March 1943 Parish magazine

THE VICAR’S LETTER

My Dear Parishioners,

I shall never forget your kind sympathy in my illness. It was wonderful to feel that I had the thoughts and prayers of so many with me sustaining and helping me. All in both hospitals were very good to me.

It is good to be back in Masterton again and I trust that it will not be long before I can resume full duty once more. Certainly I am very much better and have every hope that before long the doctors will say that I am quite well again.

The Revs. H. Taepa and I. C. Edwards carried on splendidly in my absence, assisted by the lay readers, Messrs J. F. Jaine and N. W. Ninnes, and Mr Jaine was a great help with the Bible Class. Thanks to the help of all parishioners the work of our Church was maintained fully.

I am glad to be back with you for the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, 10th March. This season is one which we are meant to use for the strengthening and enriching of our spiritual lives. It is a time for intensive effort, for more worship and study of the Bible, and for more frequent Communions. Will you, then, take full advantage of the special services held in Lent? We cannot have the full worship we desire if any are absent. We shall be glad, too, of the extra opportunities of praying for our cause and of commending to God’s care our loved ones who are serving their country. Let us determine then that every Sunday shall see us in our place in Church and that we shall join also in all the weekday services we can.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

E. J. RICH.

C.E.M.S.

The February and March meetings were marked by papers, read by the Rev. H. Taepa and Mr J. F. Jaine, which dealt with different aspects of religion and war conditions. Good discussions marked each meeting. Unfortunately, some members, owing to other duties, are finding it difficult to attend, but i all will do their utmost we shall be enabled to carry on. The next meeting will be held on Monday, 6th April, and will be the annual meeting of the branch. All members are asked to be present.

RELIGION TODAY

Keen thoughtful interest in the Message of Christianity is increasing. That is proof of the fact that our people are all aware of the dangers which face the world, and of the sincerity of their belief that vital things are at stake in the war. The Kingdom of God must be made a reality. On the Sunday evenings in Lent, at St Matthew’s, the Archdeacon hopes to deal with various aspects of this question. The subjects will be:--

March 14-- “Between Two Worlds.”

March 21-- “What Can we Do?”

March 28-- “No Cross--No Crown.”

April 4-- “Right Thinking.”

April 11-- “The Need for Religion.”

April 18-- “Divine Judgment.”

MISSION SERVICES

Every Wednesday in Lent, at 7.30 p.m., beginning on Ash Wednesday, 10th March, a devotional mission service will be held at St Matthew’s. These special services can be most helpful and we hope that the good attendances of previous years will be repeated and even improved this year. Mission hymns will be sung, special intercessions offered, and each evening an address will be given by either the Rev. H. Taepa or the Rev. I. C. Edwards.

PRAYER

Sergt. Elliot[1], recently decorated with the V.C. for outstanding gallantry in action, concluded a broadcast to New Zealand with these words, “I want you to know that I have faith in God and He has never let me down.”

General MacArthur, speaking after the recent victory over the Japanese convoy expressed his conviction that Providence had guarded and helped his forces.

Capt. Rickenbacker, an American airman, miraculously saved with six others on tiny rafts in the South Pacific, told reporters, “We organised little prayer meetings in the morning and evening. Frankly and humbly we prayed for deliverance. Then we prayed for food.” Then he added, “If it wasn’t for the fact that I had seven witnesses I wouldn’t dare tell this story because it seems so fantastic. But within an hour after prayer a seagull came in and landed on my head.”

Truly prayer is a mighty power. But power is of no avail if it is not used. Let us use it to the very utmost.

SEDGLEY HOME

For very many years one week in Lent has been set apart as a self-denial week on behalf of Sedgley, and the response each year has been magnificent, helping us to carry on this practical Christian work for the boys. There are many claims on us just now, but we are confident that parishioners will not let this work suffer. The week will be held from March 18th to March 22nd. Before the 15th, envelopes will be left, and after the 22nd the collectors will call for them. We need a new collector for Cole Street and shall be glad to hear from a volunteer. We take this opportunity of thanking very sincerely all who do this work for the Home year by year and all who respond to the appeal.

PARISH NOTES

Every Wednesday in Lent, at 7 a.m., and every Thursday, at 10.30 a.m., the Holy Communion will be celebrated in St Matthew’s Church.

In connection with the Campaign for Christian Order, 1943, Bible reading cards are available. You can get a copy at Church and we hope they will be widely read.

No collections are made at the weekday services during Lent. All who can are asked to make a self-denial offering for missions and to place it in the boxes in the Church porch.

MISSIONS

The missionary work of the Church must go on. In Melanesia and in New Guinea the Bishops and other male workers are at their posts. Indeed, the very troubles in the islands are making new opportunities. Natives hitherto untouched are hearing the Gospel Message, and the missionaries have kept hope alive in the hearts of the people. Mission property has been damaged and destroyed. However we look at it, we must continue to do all in our power to support our missionaries. The new world we want to see must be based firmly on Christian principles and those principles must be proclaimed in every land.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

On Sunday mornings at the early celebration we remember by name those whose names have been entered in the Altar Book as being on active service. The list is so large that it has to be divided into four parts so that every name is heard once a month. What a splendid custom this is!  It appeals to parents and friends and also to the men and women who have gone overseas. As each name is read we commend him or her to God. Let us try to see to it that there is always one present at the service for whom the name has personal associations.

MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS

Month by month this little paper comes to you bringing news of what is going on in the parish and some message appropriate to the times. That the magazine is appreciated is shown by the  fact that month by month, with no appeal, voluntary donations towards its cost are sent in. But do we always remember that the distribution of the paper is done by a splendid band of some forty helpers? Theirs is a great work and we do thank them for their faithful service. We should be glad of three new helpers for this work. Will you volunteer?

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Mr and Mrs Pyne, 6/6; Mesdames Gray, Jordan, 5/- each; Mrs R. E. Jones, 4/-; Mr J. Snell, Miss E. W. Fannin, 3/6 each; Mesdames Rayne, A. J. Welch, O’Callaghan, Miss Mahood, 3/- each; Mesdames Hope, Bell, Clark, Winzenberg, Penistone, Miss Creswell, 2/6 each; Mr L. Hough, 2/-.

“Church and People”-- Miss Gordon, 10/-; Mr A. Robinson, Miss A. Edge, 3/- each; Miss M. Perry, 5/-; Messrs R. Brooks, L. McGregor, J. Ninnes, Archdeacon Rich, Mesdames Beban, Penistone, Aikman, King, Miss Creswell, 2/6 each.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Once a year, generally this month, many parishioners make a donation for the work of the parish. This help is appreciated by the Church officers. This year we have had to face extra expense and as the financial year ends this month, we shall be grateful if old and new subscribers will send in their donations to the Hon. Treasurer before the 31st March.

KURIPUNI NOTES

Harvest festival services will be held at Kuripuni on Sunday, 14th March, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Gifts of produce will be welcome on the Saturday and will be given after the services to Sedgley Home.

On the Sunday evenings of Lnet, a series of sermons will be preached at the Church of the Epiphany by the Rev. I. C. Edwards on “The Road to Emmaus.” The subjects will be:--

March 14-- “The Lost Leader.”

March 21-- “Sorrow of Heart.”

March 28-- “The Adventure of Faith.”

April 4-- “The Adventure of Faith.”

April 11-- “Christ Restored.”

---

An American officer who had been at Pearl Harbour, spoke recently of what a difference it made when God was the leader and we followed Him.

BAPTISMS

January

26        John Percy Duffy

27        Paul David Evans

31        Maurice Sloan

February

2        Fay Dorothy Francis

17        Kay Jennifer Ann Henson

20        Pamela Lucy Young

21        Janice Elizabeth Hall

28        Barbara Fawcett.

MARRIAGES

February 9--Eric Walter Lee and Katharine Marjory Cunningham

January 9-- Lawrence Gordon Stewart and Sheila Meryl Meredith.

BURIALS

February

6      Llewellyn Allen

15        Joseph Charles Ewington

27        John Frederick Ward.

REBUILDING FUND

This continues to grow. Last month we were encouraged by receiving £142 9s 5d from the Christchurch Diocese. It was good to have practical support from members of the Church in that area. Our own people continue to play their part. We have heard nothing but praise of the design of the new Church and we hope that it will not be too long before we are able to make a start with building. Our aim is to raise £12,000, and so far we have raised £3476 9s 11d, with another £262 promised. That is an excellent start and if everyone will help we shall soon reach our objective.

CHRISTIAN ORDER

The campaign launched last year was concerned with the proclamation of the Message. God is relevant in every worthy department of human activity. This year the campaign goes on. The task now is a more difficult one. We must show how the Christian basis of life can find expression. Here is room for thought and prayer and action.

A fruitful possibility is the holding in selected centres of Christian Order Weeks. The plan would be for a body of first-class speakers to be formed in New Zealand. These speakers would visit the selected area for a week, showing in large public meetings and in smaller groups how Christianity can and should affect the individual in his work, his leisure and his recreation.

Plainly such weeks would need careful preparation by the speakers and also by the centres visited. They will only be held on the invitation of the area concerned after adequate preparation.

There is keener realisation, too, of the fact that it is not enough to make plans for the new order. Our first duty is to win the war. Unless we do that an order of an unpleasant kind will be imposed upon us. Yet we must be ready for the victory we believe will come to our cause.

The best plans will fail if the human agents are not great enough to carry them into effect. The human personal element is vital now and for the days ahead.

Here we can best start with ourselves. By strengthening our own characters, by overcoming our own weaknesses, by rising above our prejudices, we can make ourselves better agents for God’s purposes. We can do that by getting into and maintaining right relationships with God. We must be born again. New men and new women may hope to create a new order.

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[1] Rev. Keith Elliott - http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5e3/1

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