SOROPTIMISTS’ CLUB

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29380, 6 December 1960, Page 2

SOROPTIMISTS’ CLUB

Christmas Party

Grace

A grace written in the days of Queen Elizabeth I and said at a dinner held by the Federation of Soroptimists at the House of Commons in the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth 11, was chosen for the Christmas dinner party of the Soroptimist Club of Christchurch last evening. It was said by the club’s first president, Miss H. K. Lovell-Smith. About 50 members and friends attended the dinner, held at the Sign of the Takahe. They were welcomed by the president (Mrs M. McNab) who told the story of St. Barbara of Syria. This young woman, who became a Christian in the third century and was later murdered by her father, was remembered in Syria on December 4 by feasting and fun, she said. On that day Syrian children were taught to think of others less fortunate than themselves and carry parcels to people" in need. Christmas Day was observed as a religious celebration.

The traditional greeting of St. Barbara’s Day was: “May God bless you and bring you happiness every year. Father and mother, we beg you to accept these gifts from us.” The custom and the traditional greeting reminded her of Soroptimists, who always distributed Christmas gifts to needy old folk at this time of year, said Mrs McNab.

During the evening Miss M. Wilkinson showed coloured slides taken on a recent tour of Australia, Thailand, Britain, Europe, Canada and the United States. A Christmas cake, made by Mrs D. Worsnop and iced by Miss B. Loughhead, was cut by Mrs Worsnop.