August 1942 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

I confess that I was cheered and encouraged greatly by the spirit and atmosphere of the special general meeting of parishioners held on 23rd July, to launch the earthquake re-building campaign. There were things that had to be said and they were said admirably, but there was no excess of talk, but rather a determination grim and yet cheerful to pass to action.

The task which confronts us is a colossal one, but we are resolved to carry it through to success. That means that we must each and all of us examine our consciences and make sacrifices such as we may never have been called upon to do before. It will require a mighty effort to attain our objective, but such is the spirit of our people that, I believe, it will be done.

Do not delay, I beg of you. The time will come, perhaps sooner than we think, when materials will be available for the rebuilding. When that moment arrives, if we have the money in hand, we shall be able to go ahead. I ask you, therefore, to send in your donation now.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J RICH.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

A splendid spirit was manifest at the meeting of parishioners which launched the re-building campaign. The Churchwardens presented the call and challenge in an excellent manner, and it was clear from the applause and spirit of the meeting that all were determined to back the campaign to the limit. Realism marked the meeting. There was no foolish attempt to buoy ourselves up with easy hopes, rather was there a determination so to sacrifice as to each our goal at the earliest possible moment. Gratitude was expressed for outside help that was coming. It was good to know that we are not to be left alone to bear our heavy burden. We do realise, however, that the bulk of the burden must fall on us and we went away from the meeting determined not to fail the challenge that has come upon us.

THE FIRST START

Immediately after the parishioners’ meeting the appeal for donations went out to our people. Not a week has yet passed, but already the response has begun. Donations are coming in and they reveal that our talk of sacrifice is not empty words. There has not been time yet for many to respond, but already the first thousand pounds are in sight. That is splendid in so short a time. Let us all act now and make it possible for us to announce next month that the goal is reached.

THE GOAL

The meeting decided that we should aim at £12,000 for a new Church and Vicarage. It is a big sum and will require a mighty effort to reach. But we shall want every penny of it. The Church must, of course, be very different in design from the old. Full account will be taken in our plans of the plain statement of the experts that Masterton being on a direct line of an earthquake fault buildings must be of such a nature as to withstand the strain. We are all determined about this. The Church must conform to the views of those who know. But our Church can be just as beautiful, in its way, as the old, and we believe that the sum set by parishioners, namely £12,000, will enable us to achieve our purpose and build a Church worthy of this great district.

WE CAN DO IT!

These words came in a letter from a country parishioner as he sent a generous donation which he was careful to explain was just a first instalment. The spirit of these words sets the standard for our campaign. We can do it!  Let that be our motto this month. It was finely said at the parishioners’ meeting that it is a privilege to work for the erection of a worthy church.  We who are living in this district at this hour, have it in us to meet the challenge. We shall not shirk the issue. We shall not let the bigness of the task daunt or dismay us. WE CAN DO IT! We thank the parishioner who gave us that slogan which is worthy of our people as they sacrifice for this great cause.

SACRIFICIAL GIFTS

Some moving contributions have already been made. Working girls have made donations which, when measured by their wages, represent a wonderful proportion of their income. The same is true of other donors. Then one parishioner, by no means wealthy, yet had £100 in the Savings Bank.  She thought it out. The interest on that sum was £2 10/- per annum, and she decided that the sacrifice of that much income was a small thing compared with giving the £100 to the rebuilding fund.  Members of St Matthew’s School took up a collection.  Girls in some cases gave all their pocket money, and sent in the splendid sum of £17/5/11.  When we see such examples of the spirit of sacrifice as those we can rightly take as our slogan, “We can do it.”

OUTSIDE HELP

We are encouraged and cheered by the action of Knox Presbyterian Church and by all the parishes of the Christchurch Diocese in taking up retiring collections at the services on a recent Sunday in order to help us. The Wellington Diocese is moving also. The Wellington Diocese is moving also. The Bishop has issued an appeal and steps are in hand to make it a systematic one throughout the Diocese. This Christian spirit of bearing one another’s burdens is proof of the sincerity of people’s faith, and we shall be very grateful for all help.

THE BISHOP’S VISIT

Members of the congregation were very appreciative of the action of the Bishop in coming to visit us on Sunday, 19th July, to share our sorrow at the loss of the Church he loved as we did, and to hearten and encourage us as we face the great task ahead. His splendid address was most inspiring.  We felt that our Bishop cared greatly for us in our tragedy and his words were a splendid prelude to the special meeting of parishioners held a few days later.

WORKING BEES

Every fine Saturday afternoon we want all the men who can to come to help in clearing the wreckage. We are grateful to the many who have come already. They have saved us many pounds. There is a tremendous amount of material still to be saved and stacked, so come along any and every Saturday afternoon at 1.30 p.m., and join the fine band of helpers.

BRICKS AND TIMBER

Who wants bricks? Men at the Church are busy cleaning and stacking them. They are first-class bricks and are for sale. Mr C. R. Mabson, Borough Engineer, is in charge of salvage operations, and he will be glad to give you full particulars.

Then there are plenty of broken bricks and rubble--just the thing for paths. This will be available for the carting. Once again, Mr Mabson is the man to see.

Splendid timber is being saved. This is of all sorts and sizes. Within a few days, by courtesy of Messrs Wright, Stephenson & Co., Ltd., an auction sale will be held. Here will be a great opportunity to get first-class timber. Small broken wood will be sold as firewood. The date of auction sale will be Wednesday, 5th August, at 2.30 p.m.

CONFIRMATION

This will be held on September 26th.  In view of the rationing of clothing girl candidates will not be required to wear white frocks at confirmation held during the war period.

A special class for adults who desire to be confirmed will meet soon. The actual date of starting will be announced in Church. Already several adults have handed in their names for confirmation and we hope others will join them.

LADIES’ GUILD

The Guild has issued an urgent call for help. It is hard for them to get materials. But many people have garments in which the material is still excellent. Will you make other articles out of such garments and hand them to the Guild? If you are not able to do that the Guild will be glad of the garments so that they can make them up. Again, articles made of sugar bags find a ready sale. If you can make them yourself and give them that is splendid, but if not, the Guild will be glad of them and will make them up.

The Guild meets on Thursdays, at 2.30 p.m., in the Common Room, and new members are always welcome.

C.E.M.S.

The monthly meeting of the branch will be held in the Common Room on Monday, 3rd August, at 7.45 p.m. The speaker will be the Rev. I.C. Edwards. All members are asked to be present, and all men interested are very cordially invited to be present. The society is making progress. Recently two branches were established at Palmerston North and now another has been formed at Pahiatua.

SOLDIERS’ HELP

Once again we are grateful for help cheerfully given by a band of soldiers. During the last week of July they came to help with the salvage of timber. They worked with a will and made a splendid clearance. We should like them to know how greatly we appreciate their help.

TEMPORARY CHURCH

It is certainly hard having only one building for all our activities, but parishioners understand the position. Our temporary church is getting straight and we are having excellent services there. Let us one and all help to maintain the services, making them as friendly and as helpful as we can.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mr and Mrs S. R. Gawith, 17/6; Anon, 2/6; Mrs Liddle 2/6, Mr L. Hough, 2/-, Mesdames Sherborne, Ray, Rushton, 3/- each; Mrs Carpenter, 2/6; Mrs Kilminster, 5/-.

“Church and People”: Miss Hale, Mrs H. O. Toogood, Mrs S. R. Gawith.

BAPTISMS

June

3        Helen Josephine Barton

4        Joan Lorraine Oliver

July

5        Brian Richard Allen

12     Cynthia Myrtle Titter

         Brian Earl Titter

         Joan Aileen Titter

         Lewis Charles Titter

         Isabel Mavis Titter

22     Warren Arthur Whiteman

MARRIAGES

June

24        William Henry Ebbitt and Florence Bessie Tinkham

24        Donald James Keats and Noela Elsie Russell

July

8          William Henry Bray and Lillian Joyce Coulson

11        Melvin Cooper Armstrong and Barbara Dorothy Berney

18        Ralph Hugh Horsley Beetham and Barbara Josephine Barton

BURIALS

June

5        John Stanley Beard

8        Charles Sargant Ball

10      Maria Jennerson Jarrett

13      Mary Grace Rayne

18       Thomas Bruce Kilmister

           Glenister McCall Ferguson

             Thomas Reginald McKenzie[1]

20   Walter Sanderson Todd

27   Henry Peter Harrison

July

4      Elizabeth Frances Eton

7      Arthur Abraham Harris

23    Richard Quin

28     Thomas Wilkinson Dowthwaite.

[1] Thomas Bruce Kilmister, Glenister McCall Ferguson and Thomas Reginald McKenzie were three soldiers killed when their bren gun carrier overturned while they were on an exercise at Rangitumau.  The Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 140, 16 June 1942, Page 3 reported:

THREE KILLED

CAPSIZE ON HILLSIDE

A BREN CARRIER

(P.A.) MASTERTON, This Day. Three soldiers were killed at Rangitumau, near Masterton, yesterday afternoon, when a Bren carrier overturned on a hillside during manoeuvres. The victims were Thomas Reginald McKenzie (20), Clareville; Corporal Bruce Kilmister (21) Masterton; and Private Glennister Ferguson (30), Masterton. The men were killed outright. An inquest was opened and evidence of identification was taken, after which the inquest was adjourned.

Previous | Next