March 1941 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

A really splendid start has been made with our parish observance of the season of Lent. Very large congregations marked all services during the first week, both on the Sunday and the week-days.

Now, of course, we must all see to it that that position is maintained all through Lent, and even improved as the weeks go by. That can easily happen. It only just requires that each parishioner plays his or her part and then our Churches will be full to overflowing. That always happens on special occasions. What we want is to see it happen always. Will you help in that?

The forces of New Zealand and the free world are mobilised for service. That is right. As yet the spiritual forces are not fully mobilised, and they cannot be unless every individual plays his or her part.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

EVENING SERVICES

The lighting restrictions[1] have made it essential to alter the hour of the evening services. Beginning on Sunday, 1st March, the evening services at all centres will begin at 6 p.m. The change will be mean rearrangement of our Sundays for many of us, but parishioners will not mind that. The great thing is to see that public worship is maintained and any slight inconvenience we may be caused will be regarded as but a small thing in days like these.

SEDGLEY WEEK

For many years now one week in Lent has been set apart for a self-denial effort on behalf of Sedgley Home. In spite of the many calls upon our people the work at Sedgley has not been allowed to suffer. There has been no slackening in the support given and the great work for the boys goes on day after day. Because of the greatly increased number of boys now at the Home we are grateful for extra help. The annual week begins on Wednesday, March 11. Before that date collectors will leave envelopes and after Wednesday, 18th March, they will call to collect them. Please do what you can to help the Home.

MAORI MISSION

Our parish was asked to raise for the general funds of the Maori Mission this year £24/10/- in addition to our contribution for the work of our Maori clergyman. The parish has actually raised £34 7s 1d, nearly £10 more than was asked of us. The secretary of the Mission writes, “This was a wonderful response and I hope you will let the people of the Masterton parish know how much their very generous offering was appreciated.” The work of our Church in the Maori Mission is making progress and we in Masterton are very happy that we have been able to do, this year, more than was asked of us and so have a larger share in the Mission’s work.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mrs O. Beetham, 10/-; Mrs F. Percy, 5/-; Mr J. Snell, 3/6; Mrs S. F. Taylor, 3/-; Mesdames H. Mawley, Tildesley, Miss Tuxford, 2/6 each; Misses Perry, Boddington, Mrs Chalmers, 2/- each; H. J. Bannister, 5/-; Miss W. Nicholls, 3/-; Mrs Winzenberg, 2/6; Mrs J. Rich, Mrs Reeves, 3/- each.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

The financial year of our parish ends this month. Present indications are that we shall once again finish the year with a credit balance, thereby maintaining our position as a parish free of debt. For that to continue to happen we want the help of all, and one good way of sharing is by joining the band of annual subscribers. We ask all who help in this way to have their subscription in before the end of the month, and we ask those who are not subscribers to consider whether they could not help us in this way. Subscriptions should be sent to the hon. treasurer, Mr H. A. R. Dunderdale, Perry Street, Masterton.

PARISH NOTES

The Rev. T. V. Pearson, C.F., writes cheerfully and interestingly of his work with the forces overseas. He sends his best wishes to all parishioners.

Each Wednesday during Lent, at 7 a.m., and each Thursday, at 10.30 a.m., there is a celebration of the Holy Communion at St Matthew’s.

Are your children attending Sunday School regularly? They have a right to that spiritual instruction which will provide a foundation for life. Do not rob them of that precious heritage.

The offerings at all services on the first Sunday in March are given to the Melanesian Mission. Let us do our very best for Melanesia that day.

We welcome many new teachers in our Sunday Schools this year, and trust that they will be very happy in that important work.

On the Sunday evenings in Lent, the Archdeacon is preaching a special course of sermons on the “Activity of God,” in relationship to present conditions

No collections are made at the weekday services during Lent. Those who desire to do so place a self-denial offering for Missions in the Church boxes.

Scouts will be interested to know that their Scout-Master, Ron Isles, took part recently in a happy gathering overseas of soldiers of all ranks who are, in normal times, actively engaged in scouting.

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

Archbishop Temple[2] is to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of our Mother Church.  This is a notable appointment. Archbishop Temple has given a bold and fearless lead in vital matters in Britain since the war began.  He has spoken out about abuses and wrongs, his wireless broadcasts have been heard and appreciated throughout the free world. He is concerned about the necessity of a supreme effort to win the war, but he is no less concerned to see that when the war is over a Christian order should be established in every land. We may be thankful that our Church shall have as leader in the days ahead one whose voice is listened to with respect by almost all in Britain.

SCOUT SERVICE

The special Scout service to mark Scout Week was a memorable one. There was a very large attendance of Scouts, Cubs and friends. Those responsible for the week’s arrangements in Masterton are to be congratulated in the results achieved. Many new boys have joined the Movement and the public gained a fresh vision of the possibilities of Scouting.

C.E.M.S.

At the February meeting two quite outstanding addresses were given by the Revs. H. Taepa and W. Huata. They spoke of the recent Maori Bible Class Conference and of the problems which face our Maori brethren. The meeting decided unanimously to place a gift pew in the Church from the Branch. The next meeting will be held at 7.45 p.m. on Monday, 2nd March, in the Common Room, when the subject will be “The National Campaign for Christian Order.”

MISSION SERVICES

An excellent start has been made with the special Wednesday devotional services held in St Matthew’s each Wednesday, at 7 p.m., in Lent. We hope to see even more parishioners taking advantage of this opportunity. The services are not long--they cannot be on account of lighting restrictions--but they can be most helpful. At these services the Archdeacon is preaching a course of sermons on Transfiguration.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Our practise of remembering by name at our services those on active service is appreciated by those overseas.

“It is most encouraging and sustaining to know that one is being remembered in this way, “

writes a Masterton soldier.

“If one puts his faith and trust in God the life isn’t hard and the road to peace and happiness not very long or weary.”

Later in his letter he pays this tribute to the work of our Church Army overseas:

“One thing a chap is very grateful for over here is the Church Army for they did some excellent work. They were with us through all the action and were even right up at the front line when times were at their worst. Words couldn’t describe the gratitude our chaps felt for the wonderful services they rendered.”

Front page of March 1942 issue not scanned

[1] The September 1942 issue of St Matthew’s Parish Magazine notes that the lighting restrictions have been lifted and normal evening service times resumed.

[2] Archbishop William Temple served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942-1944

Previous | Next