S. Matthew's, Hastings.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 11, 1 May 1915, Page 135

S. Matthew's, Hastings.

Vicar: Beo. J. B. Brockleliurat. 'During Holy Week we had a dully Celebration at 7.30 a.m. and Evensong with instruction at 7.30 p.m. I cannot help saying that the attendance at the latter was somewhat poor. Howiever, the attendance on Good Friday was very good—Matins and sermon at 10, Three Hours 1 " Service 12 to 3, which Mr Hall of Havelock took, Evensong and the singling of Stainer's " Crucifixion " at 7.30. Mr Hall's address will, I am sure, live long in the memory of those who were present during the Three Hours' Service. On Easter Bay there was Holy Communion at 7 and 8 and Choral at 1.1 a.m. Archdeacon Ruddock kindly gave his services for the d'ay, and eased the Vicar's burden. The Vicar desires to thank parishioners for their generous gift on Easter Bay. Mr Kimberley, Organising Secreitary for the C.M.A"., preached on Sunday, April 18th. The offertory in the evening was given to the CM. A. and amounted to over £10. A women's working bee was held to make more kneelers for the Church. This is the second bee of its kind, thanks to those who gave their services, we now have kneelers for everyone, which please note are not door mats or foot warmers, but are used' for prayer. Parishioners should always hang them jn their places when done with. The new hangings and frontals are not yet finished. The delay has been caused in England— apparently the war was responsible for not sending out the materials in time for the Church opening. However, in a short time we expect to have all finished. We are also expecting from Wellington the Clergy Stalls and Sanctuary Rail. These are being made of oak a nd are also carved to> match the Chok Stalls. When these are in their place I think they will be amongst the best in New Zealand. The Vicar has not yet been able to secure an assistant. Curates seem •as v scarce as nuggets of gold. Mr Meyer has been appointed temporarily until we can secure a successor "to Mr Robertshawe. May I correct a wrong, impression that is floating about the parish. Mr Robertshawe did not go as chaplain to the front. He is very happily engaged as cutfate to S. J6hn's Church, Middles-: ■brough, England. He writes very 'hopefully and wishes me to remember him to you all. The G.F.S. have just arranged 1 rtheir program-nee for the year. If all

goes well we ought to have a most successful year. Miss (Walton, the Plunket Nurse, will lecture each month. Those who 1 know her say '" she knows exactly what girls want." Towards the end of the year a sale of work will be held; part of the funds to go to the pulpit which the G.F.S. are supplying 1 , and the rest towards a fund for providing- a special room for the G.F.S. We are, glad to see that the Bishop of Auckland's prophecy has come true, that "■ a bigger Church will mean bigger congregations." Churchpeople, I find, are all very proud of their building. We shall be prouder still when the day comes that it proves too small. However, it is something we must thank God' for, to see so many who used to stay at home now attending services. May it jrean they will learn what churchmans'hip means, and what the 'Saviour asks of them.