ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 April 1927, Page 8

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL AFEETING. The annual meeting of Die parishioners of St. John’s Church, \\ ai-iu Road, was held vast night. Ihe Non. Archdeacon J. A. Julius presided. The annual report was as follows. “Sundav School. —This has been ao i conducted by Miss llurst and her loya band of teachers, "'ho continue to no excel cut work. During the \eai. children’s socials were held. A special prize-giving was also held. ‘‘Choir. —The organist (Mr H. Moore) still continues to do excellent work in this direction, and the thanks of the congregation are due to t ios ladies and gentlemen who hate g'e* so much of their time in this seitdenving work. , “Finance. —Only one entertainmentwas held ‘.luring the year, "liici yielded £l4 2s Oil. 'Hie total receipts amounted to £33 16s dd, including • credit balance of £8 Bs, as at Maicii hi 1926. Expenditure totalled Ldi 19s lid, leaving a credit balance ot £2L 16s 7d. ~ , , “General.—The Rev. Mr Gerard and Mrs Gerard left ns m February, much to the regret of the council anu congngation. A farewell social to Mr an Mrs Gerard took place m the chinch room on February 10th, and " tIK largely attended. Mr Gerard's place has been taken bv the Rev. J. A. NVilsou, from College House, to whom we all extend a very hearty During the year we have lost Mi Beckett, one of our Councillors, who was a most consistent worker. > He has been appointed to St. Mary s as Verger. Wo have also lost Mr IS. M. Orbell, who lias removed to the country, and our good wishes go with linn. \Ve badly need more councillors, and would welcome additions from the younger men. It is hoped that some will volunteer. The Laches’ Cuikt have submitted a report ol' their activities for the past year. J hoy still continue to do yeoman work.’ 1 Tile report and balance sheet were adopted. The chairman, referring to the work of the year, said that there was not a great deal of difference with the previous year’s figures. In some respects, they liad stood still, and that was not a good thing, for they should always try to go ahead. The Archdeacon spoke highly ot the good work done by the Ladies’ Guild, the Clioix-, the Sunday School, and the Council. Special reference was made to the work of Miss Hurst in the Sunday School, the chairman stating that this allimportant work was in most capable hands. At the last annual meeting, the question of the poor attendance at the evening service was discussed, and it was decided to hold it over lor a year, to see what improvement could be made. The past year had shown that St. John’s was essentially a morning congregation, and he considered that the best thing to do was to do away with three of the evening services during the month, and hold one

special service, for which special music would be-provided by the choir, and the service would also be specially advertised. The chairman also exhorted parishioners to encourage tlieir boys to join up with the choir. It was a good thing to interest j.he young people m the work of the church, for while they might not see the fruits of it 'now, they certainly would see it later on. Members of the choir present agreed with the chairman’s suggestion to out out three evening services during the month, and gavo an assurance that special music would be provided by the choir. The election of officers resulted as follows-Messrs A. E. Howden, J.

Palliser, S. 'Winterbourne, TI. It. Harris, A. Price, E. G. Cliffen, A. J. Bridgewater, J. M. Timmins, H. NV. Lomas, and J. R. Tripp; vestry representative, Mr Lomas. Some discussion took place regarding the letting of the hall, it being decided to draw up a monthly list of engagements in future. In the case of special engagements, it was decided Hint, the matter lie attended to by the chairman, and one or two members of the Council.