Rotorua.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 6, 1 December 1910, Page 16

Rotorua.

Vicar: Yen. Archdeacon Tisdall, M.A. Our chief news this month is that we have had a visit from our Bishop — all too short a visit. The Rev. F. A. Bennett drove him m from Taupo on Friday, November 11th. On that evening we had a most solemn Confirmation Service m S. Luke's. Thirteen candidates, — eight males and five females, — all adults except two, were presented to the Bishop for the "Laying on of Hands." There was a full congregation, who listened most attentively to the simple, yet most helpful and soul-stirring, address, which the Bishop gave to the candidates. On the Saturday evening there was a Maori Confirmation m S. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, at the close of which the Bishop solemnly licensed three Maori Lay Readers. On Sunday, the Bishop was celebrant at S. Luke's at 8 a.m., and preached at the evening service. There was a large attendance at 8 a.m., when the newly-confirmed made their first Communion, seventy -six communicants coming up to receive the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord. In the evening the Church was crowded m every part. The most noteworthy part of this service, however, was the coming forward of eight men, members of the local branch of the C.E. M.S., solemnly to receive at the Altar rails from the hands of their Bishop, his blessing and license to act as Lay Readers. There should have been a ninth, but he was unfortunately kept from being present by sickness m his household. The collections for the day, amounting to £10 6s. 4d., were for the Melanesian Mission. On Monday the Bishop, accompanied by the Revs. W. Goodyear and F. Bennett, was driven off to Galatea and Te Whaiti by Mr. Parata m his new motor car. During the Vicar's absence at Synod the services here we're taken by the Rev. E. C. Budd, Chaplain to the Public Institutions m Auckland. Mr. Budd was able also to visit and hold services at the Waipa Prison Camp during his stay. Regular services at at the Prison Camps have been begun again, and will be carried on by our new band of Lay Readers. The Mainaku Church Committee have got the site for their Church nearly levelled, and we hope soon to have the plans of the Church ready to be sent up to the Diocesan Trustees for approval. Fresh duties and responsibilities will be falling upon our Vicar through his being appointed Archdeacon of Tauranga, and it will be absolutely necessary for him soon to have the help of an Assistant m Orders. The members of the C.E. M.S., realising this are issuing au earnest appeal to all local Church folk and to visitors who come and worship m S. Luke's, to make a great effort to pay off as soon as possible the debt On the Parish Hall and on the Vicarage. Were we relieved from the heavy interest

we are now paying it would be possible perhaps, with some outside help, to offer a stipend sufficient for an Assistant m Holy Orders. The enlargement of our Church is also becoming a matter that will be very pressiug before long. Our local congregation is growing every year, leaving little room for visitors. During the past winter we have had none too much sitting room, and now with the Season coming ou we shall probably have no room for, all who may desire, to come and worship. In this matter we think that we have good claims for help, not only on the Diocese but on the whole Province as well. Here m the very centre: of tourist resorts we should have, and desire to have, a most roomy and beautiful House for the public worship of God, and a service entirely true to the Prayer Book's grand, ideal of Common — that is Congregational — • Worship. May we commend these thoughts to all readers of the Gazette.