Rev. J. Lawson Robinson presided over a large attendance. The continued financial stress, the report stated, had weighed on the people, but it seemed as if there was a break in the dark clouds of depression. The annual report of the kirk session stated that, although the attendance at public worship still left much to be desired, there was evidence of unfailing Interest in the services. It was with regret that the session drew renewed attention to the fact that many communicant members were failing to attend diets of worship. A special feature of the year was the institution of a church rally month in May. The results warranted a repetition. The midweek services had continued with unbroken regularity and there had been evident a keen interest in the studies. Thanks were due to thte members of the choir who, under Mr J. M’Lean, assisted by Mr R. E. Lake as organist, had rendered devoted service. There were 128 scholars on the Sunday school roll, with an average attendance of eighty-four. A shrinkage of the roll In the primary and junior departments could not be accounted for, except as an indication of the growing indifference of many parents to church and Sunday school. The attendance of most of the members of the Young Worshippers’ League at church was satisfactory. Misses R. Alston and J. Watson had established guides and brownies. The boy scouts, with Mr D. A. Macgregor as scoutmaster, Mr J. Walford as assistant and Miss Renwick as cub mistress, were progressing well. The young women’s and young men’s Bible classes, had had a successful year. The kindergarten had a roll of fortyeight and was doing well under Miss Iris Orange. The Young People’s Society reported a successful and interesting year. A small increase in membership was shown in the Presbyterian Woipen’s Missionary Union’s report. An acknowledgment' of the work of Mrs John Robertson, who had served eighteen years as secretary, was Included in the report. The roll of the church stood at 480. Attendances at Communion had been: December 380, March 383, June (wet) 323, September (wet) 313. Baptisms numbered 23. The lawn tennis club had had an enjoyable year. There was a credit balance of £8 6s 2d. Splendid progress had been made by the newly-formed male voice choir. The Deacons* Court report stated that the difficulties which had been so widespread throughout the community had had an effect on the church finances. The current liabilities had been met, except that of the assembly schemes assessment—£374—only £335 being remitted. Weekly collections showed a drop of £B2. Total receipts from all sources were £1770 15s 2d as against £1915 for the previous year. Salaries showed a decrease of £4O. Mr R. Nairn, speaking to the session report, said that St Andrew’s had had a great past. It was the mother church of Presbyterianism in Canterbury. So far as the present was concerned, the church still maintained the spirit of youth, and the outlook for the future was bright. He spoke highly of the service rendered by the minister, Mr Lawson Robinson. Mrs W. T. Todd spoke on behalf of the women’s organisations and Mr J. E. Tait on behalf of the j'outh organisations. Mr J. Barnett, in moving the adoption of the Deacons’ Court report, stated that the collections showed a decrease of 20 per cent on the 1930 collections. He thought this should be considered satisfactory, for he was sure that conditions would not be any worse during the coming year. Mr Lawson Robinson expressed himself satisfied with the year’s work. He hoped, however, that attendances at church would improve. He trusted that there would be a revival of both economic and spiritual conditions. Supper was served and musical items given.