ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT OF CHURCHWARDENS. The annual report of the churchwardens of All Saints’ Church, to be presented to tho meeting on Thursdayevening, states that the year marked an important event in the.history of the parish—the resignation, through illhealth, of the late vicar, and the advent of the present vicar, the Rev. William Fancourt. Though he has been with us for a few months only, we have learned to love and respect him for his many good qualities, and trust, with God’s blessing, he will live to do good work here,” adds the report, which continues as follows: After Mr Blackburne’s departure, and pending the arrival of Mr Fancourt, Rev. G. W. Dent capably administered the affairs of the parish, and our best thanks are due to him for his services. By the generosity of a parishioner, we were enabled to instal electric light in both church and vicarage. This, we hope, will considerably lessen the charge for lighting, though gas will still have to he used for the heaters in the winter. Parishioners will notice in the statement of accounts a shrinkage of the amounts of special offertories and assessments from sub-districts. This is caused by the absence of amounts passing through our account from St. Peter’s, which is now a separate parochial district. For the same reason the amount shown as assessments for stipends is proportionately less, though our own assessments have been increased hv £loo—£so on account of the vicar and £SO for Mr Dent. Great activity has been displayed by the guilds in raising funds, and we acknowledge the receipt of upwards of £4OO for general church purposes as the result. The striking unanimity which was displayed, and the effective way all pulled together to achieve this result, speaks well for the success of future efforts. The wardens also acknowledge with much appreciation the assistance rendered to tho vestry by a few energetic members of the congregation in strengthening the subscription list of the sustentation fund, resulting in the augmentation of the annual income by a substantial amount.

We regret to report that tho envelope fund is not meeting with the support it merits. Energetic canvassers are required, and wo would welcome offers of assistance from anyone who is able to devote a little time to this object. For the first time in its existence, the magazine has yielded a profit. Any r capable parishioner who would undertake its business management Avon Id bo doing the church a good service. We are glad to record signs of progress in the country districts connected with All Saints’. A large amount in assessments was outstanding at the close of the last financial year. This lias now been liquidated, and. with one exception, money has been forthcoming for the current year’s payments. Credit for this state of affairs must be given to Rev. G. W. Dent, who lias been more particularly working in these districts lately. For their efficient working, however, another clergyman is required, and serious consideration is being given to the matter at the present time, particularly as to what financial assistance we ourselves can render.

The absence of the children from church services and Sunday schools during the past three months has been much felt, and we hope that with the passing away of the necessity for closing the schools, the children will soon he at work again. Our sympathies are with them in their disappointment in losing their annual picnic. At a representative meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations, a paper was read on the use of advertising in connection with the church. Alter some discussion, the matter was referred to the various vestries and committees for their consideration.

We regret we have nothing definite to report with respect to the negotiations with the Borough Council in reference to the acquisition of the strip of land required to widen the entrance to the Council Chambers. The matter has been taken out of our hands by the Diocesan trustees, and is the subject of strong protests and representations by the vtstry. Meantime, the church grounds remain in their present untidy state.

We desire to express our thanks to the members of tlie Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Club for their continued assistance in providing the stipend of the second woman worker. The condition of the organ is giving rise to some anxiety—the repair bill is increasing, and soon we shall be faced with the necessity of procuring a new and larger instrument, more in keeping with the size of the church. To those who so ungrudgingly give so much of their time and talent to the various departments of parish activities—the lay readers, altar servers, organist, choir, Sunday school teachers, district visitors and others—each in tlieir respective spheres, we tender our appreciative thanks for their help, without which we should be at a sad loss.