THE THIRTY YEARS (1950-1980) Organizations at St.John's
By the start of the 1950's the church was no longer the centre of the social life of the community that it had been. A major factor was a shift in women's responsibilities, for in the years during the Second World War women had joined the work force in war plants and taken over jobs previously done by men: this had affected their participation in organizations within the church.
Yet in 1956 there were still eleven parish organizations, plus Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cubs in existence at St. John's. The Evening Branch of the Women's Auxiliary celebrated thirty years of service in 1954 and the Parish Association its fiftieth year in 1955. Furthermore, in the 1950's there were attempts to revitalize what had been a very large, active and imaginative Anglican Young People's Association, that had previously been well known for its drama productions. The A.Y.P.A. held dances and formed groups, including ping pang, games, and drama clubs, hoping once again to attract young adults. A badminton club and bowling leagues for men and women were formed in anticipation that they would also swell the ranks of those attending church.
In November, 1967 a body called the Anglican Church Women was incorporated as successor to the Women's Auxiliary of the Anglican Church of Canada. This move was made in order to bring all Anglican women's organizations under one umbrella group.
In 1968, at a meeting of a number of women of St. John's, this concept was accepted. A constitution was drawn up and all women's organizations at the church came under the aegis of the new A.C.W.; many of these, unfortunately, were soon to disappear.
St. Hilda's group, founded in 1890 and formerly known as the Afternoon Branch of the WA., was disbanded in 1969. The following year St. Elizabeth's group (the Parish Association), St. Leonard's group (the Mothers' Society founded by Canon Baynes-Reed in 1908), and St. Mary's group (the Mothers' Union) ceased to exist. Nevertheless, some of the ladies of these groups are still actively associated with the Anglican Church Women, which presently includes the Winchester, St. Anne's, and Thursday Afternoon groups.
There have been other young people's and adults' groups active during the past thirty years. The Sidesmen's Association, for example, was a strong group in the 1950's and 1960's that held monthly dinner meetings with well known speakers. The Junior Auxiliary and the Girls' Auxiliary carried on under the excellent leadership of parishioners until they disbanded in 1978. Organizations which are currently active within the church include the Young Mothers' Group, the Heritage Committee, the Chi Rho Fellowship, evening study groups, and the Vitalization Committee. The Boy Scout groups, since the loss of the parish hail, meet both at Norway School and at the church, which continues to sponsor them.
In this year, the one hundred and thirtieth of the existence of our church, there are fewer organizations than there once were, but those that remain are active and eager to serve St. John's and carry on the Lord's work.
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