ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14156, 19 April 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

The annual meeting of tho parishioners of All Saints' was held in the Sunday School last night. There was a good attendance, and the vicar .(Rev. John Rogers) occupied tho chair.

Tho balance-sheet for the year ended March 31st, 1916, showed a balance in the bank at the end of the year of £67 13s 7d. The other accounts were also shown to be in credit, the Mite Society to the amount of £35 17s sd. It was mentioned that only about £o was o*.vong for pew rents i'or the year The statements of accounts were adopted on tho motion of Mr J. F. Wright, seconded by Mr E. E. Boyes. and satisfaction was expressed at the 'healthy- financial position of the parish. The vicar (Rev. John Rogers), in his report, said the Sunday schools were in themselves healthy, but in cases were 'understaffed. The branch of the Church of England Men's Society was almost defunct. Perhaps in the winter, with the aid of some of the young men from the Bible Class, they might be able to revive it, and, in addition, run a debating society and a gymnasium. The church services had been .well attended, and he vvas pleased that the people were giving their now vicar encouragement/ He"pleaded for a better attendance at Holy Communion The Churchwardens' report wa« as follows: —In presenting tho annual repert and balance-sheet for tho year ended March 31st, 1916, your churchwardens arc pleased to report that tlve revenue oi the- church has been well maintained, notwithstanding tho many calls tho parishioners hn.ve had to face for patriotic and relief purposes during this dread time of war. The year has been a trying one to the parishioners and vestry owing to the change of incumbents." Our late esteemod vicar, Rev. W S. Lucas, was taken seriously ill last September, and tins, after, many months, necessitated his ne-signation. We are pleased to state he bar, recovered somewhat, and is able to get about again. The Rev. J. Rogers has ijeevi installed in his place as vicar. He is a gentleman of great promise, and we trust God will tole.ss him in .all his undertakings, and sincerely hope the clurch will piosper under his ministry. The ordinary offertories for the year amounted to £315 12s. a.n increase of £16 6s -Id, compared with last year. The attendance numbered 14,101, nn average of 276 per Sunday ; while tho coins given in offer tori© 3 wore: 15 at 20s, 23 at 10s, 264 at 2s- 6<l, 330 at 2s, 1674 at is, 4498 at Cd, 5665 at 3d, and 209 at Id. We appreciate the fact that the parishioners are alive to their responsibilities of keeping the mission work going at a time when it is most needed, the special offertories for tinyear amounting to the total of £5" lls j 7d, compared with £88 7s for tho pre-j vious year, a marked decrease of .-£3O 15s sd. The appeals .for prompt payment of pew rents have been more readily responded to than heretofore, 'the revenue from this source amounting ti> £139 10s, a. decrease of £13 over the previous year. Seventeen now sittings iv/ere allotted during the year, and six 'sittings were given up. The renovation jot the church cost £53 9s. We are indebted to the Mite Society for a £20 donation towards this work, which has given great satisfaction and greatly null proved tho interior of the church. On behalf of the parishioners, we desire to thank the choir, organist, and choirmaster, tho bellringers, Mite Society, Sunday School teachers, and church decorators for their work during the past year. Tho Rev. Mr Rogers said he would like to see more young men attending and taking an interest in tho church. Many young men were away on account ■ of the "war," but there- wore others who remained, and he vvas afraid that too ' largo a proportion of them were careless about spiritual matters. _ 'Mr J. Tait, the organist and choirmaster, was training 12 boys in singing, and it was hoped to have 6 boys in the choir on Enster Day. There were fine fie-lds of work in Toi Toi Valley and at the Port, and he hoppd to rep mission services hold in the Toi Toi Valley schoolroom on Thursday nights, in connection with which he hoped after a. time to have the use of a magic lantern and set of slides of religious subjects. Ho was extremely anxious to have the help of the people in carrying on the work of the parish, and he especially trust-] . ed that they would inform him .of anything that required to be done. " . As Mr C. H. Coote, on account of the state of his health, frit that .he was J unable to continue in offico. as vicar's warden, the vicar appointed Mr G. A. Harkness to the po-sition. Mr Coeto's j decision, wa-s received with regret, but there was applause whe.i he stated his intention of continuing as a member of the congregation to take au interestin the church Mr A. F. CYossttoH was ro-elcc'od as people's warden by acclamation. .Messrs Andrews, "W. York, Strong, H. York, B-syes, Wright Austin. Gib-1 Tin, Robinson', and Warne were elected as vestry. Mr A. E. Hedges was roa.ppointed as ; auditor. After the business had been concluded, refreshments provided by the laditw I were- handed round.