METHODIST CHURCH WORK

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 73, 21 June 1928, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH WORK

ANNUAL REPORTS PRESENTED.

THE ENVELOPE SYSTEM. The annual social gathering for the IM'GseutatioiL of reports was held in the Methodist Schoolroom last night, .the Rev. H. L. Elamires presiding. THE CHOIR. The chairman said that the choir had put in a great deal of work in; connection w:l I.' their appearance at the Eltharn competitions. The choir did very creditably and had not been disgraced. The experience gained, he fcl-q sure, would be reflected in the choir’s future work. Special thanks were due to the two organists, Misses B. Masters and P. Weston, for their work during the year.

Mr B. Maylett choirmaster, read extracts from the report of the secretary of the choir. This stated that the choir had had an uphill fight owing to the accident to the choirmaster. Mr Hale, however, had stepped into the breach. During the year a concert had been given at the hospital, and member® were entertained by Mr J. Masters. The trip to Eltharn had given members; a lot of information which would be useful in future. Thanks were due to those who had lent cars for the trip to Eltharn.

Reporting personally, Mr Maylett paid a tribute to the work) of the members of the choir, and especially the two organists. At Eltham the choir tlicl what he asked for, and if that was not right then it was his fault. He appealed for better attendances at practice. In most, cases it was those who stayed away who most needed the practice. THE TRUSTEES. Mr R. H. White, Trust secretary, said the new parsonage was now an accomplished fact. It had been well built by Mr J. W. Boon, and Mr J. Masters, who had supervised the work had saved money for the church in many trays. Mr Masters had also done good work in raising money for the parsonage. There had been a lot. of expense during the past year, including the electrical re-wiring of the church and Sunday School. The income was not nearly sufficient. Donations only totalled £8- The thanks of the Trustees were due ip Mrs Moon for her work in supplying flotvors for the pulpit, eack Sunday. Thanks were also due to Messrs Dickinson senior and Birkett for thcii voluntary labour in shifting the pulpit. In 192.5 the trustees had received £SO from the bulb show, but since then they had received- nothing butthe ordinary collections. In V,i?& £72 was spent on repairs, in 192(3 £25, and in 1927 £s3—an average of £SO per year. Another £SO was re* qnired for ordinary expenses. Tbe buildings wore getting old and mor money would bo required for repair each year. A constant income wa required, and that was why nemb >rs of the church had been circularised in regard to regular quarterly subscriptions. A s regards the parsonage there was a sunl of £?72 m the bank towards paying off the mortgage. Donations to this fund had totalled £126, and with sums promised it could be said that the mortgage now stood at £SOO. , B Mr Birkett. Trust treasurer, said last year’s income was £2O Us 6d, and the expenditure £6O 9s- If donations were not iortbcomingj they bad to rely on rentals.

THE LADIES’ GUILD. Mrs E. T. Hale reported on the work of the Ladies’ Guild. The year had been started with a membership of 21 two new* members had joiner, and one had left the town. The year lender! with £5 2s 6d( mash m land. The Cherry Blossom bote had jaase £22. Other sums realised were* detaThe chairman: That is a splendid report. The men should sit up and take notice-

envelope system. The chairman went on) to say tia in some churches the whole funds required for the year were calculated, and an envelope was provider members to make a. donation to cmei all expenses- There was nothing ■ • rmmprable appeals lor irri r;rs* small sums 1 01 ti ll - .. . f ., The person who was responsible fm ..v a- they previously dal, hut smrr h huf cmc to Stratford an increase courugiuo- j Ho thought d«* Of Strutted « s ;:™ fmiJsfo ,. «"« I!™™*Cuid ioorto time "" ° rKa ' l ; l a now yburoh would bo coming when a would have required, and ' sU(rge stod that • >«>’» 1P .*ood wluob ****'*• given by Mi , • -p.ohnxßon, duets Mr und Mrs «a mh *