St. Andrew's Church Progress Reviewed at Annual Meeting

Waikato Independent, Volume XLV, Issue 6235, 6 May 1949, Page 5

St. Andrew's Church Progress Reviewed at Annual Meeting

YEAR OP CONSIDERABLE ACTIVITY.

A year of considerable activity, with several important changes, was reviewed at the annual meeting of St. Andrew's Church of England this week. The reports presented by the various church organisations were very gratifying, although there was regret at the departure of Dean and Mrs Chandler in October. Satisfaction was expressed that the Rev. Kenneth Liggett had accepted the position of new vicar. There was a very large attendance at the meeting.

"I have found the parish in good ■working order and while there are bound to be some changes in organisation, this being inevitable with a new Vicar, I am happy to think there is no need for any major alterations, your previous Vicar and I having much the same views on things," said the Rev. Mr Liggett, at the outset of the meeting.

The Vicar referred to the awakening of conscience among Christian people, but stressed that as good and progressive as things were, there should be no letting up* He thanked the many people in the parish whose work for the church in various directions was fully appreciated. Resignation Of Vicar The momentous year for the parish with the resignation in July of the Vicar; Canon Chandler, who had been appointed Dean of St. Peter's Cathedral, was referred to in the church wardens' report. "The resignation, to take place as from October, came as a shock to our parishioners," stated the report. "Really we should be grateful that the Dean Stayed with us so long. We wish to place on record our appreciation of his ministry during his 14 years as our Vicar." Thanks were extended to the Rev. Canon Crossman who continued the work in the parish pending the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Liggett in January, and also to the Rev. A. V. Maddick for the extra work which he so willingly undertook. The new vicar's induction took place in January, and a few weeks later the parishioners tendered a welcome to Mr and,Mrs Liggett, added the report. "There could be no doubt regarding the sincerity of this, welcome," it was. stated. "This was : /shown by the crowded, hall, the good ' wishes expressed by the various speakers and the very evident good-} will of all present." The report referred to the fact that the long hoped for new vicarage was well on the way, and should be completed before long. This was most gratifying to all especially the Ladies' Guilds which had worked so hard for so long to make the new vicarage possible. Appreciation was expressed at the generosity of the late Mrs Nicholson, who offered the use of her house as a temporary home for the vicar. The wardens' report concluded with thanks to the many individuals and organisations who had worked and co-operated so well for the progress of the parish, Work For Children. The numerous activities which she controlled were reported upon by Miss A. C. Armstrong, the parish helper. She made special reference to the j .correspondence Sunday School, which] was proving a great success. The! Cantata "Soot and the Fairies" was | the great achievement for the year, with the children. Religious plays had j been presented at Christmas and at Easter. The rite of communion wasj administered by the Bishop both at, St. Andrew's and Ohaupo last year.. After their first communion there was j r A a sit-down breakfast at St. Andrew's J and lunch at Ohaupo. \ Miss Armstrong thanked those people who gave gifts for her to take; to the patients in the Hamilton Hospi-, ' tals each week. She reminded the meeting that her visiting day had been changed frcm Tuesday to Friday. . . The Mothers' Union reported an active year, with 45 senior and 17 junior members. The Ladies' Guild, although not strong in numbers, had raised £6l 3s 9d, a slight increase on last year. The Evening Guild gained in strength, and stalls at the rose show had brought in £SB. In addition several cards evenings were enjoyed, and the profits liquidated the balance owing on the piano. Election of Officers. The election of church officers resulted as follows: Vicar's warden, Mr E. H. Leigh; people's warden, Mi" H. A Watkins; sidesmen, Messrs J. F. McClellan, F. E. Day, H. Neely, A. D. Sayers and E. H. Kenny; vestry, Messrs H. L. Dix, C. C. Brunskill, C. C Buttimore, W. H. Hicks, D. F. R. Allen, H. C. Wood, J. Linsley (secretary); treasurer, Mr H. A. Watkins; auditor, Mr R. S. Entwistle; ground superintendent, Mr C. C. Buttimore; envelope secretary, Mrs I. Stuart; Church and people secretary, Miss M. Westlake. , The balance showed that the year s operations had been satisfactory from a financial angle. A presentation was made to Mrs Tj. Linsley as an appreciation of her work for the church.