February 1941 Parish News

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners--

There is every indication that 1941 will prove one of the most eventful years in all history. The leaders of our Empire have warned us of the possibilities while expressing their unwavering conviction of the outcome. But they warn us, too, that the outcome depends, under God, on the spirit and service of those who care for those high and noble principles for which we stand.

So the Christian Church has a tremendous work to do this year. But remember that the Church is you. When we say that the Church has a work to do that means that we as individuals who make up the Church have a work to do.  A personal responsibility, therefore, rests on each and every one of us to play our full part and make the Church the spiritual powerhouse of the nation, strengthening our cause by keeping the lines open by which God’s power can come.

PARISH NOTES

Splendid services marked the Christmas Festival. There were 496 Communicants on Christmas Day.

The annual prize-giving functions for our Sunday Schools, held in December, were very happy occasions. Many parents were present. At St Matthew’s, Mrs H. E. Evans, of Wellington, presented the prizes.

Special musical services, including a Christmas cantata, and carol services, rendered by the choir were a real help in our Christmas preparations. All our Churches were beautifully decorated for Christmas.

The Bible Classes resume for the year on Sunday, 9th February. The class meets in the Chapel of St. Matthew’s every Sunday, at 10 a.m.

Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, 24th February. Every Wednesday in Lent the Holy Communion will be celebrated at 7 a.m., and there will be an intercession service with address at 7.30 p.m. Easter Day falls on Sunday, 13th April.

KURIPUNI NOTES

The Epiphany Sunday School resumes on Sunday, 9th February, at 11 a.m., and Harvest Festival services will be held on Sunday, 23rd February.

ADULT CONFIRMATION

The Bishop is to hold a special confirmation service at St Matthew’s Church in March for adults only. The service is for the whole of the Wairarapa and should provide an opportunity to be seized. There are very few who do not realise that the present war is a struggle for Christian civilisation. Spiritual issues are at stake and spiritual forces alone can keep us steadfast and bring us to the victory of all that Christ has won for mankind. We want to play our part and it is characteristic of the best in our race that they do not want to be half-hearted. They want to play their part in the spiritual campaign. Here, then, is an opportunity to be seized. Any adults, 20 years or over, who for any reason missed confirmation when they were younger are invited to come forward now and prepare for this great gift; get and give the help possible to full members of the Church.

The preparation classes begin at St Matthew’s on Monday, 10th February, at 7.30 p.m. Adults in the country should not hesitate to hand in their names and special arrangements will be made for their preparation. No one should miss this opportunity of a special adult confirmation service.

Later in the year the annual confirmation service will, of course, be held as usual.

C.E.M.S.

Vital questions are being considered at the Dominion Conference in May, and in preparation a series of papers are to be discussed at branch meetings. For the February meeting, to be held in the Common Room on Monday, 3rd February, at 7.45 p.m., we have papers on “The Christian Man and the State” by Canon D. J. Davies, and “God’s Law and Man’s,” by Mr J. Richards-Smith, of Wellington. Questions arising from the papers deal with social justice, Federal Union, Christian unity and the application of Christian principles.

The C.E.M.S. is making splendid progress on right lines. Keen men who appreciate spiritual values find in its fellowship and service a real help. The meetings of our branch are open to all men of the church who are interested, and in view of the vitally important subjects to be discussed and the splendid papers which deal with them, we look for a large attendance on Monday, 3rd February, at 7.45 p.m.

IN MEMORIAM

The Church on Earth is poorer for the passing of Mrs E. F. Jackson, one of the most devoted and faithful members of our congregation. Her whole life was one of consecrated service and her faithfulness was an example and inspiration to many. Her last act before her final illness was the bringing of beautiful flowers for our Christmas decorations.

The passing of Lady Perry[1], after a long illness, most cheerfully and patiently borne, removes one of the great pioneers of our Church and district. Her gracious personality endeared her to all and she leaves behind her the noble memory of a life of devoted community service inspired by a living faith in God.

To the relatives of these great Christians our sincere sympathy is extended and we thank God for their work and witness.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Anonymous, Miss Carey, 10/- each, Mr Pinhey, 7/-; Mrs Ashworth, Mrs W. Jones, Mrs Harrap, Mr Brooks, 5/- each; Mrs R. E. Jones, Mrs McWhinnie, 4/- each; Mrs D. E. Williams, Miss E. Fannin, Miss L. Robinson, Miss F. E. Baird, Mrs J. Crew, 3/6 each; Mrs F. McGrath, R. C. Falloon, 3/- each; Mrs A. E. Clarke, 2/6; Mrs V. Jones, 2/-; Mrs J.P. Perry, 4/6; Mrs L. Emery, 3/-.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

This happy annual festival makes a wide appeal. The blessings of the harvest have a great message for us all. There is so much for which we should thank God, and many will want to think especially this year of the men of our merchant service playing their part nobly in bringing essential foods to our Mother land. There will be nothing selfish about our harvest festival services and they will mean all the more for us on that account. Harvest Festival services will be held at St Matthew’s on Sunday, 16th February, when all communicants are asked to join in the Holy Communion at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and we want everybody at Evensong at 7 p.m. On Sunday, 23rd February, Harvest Festival services will be held at Kuripuni with a celebration at 9 a.m. and Evensong at 7 p.m.

On the Saturday we shall be glad of gifts of fruit, vegetables and other produce for the festival, and at 3 p.m. we shall be grateful for the help of as many as possible in preparing the Church. After the services, the harvest gifts will be given to Sedgley Home, where they will prove a welcome gift to the large family under our care.

ST MATTHEW’S SCHOOL

This fine Collegiate School for girls in Pownall Street, has a fine record of accomplishment in all branches of school work. Day girls and boarders are received from the beginning of their school life to the post-matriculation standard. Character training is given its proper place. Parents are invited to see for themselves the splendid facilities provided. The Principal, Mrs Max Cleghorn, will be glad to show parents over the school. The new term opens on Wednesday, 5th February, at 9 a.m., boarders returning the previous day. Full particulars of fees are set out in the illustrated prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from the secretary, Mr H. M. Boddington, Church Street, Masterton.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

Every child has a right to Christian training. In our Sunday Schools an effort is made to give girls and boys spiritual facts on which they can build their lives and develop their characters. It is a terrible thing to rob any child of its spiritual heritage. The Sunday Schools of the parish were very large last year and we hope for even larger rolls this year. Parents are asked to see that the children come regularly and punctually and to let nothing interfere with the attendance. The schools reopen for the year on Sunday, February 9th. Classes for this year are arranged, an excellent series of lessons is to be given, and everything is ready for the children. St. Matthew’s Sunday School meets in the Parish Hall at 10 a.m.; Kindergarten in the Scout Den, at 10 a.m., Lansdowne, in the Public School, at 9.30 a.m.; Kuripuni, in the Epiphany Hall at 11 a.m., and Upper Plain in the Church-room, at 4 p.m.

MISSIONS

Canon Williams writes to thank parishioners for the encouraging response made on Maori Mission Sunday.  Our quota for the Mission has been exceeded and Canon Williams asks us to let parishioners know how their response is appreciated by those who have the care of the Maori Mission work.

Now we must see to it that a like response is made for the Melanesian and other Missions. We do want the Light of Christ to shine in every land. The duty of supporting our missionaries is one which must never be forgotten. On the first Sunday in March we have the annual collection for Melanesia.

Mr W. C. Groves, of Melbourne, after 15 years in the Pacific, writes of the magnificent work done by the Bishop of Melanesia and his helpers. The educational work was splendid, evangelical work was helping the natives, the medical work was superb and he paid special tribute to the magnificent work done in the Mission Hospital for lepers. Bishop Baddeley writes: We here are the agents through whom the work is being done. You are those who can make it possible for us to carry on.”

BAPTISMS

December

8      John Lawson Wells

16    Flora Willoughby

        Barbara Nan Evans

        Elizabeth Margaret Hawkless

21    Peter Terrance Spicer

        Hilary Mary Robinson

        Judith Rae Newland

22    Peter Albert Garside

25    David Warner Hubbard

26     Avon Stanley Carter

27     John Cedric Watson

          Leslie John Clarke

28      Lorraine Gay Hopkins

30      Barry Mein Smith

January

10        David Herbert Mourant

12        Gary John Worthington

            Noeline Skeet

25        Rosalind Telford Agar

            Diana Carroll Agar

29        Brian James Lochore

MARRIAGES

December

26        Bruce Ronald Jenkins and Lorna Beatrice Renner

January

4        Walter Norman Cameron and Erina Robinson Russell

4        Ian Sinclair Tomlin and Kathleen Olive O’Brien

14      Ronald Arthur Murray Clarke and Molly Lillian Fernie

BURIALS

December

2        George Ihaka

4        Albert Ensor Brittain

7        Edward James Cockerill

10      Charles John Polson

26      Ernest Lovell

January

6        Emma Francis Usher Jackson

13      James Stevens Berriman

18      Joseph Daniel Goodall

            Mary Ann Coe

20      Margaret Jane Perry

[1] Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1941, Page 11

LADY MARGARET JANE PERRY

MASTERTON, This Day. The death occurred at her home, Titirangi, Masterton; last night, of Lady Margaret Jane Perry, wife of Sir William Perry, at the age of 75 years.

Lady Perry was the daughter of Mr. Bridson, Registrar of the Native Land Court in Auckland, where she was born.. She lived in Wellington for some, time before her marriage, which took place nearly 50 years' ago. Sir William and Lady Perry would have celebrated their golden wedding next month.

She was widely known and respected in many parts of New Zealand, and particularly in the Wairarapa, where she spent practically all her married life.

She was a life member of the Plunket Society and the Navy League, being an original member of both bodies. For many years she was vice-president of the Masterton Horticultural Society.

Lady Perry's only son, Colin, served through the last war and died some years ago. She is survived by her husband, a granddaughter, Mrs. Keith Morris, and a grandson, Mr. W. A. C. Perry, Penrose, Masterton.

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