March 1968

BISHOP'S LETTER.

A WEEK'S WORK.

"The spectator sees most of the game they say. It seems to have been so with Etheria when on her journey from Spain through Jerusalem 1600 years ago she watched a crowd of pilgrims on the Bethany road surrounding a figure on a donkey, cheering and throwing palms, and asked what it was all about. So it was with the Roman centurion who watched a man die of crucifixion and said "Truly this man was a Son of God'.

What of our remembrance this year of the drama of which that scene was almost the end? Can you rehearse it again this Holy Week, as Christians always do everywhere, in such a way that it will speak to you and your children? Can the crucified man speak to the passer-by getting ready for the Easter weekend? through you?

All of us want to remember Jesus in the most loving and real way possible as he moves into the City, cleanses the Temple, teaches the people, rests at Bethany, shares the Last Supper, is crucified, lies in the grave, is raised from death.

Parishes differ. They won't all do this in the same way. Not every Parish can put on a Passion Play, or sing the Passion Music, or join a march of witness through the streets or light the new fire. Let each work out its own programme of remembering Jesus.

The whole congregation starts on Palm Sunday. Let each day following be the turn of a particular group at the Service, Monday the Vestry, Tuesday the Teachers and Choir, Wednesday the Parents. The Service, either from the Prayer Book or the Revised Liturgy, had best be in the evening; the readings can be shared out; the Gospel can be read dramatically by different members. Time spent in practice, at home per haps, will be rewarded. Each night each group leads the remembrance of the Lord, and hopes to witness for him.

Come Thursday, and we all keep the Last Supper and remember the feet-washing. 

Good Friday is for real, man; simple, thankful, facing the facts of God and man and you. 

Easter Even, remember Jesus and renew your baptism into him who died and was raised for you; remember with him your own dead.

And so you come to Easter, I hope and pray, with great joy, at home or away, no longer a spectator but a witness.

+HENRY WELLINGTON.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

St. Matthew's Herald: Mesdames Callister 50c, Connell $1, Dearness 50c, V. Heath $1, Renouf $1; Miss Wyber 50c; Mr. C. Palliser $1. Contributions towards the cost of publication are much appreciated.

THE VICAR WRITES

KNOCK ON ANY DOOR.

"Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door."

I suppose a with-it person would say on reading these lines, that Charles Lamb was bang-on! Even if nowadays it is a push-button which activates a bell!

There have been times and places where a knocking at the door was viewed with trepidation. This was so in Nazi Germany in the days of the secret police, whose mission was to take opponents of the regime into "protective custody" We may thank God for the freedom of our land; even if we do hear someone knock vigorously and then open the door without further ceremony, it is bound to be the next door neighbour on a friendly mission.

What Charles Lamb said about knocking at the door recalls a splendid verse of Scripture: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Let us remember this Lent that there is nothing so vital and important to us as the times when Christ knocks at the door of our lives. He knocks but never enters unless we say "Come in, Lord!" We must ourselves open the door and invite Him to enter.

Every year the Church says to you in Christ's Name during the season of Lent: "Here is a special time set apart for renewal; an opportunity for you to make a new start.' The Lent programme is arranged; the call is there to regular worship at Holy Communion; there is a special series of studies on the faith today at Evensong; there are special devotional opportunities on weekdays; there is an opening for adults to be confirmed, if they have not already taken that important step: the Church invites, but cannot do more. It is YOU who must act.

A great orator once said: "Every Englishman's house is his castle. The winds of heaven may whistle in a every window: the rain may pour in by every cranny. But the King himself dare not enter in it, however humble, without the owner's permission."

Christ stands at the door and knocks! Do you dare to say: "I will open the door sometime, but not just now, Too late, too late!!! Lord!"

OPERATION NINEPINS.

The somewhat odd looking envelopes for Lenten Offerings for Missions this year with their title "OPERATION NINEPINS" require some explanation.

The plan is that nine different aspects of the advancing work of the Church overseas are being emphasized, and in this parish we are concerned with two as our special project:

1. Work in Tanzania including the provision of a mobile van to carry Missionaries and their equipment to outlying villages. The Rev. Ron Taylor, who was on our parish staff right here in Masterton, and who recently told us about his work in Tanzania, referred to the importance of the travelling van. Tanzania is one of the emergent nations of Africa, and massive attempts are being made to plant there ideologies not compatible with Christianity.
   
   Still, the Church has freedom to do its work, and this strategic opportunity is being utilized with such good effect that a new church (African style) is being built in the diocese every thirteen days.
   
   It is not too much to say that the future of the world is being determined week by week by what is happening in places like Tanzania. "Thank you for all the help you have provided and will provide to enable us to get on with this task," said Mr. and Mrs. Taylor to us on the occasion of their recent visit to the home town of Masterton. Mr. Taylor grew up here, and attended Wairarapa College.
   
   

2. The Sunday School children will through their Lent boxes assist to maintain the S.S. Southern Cross, the sturdy little ship which is the residence of the Bishop of Melanesia and ploughs its way from island to island in Melanesia. The "Pacific Ocean" is often far from being pacific, and more than one mission ship has been wrecked. The last Bishop of Melanesia was a former master mariner and once commanded an ocean liner.

READ MORE ABOUT THESE TWO PROJECTS IN THE MISSIONARY INSET INCLUDED IN THIS MAGAZINE [Not transcribed]. CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THESE TWO PROJECTS MAY BE HANDED IN THROUGH THE ORDINARY COLLECTION PLATE, UP TO AND INCLUDING GOOD FRIDAY.

POSTSCRIPT. Information has now come to hand indicating the effect of devaluation. In both Africa and Melanesia, N.Z. money is worth 24.25% less than before. Today it is as vital as ever-more so if that were possible to share as fully as possible in Christ's mission to His world. If we find this a costly business, isn't this what we should expect?

The Parish Pump 

NOTES AND NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR

Masterton has been rapidly expanding into a great educational centre. We welcome the new Primary School at Lansdowne and also Makoura College. Two members of the staff of Makora College have already become actively involved in parish life. Miss Turner has linked up with St. Matthew's Choir and Mr. Gifford has joined up with the Bible Class staff. A hearty welcome to you and all other newcomers. 

We are grateful to our sidesmen for their diligent performance of their duties at St. Matthew's. Even sidesmen require a certain resilience in the face of the unusual. Did you hear of the time when as the plate was passed along, a young man was heard to say, as he put a note into the collection: "It's O.K, friends. This one's on me!" 

St. Matthew's Youth Club was the first organization to get going after the holiday recess. The members asked for a swift resumption at the last meeting in 1967, and this request was duly honoured. It was agreed by all that the first get-together this year was really "neat", and there is certainly plenty of enthusiasm. Bible Class got off to a good start the following Sunday.

Congratulations to the Masterton Baptist community on the opening and dedication of their new Church. The Vicar was privileged to be present and to convey the good wishes of other churches on behalf of the Masterton Ministers' Association,

A tutorial for Sunday School teachers of all Wairarapa parishes will be held at Carterton (St. Mark's), commencing at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd. A panel of local educationalists will lead the sessions. The tutorial will occupy the morning only, and will finish at about noon.

Congratulations to the Kea Patrol of St. Matthew's Scouts on gaining the Patrol Trophy at the Rocklyn Camping Competition. The Troop as a whole won second place for the Beetham Shield.

STAFF CHANGES AT EPIPHANY.

By the time this magazine reaches most homes, tribute will have been paid publicly at valedictory functions to the Rev. U. G. W. and Mrs. Simpson, who take up residence at Mangaweka on March 4th. Mr. Simpson succeeds the Rev. Stuart Edwards, also formerly of Masterton, as Vicar of Mangaweka.

Mr. Simpson was made deacon in 1964 and was ordained priest on Trinity Sunday at an Ordination conducted by the Bishop of the Diocese at St. Matthew's Church. Both he and Mrs. Simpson have made a valuable contribution to the life of the Church locally and in wider spheres. Our prayers and good wishes go with them.

The Bishop has nominated the Rev. K. I. Jacobsen to succeed Mr. Simpson on the staff of the Parish of Masterton. He is at present on the staff of the Naenae parish with special responsibilities at Epuni. It is expected that the Jacobsen's will arrive in Masterton in the latter part of the month.

for YOUNGER PARISHIONERS

MOTHERING SUNDAY: MARCH 24th.

There is an ever popular song which runs: "Mid pleasures and palaces wherever I may roam, Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

On Mothering Sunday we remember what we owe to our parents and to Mother in the home; and we recall also with thankfulness what we owe to our Mother the Church. According to the ancient custom of the Church (it goes back at least nine centuries) the families of the parish will attend the special Mothering Sunday Services, at 7 p.m., and children will make to their mothers a gift of flowers.

BOYS! THERE ARE SOME VACANCIES IN THE CUBS!

During last year quite a number of our boys qualified for scouts and went up to the Troop. And so we have room for some more boys in St. Matthew's Cub Pack. If you are eight years old you can join. Ask Mum and Dad first, of course. You must have their permission. Cubs meeting in the Youth Hall on Wednesday at 6 p.m. What a lot of interesting and exciting things there are to do and to learn!

A PRAYER WRITTEN BY A ST. MATTHEW'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PUPIL.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the happy days we have together.
Comfort the sick, lonely and homeless.
Guide us in our ways of thinking and doing.
For Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Composed by C.S.)

HOLY BAPTISM.

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism."

Dec. 30, 1967:
Donna Marie Danby. 

Jan. 7, 1968:
William James Macdonald. 

Jan. 24:
Vannessa Richel Adams. 

Jan. 28:
David Rhys Jones.
Daren Michael Adams.
Dean Anthony Price. 

Feb. 4:
Derek Michael Rongonui.
Kim Marie O'Hara.

HOLY MATRIMONY.

"Heirs together in the Grace of Life."

Jan. 13:
Lennox Tanei Southon and Elizabeth Rose Hing. 

Jan. 27:
Morris John McKinnon and Gillian Marjorie Sellar. 

Feb. 3:
William Alan Cleghorn and Annette Marion Williams.
Feb. 10: Peter Joseph Stilt and Judith Shirley Dixon.

IN MEMORIAM.

"I am the Resurrection and the Life."

Jan. 9:
Eileen Kate Watson.
Jan. 15:
Ernest Eagle. 

Jan. 20:
Kathleen Florence Mary Langdon. 

Jan. 24:
Lewis Frederick John Meyrick. 

Jan. 26:
Jessie Grace Kilminster. 

Jan. 27:
Eunice Amy Robieson. 

Jan. 30:
Thomas Westbury Abraham. 

Feb. 9:
George Francis Birkett.

Parish Calendar

NEWS FROM THE EPIPHANY SUB-DISTRICT.

Epiphany Roundup.

By the time most of you read this my family and I shall have left the Wairarapa to make our home in Mangaweka, where I have been appointed Vicar. The move has come sooner than we expected, and we shall leave with the usual amount of mixed feelings which are common at times like this. We have enjoyed our two years at the Epiphany, but on the other hand we are looking forward to the experience of a new area of work. I suppose that is because every Curate looks forward to the time when he shall be "Captain of his own ship" (if I may be forgiven for expressing it like that).

I would commend to you my successor The Reverend Ian Jacobson who will arrive in the latter part of March. He comes with a great deal of experience behind him both in life and in the busy parish of Naenae, Lower Hutt.

I hope that it won't be long before the Sub-District of the Epiphany becomes the Parochial District of the Epiphany, when you shall obtain your aim of becoming a separate parish with your own Vicar. I hope, too, that you will all get behind Mr. Jacobson and help him to reach this goal. 

We will go with many happy memories and we wish you every blessing for the future. 

May God bless you all.

GEO. SIMPSON.

SERVICES DURING MARCH:

Holy Communion: 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on 3rd, 17th and 31st. 

New Liturgy: 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on 10th and 24th. 

Midweek Holy Communion: Each Wednesday at 10 a.m. 

Sunday School: Each Sunday (except 17th) at 10 a.m.

Family Service: On 17th at 10 a.m. Evensong: Each Sunday at 7 p.m.

LENTEN STUDIES.

Owing to the face that the Reverend Ian Jacobson will not be arriving till late in March, it will be impossible to organize any course of study this year. I would recommend that you make every effort to join in the St. Matthew's Wednesday night series of studies, details of which appear elsewhere in the Magazine.

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