Opotiki.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 9, 1 March 1916, Page 127

Opotiki.

Vicar : Rev. Thomas Fisher. Since last issue of the "Gazette," we have spent our Christmas for 1915, and its us"c is recorded for each Church member ;. there are many difficulties and calls to pleasure at this season and m) this country, but all their use is enriched by an honest response to the call of Christ's Holy Church to acknowledge God m prayer and sacrament. Probably some of us having got away fronrj home for a few days made our Christmas Communion at other Churches. We had' a blessed time and much spiritual refreshment. The undying story of the Divine. Childhood came back with unabated freshness, and especially evoked earnest 'gratitude this time as we thought of the many Christian lands which are denied the material comfort and peace we enjoy. May God help us to be worthy of the sad tale of cost which has "been so faithfully paid out. To the many bereaved souds we would give the words of Divine compassion granted to Moses the much-tried and faithful servant of God : " My Presence shall goi with thee, and I will give thee rest." The appearance of the Chancel of the Church is much improved by the installation of the new festal hangings of white linen ; their beauty is somewhat missed .m. the morninghours by the excessive amount of light which streams through the middle east window, to the dazzling of n-jany worshippers. May some devout person bo moved to present a coloured window of stained glass, er© long, which will remedy this defect. The Vicar received a very beautiful present to the Church from Miss Jessie Simpson, a friend m London, of a " fair linen cloth " for the Altar, made specially and embroidered by her own haiiid. Miss Simpson most kindly also sent a contribution to : be used at the Vicar's discretion 1 , which will be expended m a few skilled alterations, which can be made without touching the shape and 1 appearance of the present Altar, so lovingly made by the Rev. F. W. Martin, a previous Vicar of Opotiki. This will give the celebrating minister greater freedom m his movements at the solemn service The last Sunday of the old year closed with a sad fataldty m the deaths of Elder Graham and James Tressider, both meu esteemed m the district. Together they died, and together they were laid to rest m the presence of many sympathisers and friends. A special meeting of parishioners, •held on January 17th, elected two gentlemen to. fill vacancies — Messrs Wise and W, R^ece,

Let no one fail to- get his copy of the sheet almanack for 1916. The Vicar is trying to hand out every copy himself, but he will be glad to be asked by anyone whom he may not have seen or called on since the year began . The Venerable GTeorge Mac Murray, Archdeacon of Auckland, has kindly promised to preach at the fiftyyears' commemoration of the martyrdom of Rev. C. S. Volkner, to be held on March sth, 19 1 6. Th'e Bishop of the Diocese 1 hopes to be m Opotlki to administer Confirmation on the 19th of March. There are still many who should remember the words used at baptism : "Ye are to take care that this child be brought to the Bishop ta be confirmed by- him." A " Summer Fete " is being, arranged for February 9th m the old vicarage grounds, which we hope to make a great success.