ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 13

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

VALUE OF BROADCAST SERVICES DOES NOT KEEP PEOPLE AWAY Addressing the annual meeting of St. John's Presbyterian Church last night, the Rev. J. R. Blanchard said that it was gratifying to him that the period under review showed substantial progress in almost every department of the congregation's activity. That was due to the friendly spirit of harmony which pervaded the congregation and to the fact that an increasing number were pulling their weight in the work that lay to their hands. One of the outstanding events of the year was the services held in the De Luxe Theatre while the church was undergoing renovation and painting. The attendances at those services had reached the high number of 1300, and had encouraged him to plan another venture of the same kind some time in the future. Effect of Broadcasting. Widespread appreciation of the services broadcast from St. John's had also been expressed, said Mr. Blanchard. Some years ago, when the broadcasting of church services was first mooted, many shook their heads and averred that it would keep people away from church. Wiser people agreed with what Bishop Welldon had said: “If the clergy were to refuse or neglect such new means of communication as science affords, they would commit the same mistake as might have occurred many years ago had they failed to make use of the printing press or the steam-engine.” It was now an established fact, as Mr. J. C. W. Reith, Director-General of British Broadcasting, had recently said, that no portion of broadcasting activity was more universally # acceptable ana appreciated than the religious service. It reached the bedridden in private homes and hospital wards, the isolated settlers of the backblocks, and for a vast number it was the only preaching they. would allow themselves the chance of hearing. One was constantly hearing of listeners who actually joined in the singing of the hymns and knelt to the prayers, while one knew of others who regularly dispatched a weekly contribution by way of an offering to some charity or church fund. It was true that people owed to God coinething more active than sitting before the fire with the headphones on, but he believed that that something more would come from 'many. It was certain that the regular broadcasting of church ser-, vices was doing a lot to disabuse many of the prejudices and misconceptions they had harboured concerning the church. In Mr, Blanchard’s experience it had not tended to smaller congregations, but if anything to larger ones. He felt that he ought to say a public “thank you to the excellent service rendered by 2YA, Wellington, in this matter. The Bible Classes. In the Bible classes there were 78 young men and 73 young women, a total of 151, enrolled. During the year those young men and women, in addition to meeting the running expenses of their organisation and making their regular contribution to the ordinary revenue of the church, had contributed over £l4O, or, 19/6 a head, to missionary and philanthropic objects. Many people, continued Mr. Blanchard, believed that the church was fighting a losing battle. Nothing could be further from the fact. If St. John’s were a criterion —and he believed that it was —the steady progress they had made showed that they were winning their battles. Setting aside mere church attendance and looking at church membership, the growth from 512 members at the end of 1926 to 614 in 1927, to 694 in 1928, and 767 to date, did not indicate a defeated cause. Other Business. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr. R. Fleming, seconded by Mr. F. C. Spratt. The reports of other activities of the church, choir, women’s association, and kindred organisations, by Mr. AL Fraser, Sunday school, by Mr. A. D. Johnston, and the Bible classes, by Mr. AV. J. Fergusson, were received. Thanks were accorded to various officers of the church and others, and musical items, etc., wore contributed by the quartet. Mr and Mrs. Ironside, and Mr. and Mrs. Pumphrey, Miss Nelson, Mr. L. Rothwell, Rev. J. R. Blanchard, and St. John’s Choir.

The proceedings following the annual business were of a social nature.