October 1940

There is need for us all to keep constantly in mind the great spiritual issues involved in this present war, and to realise the part to be played by every Christian. We see now, as we look back over the past twenty years, how God has been left out of large tracts of life. Men have tried to build a better world trusting in their own efforts alone.

But those days are gone now. Humanism is dead, killed by the war it has brought to our world. Man alone cannot build the City of God on earth. He cannot do his duty to his neighbour until he has first done his duty to God.

There is much for which we must repent. God’s laws have been disregarded. Worship which keeps alive the ideal and gives it power has been neglected. Moral standards have been lowered.

Fortunately our leaders recognise this. They have spoken in a way national leaders have not spoken for many a year. They have called us to prayer. They have revealed their conviction of the great work the Church must do.

That is a challenge for each and every one of us. We must show our sincerity and our faith. We must return to God and in His Church set free spiritual power needed so desperately. Let us resolve that none who serve by standing between us and the assaults of evil forces shall ever lack the strength our prayers can give them. Let there be in every Church, every Sunday, such a crowd of faithful men and women as will reveal in God and man the sincerity of our belief that our cause is righteous.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

TENNIS CLUB

Everything points to another very happy season in the life our Church Tennis Club. The annual meeting of the club, held on 25th September, revealed that the last season was a most successful one. The new season opens on Saturday, 5th October, at 2 p.m. A good committee was elected. Membership subscriptions were fixed at 15/- for men, 12/6 for ladies and 5/- for College members. Necessary repairs to the surroundings of the court are being made.

C.E.M.S.

Very marked interest is being taken in the proposed definite course of study decided upon by our Branch. Members obviously feel that it is going to be most helpful. Thinking men want to know more of the fundamentals of our faith. The courses begin on Monday, 7th October, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room of the Parish Hall, and the studies will be introduced by the Revs. H. Taepa and V. W. Joblin. All men interested are cordially invited to be present and to link up with our society.

IN MEMORIAM

The passing of Miss Jean McMaster[1], following an accident, came as a great shock to us all. Jean was an active member of our Church and was deservedly popular with all who knew her. The deep sympathy of all parishioners went out to her parents and brothers in their bereavement.

CONFIRMATION

This inspiring annual service will be held in St Matthew’s on Tuesday, 15th October, at 7.30 p.m. A large number of candidates are to be presented and the service will be conducted by the Bishop of Waikato. On the following Sunday, 20th October, at 8 a.m., the newly confirmed members will make their first Communion, and all communicants are asked to join with them on that happy occasion. After the service, all are invited to join in the annual Fellowship Breakfast in the Parish Hall.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mrs Ashworth, Mr C. Perry, each 5/-; Mrs Francis, 3/6; Mrs Davis, Mrs Lattimer, Mrs Lorimer, 2/6 each; Mrs Mills, 2/-; Mrs G. H. Perry £1; Mrs Robt. Judd, 10/-; Mrs L. Moore, 5/-; Miss J. Sellar, 2/6; Mrs Adcock, 2/-.

PARISH NOTES

The Rev. T. V. Pearson has been granted three months’ leave of absence to take charge of Wadestown Parish during the absence of its Vicar on military chaplain’s service with the Territorials.

Memorable services were held on the National Day of Prayer. The Church was full in the morning, many extra seats having to be provided. The evening congregation was large, though not as great as the morning. Large congregations marked also the services at Kuripuni, Taueru and Upper Plain.

The Rev. F. C. Long, of Wellington, who spent many years in India on missionary work, will be the preacher at St. Matthew’s on Sunday, 27th October, at 11 a.m.

Urgent appeals have been issued recently calling on Christians not to let the cause of foreign missions suffer. We are glad to acknowledge the thoughtful action of Mrs R. Hatch who had a card party at her home and gave the proceeds to this cause, and also to Mesdames Betteridge and Polson who had an evening for the leper work of the Melanesian Mission.

Each Sunday in September we were able to hold a special service with the Territorials. These were great services and appreciated. The singing of the hymns by the men was an inspiration.

The annual fellowship breakfast has become a tremendous undertaking, but it is a happy and inspiring occasion, and with many helpers will be continued. All ladies who are able to help are asked to attend a meeting in the Common Room on Thursday, 10th October, at 2 p.m.

Diocesan Synod meets in Wellington at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 22nd October. In view of the present conditions it is hoped to deal with essential business only, so that the Synod may conclude within 24 hours.

Starting on Sunday, 6th October, the Sunday School at Upper Plain will be held at 2 p.m., instead of 10 a.m. We have a fine school at this centre and we hope that the new time, made necessary by the change in the staff, will prove convenient.

Inspiring Patronal Festival services were held at St Matthew’s on Sunday, 22nd September. Large numbers of communicants gathered for the morning services and in the evening the choir gave a very beautiful musical service of praise.

St Matthew’s Badminton Club brought a most successful season to a close with a supper party in the Parish Hall, following games, on MOnday, 30th September. The Association’s A grade cup was presented to our team.

KURIPUNI NOTES

The Epiphany Guild has carried out some fine work for our soldiers, sailors and airmen during the winter months. This is in addition to their usual preparation work for the Kuripuni annual effort to be held on Saturday, 23rd November.

The Rev. F. C. Long will be the preacher at Evensong at Kuripuni on Sunday, 27th October, at 7 p.m.

During the absence of the Rev. T. V. Pearson from the parish, there will be one celebration of the Holy Communion each month at the Church of the Epiphany, namely on the second Sunday, at 9 a.m.

SALE OF WORK

This great annual effort to help our parish, organised by the Ladies’ Guild, will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, 9th October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many useful articles will be on sale, the stalls being laden with plain and fancy sewing work, flowers, cakes, sweets, toys, books, jams, vegetables and produce of all kinds. All parishioners are asked to be present and help make this annual effort a great success. Remember it is the only one of its kind held by our Church this year, the Guild having decided to concentrate on the one effort and eliminate the Garden Party. The proceeds will help maintain and strengthen God’s work. With the help of everyone, the Sale will be a great success. In addition to the various stalls, afternoon tea will be served.

CHURCH PEWS

Mr and Mrs T. T. Denbee have had the very happy thought of providing two pews for St Matthew’s Church in memory of their son. The Vestry has gratefully accepted this offer and the necessary steps have been taken for the obtaining of a faculty. The proposed design is based on that of the pews in the Chapel. It has always been hoped to renew eventually the pews in the Church and now a start is to be made in the best possible way, for there is no better way of furnishing a Church than by the gifts of those who worship there. Already we hear of others who are going to give a pew in memory of some dear one or as a token of thanksgiving for some blessing. The Vicar will be glad to give particulars as to the cost, etc., of a pew to anyone who is interested.

GIRLS’ CLUB CONCERT

This is always one of the great events in the Parish social year. For many years the club has carried on, fostering happy fellowship and helping many a good cause. The Club has established a great record for the excellence of its annual concerts. This year the club is presenting the comedy, “Once Aboard the Lugger,” and a happy time is assured. The concert will be held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, 29th October, at 8 p.m. We hope everybody will be present.

MORAL IDEALS

The Bishop of Manchester writes:

“The war is one in which fundamental issues are involved, and the highest moral and spiritual ideals are at stake. We are united in our determination that the ideals of justice and righteousness, freedom and brotherhood should dominate the world, that into our broken civilisation the Kingdom of God should come. Herein lies the challenge to Christian people, the call to them, and the testing of them.”

A NEW ENTHUSIASM

Our Bishop writes:

“Today when the nations which are not under the control of false religions, are looking frantically for some new source of hope for themselves, we of the Church must give ourselves to the working out in our common life as a Church of the fundamental graces and qualities. There must be a new enthusiasm for the dedication of our lives for the service of the little community which represents the Church of Christ in the Parish; a new determination to discover what our relationships to each other should be; a new pride and joy in every expression in which the life of that community is manifested.”

BAPTISMS

July

4 Jennifer Jayne Lindsay

September

8 Janice Rachel Whiteman

Edwin Roy O’Hara

10 Virginia Helen Perry

MARRIAGES

September

7 James Mark Mosen and Arty Vennell

30 George Hyland and Clara Letitia Lyford

BURIALS

September

4 Marian Anne Ward

9 Brian David Voyce

10 Jeannae Elder McMaster

11 Rachel Smith

16 Jocelyn Annie Perry

Charles Henry Boswell

19 Virginia Helen Perry

Eric Benjamin Wellwood

21 Bertha Masters.

[1] BURNS PROVE FATAL

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) MASTERTON, This Day. Miss Jean Elder McMaster, aged 26 only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. W, McMaster, of Masterton, whose frock caught alight through contact with an electric heater prior to going to dance on Wednesday night, died in hospital yesterday.

Evening Post, 9 September 1940, page 5

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