RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 20056, 22 December 1928, Page 17

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

“ Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” THE SrilHT OF CHRISTMAS. During the past few weeks the Northeast Valley Presbyterian Church lias been the scene of many functions, each department of the S.S. having its own treat. These parties are looked forward to eagerly by the children, and this year they were most sueccsslul, surpassing oven those of past years. A very pleasing feature was the interest shown by the parents, many ol whom were present at each of the parties, and took tho opportunity of thanking tho teachers for the work done among tho children. A novel party was one in which tho members of the senior young women’s Bible class entertained tho three and four-year-old children of the cradle roll. Games were played on the lawn, each girl having a few children under her care, until the little ones were tired. Then they wero taken into tho hall, where Miss Dulcie Rodgers told them a story, and they did justice to tho good tilings to cat. Father Christmas appeared, and presented each child with a balloon. Moth children and young women heartily enjoyed the afternoon.

The beginners' department held its party on December 8, when a happy afternoon was spent in games, a story by Miss Hope Kane, and tea, consisting of jellies and cream, and a Christmas cake, which was cut by the smallest child. After tea a Christmas tree was shown, and each child received a toy. A Christmas hymn was sung, and little gifts of flowers, etc., presented to tho loaders of the various departments. Tho primary department held its party on December 15, and it was a pretty sight to see tho ninety children seated in circles-with their teachers tor tea. Some of the senior busy bees waited on them, and each child received a gaily coloured paper bag, containing a paper plate and his share of the good things, these being followed by jelly and cream. After tea they adjourned to the playground, where games were played till 7.15, when parents began to arrive. Tho children then re-entered the hall, and for some time entertained the adults by songs and recitations. After the musical programme, family worship was conducted by the leader, Sister Lysbeth, and then tho teachers presented _ to the members of their classes the prizes earned for class work and Scripture memorising, and a small book was given as a gift to each child not receiving a prize, Mr Hugh Begg kindly presented a box of Christmas cards, which were given out among the children, An interesting part of the function was the presentation by the teachers to Sister Lysbeth of a huge Christmas stocking, containing many and varied gifts, amusing or useful. The opening of tho stocking was watched with keen enjoyment. While the parents were given supper, fruit was served to the children.

Tho junior department met on tho evening of December 8, when the time passed merrily in games until supper was served. The parents were served first, while the hoys and girls continued their games, and then they had their turn, and those wlio know anything about the capacities of juniors will know bow quickly the good things wero disposed of. During tho evening the children presented to their fathers and mothers gifts that they had made. The intermediate department held one of tho most successful socials on December 4, when a largo number of parents accompanied their boys and girls, a pleasing feature being the number of fathers present. A happy time was spent in games and items, Mr Bcnfcll’s impersonations being specially well received. Supper was served to both parents and scholars. The busy bees bad this year decided to forego their usual closing treat in

favour of a parly and gifts for tho mothers. At the-same time the members of the P.AV.M.U. bad decided that it would bo a nice thing to entertain their little daughter society, so these two functions were hold on tho same day. Sixty children sat down to tea, consisting 'of jellies, -trifles, etc., provided by the members of tho P.W.M.U. Sister Lysbeth, as leader of the busy bees, returned thanks to tho ladies lor their kindness. Following the tea the busy bees took charge and entertained their mothers, when vocal and instrumental items were rendered by the bees, their mothers, and friends. Father Christmas appeared, and rather reversed tho general order of ail airs by presenting to each mother gilts from her children. Mr George Manson conducted family worship, and the senior busy bees waited on the mothers at supper. Still another most successful lunclion was a social held by the Parents League on December 11, when tho president, Mr T, Henderson, presided, and explained tho value of the league, recounting some of its activities during the past year, and urging that all should give it hearty support by active or associate membership. This was a very largo gathering, the hall was tastefully decorated, and after a happy lime spent in a musical programme and competitions, supper provided by tho mothers was served. The mothers connected with the mothers’ meetings ol the home department presented to Rev. G. Miller some money to buy books as a Christmas gift in recognition of his help during the year. Mrs Laing expressed the thanks of the mothers meeting members to tho committee, and tho helpers who have given such good service during the ‘year. The junior and intermediate departments of the S.S. held their prizegiving ceremonies in their own departments on December 2, when prizes foxclass work and memorising wero presented. On the following Sunday promotion day was held, when alter a short worship service _ several babies were baptised and their names placed on the cradle roll, and then the children were promoted throughout the various departments of tho school and on through the Bible classes, each department giving its response. as the roll was called, and those being promoted were welcomed to the new department by its leader. On December IG a Christmas service_ was held in each department and in the Bible classes. A few weeks ago tlio young men s and tho young women’s Bible classes held a combined meeting, alter which the young women provided tea for the young men. The Y.M.B.C. final social function was a banquet, at which the following were the toasts: —“ Our Heritage,” l “The Brice of Our Heritage,” and “ Wliithciv Bound?”, and vocal and instrumental items wero rendered. MORNINGTON METHODIST PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. On Saturday afternoon last the children of tho Mornington Methodist primary department gathered in the church hall, eager to enjoy their Christmas party. A varied programme of games was enjoyed by all, the teachers taking turns in directing tho different games. A birthday service was held, when all the seven birthdays that will occur during the holidays wero recognised in tho usual way. Christmas stories were listened to very attentively, and after tlio second one some Christmas hymns were sung. Tho children then repeated a “thank you” prayer for thoir playtime. A march followed, and tho girls and boys marched into their own department for tea. Many wero tho exclamations of surprise and delight as they looked upon tho daint-ily-laid low tables. The children remained standing behind their chairs while they sang the well-known “ thank you ” hymn from carols. A red bonbon was found beside each plate, and the first thing to bo taken out were tho coloured pa|K-r caps, which were worn by the girls and boys, mailing a very gay scene. A cup of tea was passed around to the mothers Who laid accepted the invitation to bo present. After tea the children gathered around tho playing circle in the hall while the farewells wero said.

MORNINGTON YOUNG AVO.MEN’S PRESBYTERIAN BIBLE CLASSES. Tho Mornington Y.W.P. Bible classes closed their .year's work with two very successful Christmas functions. On Sunday, December' !), tho annual “gilt” service for our Maori Mission at Taupe was held. Tho classroom was bright with flowers, but tho most striking thing in tho room was tho gailydecorated Christmas tree, bare of gifts. The theme of tlio service was ‘The Spirit of Christmas,’ and appropriate hymns ami Scripture were given. Tho story ‘Why tho Chimes Rang’ mado cadi realise the true spirit of giving, ami formed a fitting atmosphere, in which cadi girl came to tho table and tied her offering on the tree, tho pianist playing softly a verse of tho hymn ‘ Saviour, Thy Dying Lovo Thou (.invest Me.’ An interpretation of Bnrncs Jones’s masterpiece, ‘The Star of Bethlehem,’ made a tremendous appeal, ami a very lino and impressive service was brought to a dose. Some eighty gifts wore received, and these were packed by tlio members, each gil t bearing a Christmas label with greetings from the girls. Gifts wore also sent to Sister Annie, of Ruatahuna, whoso visits to tlio classes are never forgotten. Tea in tho classroom, to which the members of the young men’s classes were invited, followed, and here in happy fellowship a pleasant time was spent. The leader of the senior class, before cutting tlio Christinas cake, spoke brielly of tho year’s work, and wished the members a happy vacation. The fortunate members who found the various charms wero heartily congratulated. After tea several favourite hymns were sung, and tho classes then attended the evening service in the church.

Last Sunday a special Christmas dramatic service was held in' the hall, to which the members of the congregation were invited. A very fine spirit of worship prevailed throughout, the rendering of the pageant ‘ Tho Eternal Quest’ being especially fine. The aim was to show that following Christ was the highest and greatest quest, the girls entering into tho spirit with lino reverence and feeling. Episode 1 dealt witli tho “Forogloam,” in which tlio prophet Isaiah foretells the birth of the Prince of Peace. Episode 2 takes ns to Bethlehem on tho first Christmas night, and we accompany tho shepherds in their visit to the Infant Jesus. Episode 3 reveals to-day’s quest, where the youth of the twentieth century willingly undertakes to carry forward the work begun by Christ in the helping of the building of a better world. The pageant closes witli the great hymn or consecration, ‘ Lead On, 0 King Eternal.’