They ask for 400 subscribers to the Assessment Scheme. Considering that the communicants during the Easter Festival numbered 392, it should not be impossible for the scheme to be carried out provided each one does his or her share. Let us make this a subject for prayer.

ASSESSMENT FUND
This month we wish to give a short account of the objects and history of the Assessment Fund. This scheme was suggested and adopted in many Parishes as a means of replacing the uncertain income received from collections at Church Services by a certain income derived from regular payments by parishioners and members of the Congregation. Subscribers were asked to estimate the sum they could afford to contribute at fixed intervals of a week, month, quarter year and to promise this contribution whether or not they attended the Church Services. The advantage to Churchwardens and Finance Committees is evident in that they would know in advance the amount that could be at their disposal during the year and could arrange their expenditure accordingly. It was also hoped that some support would be received from Parishioners who did not attend the Church. In the case of this Parish such people might like to help in the upkeep of the Churchyard, in which their friends and relations have been buried, and they all might well assist in the maintenance of the Church Clock. The sums promised are not published but all contributions are posted in a ledger under an allotted number. The Key to the numbers is known to the Treasurer alone. In this Parish the scheme has not been a success to such a degree that the omission of collections at Church Services could be entertained, because it did not receive the whole hearted support of each individual member of the Congregation. The table below gives the number of subscribers and the sum received each year from 1923, and in the top line is given the promises received on a canvass of the Parish in the previous year:

Since it has not been possible to dispense with Church Collections the Fund has become a Freewill Offering Fund, and the chief support of the Church and Services is largely received from a small number who contribute both to collections and the Fund. The falling off in numbers and amount for the last few years has been due to the death or removal of subscribers and we earnestly ask new-comers to the Parish to join the Fund to make up for the loss caused in this manner.

Forms for subscribers can be obtained from the Vicar or Churchwardens and the ledger is exposed for examination by subscribers on the first Sunday in each month in the Church Porch. We believe that the original Assessment Scheme deserves support and perhaps at some future time it will receive the unaminous approval without which it cannot be a success. We want about 400 subscribers promising about £700 per annum to cover all expenses including the stipend of an Assistant Priest. At the present time we invite the generous minded to join it as a Freewill Offering Fund and to raise the income from this source to £200.

The Churchwardens.