February 1943 Parish magazine

PROPOSED NEW CHURCH

As a supplement to this Magazine you will find a sketch of the new Church. Parishioners are naturally keen to know what is planned. The architect has given us a design which is an admirable one.

In the first place, strength has been the primary consideration. We want a building which will endure, embodying the qualities necessary for this area. Perhaps because we started from that essential, planning a building suitable to actual conditions here, we have a design which is also beautiful. Indeed, all who have seen the sketch, including the appropriate Diocesan Committee, are delighted with its appeal.

Of course the sketch is not final. There may be modifications as the whole project is studied is studied and worked out. But we see the essentials and can get some vision of the new St Matthew’s--a church of strength and beauty.

The seating accommodation is about the same as in the old church, but it is distributed differently. The nave is shorter, but transepts are added. We shall thus be nearer together and our experience in the Parish Hall is proving that that is helpful for worship.

Added strength is given by interior pillars and the Churtney windows throughout the building will give added light. There are other alternatives which will give strength.

The beautiful Meredith window will be at the west end. There is not sufficient height at the east. The new position will have the advantage that the window will be seen from the street at night. Its beauty must influence all who pass by.

When can we begin to build? Well, we have made a splendid start with the raising of funds, and we believe that now parishioners have something definite to aim at they will turn with vigour and sacrificial devotion to the task which confronts us. Every donation made brings nearer the day when the new St Matthew’s will stand as an enduring symbol of the faith and sacrifice of people who were big enough to face disaster and win from it something even more glorious than that which was lost.

Parishioners will be sorry to hear that Archdeacon Rich was taken ill on Sunday and he will be unable to conduct the services next Sunday. All will join in sympathy with him and hope for his speedy recovery.

REBUILDING FUND

This has shown a great advance since the last magazine. The fund now stands at £3249 6s. and in addition, promises amount to a further £325. remember, this big sum has to come in without the stimulus of a definite design, and we are encouraged to go forward to make this year the greatest in the history of our parish. We have a long way to go. We want £12,000. We dare not aim at less. It is the hope that every member of the Church in this great parish will have a share in making the new building possible. May it be everybody’s church, dedicated to God by the gifts of all His people. Will you help us to advance to our goal?

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

All the parish Sunday Schools resume on Sunday, 1st February. Never was this youth work more vital than it is now. Those who will have to build the new world have a right to the equipment necessary for their task. They will need a character strong and noble. They will want an ideal and a purpose which will give them courage and endurance. Our Sunday Schools exist to give the children that spiritual foundation on which alone a worthwhile life can be built. No child should be denied his heritage.

Parents and guardians are asked to see that the children attend regularly and punctually. The work is being carried on under tremendous difficulties on account of lack of space caused by the destruction of our Church. Nevertheless our teachers carry on without a grumble and the instruction is being given.

All the Sunday Schools will meet as usual on Sunday, 7th February. Lansdowne at 9.30 a.m., Kuripuni at 11 a.m., Upper Plain at 10.30 a.m., and Taueru at 2 p.m., St Matthew’s Main and Kindergarten, 10 a.m.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mrs J. Rich, £1 1s; Mrs J. Billington, £1; Mrs Heffernan, 5/-; Mrs Lewis, 3/-; Mrs Whiteman, 2/6. “Church and People,” Miss Vallance, Mrs S. Mawley, 2/6 each.

PARISH NOTES

Those privileged to be present will not soon forget the inspiring little adult confirmation service taken by Bishop Bennett.

The services in preparation for Christmas, as well as those on Christmas Day itself, were just splendid. Parishioners appreciated the way the representatives of so many parish organisations took their part in the services of lessons and carols.

Our offerings at all services on Christmas Day were given to the Restoration Fund for Bombed British Churches. We in this parish can appreciate the feelings of those who have seen a loved church destroyed. In spite of our own heavy burden, the magnificent total of £56 was raised for the Bombed British Churches.

We were glad to have, in December, a visit from Mrs A. Mason, who has worked in Melanesia for many years. She gave a splendid talk and made us realise afresh how great is the need for missionary work.

Over 60,000 bricks from the old Church have now been sold. There are many left but there seems a steady demand for them and in time all will be sold. Salvage operations were costly, but the sale of materials will cover them eventually so that every penny given in donations will go to the Rebuilding Fund.

We are grateful to the Trust Lands Trust for providing storage space for part of our organ, thereby assisting greatly our Sunday School and Scouts by giving more room for their activities.

A Conference of the Clergy of the Diocese will be held at Palmerston North from Monday, 22nd February, to Friday, 26th February.

PRESENTATION

After 20 years’ splendid service as Superintendent of our Kindergarten Sunday School, Miss O. Henderson has, for personal reasons, had to relinquish that work. At the Sunday School prize giving, the Archdeacon made appreciative reference to her long and faithful service and on behalf of the children made a presentation to her. There is always plenty of hearty applause at the prize giving, but the heartiest of all was accorded Miss Henderson as she came forward to receive her “prize.” Miss Henderson will be missed greatly, but we shall always have her interest in the work for the children.

IN MEMORIAM

Our parish has lost a faithful worker by the passing of Mrs W. H. Cruickshank. Indeed, any cause which worked for the good of humanity found in her a friend and helper. Her faith sustained her through a long period of weakness and sickness and she never lost interest in the work of her Church. Her understanding sympathy endeared her to all who knew her, and she leaves behind her the precious memory of a life of service to God and to the community.

ST MATTHEW’S SCHOOL

This fine school for girls, situated in Pownall Street, opens for the year on Tuesday, 9th February, with a record number of boarders. Day girls may also attend. The school aims at giving a complete education from the primary stage to the post-matriculation, and has a splendid scholastic and sports record. In addition, spiritual training is given the proper place. Fees are kept as low as possible. Particulars may be obtained from the secretary, Mr H. M. Boddington, Church Street, or from the Principal, Mrs Max Cleghorn.

C.E.M.S.

At the last meeting of the Branch we had an interesting report and discussion on some aspects of a recent conference at Frederic Wallis House. The subject was introduced by the secretary. Members will be glad to know that we shall be able to study them this year.

The 1943 session opens on Monday, 1st February, at 7.45 p.m., in the Common Room. On this occasion the subject will be an outstanding paper, published in the series, “The Faith in Time of War,” dealing with “Prayer in Wartime.”  In view of its importance, all men, whether members or not, are most cordially invited to be present.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

The annual services of thanksgiving for the blessings of the harvest, make a wide appeal and have an important lesson for us all. Both at St Matthew’s and at Kuripuni these services will be held on Sunday, 28th February. On Saturday, 27th February, before 2.30 p.m., we shall be glad of gifts of produce for the festival and at that hour we want many helpers to arrange the gifts. The harvest gifts symbolise our gratitude to God for many blessings, and in addition they represent practical Christian service, for after the festival they are given to Sedgley Home.

BIBLE CLASS

When Sunday School days are over, our youth are ready for more advanced study. This is done in the Bible Class. We have a splendid class of keen young people but there is always room for more. The Bible Class will meet in the Common Room every Sunday at 10 a.m., starting on Sunday, 7th February. Old and new members are asked to be present on the opening day.

BAPTISMS

December

9 - Peter John Rich

14 - Alan Maurice Braund

14 - Ian William Smith

14 - Raymond D’Arcy Smith

14 - Roger Westwood Sutton

14 - Ralph Sutton

14 - Herbert Ivor Halsey Boyes

14 - David Archibald

14 - Donald Leslie Daly

14 - Lawrence Thomas Daly

16 - Jacqueline Alice Beetham

20 - John Howard Falloon

20 - Edwin Dickason Miller

31 - John David Philpot.

January--

1 - Donald John Clarke

3 - Donald George Andrew Bell

6 - Rex Roudon Pyne

MARRIAGES

December

5 - Cecil Charles Will and Audrey Eileen Florence Madson

12 - Errol John Lane and Olive Enid Clarke

16 - Walter Joyce Kerse and Portia Saville.

January

9 - Lawrence Gordon Stewart and Sheila Meryl Meredith.

BURIALS

December

2 - Margaret Emily Cruickshank

17 - Lawrence Henderson Boothe

18 - Clara Heywood Hider

23 - Russell Lowe

26 - Edith Adeline Prentice Dell

28 - Florence Goodall.

January

12 - Mervyn Byrn.

ALTAR FLOWERS GUILD

January - Mrs Hatch

February - Mrs Hatch

April - Mrs Aikman

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

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