August 1941
August 1941 Parish magazine
GIRLS’ CLUB CONCERT
This is always one of the great social events of the parish year. For nearly 20 years now the Club has functioned and has gained a splendid reputation for the excellence of its annual concert. This year’s concert will be of a bright and cheery nature, including splendid comedies as well as vocal items. Mrs E. J. Rich is the producer. The concert will be held in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, 13th August, at 8 p.m. It will be a real tonic and we hope that everybody will be there to spend a happy evening and to encourage the girls in their efforts.
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
The large number of names handed in for insertion in the Altar Book shows how much this remembrance of the men and nurses who serve on land, sea and air is valued. We like to know that the insertion of each name is due to the thought of some relative or friend. It means all the more because of that.
The book is kept on the Altar, a page being turned each day. In that way all the names in order are presented.
At every service we remember all who are on active service. In addition, from time to time the names of all in the Altar Book are read out, especially at the early services. Normally the practise will be as follows: At 8 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month all whose names begin with the letters A to C inclusive will be read, on the second Sunday all from D to K, on the third Sunday all from L to Q, and on the fourth Sunday all from R to Z. When there is a fifth Sunday all the names will be read.
The same procedure will be followed at the Thursday celebrations at 10.30 a.m. On the first Thursday all from A to C, on the second Thursday all from D to K, on the third Thursday all from L to Q, on the fourth Thursday all from R to Z and on the fifth Thursday all the names.
All the names will also be read at the choral celebration at 11 a.m. on the first Sunday and at Evensong at 7 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.
Further names for the Altar Book should be given to the Clergy or written in the exercise book on the table near the main doors of the Church.
PARISH NOTES
Large congregations joined in two special services at St Matthew’s last month. First there was the Masonic service, when men gathered from every part of the Wairarapa. Then there was the Red Cross service, held at the request of the Society. This, too, was a most inspiring service.
In response to a request we publish this month a summary of the address given by the Archdeacon on the First Commandment. The series of four addresses will be published in order. They dealt with “Man’s Duty to God” as laid down in the first four commandments.
The children are busy preparing for the annual Sunday School concert, which it is hoped to present in September.
A very happy and successful dance was held by our Bible Class on 25th July.
KURIPUNI NOTES
The Epiphany Guild now meets fortnightly and in addition to working for its annual effort also does patriotic work.
It is hoped to present the annual Kuripuni Sunday School concert towards the end of September or the beginning of October.
BOY SCOUTS
St Matthew’s Troop and Packs have had a good year. Our splendid Scoutmaster, Mr R. Isles, has now gone into camp, but the work is being carried on. Parents and friends are asked to show their interest in the boys by attending the annual meeting of the group, which will be held in the Scout Den on Tuesday, 5th August, at 7.30 p.m.
“Thou shalt have none other Gods but Me.”
Travellers are grateful for the various road signs which warn of danger and keep them on the right road. All must travel the journey of life and that journey is not likely to be free from danger, nor is the right path always clear. The wise man will want to guard against the dangers, he will welcome warnings of them and he will be glad of a guide to keep him straight.
It is to meet just that need that God has given us the Ten Commandments. They are both danger warnings and guides to the right road of life. Our Lord has told us how they are to be applied. He gave them a wide interpretation, linking them up with positive action. To ignore them is just silly. They are for our protection and guidance. Each one forbids something because that something is dangerous to life at its best, and commands something which is beneficial. Thus the Ten Commandments are not just arbitrary prohibitions. Each one is for our advantage.
The first Commandment lays down the principle that “God First” is the only sure foundation on which to act. This principle means action as well as belief. We want a better world, we want right relationships between every section of the community and between every nation.
Men have tried to get that. Human brotherhood as an ideal has been proclaimed almost everywhere. But it has not come and it will remain an ideal dream, a mocking hope, unless it is made real by people who have accepted and acted upon the principle of the first Commandment, and by putting God first have joined the great Brotherhood of the Family of God. When all have so joined, human brotherhood will be a glorious reality.
Wrong ideas of God must be abolished. They break the first Commandment. Plainly there is a Power higher than ourselves, marked by wisdom, righteousness and love. The Jews learned the great truth that God is One. The heathen have many gods. There can be no brotherhood, no better world, until all are under the One True God.
Nor will divided service do. We can be no rival on God’s throne. We need to remember that always, but we shall need to remember it more than ever in the days of reconstruction which will follow these days of destruction.
The English-speaking races will have to be the builders of the new world. If God be first with us, then our reconstruction will follow His Way, His principles will be observed, His Kingdom will begin to come.
C.E.M.S.
At the July meeting Mr N. Blatchford opened the discussion with an interesting talk on certain aspects of Religion and Life. The subject was dealt with in a practical manner and a useful discussion followed. The next meeting of the branch will be held in the Common Room on Monday, 4th August, at 7.45 p.m. The basis of study at this meeting will be a booklet written by Mr K. Henderson, M.A., B.Litt., and dealing with “The Christian and the War.” Subjects dealt with include calmness and composure, weakness of escapism, honesty of our cause, need for atonement, war time prayers, the ultimate confidence. These are dealt with in an inspiring and realistic manner and leave plenty of room for discussion.
CONFIRMATION SERVICE
This will be held in St. Matthew’s Church on Saturday, 28th September, at 7 p.m. A large number of keen young people are being prepared. Now we ask older folk who for any reason missed confirmation when they were young, to consider the challenge of their day. All our leaders are agreed that the new world can only be built on Christian lines. But the builders must be equipped. Confirmation is the gateway to that equipment. It reveals where we stand and opens to us sources of strength we need. No one is too old to be confirmed. Several adults have already handed in their names for confirmation and special adult classes of preparation will begin on Tuesday, 26th August, at 7 p.m., in St Matthew’s Church.
OVERSEAS PARCELS
There is no doubt that the sending of parcels to men in the Army, Navy and Air Force is appreciated by the men. Our Fireside Circle has had the happy thought of making their stall at the Annual Sale of Work an overseas parcels stall. There will be a splendid range of goods suitable for parcels, including knitted articles, biscuits and cakes in sealed tins, etc. The Circle is prepared to receive orders now for any article and Miss M. McEwen will be pleased to give particulars.
VALEDICTORY
Parishioners were very glad to have the opportunity of having the Rev. T. V. Pearson with us on Monday, 7th July, though all regretted that his visit was so short. Mr Pearson is now stationed at Burnham as chaplain to the forces.
Two farewell functions were arranged during his visit and, in spite of the short notice, there were large attendances. Late in the afternoon, parishioners of St Matthew’s gathered in the Common Room when tributes to Mr Pearson’s work were paid by Messrs G. Hyde, J. Ninnes and the Vicar. In the evening, at Kuripuni, Mr H. M. Boddington and the Vicar were the speakers and presentations were made to Mr Pearson at both gatherings.
In his replies, the Rev. T. V. Pearson referred feelingly to the happy fellowship and service he had known in the Parish, and also gave interesting sidelights on his work as a chaplain.
MEMORIAL PEWS
Two memorial pews are to be placed in St Matthew’s Church by Mrs McWhinnie in memory her son Ivan[2], who was killed in action in Crete. Ivan was a keen senior Bible Class member and a fine manly Christian. It is fitting that there should be this memorial and it is particularly fitting that his memorial pews should stand next to those of his friend Ted Denbee[3].
MAGAZINE DONATIONS
Mesdames Smith, F. W. Joblin, King, Miss Allan, 2/6 each; Mrs V. Wilton, 2/-; Mrs Chesterman, 3/-; Mrs A. Beetham, 6/-; Mr Petersen, £1; Miss M. A. Kummer, 5/-.
BAPTISMS
July
4 Alistair Charles Toogood
6 Lyle Julius Petersen
13 Irene Frances Amundsen
20 Valerie Diana Hall
22 Malcolm Nossiter Aitcheson
Sylvia Diana Turner
Charles Richard Harvey Beetham
William Edward Allen Sigglekow
26 Valerie Celia May Tozer
27 Norman Frank Essler
Margaret Fay Essler
Ngaire Joan Essler
Brian John Essler
MARRIAGES
July
5 Bernard John Devery and Elsie Olga Taylor Brogden
12 Jack Warren Bevan and Evelyn Nancy Styles
24 John Lampen and Frances Patricia Jordan
26 Raymond King and Barbara Audrey Rayner
26 Richard George Phillips and Daphne Elder Pulford.
BURIALS
July
5 Alexander Alfred Burling
12 Alice Southby Moody
19 Arthur Ernest Hamilton Styles
26 George Henry Sayer.
[1] First of a series of four sermons on the first four commandments preached by the Vicar, Archdeacon E. J. Rich.
[2] Ivan Barnett McWhinnie died in action in Crete on 21 May 1941, aged 22. He was a sergeant in the 22nd Infantry Battalion.
[3] Leading Aircraftman Thomas Edwin Denbee, Royal New Zealand Air Force, 2 Service Training School, Woodbourne, was killed in an accident during a night-time flying operation at Woodbourne Air Force base in August 1940. He was the son of Mr T. T. Denbee, Masterton Town Clerk.
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