Members financial support to the Church continued unabated following the introduction of envelopes for various Church contributions, payment of Church Dues improved significantly. Payment of the Diocese mission seed for Church Mission by the Diocese also continues to increase regularly. The Church worship
Revolved around the theme for the year “The Year of the Lord’s Divine Favour {Total Gospel)” and lot more people participated with pre-notified Families taking the Readings at almost all services. More members did the training for Readers and five were licensed by the Bishop. The Wardens, Vergers, Stewards and the Choir continued to strive to give quality service to the Church throughout the year.
In the area of physical growth, two vehicles were donated by Parishioners for the use of the Church. The school classroom were converted to new office complex comprising of a Boardroom and Offices for the Clergy and other Church Workers. Members donated generously to the tasteful furnishing of the offices. A member also donated a good borehole at a cost of over half a million naira. Altar frontals in all the Liturgical colours were also donated along with stoles and communion vessels as well as a Processional Cross which led to the donation of the old one to St. Stephen’s church, ljih. Meanwhile the Church continues to support the new Churches in the Archdeaconry.
The Church built on behalf of the parish by the Fountain of Hope society at ljih, St. Stephen’s church was dedicated by the Archbishop on Saturday 10th May 2008. The year also saw the donation of various computers for the use of the Clergy and the Church, a digital projector for conferences and the church presentations. The church also enjoyed the donation of beautiful flowers for the church end office premises. A 130KVA power generating set was purchased at over N3million to care for the church and new office complex. A major step on the church extension was taken when decision was reached by the church council that rather than expanding the present church, a new one should be built on part of the present car park to occupy a minimum of 700 worshippers. A Fund Raising was held in April and well over N20million was realized. Much progress was made on drawings and approvals.
This year also witnessed the re-introduction of Community Hymn Singing with members taking turn to sponsor. House Fellowships on the second and third Sundays in place of Evening Service. The Church also organized the Alpha course for the first time with my members participating. A new monthly 1 hour prayer meeting was introduced Tagged “Balm of Gilead” on first Saturdays of the months. A Church which was planted by the Directorates of Church planting of diocese and christened as St. John’s Church in Victoria Island continued to be nurtured by the Parish and much progress continued to be recorded.
