Woodlands

Southland Times, Issue 22948, 22 July 1936, Page 3

Woodlands

DEDICATION SERVICE The dedication service of the new St. Barnabas’ Anglican Church at Woodlands was performed on Saturday afternoon by the Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Lush, of St. John’s Anglican Church, Invercargill, assisted by the Rev. I. L. Richards (All Saints’) and the Rev. Mr Lawrence (Wyndham). Bishop Fitchett, of Dunedin, who was unable to be present at the service, sent the following message:— “It is a matter of regret to me that I shall not be able to be present for the function which I hope will be a very happy and successful one. I shall be thankful if you will convey to. the Woodlands people my congratulations upon the forward step they have taken in producing a building of their own. Such a possession should be a help to the bonding of the people together and giving then, the feeling that the church work in Woodlands is there to stay and to progress from small things to greater things. It is a sign of a healthy spiritual condition when people are not content to allow conditions to remain as they found them, but feel he necessity to make material sacrifices to bring about progressive improvements. I hope tlje spirit so evident in Woodlands now may long continue and even develop so that in the years to come it may result in the church people there having the happiness of possessing a fully equipped and consecrated cliurch.”

The ceremony was conducted in the presence of a large congregation of parishioners and visiting friends. Following the dedication service Archdeacon Lush gave an address on the unity o" the Church. He later congratulated the Woodlands parishioners on their splendid efforts in providing such a beautiful building. The Rev. Mr Renwick (Woodlands Presbyterian minister) also offered his congratulations.

On behalf of the visitors Mr Richards and Messrs C. Watts, D. Cuthbertson and G, Featherstone spoke in appreciation of the work done in the parish. Mr A. Napper, on behalf of the Woodlands parishioners, returned thanks to Archdeacon Lush and to the members of St. John’s, All Saints and St. Aidan’s, Invercargill, for their interest and material help. He expressed pleasure that so many visitors had come to the dedication service. The prayer desk in the new building was the gift of the Sunday School children, and the other church furnishings the gifts of church members. BRING AND BUY SALE The members of the Morton Mains branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union held a successful bring and buy sale to raise funds for the Presbyterian Church at Woodlands. A concert party from Woodlands contributed the following items: Chorus, Woodlands Party, with banjo accompaniment by Mr W. Jones; duet, Misses Ethel and Joyce Hargest; recitation, Mrs Falconer; solo, Miss L. McKenzie; quartette, Misses Hargest; duet, Mrs Hargest and Miss McKenzie; recitation, Mr J. Harman; solo, Miss M. Patton. Winners of competitions during the evening were Misses Hargest, McKenzie and Barraclough, Mrs J. Edie and Messrs J. Falconer, C. Falconer and McKenzie. The sum of £22 was raised by the sale.