Opotiki.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 8, 1 May 1917, Page 89

Opotiki.

Viceer: Rev. Tliomas FisJier.

We are now facing the winter work of the Parish, how grateful need we be for the mildness with which it usually comes to us m this sheltered end of the Bay of Plenty. The Boys' Gymnasium has mad* a start, with Mr Moffit's help, and we are hoping before long to open it out into a troop of Boy Scouts,.

The Confirmation Classes are- re-forming, now that we know wtieri to expect the Bishop, who has recovered fripm 'his sickness. We look for himon ifulylßt. v The junior branch of the Sunday School is how m Miss Elsie Torrens' charge, Miss, Scott not being able to continue owing to increased home duties. We have again to record a reverent keeping of Good Friday. The Thyee Hours' Service is steadily holding its own, and its value is increasingly felt ;. there ■ are • stilly ; however, many families who would be happier m their spiritual life if they would make a trial of its helpfulness : it is worth keeping m mind for another year. It is even worth while to consider if the Easter holiday, spent m touch with the Church services at home, would not be of more real benefit than the few days spent m hurried travelling. . . Even the decorating of Easter seemed to take on a new meaning, with its cup of tea before the first evensong of Easter on Saturday afternoon. Easter Day was a solemnly happy time, and we made prayers for the many who are absent by reason of the state of war, especially : those whose attendance was dependable. The new Vestry cupboards are now m their places . Those who subscribe will be glad to know the Altar hangings can now be properly stored, and a tidy Vestry is now possible. «■-•'.' We said good-bye to Mr Mead, our bachelor vestryman, and before this is issued will be expecting his return with a wife. The Anzac celebrations on the 23rd were well observed. The, afternoon commemoration was well attended m spite of the shops being open. Possibly more men m future years will show by their attendance that they are interested m the event, and not be heedless when the bell calls, even if it is m business hours. Surely it is worth the few minutes time ! , > Baptisms. \* April 3, Mildred Lerway Day ; April 7, James Trevor Gibbons Evans; April 9, John William Watson. v Marriage; March 28^ Charles Withy to Jean Ansell,