Thanksgiving fund-raising for six Canterbury parishes

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 2

Thanksgiving fund-raising for six Canterbury parishes

Six Canterbury Anglican parishes have embarked on a regional thanksgiving programme, designed by Compton Associates (N.Z.), Ltd, a private firm of fund-raising consultants. The churches are St Stephen'-, Ashburton; St Christ-oplu-’s, Zvonhead; St Mary’s, Merivale; St Chad’s, Linwood; St Andrew’s, North Brighton; and St Peter’s, Upper Riccarton. The three-year programme will cost $9OOO, and each church will pay part of this, in proportion to i' strength. Compton Associates is based in Wellington, and its parent company is in Brisbane. A private director appointed by the firm, Mr Don Hall, will be in Christchurch during June and July to work full-time in the administration of the programme in its intern, 've phase. At the Anglicai Synod in October a proposal to conduct a diocesan thanksgiving programme organised by Compton Associates was lost. A 70 per cent affirmative vote was needed by members if Synod but after several hours of discussion, 97 vote ' for the proposal and 74 against. The total cost of the dioc:an programme was not to exceed $67,500. Of this, Quick trip Hours after being seen off by 5000 people and a pipe band, round-the-world sailors Ernie Brown and Doug Gordon were back in harbour at Arbrcath. Mr Brown, aged 41, said; “The yacht was not ready, but we couldn’t disappoint people who came to watch.’*

the fee was $48,750 and there was to be a local costs budget. The chairman of directors (Mr E. Compton) told members of Synod that if a professional thanksgiving scheme was held in all the parishes at one time supported by an "organised programme of pastoral care," he estimated the direct giving incomes of all parish, should increase at least $750,000 in three years. It was hoped to increase the over-all income $200,000 in the first year. As part of the scheme, 12,500 selected families would have been visited by a minimum of 2250 visitors enlisted in a leadership drive. After the Synod decision 18 parishes expressed interest in a joint programme for themselves and after meeting with Mr Hall, six parishes committed tl.emselves. Each of the six is now involved in putting the plan into action. Three-fold The vicar of St Mary’s (the Rev M. Brown) said the programme was three-fold. It wou’d educate people in what the church was doing and in the tasks ahecd, an income to achieve these things would be obtained, and a programme of pastor-1 care would be initiated where members of the parish family would be cared for. The first focal part of the programme will be a eucharistic rally in Christchurch Cathedral on June 27. This holy communion service will be presided over by the Anglican Bishop of C'.-ist-church (the Rt. Rev. W. A. Pyatt) -nd the Dean of Grafton, New South Wales (the Very Rev. St John Edwards) will be guest speaker. Parishioners from the six churches will receive a personal invitation to the rally

and it is hoped at least 2000 people will attend. Mr Brown said the rally would bring together the parishes to show their strength and dedication, and as a sign of thanksgiving. The next focal point will be on July 25 when thanksgiving Sunday will be observed in each parish with special services. It will then become an annual event. At the services, parishioners will be able to complete thanksgiving cards indicating their weekly financial response to God through the parish over the next 12 months. It will be possible to renew this commitment each 12 months. Invitations Before the services, parish visitors will call on parishioners personally to invite them to attend the services and to invite them to answer five questions about their faith. If they answer yes to all five questions, parishioners will be invited to fill in a thanksgiving card. If they answer no to any question they will be asked to give only if they feel moved to do so. Those unable to attend the services will be visited again soon after so they have the chance to complete thanksgiving cards if they wish. Selected parish visitors will visit five families each three months for Christian friendship and to leave Christian literature with them. The first pastoral visit will be made in the week beginning August 8. Families asked to make some financial response to their parishes will be those involved in the life of the church. Mr Brown said these might include those who had married or had children baptised in the church, or who belonged to church groups.

Each parish will make a list of these families and although anyone may attend the thanksgiving Sunday services, only those on the lists will receive persona! invitations and personal calls from visitors. Each parish will enlist from its parishioners, men and women who are prepared to be visitors and they will be briefed on their tasks. One visitor will be allocated to visit five homes. Apart from the focal points of the programme, parishioners will meet for discussion on the programme and a leaders’ attitude study will provide the basis for groups to give views on church life. For the parish of St Peter’s, this will be the second programme designed by Compton Associates. In October 1973 the parish undertook its first programme and giving in the first year increased by 55 per cent, by about 21 per cent in the second year and by 25 per cent in the third year. An evangelistic mission with the Dean of Sydney (the Rev. L. Shilton) in the parish several weeks before the programme commenced, had played a tremendous part, said the vicar (the Rev. M. I. May). The cost of the programme was $2OOO and Mr May said he thought the congregation had increased in numbers. The 10 a;th. Sunday service had almost doubled in number and the evening service congregations had also increased. In supporting the programme, Bishop Pyatt said there was a need for professional people to give their expertise and help. He thought it “very good indeed” and was very sorry Synod had said no to the diocesan programme.