February 1941 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

The season of Lent, with its call to greater service and communion with God, begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. The call today is for reality in our Christian service. Just because in this war we are striving for the Christian ideal, we have to see to it that the ideal is first established and followed in our own lives. Lent bids us prepare and fit ourselves for our task.

So far this year, in spite of petrol restrictions, the services have been even better attended. That is a splendid sign of sincerity, but there are still many who are not doing all they could in this direction, and our Church can never be the power for good we all want it to be unless we are really mobilised for service, every member in his or her place when we meet in Church for inspiration and worship.

During Lent, we should spend more time with God, make our Communions more frequently, read our Bibles more thoughtfully and take full advantage of all opportunities provided. Remember that “it all depends on you and you depend on God.”

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH

MEMORIAL PEWS

Very beautiful were the services which marked the dedication of the new pews, and very beautiful are the pews themselves. Already the interior of the nave of St Matthew’s seems more worthy of the Church, and we can see now that when the new pews, with their designs conformed to the architecture of the Church, fill the Church, the whole appearance will be transformed.

Eleven pews are in position and at the moment three more are in course of construction. One, given by his parents, is to be in memory of Squadron-Leader Lennox Lamb[1], one of the first to give his life in the present war. Two are being given by the Misses Smith, of Colomba Road, one in memory of their parents who through long lives served their Church and community, and the other in memory of their grandparents, who played a leading part in the campaign which resulted in the erection of the first St Matthew’s Church in Masterton. It will be good to have this link with the earliest days of our parish.

MISSION SERVICES

On Wednesday evening, at 7 o’clock, during Lent, there will be held a devotional mission service in St Matthew’s Church. There we shall seek to draw near to God, get to know more of His purpose for us and seek the strength which will make us play a part worthy of our day and generation. At a critical moment in our Lord’s ministry there came a rather wonderful experience called the Transfiguration. At this critical moment in history we want such an experience and on Wednesday evenings the Archdeacon will preach on the conditions and meaning of Transfiguration. Details are:--

February 18-- “The Need of It.”

February 25-- “The Time of It.”

March 4-- “The Place of It.”

March 11-- “The Model of It.”

March 18-- “Companions in It.”

March 25-- “Purpose of It.”

April 1-- “Power of It.”

SOLDIERS’ SUPPERS

Every Sunday night after Church an information social and supper for troops on leave is held in the Parish Hall. All soldiers are invited. Mr Wm. C. Mann is in charge of the programmes and five teams of ladies are taking it in turn to arrange for the suppers. Mrs J. Ninnes is in charge, with leaders of each team. The teams appointed at the meeting, the leaders having power to appoint additional members, were:--

No. 1, Mesdames Aikman (leader), Thomas, Jaine, Jones and Lansdowne parishioners;

No. 2, Mesdames Denbee (leader), O’Callaghan, Yates, Rutherford, Newman, Misses Yates and O’Callaghan;

No. 3, Mesdames Hatch (leader), Hope, Harrison, Ramsden, Gray, Misses Williams, Bellis, Bennington, E. and B. Braggins, Lahore;

No. 4, The Choir under Mesdames Moss (leader) and Thompson;

No. 5, Vestrymen’s wives, Mrs Ninnes (leader)

Duties: No. 2 team, 1st February, No. 3 team, 8th Feb.;  No. 4 team, 15th Feb.; No.5 team, 22nd Feb.; No. 1 team, 1st March.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

The work for the children is vital. The new world we long to see depends, under God, upon human agents. The girls and boys have a right to be given that spiritual foundation on which alone worthy lives can be built. Parents realise that. The attendances last year of the children was the best ever recorded. Never before have so many children attained a perfect attendance. But there is still room for even better results. Consecutive teaching is given and children should not be denied a single lesson. The Sunday Schools resume for the year on on Sunday, 8th February, and we want to see a full attendance on the opening day and every Sunday afterwards.

St. Matthew’s Sunday School meets in the Parish Hall at 10 a.m.; the Kindergarten, in the Scout Den, at 10 a.m.;

Lansdowne, in the Public School, at 9.30 a.m.;

Upper Plain at 10 a.m., and

Kuripuni, in the Epiphany Hall, at 11 a.m.

Taueru begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday 1st February.

THE STAFF

This month the Rev. I. C. Edwards, of Wellington, joins the staff of the parish and takes up his work among us.  Parishioners will give to him and his wife a warm welcome and hope that they will be very happy in the new work. They will be living at 57 Church Street.

The Archdeacon desires to thank all who have rendered special assistance during the period that we have been without help in the parish. The Lay Readers and the acting-Sunday School Superintendents and teachers and Bible Class helpers have responded to many extra calls and we are grateful to them. Thanks to many helpers, the work of our Church has gone on and that is the thing that matters.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

Once a year many parishioners help their Church by giving an annual donation and this help is greatly appreciated. Indeed, we just could not carry on our work without it. We shall be grateful for the help of many this year and those who do not normally give a subscription are asked to consider whether they would not like to do so now.  The parish financial year ends next month, and contributions should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale, Perry Street, Masterton.

PARISH NOTES

Every Wednesday in Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, 18th February, there will be a celebration of the Holy Communion at 7 a.m., and a mission service at 7 p.m.

On Sunday mornings in Lent, the Archdeacon will preach a course of sermons at St Matthew’s on “Aspects of Christian Discipleship.”

There will be no collections at the week-day services during Lent, but all who can are asked to make a self-denial offering and place it one of the boxes in the Church. These offerings will be given to help the missionary work of the Church.

BIBLE CLASS

When Sunday School days are over, young people are ready for a deeper study of the Bible, and the Bible Class provides just the opportunity they need. The class meets in the Chapel of St Matthew’s Church. It is large in numbers and keen in its membership, but there is always room for more to come. The Class will begin its meetings on Sunday, 8th February, at 10 a.m.

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs J. P. Perry[2] was a devoted member of our parish. Throughout her long life she was always a worker, rendering the service which lay within her power. We shall miss her bright and encouraging presence, but she has left behind her the memory of a great-hearted Christian lady whose unselfish life of service helped to make the world a better place.

Quiet, unassuming, but with a life of long and faithful service to the community behind him, Mr Robert Judd has passed to his rest. A man of sterling Christian character,  he belonged to that great band of early pioneers to whom this district owes much.

To the relatives of these and to all others whose loved ones have passed away we extend our sincere sympathy.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mrs Ashworth, Mrs Christian, Mrs Hearn Smith, 10/- each; Mrs M. M. Simpson, Mrs Lance Jones, Miss G. Hale, 5/- each; Mrs Gray, 4/-; Mrs Exell, A.M.G., Miss Rockel, 3/- each; Mesdames Ward, Penistone, E. Bell, Miss Vallance, 2/6 each; Mr W. H. Long, 10/-, Mrs L. Nicol 5/-; Mrs L. Emery 3/-; “Church and People,” Mrs Penistone, Mrs Keisenberg, 2/6 each.

C.E.M.S.

The Church of England Men’s Society has a great part to play in the coming years. Under present conditions, with members absent on military service, attendance may suffer, but the spirit of the Society must be maintained. The first meeting for the new year falls on Monday, 2nd February, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room. Let us see everyone present to give the new season the best start. The Rev. H. Taepa will be the speaker. During January, he attended and helped to run what may well be an historic camp. It was the first conference ever of keen young Maori members of our Church, and Mr Taepa will give us his impressions of the camp and its message. The meeting is open to all men interested.

KURIPUNI NOTES

The Epiphany Sunday School resumes for the year at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 8th February.

On the Sunday evenings in Lent, at the Church of the Epiphany, the Rev. I. C. Edwards will preach a course of sermons on “Our Faith.”  The subjects are:--

Feb. 22-- “What we Believe about God.”

March 1-- “What we Believe about Jesus Christ.”

March 8 -- “What we Believe about the Holy Spirit.”

March 15 -- “Prayer and the Sacraments.”

March 22 -- “A Christian’s Private Life.”

March 29 -- “Life after Death.”

ST MATTHEW’S SCHOOL

This splendid school for girls, with classes from the Primers to the post-Matriculation standard, begins another year on Tuesday, 10th February. Day pupils as well as boarders are received. Parents are invited to see for themselves the facilities possessed by the school. Particulars of fees may be obtained from Mr H. M. Boddington, Church Street.

ACTIVITY OF GOD

Where does God come in the present turmoil and distress of nations? Can we see His plan and know His Will? Well, that is surely the sort of problem we have just got to face this Lent. We must not shirk them, nor will we do so. On the Sunday evenings in Lent, beginning on Sunday, 22nd February, the Archdeacon will preach at St Matthew’s a course of sermons on “God’s Activity.” The detailed subjects will be:--

February 22nd -- “God and Work.”

March 1 -- “God and Creation.”

March 8 -- “God and Righteousness.”

March 15 -- “God and History.”

March 22 -- “God and Redemption.”

BAPTISMS

December

4         David Michael Sim

7          Ernest Redvers Durie

13        David Frederick Bodle

14        Harry George Hessell

15        Ian John McMaster

28        Margaret Jean McLauchlin

January

11        Allan John Gray

12        Arthur Eric Barclay

              Thelma Jean Barclay

13        John Carroll

25        Frank Richard Long

25        Lesley Anne Groves

MARRIAGES

December

3        John McKenzie Strang and Nance Cathrine Judd

6        Leonard James Porteous and Jean Henderson

27     Colin Frederick Schofield and Constance Peace Palmer

30     George Arthur Barr and Eileen Joan Smith

January

7        Alfred Leslie Bennett and Olive Elizabeth Newland

24     Ian Percy Foley and Alma Joan Bilderbeck

BURIALS

December

8          George Downes Oakley

22        Edith Ann Perry

27        William Percy Smith

January

7            Robert Judd

8            Peter Romas Clarke

8            Fanny Teal

14  Arthur Eric Barclay

14  Thelma Jean Barclay

14   John Carroll

16   Patricia Jordan Jenkins

Original scanned image - 121018-001

[1] Son of William George and Ann May Lamb, of Masterton, Squadron-Leader Lennox-Lamb served in the Royal Air Force 9 Squadron and was killed in 1939, at the age of 29. Auckland Cenotaph Database Record.

[2] Edith Anne Perry

Previous | Next