Series 12.0 - Men's groups records

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Men's groups records

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  • Textual record
  • Graphic material

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NL0064 12.0

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30 cm of textual records
photographs

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Biographical history

AOTS (As One That Serves) is a layman's service organization which is church based but open to all interested men on a broad ecumenical basis, and which maintains an independent organizational and financial structure. The name of the organization is based on the Gospel of St. Luke, 22:27: "I am among you as One that serves". The organization attempts to combine the spiritual with the social on an everyday level.

Over its history, the organization has related to the Church in various ways, including the Board of Men from 1954 and to the Division of Mission from 1972. It also relates to Conferences and Presbyteries through Councils and Districts and within congregations through Men's Clubs.

AOTS had its beginnings in 1923 in Vancouver, at Kerrisdale Methodist Church (Ryerson United), and was started there by a physician, Dr Herbert Riggs. The idea spread to other churches across the country, and became a national organization in 1947. A history of the movement was published in 1973 for the 50th anniversary.

Although there are general aims with which all clubs agree, each group has its own autonomy. The content of both meetings and activities varies amongst clubs throughout the country. There may often be a meeting over a meal and activities range from fund-raising within the congregation where the club is based to far-reaching projects both at home and abroad.

AOTS aims to promote service within a Christian context, allowing for laymen in the church to socialize and support each other, while providing a basis for service. In Newfoundland, by 1970 there were twenty-one men's groups. The 13th national annual convention was held in Newfoundland in 1983.

At Cochrane Street church, there have several efforts to establish a Men's Club. Although there is no mention of any of these clubs being affiliated with the national AOTS organization, even though the aims of service within a Christian context apply at Cochrane Street United Church. There are references in the records of men being invited to meet in the 1910's, and planning meetings for a Men's Club in the 1930's. There is some indication that the present day club had its origins from that time. The men have been meeting over a meal on a regular monthly basis, with a nominal charge being paid for the meal. In the early days of the club, the women's groups often catered as a means of fund-raising. The men have held various events as fund-raisers. The money raised at the dinners, notable among them partridge suppers, flipper suppers and Jiggs dinners, help to support the work of the congregation.

The whereabouts of all the group's records are unknown but the work and activities of the organization are well documented in the Board and Committee records as well as in the annual reports of the congregation.

Custodial history

Scope and content

Series consists of constitutions [198-], 1995; member lists, officers and members of Committees 1961, [198-]-1998; minutes 1956-1966, 1985 (summary), 1986 (2 mtgs.), 1987 (1 mtg.), 1986 (1 mtg.), 1988 (1 mtg.), 1989-2000; activities lists and reports [195-], 1990-1998 and records relating to Usher Committee Cambridge Choir Concert 1995.

Also a part of the series are financial records which include reports (primarily annual) 1943, 1948, 1951, 1957, 1961, 1963, 1987-1998; miscellaneous financial records 1950-1951, 1999-2001; publications comprising monthly newsletters 1958-1966 describing the work and activities of the club and the 1st edition of the St. John's Young Chinese Christian Association Journal February 1958; correspondence 1985-2002; and annual reports 1963, 1989, [1990], 1995.

A number of graphic images are included. They are described as follows: dinner with the attendees identified (date unknown), two photographs of identified attendees at a partridge supper 1944, men serving flipper dinner 1985 and five photographs of men in the club serving Jiggs Dinner.

Miscellaneous records include dinner meeting invitation to the 10th annual meeting 1950; newspaper clipping [194-?]; invitations to men's meeting [191-]; Men's Club locker inventory 1995; information file about the club 1990; Memorial hymn sing pledge sheets; correspondence and order of service 2001; hymn sheets [19-] and a Song book [19-]. Also included is a copy of "Minutes of preliminary meeting held at manse Oct 16, 1939 for the purpose of forming a men's association" (2 meetings 16 Oct. 1939 and 13 Nov. 1939) - original held at the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference Archives, Mr. Harold Luscombe private papers).

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Draft

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Partial

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Created - June 26, 2013

Language of description

  • English

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