May 1939 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

The various Parish organisations have now begun their winter activities. It is splendid to find so many people banding themselves together to further God’s Work. It would be ideal to find every parishioner an active or an honorary member of some Church organisation. In some respects this year is going to be a difficult one for our Parish, but with the active help of everybody we can be sure that God will bless our efforts and enable us to overcome every obstacle. So I ask for the help of each and every one of you in helping on the Christian forces here in our Parish. First of all, see that your place in Church is never empty on any Sunday. It means so much to see, as we have seen lately, the congregations growing. But God has a work for all. Our worship is the poorer for every absence. Then do what you can to help the various efforts that are made. We have a harder task this year than we had last, but I believe that victory will be ours.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH

WHITSUNDAY

This, the great festival of the Holy Spirit, ranks with Christmas and Easter as the third great festival of the Christian year, and is a day on which all Communicants should join in the Holy Communion. There will be celebrations at St. Matthew’s at 8 a.m. and at 11 a.m., that day, which falls on Sunday, 28th May, at Kuripuni at 9 a.m., and at Upper Plain at 9 a.m.: Evensong at St. Matthew’s and at Kuripuni at 7 p.m. We want the guidance of God’s Spirit in our daily lives and in the international realm. A right use of this great day will help us all.

IN MEMORIAM

The large and representative congregation at the funeral service was a striking tribute to the character and memory of Mr J. P. Lett, of Taueru, who passed away on Sunday, 2nd April. Mr Lett devoted his life to this district, and though for many years health had not been good yet his courage and cheerfulness were undaunted to the end. He will be missed greatly. The sympathy of parishioners went out to all the relatives.

PARISH NOTES

The Badminton Club opened its new season on Monday, 17th April. The Vicar wished the Club a happy and successful season. The membership shows a marked increase and the happy spirit of good fellowship which has characterised the Club in the past is very much in evidence again this year.

Memorable services marked Palm Sunday with great congregations. The children’s procession of palms in the morning was most impressive, and the Church was packed to the doors. In the evening the Choir gave a beautiful rendering of “Olivet to Calvary,” and this was greatly appreciated by the large congregation.

We thank very sincerely all who were responsible for the decorating of our Churches for Easter. They all looked simply beautiful. The services were all worthy of this great festival. Communicants for the day numbered 495, a good increase over last year’s record.

Ascension Day, which comes on Thursday, 18th May, marks the triumph of Christ’s mission. The Holy Communion will be celebrated at St Matthew’s that day, at 6 a.m., and again at 10.30 a.m.

Work is proceeding apace with the sealing of the Church paths. This is going to be a splendid improvement and all parishioners would wish to pay a tribute to the enthusiasm and work of the Ladies’ Guild which has made possible this improvement.

Wet weather prevented the holding of the annual Sunday School picnic.  Still, even the children did not regret the rain which was so needed by the country. In place of the picnic the children assembled in full force at the Parish Hall, where a most enjoyable party was held. The teachers certainly gave the children a very happy time.

Once again there was a splendid response from the annual Self-Denial Week in Lent for Sedgley Home. Returns are not yet complete, but the present total is £66 10s 11d.

The Ladies’ Guild starts its regular weekly meetings on Thursday, 25th May, at 2.30 p.m.  An invitation is extended to lady parishioners to link up with the Guild, and so help in the very practical work done.

COME TO CHURCH CAMPAIGN

There are very few who do not realise that the greatest need of our day is for a revival of spiritual power. But there is real truth to the old proverb that God helps them who help themselves. God has the remedy for all our troubles, but God has given us His Church--His Body, the Bible calls it--to be the instrument through which He can help humanity. So the first step must be a return to public worship. Attendance at Church must be the sign which marks a Christian. Only so can spiritual power be set free.  Certainly our congregations are growing, but we want all to come and by their service and worship enrich our fellowship and increase our power for good.

COUNTRY SERVICES

Some alterations have had to be made this month. The services at Taueru will be at 2.30 p.m on the first and fourth Sundays, with the children’s services at 2 p.m. Services as usual at Bideford at 2.30 p.m. on the second Sunday. The services on the third Sunday at Rangitumau and Kopuaranga will not be held this month, nor the evening service at Upper Plain on the second Sunday. All other services as usual.

SOCIAL AFTERNOON

The first of a series of shilling social afternoons organised by the Ladies’ Guild was held in the Parish Hall on Monday, 1st May, and proved a very happy function. A bright programme was presented by Mesdames Coleman, Bennett, Jaine and Snowsill and was much appreciated.  A striking address was given by Mr. J. Snell. The address was stimulating and helpful. The general opinion was well summed up by one guest who had attended at some inconvenience and said that she was well rewarded for the effort she had made. The next social afternoon will be held in June. These functions not only help the Guild in the great work they are doing, but also serve a valuable purpose in promoting Christian fellowship.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Anon., £1; Mrs L. Nicol, 10s; Miss J. Morison, Mr W. J Crow, 5s each; Mrs Dixon, 4s 6d; Mesdames Batch, Andrew, Whitton, G. Elliott, L. Emery, E. McGrath, 3s each; Mrs Riley, Miss Eva Gordon, Mrs Darvill, 2s 6d each; For Church Chronicle, Miss E. Gordon, 2s 6d.

C.E.M.S

The meeting on 1st May was a memorable one because of the visit of Mr J. Snell, Dominion Vice-President of our Society. Mr Snell gave a most encouraging outline of the progress and work of the Society in New Zealand, dealt with the foundations of the society, and then dealt with the next step to be taken. From the discussion which followed and from Mr Snell’s final summing up, one felt that there was need for corporate effort, and that the branch should feel its way and be ready for the call when it comes. Members expressed their appreciation of the encouragement and inspiration brought by our guest. The next meeting of the branch will be held on Monday, 5th June, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room, when Mr N. J. Bennington will speak on early days in the life of the Church and community in Masterton. All men are invited.

BRIDGE EVENINGS

On Thursdays, at 7.45 p.m., a small committee of the Ladies’ Guild holds a bridge evening in the Common Room of the Parish Hall. These are very enjoyable and happy little evenings and a good start has been made with the series for this year. All interested are invited to join. Proceeds are in aid of the Scouts and Guild funds.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual general meeting of parishioners was well attended and was a very happy and enthusiastic gathering. The year ended 31st March had been one of progress and achievement and such was the spirit manifest at the meeting that we can look forward to yet greater progress in the future. The names of officers elected for the coming year will be found on the front page. With such a great band of helpers as we have in this Parish, we can believe that our Parish is going to play a worthy part in these great days.

STAFF AND OFFICE HOLDERS

Clergy--The Rev. E. J. Rich (Vicar), Church Street, Telephone 1096

        The Rev. T. V. Pearson, 18 Wrigley Street.  Telephone 1502

        Student-Assistant, Mr V. W. Joblin, 31 Worksop Road. Telephone 2231

Churchwardens--Messrs R. E. Maunsell and J. Ninnes

Vestrymen--Messrs E. J. Coleman, E. Hale, W. L. Hunter, G. Hyde, A. O. Jones, C. R. Mabson, T. C. H. Miller, P. G. Ramsay, R. G. Russell and W. E. Vowell.

Lay Readers--Messrs F. H. Dunderdale, V. W. Joblin and J. F. Jaine

Organist--Mr A. Miller Hope

Choirmaster--Mr Wm. C. Mann

Synodsmen--Messrs A. O. Jones and P. G. Ramsay

Hon. Secretary--Mr A. O. Jones

Sec. of Envelope System of Giving--Mr V. H. Heath, 183 Dixon Street

Sec. Magazine--Miss R. Robinson, 66 Essex Street

Verger--Mr G. F. Knapp, 79 Pine St.

St. Matthew’s School for Girls--Principal, Mrs Max Cleghorn, B.A.

Hon. Treasurer--Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale, Perry Street

MISSIONS

The Rev. J. E. Jones, in the following passage, gives splendid proof of the value of missionary work:

“I am writing this not from Chapra, but from Purulia, where I am spending a few days, and I want to tell you about the important work here--the Leper Colony and Hospital--for it is a real expression of the compassion of Jesus.  Purulia is over 250 miles west of Calcutta within sight of the hills of Central India. Consequently, it is a cooler and healthier spot than the lower plains of Bengal.  Here has developed a truly wonderful work of healing and evangelism.

“Leprosy, like T.B., is a frightful scourge in India, and the leper in every land is still an outcast from society. But here in Purulia has grown up a big colony of lepers, a hospital for treatment and research, a dispensary for outpatients, separate homes for healthy boys and girls of leper parents, and again observation homes for those on the borderline. It is indeed a big work. The outpatients alone number over 500 a week. The colony consists of 850 members--a whole village--all lepers. The grown-ups are divided into families, about 12 in each, so there are about 57 of the family groups, besides the children’s homes.

“Of course many of them are quite illiterate and their contact with the colony is often their first contact with Christ. So every day in Church, big classes of men and women are given teaching about the Christian Faith, and are taught to read and write. The services on Sunday are an inspiration--the church is packed with people sitting on the floor as the custom is in India. Indeed, it is tremendous to join with them in worship, to hear their responses, and to feel their simple devotion and faith. These people, some blind and horribly deformed, many with fingers and toes eaten away by this fell [foul?] disease, some on crutches, minus limbs--in spite of their deformities they sing and smile and generate an atmosphere of hope and happiness.”

KURIPUNI NOTES

The party for the Sunday School children, held on Saturday, 29th April, was a great success. Games and races were held at South Park and afterwards all enjoyed the tea in the Hall. The children are grateful to the teachers and Guild for a splendid treat.

It is hoped to hold the annual meeting of Kuripuni parishioners early in June.

BAPTISMS

April

2        Ann Helen Dassler

9        Elaine Catherine Glen

          Bruce Thomas Bullock

15      Jane Cox

16      Jennifer Mary Wells

          Susan Josephine Fowler

27      Valma Lois Valler

28      Ashby Campbell Bunny

30      Barry Claude Tatton

MARRIAGES

April

5        Victor Hansen and Eunice Annie Hunt

6        Francis Simmons and Elva Ruby Doreen Wilton

8        Gordon Leslie Challis and Bertha Preston

8        Francis John Gray and Dorothy Edith Blane

8        Benjamin Thomas Housley and Olive Elva Smith

12      David Tolhurst Young and Nancy Lucy Payton

29      Robert Milne and Helene Margaret Monro.

29      John Douglas Lindsay and Marjorie Wilma Long.

BURIALS

April

3        Richard Charles James

4        John Parrott Lett

18      Horace Hawke

29      Edward Brown

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