PARISH AFFAIRS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 5

PARISH AFFAIRS

ST. PETER’S CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT Presented at the annual meeting of parishioners of St. Peter’s Church, Gonville, on Wednesday the report for the year ending March .31 was:— Social Service.—lncreased interest has been shown in the social welfare work of the church in the Diocese, in great part due to the visit of Miss Greig. The scholars of St. Peter’s Day School have an Active Service Corp and have contributed a sum of money. St. Peter’s Girl Guides, made £ll by “trading,” and converted this money into useful sets of clothes for the Babies’ Home at Khandallah. The collections on Good Friday, a year ago, were donated to the same object. Churchpeople are beginning to realise that, given the necessary finance provision may be made for the needy in the institutions. Scouts and Guides.—Both troops have met regularly for drill, and monthly church parades have taken place during the year. They have entertained other troops, staged concerts and have been in camp. St. Peter’s Scouts won the Hallenstein Banner gaining 94 per cent of marks. St. Peter’s Brownies won the Silver Cup at a recent swimming contest, and St. Peter’s Guides came second in their swimming contest.* To Mr Seward, who gave to St. Peter’s Scouts physical instruction last winter, thanks are due. Pipe Organ Fund.—A resolution to open a fund to provide a pipe organ, was unanimously passed at the last annual meeting. Considerable impetus was given to this proposal by the very fine donation of £lOO by Mr and Mrs F. Spencer. This fund now stands at £226. The vestry hope this amount will be considerably increased during .the coming year. Tennis Court and Asphalting.—During the year, a fine tennis court has been built, and a club formed. The footpaths round the church have been asphalted. Thanks are due to the following who have made this possible: Messrs A. G. Bignell, Hope Gibbons, H. J. Duigan, and Dr. Porritt. Mention must be made of the work done by Mr E. A. Marchant in the planning and superintending of this work. St. Peter’s Day.—The patronal festival -was -well kept on June 29 the combined choirs rendering the musical portions of the service in a devotional manner. The sermon preached by the Rev. Bullock was effective and a social gathering took place afterwards. St. Peter’s Day School. —The day school continues x j flourish. The pupils held a sale of work and netted £l2, and also took part in a combined concert with the Putiki Maori School. A “working bee’’ was held, and pupils constructed* blackboards in both classrooms. All pupils who entered for swimming gained their certificates. The visiting inspector gave an excellent report. Girls’ Guild. —This newly-formed body of young women has very much justified its existence. A very successful concert and play was staged, well attended weekly meetings held and over £3O taken on the stall at the sale of work. Social Committee. —The social committee members have been very active during the winter, assisting by socials, dances, and 500 evenings, the organisations already existing in the parish. Sunday School and Morning Service. —ln November last alO a.m. morning service was introduced. With the attendance of all Sunday School children, above Kindergarten, this was done liter very careful thought and due consultation with the vestry, and for the following reason: To associate children with their elders in church, and to accustom them to the use of the Prayer Book, and its services. Stamps and alburns were provided for 120 children, and suitable lesson books provided for the teachers, to coincide with the stamps. Certificates were offered to all children gaining 48 stamps in their albums. This move has proved of outstanding worth. Ladies’ Guild and Sale of Work. — The work done by the members of the Ladies’ Guild on Thursday afternoons throughout the year is worthy of all praise, culminating as it did in the most successful bazaar in December last, when in conjunction with the other members of the bazaar committee the magnificent sum of £320 was made. It would not be possible to enumerate separately the good work done by all, but thanks are due to that worthy worker, Mr F. Spencer for his efforts throughout the year in making and selling all the articles of woodwork on his stall, and gaining the sum of £ll4. Choir and Organist.—Gratitude is due to Mr Mepham for his services as organist at St. Peter’s, anri to those who have enriched the services with their offices. A junior choir has been formed, and meets for practice on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m., with the intention of strengthening the morning service. Envelope System. —The result of using this system of regular weekly giving is seen in the balance sheet showing that St. Peter’s and St. Luke > combined offerings total a sum of about £5OO. Gifts. —During the last 12 months many gifts have been presented to St Peter’s amongst which are:—A notice board made and presented by the war den, Mr E. R. J. Stevens; the gift ol £lOO per Mr Spencer to form a pipe or gan fund; a processional cross, made in brass and* wood, presented by Mr S H. Smith; three beautiful stained glass windows, presented by Miss Wicksteed Vestry Election. The election of the Vestry resulted: Vicar’s warden, Mr E. A. Marchant people’s warden, Mr E. R. J. Stevens Vestry, Messrs. F. Spencer, E. B. Tus tin, G. Hunt, R. Notman, R. Tilley, E Jones, L. Pleasants, L. W. Chisholm, A L. Griffiths and Dr. E. E. Porritt. A vote of thanks was accorded th( Rev. D. B. Malcolm and Mrs Malcoln for their work during the year, Mr. T Dix, Mr F. Spencer and others eulogis ing the energy, kindness and hospital ity of the vicar and his wife during th<