RIVERTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Western Star, 15 October 1935, Page 2

RIVERTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

SEVENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING OF CONGREGATION. SUCCESSFUL YEAR'S WORK. i The 74th annual meeting of the Riyerton Presbyterian Church was held in the Church on Friday evening, there being a good attendance of members. The meeting opened with devotions conducted by the minister, the Rev A. Mac- | farlane. The minister in his opening remarks thanked the congregation for their loyal co-operation during the year. The work of the Church had gone steadily on, and next year the congregation was looking forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Parish, the first minister, the Rev Lachlan MfcGillivray being inducted on April 11th, 1861, Arrangements were in hand to suitably celebrate this important occasion in the Church's history, ' SESSION REPORT. Mr G. 0. Cassela, Session Clerk submitted the Session report, which read as follows : The Session Court in presenting its ' seventy-fourth annual report to the congregation desires to express thanks and gratitude to God for opportunities for service and blessings received during the past year. The Communion roll, after being purged now stands at 195, sixteen additions being made during the year by Profession of Faith and se- eh by Certificate, whilst two were removed by death and nine by disjunction. Tho Session note s with great pleasure the continued success of its minister among the congregation and especially the important teaching imparted to the young, the men_and women of to-morrow, and sincerely trusts under God's guidance the spiritual work of th e Church will increasingly respond to t u e zeal and earnestness displayed by its minister and that the experiences of both old and young alike may strengthen our devotion and lead us on to even more faithful service to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Clvrist.

Th e Session desires to record the loss sustained by the congregation during the year in the deaths of Mrs Fairburn and Messrs Win. Templeton and Geo. Fleck.

The late Mr Templeton was a very old and much respected member and office-bearer of the Church, and although failing health of recent years prevented his regular attendance at Divine servico he nevertheless continued to take a deep interest in the life and work of the Church, The late Mrs Fairburn, a devoted and faithful follower of the Master, was also a very old member of the Presbyterian Church, and when not prevented through ill-health a constant attender at Divine service

The late Mr Geo. Fleck likewise was a regular attender at Divine service find a most liberal supporter to the various organisations of tho congregation. To 1 'jo relatives of those who have suffered bereavement the Session extends its deepest sympathy, commending all to the grace and mercy of the eternal Father.

The Session again acknowledges with deep gratitude th e progress made throughout the year in Bible Class studies under the leadership of Eov A. Macfarlano Mrs Gray, Mr and Mrs Borland, and also extends its thank s to the selfdenying band of Sunday School teachers .under the supeiintendency of Mr Calder at Riverton, Miss R. Reidie, northern Giopeis Miss L. Hopcroft and Miss Drena Thompson, central and lower Groper s . who one and all give of their time ungrudgingly in the service of theirLord and Master. The Session also notes with much pleasure the successful establishment of a Bible Class under the leadership of Miss M. Simpson at Poukino.

The Session on behalf of the congregation further yxtends its thanks and appreciation for .the excellent and faithful services of praise rendered by the choirs at Riverton, to -Miss Robertson for her devoted and efficient services as organist, and Mrs Borland in her devoted services in training the junior choir; at Gropers to Mrs A. H,operoft, Miss L. Hopcroft, Miss A. Playfair and Miss M. Cormack, each of whom continue to take month about as organist.

In conclusion the thanks of the Session are tendered t 0 the P.W.M.U, an,d Ladies' Guild, Young Ladies' Guild, Busy Bees, and to all those who again during the summer months assisted with private motor-cars in conveying visitors and others from The Rocks township to Divine service on Sunday mornings. The Session trusts that the incoming year will show increased attendances at the various sei'vices and a deepened interest on the things of the Kingdom of God.

OTHER REPORTS. Appended reports wer e read ffOro P.W.M.U,, Ladies' Guild. Young Ladies' Guild Busy Bees, Senior Bible Class, Intermediate Boys' Class, Intermediate Girls' Class, Junior Girls' Class, Gropers Bush Class, Boys' Brigade, Life Boys, Riverton Sunday School, Gropers Bush Sunday Schools,'Riverton Sunday School Library.

DEACON'S COUR'f REPORT, Th e Deacons' Court report submitted by Mr W. Fleck, read as follows : The Deacons' Court desires to express its gratitude to Almighty God for a successful year of progress in th e temporal life of the Church. The Deacons' Court records its grateful thanks to the P.AV.M.U, .Hib| e Classes. Busy Bees for their devoted labours ir, tV missionary schemes of the Church The Church isto be congratulated on this year's mission contribution, being » record in the history of the Parish. Ou r thanks aro_ again due to the Ladies' Guild for their contribution towards the reduction or the Sunday School H«ll doty which tuny stands at- £145. The Voung Ladies' Guild have continued their efforts in aiding th e Church (inances, and we are pleased to relate that they have generously made an offer to the Deacons' Court to install a heating system which, will fulfil th t , much nopded want in'regard to our Church. The Deacons.' Court flgain expresses their gratitude to the Sunday School .teachers and superintendent for their work i u regard to the caretaking of the Sunday School Hall. In reference to the' proposed upw Church at Gropers Rush efforts ar o being made to raise the required sum stipulated by the Allison bequest and as a Deacon*' Court we hop e that the now Church will soon b 0 erected and the old Church will servo as a Sunday School Hall. W,. gl , forward to the'work of another year with faith and confidence in Almighty God.

TREASURER'S REPORT. The liuanci.ll report submitted bv the treasurer, Mr W. Fleck, showed'that while t ho giving to missions had increased above othor years, the ordinary revenue Lad, £pmewlw.t decreased Iu

order to balance the Parish working expenditure a larger sum was necessary to be raised in the sustentation fund. It was hoped that during the coming year the sustentation fund should be raised by members, to allow for the ordinary revenue to balance the expenditure.

The business part of the evening concluded with a hearty vote of thanks proposed by Mr D. McFarlane, to the clerks of Session and Deacons' Courts for their faithful services to the Church during the year.

SOCIAL, i

After th© business part of the meeting, the members adjourned to the Sunday School Hall for tho congregational social. There was a very large attendaucc, and a very enjoyable programme was rendered. Items were given by the junior choir and senior choir. The Carmiehael family under the conductorship of Mr Pettit played several enjoyable items, the orchestral items being enthusiastically received. Mr Pettit also rendered pianoforte solos, Th© speaker was the Rev R. Dun, of Oreti, who gave an uplifting and inspiring message to the congregation. During the social, the congregation made a presentation to Mr Calder for his devoted services as superintendent of the Sunday School. Upon the departure of Mr Hewat from Riverton Mr Oalder took over the superintendency of the Sunday School, and has laboured with marked success. Mr Calder in the preparation of his work, and his teaching, has given of bis best, and to express their appreciation of his services the parents of the children and Church members and adherents presented him with a handsome arm-chair and reading lamp. Mr Maefarlane made the presentation, eulogising the devoted service of the recipient. Mrs Borland, the senior teacher of the Sunday School, also spoke and described Mr Calder's work in the Sunday School, referring also to the devoted services of Mrs Calder and her eneouingement and help of her husband. Air Calder received a wonderful reception from the congregation expressing the esteem in which he is held, and in his reply stated that his. work was a great joy to him, th e presentation coming as a great surprise to him, as"he always treated his work as a> Christian duty, and did not seek any other reward for his service_ The social was brought to a close by a vote of thanks, to those wh 0 had contributed to make the evening a success, and after the pronouncing of the benediction .a sumptuous supper provided by the ladies of the congregation was handed round to all present.