WOMEN’S CHURCH WORK

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26861, 14 October 1952, Page 2

WOMEN’S CHURCH WORK

WIDE FIELD OF OPPORTUNITY

There was a great future for women s work in the church, said the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) in his. presidential address at the opening of the thirtysecond synod of the diocese of Christchurch yesterday afternoon. During World War II many new units were formed to make use of the services of women., “If we are to make use of a potential of immeasurable value we must sound the call to girls and young women of ability and gifts, who are choosing their vocation in life, and lay before them the career of qualified women workers in the parishes, or vicars’ assistants, as they may now be called,” said the Bishop. “It is not a career which necessarily precludes marriage,” he continued. “I look forward to the day when every large parish will have as a regular member of its staff such a well-trained vicar’s assistant. The Church has already provided the course of training. The recruits for the next few years are already waiting to be found in our parishes and church schools. It is for clergy and laity alike to awaken in them the vision of this new and vital sphere of work,” he said. , A report from the Diocesan Council for Womens Work will be submitted to synod during the week.

OBITUARY LADY HERDMAN The death occurred on Sunday at Rotorua of Lady Herdman, wife of Sir Alexander Herdman, a former judge of the Supreme Court. Lady Herdman, better known in Christchurch as the wife of the late Mr J. D. Law'rence, lived for many years in Sumner. She gave wide service to her various interests and was one of the earliest members of the Richmond Hill Golf Club. About 15 years ago she left for the North Island and later lived at Tauranga. Her marriage to Sir Alexander Herdman took place about two years ago, and since then they lived near Rotorua. Lady Herdman is survived by her husband, two daughters, and one son. Mrs Eva Rawnsley, of Auckland, Mrs M. J. Burns, of Hawera. and Mr Jack D. Lawrence, of Sumner. MRS J. W. ROSS The death occurred on Saturday at her home in Garden road, Fendalton, of Mrs Jane Wilson Ross, widow of Mr E. J. Ross. She was in her ninetieth year. Mrs Ross, a daughter of Mr Alfred Cox, a former member of Parliament for South Canterbury, was born at Raukapuka, Geraldine. - She spent most of her girlhood in Auckland and Hamilton and later came to Christchurch with her family. In 1889 she married Mr Ross. Mrs Ross was keenly interested in sport and played tennis, golf, and croquet. She is survived by one son, Mr Arthur Ross, now of Hawke’s Bay. and a daughter, Mrs L. S. Ayers, of Fendalton. Two sons were killed on Gallipoli in World War I. MISS ALICE HENDERSON Miss Alice Henderson died at her home in Sumner yesterday at the age of 92. was the eldest daughter of the late Daniel and Alice Henderson, of Christchurch. Miss Henderson did pioneer work with the Presbyterian Church in India, beginning her career as a .missionary at Madras in 1896, uhder the Church of Scotland. While in Madras she established a school for girls and taught them lace work so they could earn their living. After working for 13 years in Madras Miss Henderson joined the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission in the Punjab, where she worked until 1932. She opened a school for girls at Jagadhri. which she conducted until other missionary teachers arrived to take over Later she devoted her time to working among the villages in the district, and during World War I. with Mrs Riddle, continued to work unaided For some time she also worked at the Sabathu Leper Asylum. When she retired in 1932 Miss Henderson had the satisfaction of seeing the Presbyterian Mission fully established at Jagadhri. One of a large family. Miss Henderson is survived by Miss C. K. Henderson. of Sumner, Mrs D. J. Robinson, of Riccarton, Mr J. Henderson, of Masterton, Mrs S. Allen, of Melbourne. Mrs K. Carter, of Sumner, and Mr A. G. Henderson, of Christchurch.

AMATEUR DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Canterbury Amateur Dancing Association will hold its championships on Friday at the Scottish Hall. There will be three grades, novice, intermediate and senior.

The judges will be Mr and Mrs Leonard Marsden, of Dunedin.

The following have been chosen for the teams match against Otago in Dunedin on October 25: Novice.—L. Cotton and Miss B. Cotton; W. Robson and Miss M. Fronting. Intermediate.—J. Welsford and Miss D. Simmance.

Open.—G. Kerr and Miss A. Youngman.

ENGAGEMENTS

Mr and Mrs A. C. C. Robilliard, 2 Kenwyn avenue, St. Albans, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter, Alison Gay, to Donald William, elder son of Mr and Mrs W. F. Stack, 167 St Albans street. The engagement is announced of Pauline Ivy, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A. E. whale, of Hornby, to Arthur Desmond, second son of Mr and the late Mrs V. K. Ayers, of Prebbleton.

The engagement is announced of Helen Muriel, younger daughter of the late Mr and Mrs C. M. Johnston, St. Albans, to Ken Phipps, only son of Mr and Mrs W. M. Cowill, Sydney.