[8] News from our congregations

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CORRIMAL-BALGOWN1E.

The Balgownie bazaar is to be held on 9th October, when there are to be cooking and flower competitions. The Corrimal Guild has decjded to do catering work, all proceeds to go to the funds of the Ladies' Guild.

The Rev. H. V. Barren, B.A., has completed two years' ministry at Corrimal and in the "Kirk News" expresses thanks to the loyal groups, who maintain the worship of God, and the services of the Church, throughout the charge.

HURSTVILLE.

Hurstville Church celebrated its fifty-fourth anniversary with special services on the 15th August. Large congregations greeted two former ministers, in the persons of the Rev. E. A. Davies, late of Paddington, and the Rev. J. T. H. Kerr, B.A., now Principal of the Missionary and Bible College, Croydon. Mr. Kerr conducted morning worship, during which there was the ordination and induction of six new elders, Messrs. J. E. Break-well and G. Geddes with experience in former parishes were admitted, and Dr. E. R. Figtree and Messrs. E. G. Mealey, L. C. Stewart and D. Young were ordained and inducted..

The many friends of the Rev. E. A. Davies were glad to see that rest and the recupera-tive air of Cronulla were beginning to have beneficial results.

A fine congregational social on the Wednesday evening following gave newcomers their opportunity of meeting with the Church members. Everything augurs well for a successful new year of effort.

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TRIBUTE TO MISS J. C. KINROSS.

The death occurred in Sydney recently of Miss J. C. Kinross, of Jamberoo. She was in her eighty-third year.

Miss Kinross was a daughter of the manse, being born at Kiama during the notable ministry there of her father, the late Rev. Dr. John Kinross. Her father, when Moderator, laid the foundation stone of St. Andrew's College, and later he became the second Principal. After his death, which occurred almost forty .years ago, Miss Kinross and her sister, Miss Elizabeth Kinross, took up residence at Jamberoo. There she was closely identified with the work of St. Stephen's Church, a cause established by her father. She was an active worker for the local branch of the Red Cross Society, and she was always an ardent champion of the cause of Temperance.

On religious and social questions her convictions were - tenaciously held; but she, nevertheless, respected the sincere views of those who differed from her.

Miss Kinross was beloved by all who were honoured with her friendship; and her prac-'tical Christianity was exemplified in her many gracious and unobtrusive acts of ktndness.

When advancing years compelled her to take a less active part in church affairs, she still followed them with keen attention. She was always interested in the careers of those who had been her father's students; and it w^s fitting that one of them, the Rev. V. Clark-Duff, should have conducted the committal service at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

Miss Kinross was predeceased by her two brothers, Dr. R. M. Kinross and Mr. J. J. Kinross. Two sisters, Mrs. Smith, widow of the late Rev. David Smith, and Miss E. J. Kinross, remain to mourn her passing.

—Harold W. Denning-.

LISMORE.

At the funeral of Mrs. Charles McKenzie at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church there was a large gathering of old friends, representatives of Women's organisations, and every section of business, commercial, professional and civic life of Lismore. Mrs. McKenzie had been a faithful member of the Women's Guild, had occupied the position of Mayoress-with distinction and charm, and had been an energetic leader in many social and philanthropic organisations. Rev. J. R. Sweet paid a high tribute to her charming personality and her life of devoted service for. others.

Over 100 members and ex-members of St. Paul's Presbyterian Girls' Auxiliary attended a banquet to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the auxiliary. Mrs. Ray Gordon proposed the toast to the Church, and Rev. J. R. Sweet responded. Messages were received from the founder and first President, Mrs. A. J. Parker, and from Mrs. James Beatty, of Canterbury, Victoria, who was President 1940 to 1947. The girls presented a mission service play, "Missionary Partners with Jesus."

VISITATION OF QUIRINDI.

A Commission of the Presbytery of Scone recorded the following finding after a visitation of the parish

Quirindi Charge is a very extensive Charge, with seven preaching stations, 24 Public Schools, three Women's Guilds, one W.M.A., two Men's Leagues, three Sunday Schools and one Fellowship Association. Thus, much of the Minister's time is spent in travelling from centre to centre for the purposes of Pastoral Visitation, Religious Instruction and the conduct of Divine Services. For the energy and enthusiasm which he has displayed since his Induction two years ago, he deserves special commendation.

It is good to note the revival of young people's work and the admission of 29 new Communicants into full membership of the Church. Fellowshippers are to be congratulated on the very able manner in which they conduct the Evening Service at Quirindi one Sunday each month.

The Elders, some of whom have recently been ordained, are regular in their attendance at Church and loyal in upholding the hands of their Minister. The attendances at Public Worship and the celebration of Holy Communion are satisfactory. The choir, recently reformed, leads the Praise at the Evening Services in Quirindi.

Members of the Committee of Management meet - regularly each month and are to be congratulated for raising their Minister's stipend from £350 to £425 per year, on the purchase of a new Chevrolet car for his use and on the outstanding success of the envelope system and the annual note offering. Members and adherents give generously and systematically not only to their local Church but also to the wider schemes of the church which benefited to the extent of £95 last year.

The Commission notes that the establishment of two closer settlement sub-divisions within the charge will place additional strains on the Minister's time and energy, but is conscious that he is worthily upheld in all his work and witness for the Master by the prayers and loyalty of his people.

Therefore, we, representatives of the Presbytery of Scone, congratulate the Minister and people on the result of two years' ministry and exhort them to even greater things in the coming' days."

[9] KINGSGROVE.

A grand Flower Show, Fete and Cooking Competition is to be held in St. David's Church, Kingsgrove, on Saturday, October 23rd, afternoon and evening, to be opened at 2.30 p.m. by'Dr. E. B. H, Brotchie. The "Common Link" (Kingsgrove) is printing an interesting history of the Kingsgrove charge.

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LEETON YANCO.

The Women's Guild is concentrating on the organisation of the annual Flower Show and Sale of Work, to take place in the Yanco Hall on Saturday, 23rd October.

On the 17th August the Rev. H. F. Peak, B.Sc., Dip. Ed., Director of the Welfare of Youth, spoke to the members of the Guild on the youth work, and in the evening he met with the Fellowship Association.

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COOLAMON.

The Committee has decided to procure some trees for planting at the side, and the back, of the Coolamon Church.

The Fellowship Association recently celebrated its first birthday party. The birthday cake was cut after the candle had been blown out. It has been decided that the Fellowship will, in future, meet every fortnight instead of every week .

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ST. PAUL'S, CASINO.

At the July meeting pf the .Committee of Management, plans for the new Sunday School hall were submitted, which envisaged the removal of the present hall to a position to the rear of the new Sunday School hall. The approximate cost of the building will be £4,000. At the initial appeal for the new Sunday School hall a sum of £300 was subscribed, the total now, after only two months, stands at £400. The Committee has set as its budget for the present financial year the sum of £1,000.

The Guild is at present busy preparing for the annual Flower Show and Scottish Fair to be held in the Civic" Hall on 1st October. Stallholders have been busy preparing for their stalls. The most successful function-was held in connection with the Committee of Management's stall, when the Civic Hall was well filled for an Amateur Hour, which was well patronised by local and visiting artists.

One member of the congregation has intimated her intention of setting herself the goal of making £100 for the new Sunday School hall, the proceeds of her needlework, flowers from her garden and sale of eggs laid by her fowls on Sunday will go towards making up this goal. Mrs. Endres receives the hearty commendation of other members of the congregation, whom, it is hoped, it will inspire to greater service for Christ and His Church. * *

NARRABEEN-DEE WHY.

The Church at Dee Why was overcrowded for the final communion service in the ministry of the Rev. Kenneth Dyster. Three infants were also baptised during this service. A fine spirit exists amongst the people, which is ati excellent pointer to future work in the parish. The new hall is proving a very fine adjunct in Sunday School and other work.

At Narrabeen, a record number of communicants were in attendance, and five young people were received as communicant members of the Church and took communion for the first time. The Fellowship meets at Narrabeen each Sunday evening, and under the, leadership of Mr. E. H. Baartz, the young people of Dee Why and Narra-been are gaining valuable instruction in Church affairs.

The Fellowship has a Tennis Club at Narrabeen and a week-night Social Club at Dee Why, both of which are necessary and useful adjuncts to the young people of the Church. For the first time for years, if not for the first time in history, the young people are banded together in effective fellowship. For this we praise God.

The congregation will shortly be saying farewell to Rev. Kenneth Dyster, whose devoted work has contributed so largely to the' great improvements of the last three years.