Branches.

Waiapu Church Gazette, 1 September 1910, Page 32

Branches.

Cathedral Parish ; St. Augustine's, Napier; Gisborne; Danevirke; Havelock < x Waipawa; Kotorua. What the C.E.M.S. can do m a Town Parish. The report of the St. Matthews, Dunedin, Branch, which has been sent to us, shows what a splendid help such a branch can prove m the work of a large Town Parish. The following summary gives a fair idea of the work which the society causes its members to do. The branch has 40 active members. Of course, some are more active than others, but all are workers. Thirty of the 40 members are working men. As all members have to be communicants and regular church attendants, as well as working for the Church, this fact may be said to bear on the question of the relation of working men to the Church. Genkral Report. — The branch was formed m July, 1909, with 15 members. The membership now stands at 40. All classes of workers, from the Vestry and the Choir to the Verger, are included m the Society. The branch has met 18 times during the year. The corporate communion was well attended, some members walking one mile and a half to be present. Sub-committees have been formed to attend to special work. Repairs Committee.—This committee consists of five members, who ai c mechanics. They meet at various times as needs arise, The work involves a great sacrifice of leisure houis, as much has been done (the list of repairs and work covered two sheets of closely-typed foolscap). Tfee members provide their own tools, nails, etc. The work has langed from the addition of slectrio lighting m the tower, to ordinary repairs to forms and shelving. The greater portion of the wort has fallen on the convener. The committee has saved the funds a considerable sum, and has much work on hand. A special working bee de-

voted three days to clearing the property and effecting special improvements. In this work other committees joined. When, on one Sunday evening, the light failed m the chancel, two members being electricians, quietly restored the lighting apparatus m a very reverent and unobtrusive manner whilst a portion of the service of praise proceeded. Altogether this committee's work has been exceptionally varied and useful. Bible Class. — This meets every Sunday at 2.30, and concludes with a prayer meeting, which has proved to be a real help to the parish work. The number attending is 12 adults. Tbe studies are on a regular plan alternating hetween the Acts, Church History, and the Prayer Book, with occasional papers on some subjects of church doctrine or practice. Members must be males over 18 Bellringers' Guild. — This affiliated with the C.E.M.S. a year ago. The ringers are enthusiastic and efficient. They give a good deal of time m the week to practices, so as to be ready for the Sunday ringing. On the occasion of the King's funeral the bells were muffled, and a peal rung. Our members attend the two chief services on Sundays, whilst some attend two others. Door Committee.— The duties of the eight members are to attend services m rota, and receive strangers at the door. On special occasions, suoh as that of the funeral of the late King, the visits of the Rev. H. S. Woolcombe and others, these and other members spent some four hours m re-seating th« church, and rendered help m seating persons, etc. One visitor recently made a remark which shows the value of the work done — viz., that he had visited all the churches round, and had never received such a welcome as at St. Matthew's. Parish Visiting Committee. — The eight members have visited a large part of the parish from house to house for Sunday school registration purposes, and also for the revision of the parochial list of members. They propose to make a complete visitation m preparation for the forthcoming mission. They have been very useful to the vicar m looking up absentees from church, O.E.M.S. meetings, and Sunday school.

Seamen's Vibiting Committee.— The object of this committee of eleven members is to visit the oversea vessels and to distribute books, papers, magazines, etc., to officers and crew, to bring them to church, to provide for them a pleasant evening, and to keep them from hotels, etc. Since September last, 37 ships have been visited, and 77 visits and distributions have been made. Several pleasant evenings have been arranged, showing that the sailor likes an interest to be taken m his body and soul also, and does enjoy an evening of lantern views, songs, conversation over a pipe, and a cup of tea and sandwiches, cakes, etc., interspersed with some hymns, prayers, and a short, pointed address. The committee has been registered m London as the Seaman's Guild of the C.E.M.S.