Service at Mona Vale

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 6

Service at Mona Vale

About 1500 Giris’ Brigade members from the Canterbury area crowded the lawns at Mona Vale yesterday for an open-air church service. The informal, open-air service replaced the brigade’s annual church parade. It Was quite a family occasion. Many of the girls ranging from six-year-old juniors to the pioneers aged 14 and older—[brought their familes along. I The lawn around the homestead overlooking the river was a mass of royal blue uniforms, with the flash of red from the tassels on the juniors’ berets. The youngsters spread out rugs or sat on the grass in the warm sunshine. There was only the occasional gust of wind rudtling through the trees and stiring up the early autumn leaves. Throughout the three-quar-ter-hour service the girls sat attentively. Some of the smallest ones looked a bit drowsy, but for the most part the modern-style service held plenty of interest. The music was a swinging mixture of religious folk and old-time revival, with items iby the Youth For Christ Chorale, accompanied by a trio on drums, guitar and piano. Two songs, “The Spirit of God” and “In God’s Green Pastures,” presented by the 29th Christchurch Company, Colombo Street Baptist Church, and the 7th Christchurch Company, Rugby Street Methodist Church, had a contemporary ring. And the Bible reading —selected from St John, chapter seven was a decidedly modem translation. It was read by members of the

Linwood Church of Christ 21st Christchurch Company. An offering was taken, which Mrs E. Clemons, the regional commissioner, said should go towards a fund to bring brigade members from the Pacific to New Zealand to attend the World Council meeting and camp in Auckland in 1973.

During the service Mrs Clemons presented a Brigade Brooch to Olive Ricketts, of the 23rd Christchurch Company, Riccarton Baptist Church. Olive is following the progress of her three older sisters. Two of her sisters became brigade lieutenants, and the third is the junior leader of Olive’s company. The brooch is the second highest award, next to the Queen’s Brooch. The service was conducted by the brigade’s regional chaplain, the Rev, K. Toomer, of the Hoon Hay Methodist Church.