May 1940 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

As the months go by, the spiritual issues involved in the present war stand out more clearly and the duty resting on all sincere Christians becomes plainer.  We must all of us think out how to make our Christian witness and service most effective, how we can generate spiritual power, and how we can support those on whom the main burden of the conflict rests.

Plainly there must be in all our worship a deep note of sincerity and reality. Our services are so arranged that the congregation plays an active part. Therefore this matter concerns everybody. No service should go by without our linking ourselves in spirit with those who are fighting for the preservation of Christian ideals. None of us have yet realised the mighty power which prayer puts in our hands, and we remember that a special efficacy is given by our Lord to corporate prayer. Are we using that power to the utmost? We must face that question.

True, in this parish our congregations are growing and it is probably all to the good that such growth is gradual, but much more remains to be done. We want the inspiration a living fellowship in God’s Church alone can give. We want all to join with us in making our Church a centre of spiritual power and blessing. We cannot give our best to God or man when any are not joining in our worship and service.

So the call is plain and urgent. Let us see everybody who cares for Christian principles revealing their sincerity by their faithfulness in that worship which gives us contact with God and gives us power for the work which must be done.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

GIRLS’ CLUB

The annual meeting of this popular Parish organisation will be held in the Common Room of the Parish Hall on Tuesday, 21st May, at 7.30 p.m. Now as well as old members will be welcomed at this first meeting of the year to give the Club a good start on another year of happy fellowship and service.

PARISH NOTES

A very happy time was enjoyed by our Sunday School children on Saturday, 6th April, when the annual picnic was held.

New members are being added to our Bible Class roll each month, and the record attendance of last year has already been passed in the first month of the new year. The Class meets every Sunday at 10 a.m.

On Friday, 5th April, the first Bible Class dance of the season was held. The committee was rewarded with a splendid attendance and a very happy evening was had by all.

Sedgley Home is grateful for two special gifts received last month. The first gift was a piano, which is a great boon, and the second was a gramophone and records, also a very welcome gift.  Perhaps others have records they could give. Another appreciated gift by way of service is the arranging by a country parishioner for weekly gifts of sheep for meat. We want the farmers who are helping in this way to know that their generous gifts are a tremendous help, especially now that the number of boys in the Home has been more than doubled.

KURIPUNI NOTES

A picnic for the Epiphany Sunday School was held on Saturday, 12th April. There was a large attendance and a very happy time was spent by all.

St Matthew’s Choir gave a very beautiful and inspiring rendering of Stainer’s “The Crucifixion,” at the Church of the Epiphany on Anzac night.

The Epiphany Ladies’ Guild has begun its activities for another year and are meeting regularly for sewing work, etc. New members are always welcome.

ANNUAL MEETING

Wet weather had an adverse effect on the attendance but did not prevent us from having a really encouraging meeting. The happy result of the last year’s work of our parish as an encouragement and inspiration and there was manifest a determination to enable our Church to play a worthy part in these great days. The high standard attained last year is going to be an incentive to yet greater things in the new year that has now begun. The names of the officers elected will be found on the front page.

WHITSUNDAY

The great festival of God the Holy Spirit falls on Sunday, 12th May.  We are living now in the dispensation of the Spirit. We need His help and guidance, individually and nationally. The gifts of the Spirit are the basis of all that is best and noblest in life. Freedom comes from Him. This day is a great and happy one. Its message is absolutely vital. It is the birthday of the Church and churches should be crowded on this great festival. All communicants should join in the Holy Communion that day. Indeed, no one who realises what is the message of this day could stay away.

SOCIAL SERVICE PICTURES

Few people realise how great is the social service work being done by our Church. Here is an opportunity to see something of the work being done. A film has been taken by Mr A. B. Mabyon, of the Boys’ Homes at Lower Hutt and Masterton, of the Khandallah Babies’ Home and the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Wellington City Mission. These should prove most interesting. The films will be shown in our Parish Hall at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 22nd May, and we hope there will be a large attendance.

WAY OF LIFE

Christianity offers us freedom from fear through the assurance tha tgod is working out His purposes in history even though they are hidden from our eyes, that the forces of truth and goodness are more real, and in the long run more powerful than those of evil, and that our individual lives are in the keeping of a Power Whom we can absolutely trust.  --Dr J. H. Oldham

C.E.M.S

There was an excellent attendance at the April meeting, when a stimulating and thoughtful address was given by Mr C. R. Mabson on “The World Today.” There was a good discussion in which many members took part. The next meeting of the Society is fixed for Monday, 6th May, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room of the Parish Hall. All men are invited. The Dominion Conference of the Society meets in Wanganui this month. A great programme has been arranged and an inspiring time is promised all who attend.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mrs Ashworth, Mrs Staniforth, 5/- each; Mesdames G. Elliott, Dalrymple, Whitton, each 3/-; Mesdames Keisenberg, A Friend, Winzenberg and Miss Ashwell each 2/6; Mr J. Ward, 1/-; Mrs Trimble, 2/-; Mrs S. Taylor, 3/-.

ALTAR FLOWERS GUILD

The ladies who are responsible week by week for providing and arranging the altar flowers are doing work which is appreciated. We all want our Church to be as beautiful as we can make it, and the flowers are a real help. Those responsible for the month of August and now left Masterton and the Vicar will be glad to hear from a lady who is prepared to be responsible for that month.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

The attendances at the various Sunday Schools this year have been even better than last year. But it is the right of all children to be given instruction in the faith which is the secret of our Empire’s greatness. Regular attendance is most essential, and we ask all parents to see that nothing is allowed to interfere with the faithful attendance of their children. Do not rob them of the spiritual foundation which alone is adequate for the building of a worthy life.

TRINITY SUNDAY

This day divides the Christian year. During the first half we think of events in our Lord’s life which enrich our knowledge of God and that culminates in Trinity Sunday, when we are invited to contemplate and adore the Glory of the God-head. Then on the Sundays after Trinity our Church would have us apply the example of Christ to the duties and privileges of life. Trinity Sunday, then, which falls on 19th May, can give us a fuller knowledge of God and from that fuller knowledge we can go out to live as God would have us do.

YOUR CHOICE

At the present moment two philosophies struggle for the mastery. All of us must be on one side or the other. We can choose the totalitarian ideal or else a way of life embodied in a community of free persons, united under the rule of law, directing its activities increasingly to Christian insight, values and standards. We are in the “Valley of Decision.” Active Christian service can bring us to the better world of which we dream.

CHURCH CHRONICLE

Comparatively few parishioners subscribe to this monthly journal, which is the official paper of the Diocese. It is worth getting. Each month there is news of the wider work of the Church, a message from the Bishop, and articles dealing with vital matters. Why not become a subscriber? The annual subscription is only 2/6 if delivery is made by the Magazine distributor, and 3/- if posted.

NURSES’ SERVICE

Nurses throughout the Empire are always mindful of the great work done by Florence Nightingale. Indeed, she is one of the great women of all time. The inspiration of her life of glorious service can never lose its freshness. At 7 a.m. on Sunday, 12th May, at St Matthew’s, the nurses of the Masterton Public Hospital will hold a Church parade in honour of the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

BAPTISMS

April

2        Mary Constance Whale

6        Anthony Hugh Theed

7        Barbara Elizabeth Smith

13      Rita Margaret Cox

14      Owen David Daniell

          Jillian Mary Bunny

28      Rosemary Jill Oliver.

MARRIAGES

April

6          Harold Thomas Weston and Phyllis Ann Louise Valpy

20        Roger Gale Henry and Edna Frances Coleman

20        Reginald Charles Richards and Olive May Whiteman

24        Bertram William Schofield and Rita Annie Burrows.

BURIALS

April

1        Louise Welch

2        George Watson

8        Ethel Johnstone

13      Mary Letitia Brown

18      Julia Jones.

OFFICE HOLDERS

Clergy--

The Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich, B.A., LTh., (Vicar), Church Street, Telephone 1006.

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

The Rev. V. W. Joblin, 106 Chapel Street, Telephone 2231

The Rev. H. Taepa, 27 Cole Street.

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.

Hon. Secretary--

Mr A. O. Jones

Hon. Treasurer--

Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale

Lay Readers--

Messrs F. H. Dunderdale and J. F. Jaine

Organist--

        Mr H. Miller Hope

Choirmaster--

Mr Wm. C. Mann

Synodsmen--

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

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.

Original scanned image - 120918-0029

Previous | Next