June 1941 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

In these anxious days it is good to let the mind dwell on the unshakeable things. God is ever the same. It is His Will that we should have life and that should have it more abundantly.

But God will not force us to do His Will. We are not machines forced to act in a certain way. That may be the totalitarian idea--but it is not God’s. We are free agents and the only service that is worthy of God is free and willing service.

The very fact that more people are realising that one of the reasons why more people are coming to Church now. Their coming means something. It is worthwhile just because it is the response of free agents to the Great Father’s Will.  They can worship in sincerity and truth and we are told that the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

He is still seeking. He wants all to be worthy of His great gift of free will. He wants you--all of you--to seek His way, to find strength from Him in the services of his Church, so that you may then be better able to play your part in the work which must be done.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH,

MISSIONS

The Bishop has made a strong plan for every parish to provide its full quota, plus 15% to enable the vital missionary work of the Church to be carried on. The financial year of missions ends this morning. Holders of mission boxes and members of the Missionary Fellowship are asked to have their contributions in by 20th June. Those who do not help in either of these ways are asked to make a special donation for missions by that date. The Bishop writes in the “Church Chronicle” for this month:

“It is one of the real surprises of the war that in the Old Country, battered as it is, the Churches are resolved that the great forward movement of the Church throughout the world must be maintained at whatever cost . . . Every parish in the diocese should share in the joy and gladness of taking part in this triumphal assertion that the one thing that matters is the growth and extension of God’s hold on human life.”

CHINA FILM

What is the present position and what are the future prospects of China? These are questions in which all are interested. Answers will be given to them in a public gathering to be held in St Matthew’s Parish Hall on Thursday, 12th June, at 7.30 p.m. The rev. H. F. Ault, M.A., will be here that night. He has some splendid moving films depicting conditions in China and his own comments should prove most interesting and helpful. This is a meeting which should not be missed by anybody.

WILLING HELPERS

The sudden and unexpected departure of the Rev. V. W. Joblin for Mangaweka, has made our work more difficult, but we carry on, knowing that in days like these parishes must help one another. The Archdeacon is grateful to all who are helping to keep our work at full pressure. Parishioners are most understanding and realise that visiting must suffer. The Rev. H. Taepa is helping in every way possible. The children’s work, which is so near to Mr Joblin’s heart, goes on. Mr S. Taylor is acting as Superintendent of St Matthew’s, and Miss D. Kemp as Superintendent of Kuripuni, while Misses M. James and J. Percy keep the flag flying at Upper Plain.  The teachers are backing up their leaders, while Mr G. Hyde has again responded to extra calls for help with the Bible Class, sometimes at short notice, when the Archdeacon has been called to other duties.  Mr J. F. Jaine has given most willing help with the services. Indeed, all who are able to help are doing so and that is just splendid. We are glad to hear that Mr Joblin is happy in his work at Mangaweka. Incidentally, he is not missing the heavy frosts Masterton has had lately!  Mangaweka can be, and apparently is being, very cold.

PARISH NOTES

The Rev. V. W. Joblin has been granted two months’ leave of absence, and is at present relieving at Mangaweka. He returns to the parish on 1st July.

A very happy and successful social afternoon, organised by the Ladies’ Guild, was held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, 29th May. An excellent programme was presented and an interesting address was given by the Rev. J. R. Higgs, of Kowloon, Hong Kong.

What promises to be an inspiring service has been arranged for Sunday, 6th July, at 2.30 p.m., in St Matthew’s Church. The service is to be a Masonic one for the Freemasons of the Wairarapa and their wives, and will be open to the public.

The Girls’ Club is now meeting regularly every Tuesday, at 7.30 p.m., in the Common Room. This Club has a great record and all girls of 16 years and over are invited to join.

KURIPUNI NOTES

The annual meeting of Epiphany parishioners was held on Wednesday, 7th May. It was a very happy little gathering and parishioners were able to plan for the future as well as rejoice over a very successful year’s activities.

A social evening, organised by the Epiphany Guild, held on Wednesday, 21st May, proved a most successful gathering. An excellent programme was presented and the evening was a very happy one for all present.

On Wednesday, 11 June, at 7.30 p.m., in the Epiphany Hall, moving films will be shown illustrating conditions in India. The Rev. H. F. Ault, M.A., will speak from actual experience on the work there and all parishioners are asked to be present.

The first Kuripuni social afternoon for the year will be held in the Epiphany Hall on Tuesday, 24th June, at 2.30 p.m. This is a Guild social, so we know it will be a very friendly and happy occasion. Afternoon tea will be served, a bright programme will be presented and an address will be given by the Archdeacon. All interested are invited to be present.

CONFIRMATION

Once a year the challenge goes out to those standing on the threshold of manhood and womanhood to take their stand with Christ and in Confirmation get the help all need to live the Christian life. At this supreme moment Christian civilisation is at stake. We as a nation stand with Christ against the powers of evil. That is part of what we do, as individuals, when we are confirmed. The Confirmation will be held in September and candidates should be 14 years of age at the time of their Confirmation. Junior classes will begin in St Matthew’s on Sunday, 15th June, at 4 p.m. A special class for adults will be arranged later.

IN MEMORIAM

The call of Mrs F. A. Judd[1] to higher service came on Tuesday, 3rd June. She was one of the most faithful members of St Matthew’s. She shared in every portion of our work. She was an active member of our Ladies’ Guild and helped in a hundred different ways. She was surprised at the many messages she received during her illness, but we who knew her were not surprised. The beauty of her character, her utter selflessness, her goodness won for her the respect and love of all connected with our Church. Her Church and her home meant everything to her. So often spoke of what both meant. Because she lived for others, she has left behind her the glorious memory of a consecrated life and many are happier and better because she lived among us. To her daughters and son our sympathy goes out.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mr J. Ninnes, 10/-; Mesdames Keisenberg, Carpenter, Smith, Moore, J. H. Carruthers, Miss M. McIntosh, 2/6; Mrs Mosen, 3/-; Miss L. Robinson, 3/6; Mrs N. Blatchford, 5/-; Te Rangitumau, 10/-.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

We are very anxious to have a complete list of all members of our parish who have gone overseas. They are constantly in our thoughts and prayers at St Matthew’s. Indeed, no service goes by in which we do not remember them. For that reason we want our list to be complete. The names will be written in a book which will be kept on the altar. Parents and friends are asked to send to the Vicar or place in the Church boxes the full names of all who are on active. service.

PARISH ORGANISATIONS

Around the Church are a number of organisations whose purpose it is to deepen fellowship and help in God’s work. There is a place for all. The children have their Sunday Schools where they can be taught the faith of their forefathers and lay a foundation on which worthy life may be built. Then for young people there is the Bible Class, where a deeper study of the Bible can be made. Then there is the Girls’ Club which meets on Tuesday evenings, members joining in games, preparing for the annual concert and doing splendid work. For older girls there is the Fireside Circle, a happy band, meeting on Monday evenings for fellowship and service. Then there is the Ladies’ Guild, meeting every Thursday, at 2 p.m., doing war work and preparing for the annual Sale of Work.  The men have their C.E.M.S., a body pledged to fellowship, prayer and service which meets on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 p.m. For those blessed with good voices, the Choir offers an avenue of happy and useful service. Always, for all, young and old, there are the services of the Church which inspire all these organisations. There is a place for you. Be there and help strengthen those spiritual forces which are our strength.

ALTAR FLOWERS GUILD

January - Mrs Hatch

February - Mrs Hatch

April - Mrs Aikman

May - Miss E. Rutherford

June - Miss Henderson

July - Misses Kummer

August - Mrs N. Ninnes

September - Mrs Garland

October - Mrs Aikman

November - Miss C. Maunsell

December - Misses Kummer

C.E.M.S.

The annual meeting of our branch, held last month, was notable for the splendid witness given by members of events in their lives which had made God more real to them. The men stated the facts plainly and that they arose spontaneously out of the discussion made them the more valuable. Reports appear to show that the Dominion Conference at Christchurch was an outstanding success, with addresses of high order. The Society has a great work to do and all men are invited to link up with it and take an active part in its fellowship and service. The next meeting will be held in the Common Room on Monday, 9th June, at 7.30 p.m., when the discussion will be opened by the branch secretary, Mr W. L . Hunter, who will speak on “Brotherhood.”

BAPTISMS

May

3        Barbara McIntosh Mann

4        Alistair John Halse

       Margaret Helen Cathie

11  Jocelyn Clare Corbishley

       Ronald Keith Crabtree

18   Heather Dawn Wilton

31        Elizabeth Marion Macfarlane Laing.

MARRIAGES

May

10        Stanley Grundy Lamb and Rachael Eleanor Bennett

17        Arthur Edward Martin and Marjorie Clara Fauvel

21        Llewellyn Herbert Beynon and Gladys Enid Allen Bunn

27        Valentine Brandon Tripe and Joan Beetham.

BURIALS

May

6        Patricia Aileen Bunny

8        George Walker

30    Edith Emma Husband.

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