PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, 20 December 1932, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

LANSDOWNE CONGREGATION MEETING. WORK OF PAST YEAR. There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Lansdowne Presbyterian Church congregation, held last evening. The Rev. R. Dickie presided and the Rev. John Davie was also present.

The annual report for the year ended October 31, 1932, stated, inter alia:—• “As was to be expected, the year 193132 has been a difficult one and has caused a good I deal of anxiety to the Church Managers. At a meeting of the Presbytery held on the same night as the last annual meeting, it was decided to retain the Rev. R. Dickie for another twelve months. At last annual meeting, Mr. Horsbrugh was elected an additional Manager for the Tinui-Lang-dale district, and in June, because of their very great helpfulness to the church at all times, two young men from the Bible Class, Messrs. McCormack and Arcus, were appointed to the Board of Management. It was thought fitting that as this was the 20th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the church, the event should be commemorated by a special service on the Bjnday nearest the date of the laying of the stone, October 31, and accordingly the Rev. R. H Catherwoml was asked to take the serSce on ber 30, when there was a good attendance. The year closed with an overdraft at the bank of £126 19s lOd. Against that w-e have the amount of £l'so on fixed deposit. Our ordinary revenue is down on last year’s by £36, which is accounted for by a reduction in collections and sustentation of £l5, and drainage of over £3, and last year we had only one shop day. Because of this drop we have not been able to pay the Assembly assessments, amounting to about £2O which ought to have been paid by October 31. The drainage account has been reduced to £5 7s 6d and the electric light instalment to 19s lid so that these will soon be wiped out. As one deals with church finance one cannot help wondering whether the envelope system or weekly freewill offering as it is commonly called, is not woith a trial. To all who have helped in any way whatever during the year we extend our warmest thanks— to Mr. Dickie for his help at all times; to the Organist, Mr. McCormack, and the Choir, especially to Mrs. Collie, leaderto the Ladies’ Guild; to Mrs. Hulbali and Miss Carter, for part proceeds of their Sunday School concert; to collectors of sustentation fund; and to Mr. Cunningham for auditing our liooksi We very much regret that owing to indifferent health, our secretary, Mr. Bacon, has not always been able to be present at our meetings. We trust however, that the change to the north which h© is now having, may completely restore him to his usual activity. We look forward to another year with tho hope that it may be one of less anxiety both for our Church and our country. A resolution, requesting the Presbytery to allow Mr. Dickie to remain in charge for another twelve months, was carried unanimously by the officebearers and tho congregation. Mr. Dickie has 'been in charge at Lansdowne for the past five years. The managers elected for the year were as follow:—Mcsdames A. J. Gibson and Collie and Messrs. R. C. Drummond, C. C. Horsbrugh, Wrigley, Hubball, McCormack, L. H. Arcus, A. J. Gibson and W. McGovern. Supper was provided at tho conclusion of business.