PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 7 April 1908, Page 8

PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of Christ 'Church was held in -theSchoolroom last evening, the Vicar (Rev J. A. Jacob) presiding over a good attendance. MINUTES. After prayer, the minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. My dear Friends, —This is my first opportunity of writing to you on our work for God and His people in this parish. My knwledge of the parish is still somewhat limited, but I can touch j upon some of the various branches of j the work. Clergy.—"We are very fortunate in ■ having the services of the Rev. J. E., Hollo-way, but to work the parish as it ought to be worked another curate is needed. I have great hopes that this need may bs supplied before long. ; Churchwardens, ■ Vestrymen,:' Synodsmen.—H the parish is in a healthy condition, there ought to be a large number of men;' both old and young,, seeking to ,hold office in their turn. -, I would ask all male- members of the Churchr'to realise their responsibility in ■tins, and be ready to take office when called upon. There ought to be many more names in. the Churchwardens' book. The thanks of the parishioners are.due to, those who have done such gcod work for so long. Sunday Schools.—The superintendents and teachers are a loyal band who sacrifice their time and powers in this all important branch of our work. We need more teachers, specially men ; while the numbers of children "attending ought to-be very much larger. Choir—The members'of our choir are trying very hard to fulfil the object of ft. ■church; choir, viz,, to lead the congregation in the praises of God. This work requires- the Sacrifice of a considerable amount of time, and I shall be very grateful if./those of our congregation to whom God has given good voices and who are willing to give up time for regular practice would send their names to the organist or to me. We specially want sopranos and basses. .Church Ckib.—This, in .si town like■■Wahganui,. is a very necessary part of the machinery of church work. I wish to appeal to some of our men," men more of my own age, to join this' Club and help it-to fulfil better its objects, vtz., the religious, moral, physical, and social improvement of its members. A Bible Class for men has been startedthis is to further the fulfilment of the first object. - . ■

Missionary Work-.—A parish Board ot Missions.-was farmed in the year 1905 I hope tins -work may have'fresh life put into it. ;■ Our' first charge" is: the Maori Mission; our second, the Melanesian Mission. '

_ General Mission to the Church of Now Zealand.—lt is hoped that this great Mission from the Mother Church will bo son I to us in the year 1909. We must prepare for it in many ways, but specially by prayer We hope to raise £103 towards the expenses, and this can Ik- duno if 400 people will cive 5s each. Tho Building of New Chinches—lf wo arcto retain people in our Church \»-o must build. Tt soems that a church should be built in Gonville, another in Mstbrook, and another at Castlecliff: 1 look upon tho extension of our work in tho suburbs as more important than spending money on a now church in the borough.

Parish Paper.—l intend to issue monthly, a ■Parish Taper which I hope will be taken in by all church people. I think that it can be sold for 2s 6d Pot annum, including the Church Chronicle. This will b3 a very great assistance to the clergy in their work, and it is hoped will be of service to the laity. It will contain" ihjymns for the month, notices of baptisms, marriages, and burials, notices of services, statement of moneys received, etc., and will be a useful means of communication between clergy and laity. District Visitors.—l am trying to av~ range for a visitor or visitors foL- each street or part of a street. Their duties ■will bo to distribute the Parisli Paper and report to the clergy cases of sickness or trouble and to find out newcomers so that they may receive a call from the clergy and perhaps to collect subscriptions or donations for various church purposes—home ami foreign. Hospital.—l have to thank the Hospital authorities for permission, to visit and 'hold services, .and the ladies who so. gladly:, assist in the musical portions of the services-which are held every' Sunday at 5.30 p.m. ;Lay Readers—We have lost the- services, of Mr. Hunphrevs through removal to Palme-ston North. He 'was presented by his brother lay readers with a well boun! Bible and-hymn book on lm departure. Messrs. Brirlgewnte'l ami Pay no have baen do ins; the work reoessary between, them with occasional help from Mr. Astocroft.

Ladies'.. Guild and Guild of .Decorators—Tho members of these Guilds nave been diligent in their most useful work, .in sewing for a sale of work and in beautifying the church for festivals, ■an;l caring .for the altar, sanctuary, lectern and pulpit. N Our thanks arc due to- mil those who have asisted.in the church work during . thrt year.

May tl*e blessing of God rest upon us alt in our -work together durinp- the cs-ming.. year.—Yours faibhfnlly,- " J. A. JACOB, . Mr T. B. Williams moved the adoption oi tlip report and balance sheet, and in doing- so sai-J the finances weiv ma very satisfactory condition considering tho circumstances of the mst vcar L'

_ Mr, H. E. Dymock seconded the mo- £?'\. aud endorsed the remarks of Mr Williams.

Tho motion was then put and carrie-l unanimously.

ELECTIONS,

CKIIKCHWAIiDENS.—Tho Vicar announced that he had nominated Mr Bndgcwater and was pleased to say that gentleman had consented to act w T f,B" Willianis nominated1 Mr. T. V\. Blennerbassett as parishioners' churchwarden, but Mr. Blennerbassett declined to take office. He said he ha/1 found it a pleasure to act as churchwarden, but time Avould not permit him to continue. Mr. Payne was nominated out declined to act. Mr H. E Dymock was then elected. VESTRY. —Tne election of a Vestry wa-t then proceec7e:l with. The following gentlemen were .nominated: Messrs" Payne, Currie, Prowse, Bignell. Randall. Meldriun, Hutton, Ashcroft, T. Price Stanford, Smith, Gordon, Izard, Babble Adams, Haines, and Dr. Hatherly Messrs. Neamp and Griffiths wore appointed scrutineers. The ballot mmilte'l m the return of the fol'.owinp-: Messrs Pay no, Ciirrie. Ash-croft, Dr.'Hatherly! M'.ssi-s. Babbnge, Gordon, Randal' Izard. Melrlrum, and Hutton.

r AUDITORS—Messrs. Fairbnrn and .Nixon were elected auditors.

VOTES, OF THANKS. D,-. ITatlrerly .said that on Ire'ialf of uimsrl.; and a large niiml»r of the conjugation l.c would like to movea hearty vote of thanks to the. reth-in'r cluu-elnvardens. Mc«m. Williams an-] .F ; biine--liass»tt. ir ho liar? held their positions for a numbpr of years, and it spoke volnm-s for the esteem in which they were, held when they were ench year elected unopposed. He moved that they ho. accorded a hearty vot<* of

tnaiJKs, ant! that Mr. Williams be wished a pleasant trip to England-a ml a safe return.-.Mr! Gardener s e oidcd thmotion and spoke highly c 'f the work S? 110 Trby- tae retiri"g churchwardens.— Jhe Vicar sai:l that he would never forget • the help he had received from Messrs. Williams and _Bleunerbassett. •It had been, a great help to him on coming to the parish to find two churchwardens so thoroughly acquainted with their duties and the work of the parish generally.,.—Hie., motion., was then put and tarried unanimously, after which Messrs. Williams an-l "Bleunerbassett briefly acknowledge the compliment paid them. I Y°;tes of thanks were also pe"orded; t<) j. retiring vestrymen,. tKe auditors, lay readers, Sunday school teachers, choirs, organists nn-1 all Avho. had rendered- assistance d'uriivr the ypar. . ■ -. . The Vicar, before Closing tho meeting, expressed the hope that the congregation would have a haprry yenr, and exhorted all to work for"the common good. ■•'..-■•- ■ The meeting was "then closer! with tho Benediction. After_ the nreethvr, nominations for tho. position of svno-d'-m^n "were.--.rr>rei\> ed, ■■■Mpssrs. ■ Tiaarcl and Williams b-einp; nominated.