November 1942

At the moment of writing, news has just come of the opening of the offensive in Egypt. Our men, we are told, are in the forefront of the battle. Besides that, there are indications that the most critical and perhaps decisive stage of the war has been reached. The long, weary period of preparation and being on the defensive is ending, the time for the great and, pray God, the final offensive has come.

What is our duty at this grave hour? What contribution have we to make to help bring this war to a victorious conclusion? There is much to be done in the material plane. Indeed everything possible must be done. But this war is not, on our side, a war for material gain. Rather it is the supreme struggle for the preservation of Christian ideals and the saving of the Christian way of life.

In our hearts we all believe that--it is just plain sober truth. But are we doing all that we can on this plane. In the realm of the spirit, prayer is the mighty power and we wrong and weaken our men that if power is not as strong as it ought to be. Now is the time to redouble our efforts, show our sincerity by our faithfulness in worship, and carry into everyday life the spirit which touches us on Sundays.

Let our churches be crowded--that is the first and obvious step. Let nothing keep us from public worship--let there go out from every Church such a flood of spiritual power as will sustain our men and our Allies in the new phase of the war and carry them on to God’s victory and peace.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

KURIPUNI NOTES

Towards the end of November the Epiphany Ladies’ Guild are holding another of their very popular social afternoons at Sedgley. The social will take the form of a “Bring and Buy” afternoon and all members and friends are invited. There will be a good musical programme and afternoon tea will be served.

Before long, too, the annual garden party at Kuripuni will be held. This is the big annual effort of the Epiphany Guild and with the help of everybody, the fine standard of previous years’ efforts will be maintained.

SALE OF WORK

This is the great annual effort of the ladies of the parish to assist, through their Guild, the work of the parish. We ask for the help of everybody in making it a record success. Never was there greater need for it than there is this year when our work has been so sadly hindered by the results of the earthquake. Never, too, was there greater need for Christian effort.

All the usual stalls will be there. Plain and fancy sewing work, produce, cakes, toys, books, sweets, flowers, jumble will be on sale. Help to stock the stalls and come and bring your friends to the sale. Afternoon tea will be available.

Wednesday, 11th November, is the date, and the Sale will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The place of the Sale will be the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, in Church Street, which have been kindly placed at our disposal. This is the first occasion for many years that we have not been able to hold this function in our own building, and we are grateful to the Y.M.C.A. for helping us in our difficulty.

Remember, the success of the Sale of Work depends on you. All the help you can give will be appreciated. With the help of all, this annual effort will be record success.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE

This was held on Tuesday, 6th October, sixty candidates being confirmed. In spite of the fact that the service had to be held at the unusual hour of 5.15 p.m. there was a very large congregation. The Bishop’s address was inspiring and will long be remembered by both candidates and congregation. It is interesting to record that no less than five members of the Vestry had children confirmed at the service. Because of the loss of the Church it was not possible to have the one big first Communion service we generally have. Two services were held, both being splendidly attended.

RE-BUILDING CAMPAIGN

Three months have passed since a special general meeting of parishioners faced the situation caused by the destruction of our parish Church and resolved to proceed to appeal for funds for rebuilding of both Church and Vicarage.

In the meantime, the work of our Church, never more needed than now, is being carried on under difficulty. Everyone is cheerful about it though, and doing their best. We had hoped that some better arrangements could be made and the Vestry is still endeavouring to make that possible. The attendances at the services are being well maintained and we are having very happy services indeed in our temporary church. There is a happy spirit of fellowship and friendliness and the congregation enters wholeheartedly into the services.

But we all know that the work of our Church is suffering and we are all determined to see to it that adequate buildings are available at the earliest possible moment. So we press on with the campaign, building up the fund, getting ready for the intensive campaign which will be launched at the right moment.

After three months, the fund stands at £2,466 1s 7d. In addition, we have promises amounting to a further £365 16s. We hope that £12,000 will be sufficient as our objective. The present position at the end of October means that more than one-fifth of the amount required is in hand.

It will need the help of everybody to accomplish our goal. It is worth a sacrifice to have a share in the building of God’s House. Let us go forward, in good heart, to this service for God.

PARISH NOTES

The collection plates destroyed by the earthquake have been replaced by a parishioner, who has also made and presented a collection box to the Bible Class to replace the one that was destroyed. We are very grateful for these gifts.

It was unfortunate that no public hall was available for the annual concert and drill display of St Matthew’s Collegiate School for Girls. It was an outstanding performance.

Friends of the School are invited to be present at the annual sports day of St Matthew’s Collegiate School, to be held in the School grounds on Friday, 13th November, beginning at 2 p.m.

CHRISTIAN ORDER

The campaign is in full swing. The attendances at the services have been excellent and considerable interest has been taken in the special preachings. Only two Sundays of this phase of the campaign still remain, and we hope to see crowded churches. The proclamation of the Message, however, can only be the beginning. Now it must be applied.

The Youth Week in connection with the campaign in Masterton was well organised and very effective. Details were worked out by committees of youth. Outstanding were the services on Wednesday, when Derek Shouler, secretary of the Boy’s Bible Class, spoke for the Church of England youth, and the big public service in the Park on the Sunday afternoon.

IN MEMORIAM

Miss Mary Stilborn had been in poor health for some time, but she was always bright and cheerful, and always gave a splendid example of faithfulness in Christian worship and service. Her passing came as a shock, but it was as she would have wished, and her friends at St Matthew’s will long treasure the memory of a gracious character. To her relatives the sympathy of all goes out.

CLOTHES STALL

A special feature of the Sale of Work to be held on Wednesday, 11th November, in the Y.M.C.A., Church Street, will be a stall laden with second-hand clothes in first-class condition. In these days this feature will be particularly welcome. A splendid assortment, including sports clothes, will be on sale. The Guild has a fine navy blue serge suit, almost new, which would fit a boy of about 15 years. Anyone interested may get particulars before the sale by applying to any member of the Ladies’ Guild.

ADVENT

The season of Advent, which marks the beginning of another Christian year, begins on Advent Sunday, 29th November. Advent means “coming,” and during the four weeks of this season we are invited to think of the Coming of our Lord to this earth on the first Christmas Day and of all that that Coming has meant to the world. It speaks, too, of the fact that Christ is always coming to individuals and to nations. Certainly such a time of visitation and of opportunity is with us now. God is speaking to us through the tremendous issues of this war. A right use of Advent will help us in the response we make to the challenge of our day.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mesdames C. W. Rutherford, Ashworth, S. McLachlan, 5/- each; Mrs E. Hubbard, 3/-.

BAPTISMS

October

2 - Michaela Mary Major

2 - Jillian Mary Cameron

3 - Jeremy James Hodson

3 - John Cox

3 - Peter Cox

4 - Margaret Jane McHardy

5 - Peter Henry Marshall

11 - Anne Jeanette Askew

12 - David Bruce Dunderdale

15 - Marie Joan Miller

15 - Elaine Josephine Miller

17 - John Gresley Corke

25 - Gwenda Jose Dickason

25 - Margaret Joy Ford

25 - Helen Muriel Ford

MARRIAGE

October 17

John Cowley Hazledine and Nora Prudence Robinson

BURIALS

2 - Edward John Benge

2 - Mary Stilborn

6 - Robert Thompson

12 - Mabel Jessie Richera Hosking

24 - Mary Haskell Elliotte

26 - Harriett Valler.

C.E.M.S.

The next meeting of the Branch, to which all men are invited, will be held in the Common Room, on Tuesday, 3rd November, at 7.45 p.m. At this meeting we shall study an excellent and searching paper on “What are we Fighting For?” written by Professor K. H. Bailey, of Melbourne.

SEDGLEY

Once a year Church people throughout the Wairarapa are asked to help our Church carry on the great work it is doing for the boys at Sedgley. The new Home accommodates over 30 boys, and unfortunately many applications for admission are always being received by the Society.

Practical Christian service such as that done at Sedgley makes a wide appeal. There are many demands on people just now, and the Committee appeals to you to help us give the boys their chance in life. Come on Gift Day and see the Home for yourselves.

Anything in the way of food and clothing will be welcomed as gifts. They may be left at the Vicarage, Masterton, or at Sedgley. Gifts in money should be sent to the hon. secretary, Mr H. A. R . Dunderdale, Perry Street, Masterton.

Please help the boys.

E. J. RICH, Chairman
H. A. R. DUNDERDALE, Hon. Secretary.

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