April 1943

The weather on Easter Day was far from pleasant, nevertheless there were 480 Communicants that morning, and the churches were beautifully decorated for the occasion.

The Sundays in Lent and Good Friday were marked by increased congregations. Indeed on Sunday mornings we have a full church at St. Matthew’s. Now that Lent is over let us go forward as we have begun. Let crowded congregations be the rule. Public worship is not only a duty we owe to God, it is a duty we owe to ourselves. No one expects the future to be all plain sailing. In our individual and in our national life we need the help that God alone can give. On Sunday, the first day of each week, we can, as we do an essential part of our duty to God, get inspiration and strength for the duties of the week. It is just plain folly to deny ourselves that help.

I want to thank you for your very generous Easter offerings. It was very good of you all.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

LADIES GUILD

The Guild will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, 27th May, 1943, at 2.30 p.m., in the Common Room. This chief organisation of the ladies of the Parish has done magnificent work through the years. Besides working for the annual Sale of Work, the members have done splendid war work. We look forward to another successful season. New members will be made welcome. Following the annual meeting, the Guild will meet regularly every Thursday afternoon.

CHURCH SALVAGE

Practically all the heavy timber from the wrecked church has now been sold. There is now available a fair quantity of broken timber suitable for firewood. Many thousands of bricks have been sold. Indeed, no week passes without some being sold. For timber or for bricks, see Mr C. R. Mabson.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Ever since the earthquake the work of our Sunday School has been carried out under very difficult conditions, owing to lack of room. The Vestry has done its utmost to provide better space and explored several possibilities, but unfortunately none could be adopted. Teachers and children have carried on cheerfully, but the work is hampered terribly.

Now we are happy to report that new and better arrangements have become possible. The Trustees of the Orange Hall, in Bannister Street, quite close to our own Hall, have most kindly made available to us on Sunday mornings the whole of their building on generous terms. We do appreciate their action, which will enable our teachers to work under better conditions, and our children to be taught more effectively.

The building is not large enough for the whole Sunday School which will, therefore, have to be divided. Beginning on Sunday, 9th May, at 11 a.m., the boys of the six senior classes and the girls of the four senior classes, will meet in the Orange Hall. They will constitute the Senior Sunday School, of which Mr S. F. Taylor will be acting superintendent. Classes five to nine of the girls and seven to nine of the boys will meet in the present temporary church (Parish Hall) and will constitute the Junior Sunday School, of which Mrs K. Chapman will be acting superintendent.

The Kindergarten Sunday School, with Miss E. Thomas as Superintendent, will continue to meet in the Scout Den and the Bible Classes in the Common Room.

Parents will be very grateful to those who have made these new arrangements possible. Even now, of course, conditions will be far from ideal, but they will be far better than those which have existed since the earthquake. It will be a happy day for the children when the new Church is built and the whole of the Parish Hall and its furnishings become available for the children once more.

PARISH NOTE

It would appear from some figures of baptisms, etc., given in the annual report, that Masterton is an exceptionally healthy place to live! We regret that an error crept into the figures. The true totals for the year were:

Baptisms: 102;

marriages, 30;

burials, 65.

The Bible Classes are hoping to hold a dance early next term. The Committee meets in the Common Room on Tuesday, 4th May, at 7 p.m., to consider the possibilities

A meeting of Sunday School teachers will be held in the Common Room on Wednesday, 5th May, at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, 19th May, at 11 a.m., at St Matthew’s, members of the Masterton League of Mothers will be holding a Church Parade.

The Rev. J. E. Jones, who left the staff of our Parish some five years ago to work as a missionary in India, has returned to New Zealand on leave and hopes to visit us in the near future. We shall certainly look forward to seeing and hearing him once more.

The annual meeting of parishioners is being held on 29th April, too late for a report in this issue. Opportunity will be taken at the meeting to bid farewell to the Rev. I. C. and Mrs Edwards, who take up duty at Pahiatua on 1st May.

The annual Confirmation service will be held in St Matthew’s by the Bishop on the last Sunday in September. Preparation classes will begin next term.

Mr Denis Fairbrother, one of our Sunday School teachers, who is on active service, sends greetings to the Sunday School. He has had several opportunities of joining recently in services in Cairo Cathedral, which is always crowded, many servicemen being in the congregation.

It is hoped that the Bishop of Aotearoa will be the preacher at 11 a.m. in St Matthew’s on Sunday, 9th May.

REBUILDING FUND

Last month saw quite a good increase in the fund. The 24th of next month will mark the first anniversary of the destruction of the Church in the earthquake--not a very happy anniversary perhaps. Nevertheless we can make it so. We can make it a great advance in a big task undertaken with brave hearts by people resolved to see at the earliest possible moment a new and worthy parish Church--a building worthy of God and worthy of the fine traditions of this district.

At the moment, the fund stands at £3799 18s., with another £240 in promises. What will be the figure on the first anniversary of the disaster? Will you help to make it larger? We have been asked to stress, and we do so gladly, that Government stock and bonds, as well as cash, are welcome additions to the fund.

POLAND

This tortured land is not forgotten, nor is the splendid service being rendered by those of its citizens who escaped. For that reason alone, parishioners will respond gladly to the request of the Polish Consul-General that on Sunday, 2nd May, marking the 152nd anniversary of Poland’s independence, we should in our churches offer special prayer for Poland. Let us make our observance of that request evidence of our sympathy with the stricken masses of that land, and of our determination to see it freed from the aggressor.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Miss Mitchell, £1; Mrs Hearn Smith, 10/-; Mesdames F. H. Dunderdale, M. Berney, Hayne, Miss Hodges, 5/- each; Miss Robins, Mrs Holmwood, 3/- each; Mr C. Cole, Mesdames Friend, Lysaght, Jackson, 2/6 each.

“Church and People.”--Mrs Dunderdale, 5/-; Mesdames Harrison, Fletcher, Major, Misses Booth, Brown, Messrs W. Clarke, A. O. Jones, Boddington, 2/6 each.

C.E.M.S.

This year the Branch is studying a book recently published on “The Ten Commandments in the 20th Century.” At the meeting on Monday, 3rd May, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room, Mr R. Penistone will introduce the chapter, “The Laws Made Known,” and the discussions will deal with such questions as “Why Christians Should Study the Old Testament.” “What is the Message of the Prophets for Today,” and “What are Good and Bad Laws.” On Palm Sunday an impressive renewal of membership service was held at Evensong. Remember, the Branch meets on Monday, 3rd May, at 7.45 p.m. All men are invited.

KURIPUNI NOTES

Opportunity was taken following Easter Day to farewell the Rev. I. C. and Mrs Edwards, and to make a presentation to them on the eve of their departure for Pahiatua. On the following Wednesday a farewell party was held at the residence of Mrs F. Whitton.

Miss D. Kemp has agreed to carry on the Kuripuni Sunday School while the parish is without an assistant. Under her leadership and with the help of the teachers this important work will continue to prosper.

CALL TO PRAYER

Brigadier Vanier, D.S.O., M.C., said recently to a great gathering of men:

“Is there a man among you who is prepared to rise and say that there was nothing supernatural about Dunkirk? Many hard-boiled sailors, soldiers, and airmen, who were at Dunkirk, thought Dunkirk was a miracle and were not afraid to say so in public, and I don’t mind throwing in my lot with that hard-boiled crew. There is an unseen Hand, at work, in all our destinies, and when, through our own fault, we do not feel its blessed touch, let us remember Dunkirk, remember Dunkirk and lift up our hearts to God.

ALTAR FLOWERS GUILD

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

IN MEMORIAM

Another of the splendid band of pioneers of our Parish and community has passed to her rest. Mrs A. E. Dixon[1] was a very lovable character, one who saw the good in others and who was ever alert to find opportunities of service. She was one of the first workers for our Church in Masterton and her interest was maintained to the end. She was a great war-knitter also. She leaves behind her the memory of a gracious personality. The sympathy of parishioners goes out to her relatives.

Mr L. H. Spackman was a faithful member of our parish. He was a keen and active member of the C.E.M.S. , and until his health began to fail he never missed a meeting. His passing came as he desired. He had just returned home from the little helpful duties he loved to do when the end came. We shall miss him, and our sympathy goes out to his relatives in their bereavement.

BAPTISMS

April

4 Helen Isobel Paris

18 Ernest Alfred Doggert

Carole Anne Breen

Leslie Martin Ryan

Shirley Ann Pearce

24 David Noel Russell

25 Trevor Lester White

Judith Ann White

Garth Tasman Southey

26 Jennifer Molly King

Jennifer Ann Alderson

27 Jeanette Maree Clarke

28 Ivan John Hunt

Alan Kenny Gilbert

MARRIAGES

April

3 Seymour Murray Gilding and Alice Dickens

17 Henry Percy Blatchford and Mary Kathleen Willcock

19 Leonard James Corlett and Beryn Innes Nelson

24 Colin James Neilson and Olive Nella Harding.

BURIALS

April

1 Frank Tregurtha

7 Alice Elizabeth Dixon

14 Percival Guy Rose

17 Catherine Lee

Joyce Evelyn Kummer

24 George Coker

30 Louis Henry Spackman

Original scanned image--121018-0018

[1] Alice Elizabeth Dixon, nee Herbert (1858-1943) was married to Charles Dixon (1847-1935)

Previous | Next

Scan-121018-0018.pdf