ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 132, 2 December 1930, Page 4

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

WORK OF PAST YEAR

SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS' SERVICE

'A complete record of the work of St. John's Church, Willis street, •chiving the ' past year, is set out in the seventy-seventh annual-report, just published. The attendance at the..quarterly communion was 402 in December, 515 in March,? 4SI in, June, and 47- in Septe.mb'elv •"It. is. .in these services;" says the report, "that the 'atmosphere' of St. John's is most vividly realised, and they continue to be to us all the most sacred medium of our personal contribution to our Christian fellowship." During the year 29 new members were admitted on profession of faith and 64 by certificate. Ten were removed by death, and 100 by disjunction And other causes. At the close of the year the total number of members on the roll was 750. The numerical strength of'the session is 29. During the year the minister (the Rev.' J. U. Blanchard, to whom, ■with Mrs. Blanchard,. high tribute is paid in the report) officiated at 25 baptisms, 52 ■marriages, and 32 funerals, besides making 437 pastoral calls.The social hours after the evening service in the winter months. have been greatly appreciated, and have done much to bring worshippers into helpful touch with strangers and' newcomers." The attendance at the mid-week prayer meeting service has not grown this year, the average remaining at 45, which is described as exceedingly disappointing. During the year the Management Committee has closely watched all items of, expenditure, which has not exceeded the revenue on the year's working. Compared with the preceding ; twelve months, plate collections have gone'back slightly (£42 .10s), but; envelope contributions show a gratifying, increase .of just on £200, and this means "of giving is. mentioned as the ideal method of adequately financing church requirements. ' Seat rents are down some £22. The debit balance brought forward from 31st October, 1920, was a considerable handicap, but this has been wiped out, and the Finance Committee and managers are facing the New Year in good heart and •with every confidence, in spite of the depressed economic.-.conditions- at existing. .■-.-'••■ : . . ■■ ■-. ■■ ■ Thanks are expressed in the. report to "a great r»«iy who liave served'■'the' church most faithfully during the, year, special mention being made of Mr.'M. D. MeneJaus, who 'enters upon his'29th year as session clerk-.. ■' ; v