ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 1 May 1926, Page 8

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL AIEETING OF PARISHIONERS. ,

Archdeacon ;T. A. Julius presided! over the annual meeting of tlie, parishioners of St. John's Anglican Church, Highfield, on Thursday evening. The annual report stated that the attendance of the congregation during the year had been well maintained iu tlie morning, but the evening attendances had not been encouraging. The average attendance for 51 Sundays was 112. and the offertories averaged £1 13s Sd. The contributions through the duplex envelope system averaged ,C2 1s 3d (envelopes only). Holy Communion was celebrated on 27 Sundays, the number of eommuuiennts averaging 36. • On ■ Easter Day there were 88 communicants at the two services. On Christmas Dav there were two celebrations (8 and 11), 'and tlm number of communicants was 93. The Sunday School had been ably conducted bv Afiss Hurst, supported by a loyal band of teachers, who had done excellent work. The’vear started with a roll of 128 and stood at 116 at the end of 1925. The- average attendance had been well maintained. Approximately fifteen dozen eggs were collected for St. Saviour’s Orphanage. The organist (AR 11. S. Aloore) continued to do excellent work, and the thanks of tli.o congregation were due to those ladies and gentlemen who had given- up so much of their time for this purpose. New members woukl be welcomed. The Ranfurly Tennis Club bad been well patronised throughout the season, and the club "is fortunate in its secretary (Air Warsaw). Alcmbers of the Council laid out. tlie west side of the section next the iron fence, with flowers and shrubs, most of which were donated bv Airs Roberts, who also very kindly lent the services of her gardener. The snegestion made at the previous annual meeting to utilise the waste ground on tlie north side of the section as a croquet lawn was considered by the Council, who decided to take no action in the matter, but referred tlie question to the Ladies’ Guild. . That bodv discussed the subject, but con'd not se9 their way to do anything. Tlie'troub'e was one' of finance, and neither the Council nor the Guild were in a position at present to take any action. The. Ladies’ Guild had performed yeoman work during the year. The matter of heating required urgent attention. The organ had already suffered from tlie cold and the building reouired ligating in the winter months. Thanks were recorded to all who had in any way assisted during the year. Tlie annual report of the Ladies’ Guild stated that the Guild had GO members, of whom 20 were honorary. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of ,Cll2. against £143 last year. The Gui'd had also paid £lO. half of the organist’s salary, and £IOO off the church debt. The' liabilities for the year were £142. The third anniversary was a great success financially. The Darning Guild, under Afi=s Cox,, was well attended, and "rood work had been done for the Orphanage. The balance sheet showed receipts amounting to £37 3s 4d. The expenditure was £2B 15s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £S Bs. The reports and balance sheet wore adooted. Tlie following were elected as the Council for the following year (with newer to add to their number) : Ales Sr-i N. Ar. Orbed, T-T. R. Harris, James Prllis'er. E. G. Beckett, A. I. Bridgewater, H. N. Anstey, J. 11. J. Timmins. A. A. E. Penncfather, and A. E. llowdeii. AR N. Af. Orb ell - was appointed to represent St. John’s Church on St. A !■'•• v’s vestry. Air Ja.s. Palliser brought un the question of heating the church, saying that now there was sufficient power available to install eleetrie heaters. He advocated the central heating system, which would cost apnroxininto'y £75. The matter was left in the hands of the Council, to act as they thought

Archdeacon Julius said ho was vow pleased to see the work of the church prfigressing so sntisfactori] v. and referred to the splendid wnr'-' dope hv the Tlev. G. V. Gerard at St. John's and at All Saints. He regretted, however, that the attendance at St. John's was not- as large as ho wouhl like, although the congregations at the morning services were well maintained. He suggested that an endeavour shonhl he made to get choir hoys for St. John s, and went on to congratul-'te the Council and the Ladies' Guild mi Hie excellent work which both bodies had performed. . , Mr c. G. -Bryan King, mear s Warden) paid tribute to the work done hv tlie Ladies' Guild, and appealed to the meeting to endeavour to met ease tlie number ol subscribers lo the fi eewill offering scheme, as the parish, for the v-mr ilist ended showed a deficit, of approximate! v £IOO. He referred to the neeessitv of erecting a now schoolroom for St. Marv’s. and said it would he necssarv In,- the parish to make a combined effort to raise

funds. . Tho Bov. G. V. Gerard said it was very gratifving to see so much improvement in the grounds durum- the veer. l,i his opinion the social life of the ( .] Ul roh needed improvement, and siwgested that concerts, plays, etc..-should, jie arranged for the ensuing winter. He eulogised the. work of the Ladies' Guild, and said that the salislaeiorv nature of the finances of the (liorcli was m-nnlv due to I his hod' - . To order (o rs-'ist tho evening services lie suggested having a special service twice a month. In conclusion he thankedHie members of the Council. the T,mbes' Guild, and other workers for their co-operation ami assistance during the year.