NEW FITZROY VICAR

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1935, Page 5

NEW FITZROY VICAR

WELCOME FROM PARISHIONERS. EXPRESSIONS OF CORDIALITY. The new vicar of the Fitzroy Anglican parish, the Rev. G. W. G. Griffin, and Mrs. Griffin, were officially welcomed by a large number of parishioners at a social in the Holy Trinity Church Sunday school.

In welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Archdeacon F. G. Evans said he felt sure their new experience would be happy. He had always looked on Fitzroy as one of the best parishes in the diocese, with its lovely church, its hall, and its people. “You must not expect Mr. Griffin to be perfect,” continued the archdeacon. “You know that even I am not perfect. Nor would it be right .for a perfect man to come among imperfect, people. Like others, at times he will be bound to make mistakes.

He was sure, however, that Mr. Griffin would prove himself worthy in his preaching, a most important branch of church work. The newcomers would soon make friends among the parishioners, continued the archdeacon. He urged upon the latter the necessity for encouraging their ministers and for going regularly and constantly to church. By working up enthusiasm in the right direction, he said, the congregation could react oh the clergyman, carrying him along in inspiration. Mr. W. H. Skinner, speaking for St. Mary’s parish on behalf of Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, who was unable to be preeent, said the newcomers could count on the support of the parish he represented. Everything possible would be done to make them happy and to assist them. In reply, Mr. Griffin thanked the speakers for their kind remarks. When a new priest went into a parish, naturally he had all eyes upon him, and he was expected to be the embodiment of an archangel or a wonderful business genius, said Mr. Griffin. Unfortunately, he was none of these; he was simply a backblocks parson.

He appreciated very much the kindness which had been shown him on his arrival at New Plymouth. He felt that he and Mrs. Griffin had come amongst friends and he hoped that the trust which they had placed in him would never be displaced. He asked for confidence and loyalty and a Christian manner of living. There was no doubt that a clergyman needed all the encouragement that it was possible to give. He was only a new chum at Fitzroy, but he had had wonderful and valuable experience at London and in Canada, and had mixed with all sorts and conditions of men and women; he thought that he knew a little about human nature. He felt a great responsibility in going to Fitzroy; the church, he understood, was one of the oldest in Taranaki, and it had a wonderful tradition behind it. The rest of the evening was spent

under the leadership of Mr. R. Day, people’s warden, in community singing, competitions and games. A short concert programme was given by the following: Mesdames Weller and Hanley, musical items; the Misses Ritchie, Hawkings and R. Day and Mr. J. D. Aitken, vocal items; Mrs. F. G. Evans and Miss J. Rennell, elocutionary items. Accompanists were Mrs. Weller and Miss G. Greenwood. Supper was served by members of the guild.