ANGLICAN CHURCH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 16

ANGLICAN CHURCH

WORK IN COUNTY PARISHES. The Mother Chuych of St. Andrews district at St. Mary’s upper Otaio, consecrated by the late Bishop Harper in May 1880. First Vicar the late Rev. L. Carsley Brady remained from 1880 to 1916. The District is officially known as Otaio and Bluecliffs and as at present conrtituted includes the following places, Hunter, Bluecliffs, Maungati, Springbrook, Teschemaker, besides St. Andrews and Esk Valley. The work among the young people is very encouraging in the four Sunday Schools, and in one district Sunday School by post is reaching a large number of children with very marked results.

Last session of the Bible Class opened with twenty-seven members, and useful and interesting study was engaged in. Some young people in out of the way places are members of the line members scheme, which is in reality Bible class by post.

The Mothers’ Union had a successful, term. The Ladies Guild have met regularly and find their energies fully occupied in the care of the Church at St. Andrew, and in raising funds for various definite objects. Christmas Message. My message to my people at this time would be in the way of a personal testimony. We have proved throughout life that God is faithful. One does not feel like multiplying words, and so would close wifii the words of the Master (Mark XI. 22.) “Have faith in God.” JAMES HAY, Vicar of Otaio and Bluecliffs. WAIHAO DOWNS Two notable features at Waihao Downs are the Parisn festival and garden party, both very friendly gatherings of the more scattered end of the parish. The Downs is justly proud of its Draught-horse Derby. This year a fine field of shining monsters, fit and in their prime, were lined up at the start, and there was a real thunder of horses as they swept along, ridden bare back with open bridle. Noticeable to anyone brought up in England is the close co-operation between Anglicans and Presbyterians. In seven primary day schools the Anglican and Presbyterian Ministers teach Scripture week and week about and throughout the wide district services are arranged to supplement, rather than complete. There is a neighbourly spirit between us, and the &oman Communion, and each supports the other's fetes. Only the Vicar can know the very many who give their help in some way or another.

One prominent feature of the parish is its quiet but effective support of the Orphanage at Timaru. The collection of eggs is done in such a willing and friendly fashion, and this year more than four hundred and twenty dozen eggs have been sent in, and the hot work of making jam is also very willingly undertaken. At Morven, every month, four ladies each bake one cake, and one of the four sends it in. Then four more take the next month, and so on all the year round, and this has been going on for years.

One Sunday evening every month, services is held at Mr Heath’s house in the Maori Pa. Sometimes one and sometimes two cars start from Morven, and pick up some of the congregation on the way. Sometimes the service is held in the sitting room, with an overflow into the kitchen, the worshippers sitting round as best they can. Some of the hymns are sung in Maori, and the Vicar tries to speak simply. It is a well-instructed congregation, and the children are regular to Sunday school. After service comes supper, and the events of the week are talked over. C. F. CROSS, Vicar of ..Waihao Downs. TWO KINDS OF CRITICISM. The great Disraeli once said, “It is much easier to be critical than correct.” Constructive criticism may be. and often is, helpful; but destructive criticism robs one of courage, and usually degenerates into fault finding. There is always something in others which is worthy of praise, and appreciation leads to further effort.

“LA BEFANA” The little Italians who live in Florence have a wonderfully long Christmas celebration. Their carnival time starts at Christmas and lasts until Shrove Tuesday. Parties, entertainments, dances, and all sorts of jolly things happen during carnival time, and the children receive toys and sweets in plenty. Their own “special” day, however is “Twelfth Day.” During the evening of this great day the boys and girls busily clean their shoes and put them in a conspicuous place, for during the night “La Befana” will come and fill them with presents. “La Befana” is supposed to be an old woman who wanders eternally over the earth. But on this night she always manages to get back in time to present her gifts to the little Italians.