Parochial notes.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 5, 1 November 1922, Page 416

Parochial notes.

St. Augustine's,- Napier., „ (V icar: Canon E. D. Rice. Assistant: Rev. B. R. Brierley). The large new porch has been built at a cost of £125, and is a great improvement to the church. It was dedicated at the morning. service of our dedication festival. Tenders have now been called for a new stone fence with iron gates. We had large congregations at our Dedication Festival on October 15th, when there were 180 communicants and the services were very hearty. The Rev. 0. S. Gibson preached an inspiring sermon at the evening- service. In connection with the Festival, there was a well attended parish social evening on the Monday, and tea and games for the Sunday School on the Tuesday. The Bishop confirmed 25 males and 22 females on October 25th. The choir gave an evening to Miss Sproat on October 10th, and presented her with a chair on the occasion of her marriage to Mr L. Rolls. St. Mark,s Olive. (Vicar : Rev. R. F. Geddes, M.A.) A good deal of interest is being taken m the Sale of. Work which is to be held on November 29th. The Grange is to have a stall to itself representing the trans-Tuki Tuki (lovely word!) district. We are having regular services at the Grange now. Ist Sunday,, Evensong;, 7 p.m.; 3rd Sunday, The Communion, 11 a.m". A most enjoyable afternoon was spent on the 12th, when the M.U. assembled at the Vicarage, which looked charming. We were. very glad to welcome Mrs Sutton into the parish, who has lately come from England. We sympathise most sincerely with Mrs Ritchie m her accident, and pray for a speedy recovery. Waipawa. (Rev. Canon Butterfield, 8.D., Vicar). The introduction of the authorised music (Merbecke) at our monthly Choral Eucharist has had a marked effect m making it much more worthy and dignified. We cannot manage all the service yet, but m the meantime a setting of the Gloria m Excel.sis to the Bth Tone, Ist ending, is being used instead of Merbecke and is much brighter than plain monotone. A hymn is usual, as a. Gradual, The Benedictus and Agnus Dei are sung m their appointed ' places. We hope soon to be able to sing an introit psalm as ordered by the first prayer .book. We are practising several' of the hymns appointed for the Choral Festival m April, and some have been sung at Evensong. They are undoubtedly a great improvement on some of the old accustomed hymns and tunes. "Ye ' Watchers and Ye Holy Ones*' has. distinctly " caught oji,"'thecoiigi < egiation began joining

m, at the third verse and most were singing lustily when we came to the last. On Monday evening (October 16th) the Girls' Club, through their vice-president, Miss Lee, presented Dr. Jessie Maddison with a. set of linen handkerchiefs m recognition of her kindness m giving them lectures on Home Nursing. The lectures have been greatly appreciated. Otane. . (Vicar: Rev, G. W. Davidson). We have lost by removal Mr and Mrs Armstrong, to whom we might well have given a good social send-off, but they preferred not. Letters received by the Vicar finds them very happy. We wish, them God-speed. Mrs Armstrong Avas a devout and regular Communicant, also a member: of the Mothers' Union. Mr Armstrong seldom missed Sunday Evensong. The attendance both at Otane and Elstliorpe has increased very much. Nothing cheers a Vicar up more than bright services, especially the Holy Communion. Th Vestry, m spite of our overdraft, which is very big .just now, has decided that the Vicarage outside woodwork shall be painted at once. There is a move being made to have a real , effort after the holidays to raise at least £200 and a* hearty response is being promised. Two gift efforts for the St. Hilda's Home have been made. The Elstnorpe under the enthusiastic management of Mrs Macaulay raised £10 m cash and over five pounds' worth of produce, whilst at Otane a few young men raised a sum of £4. A bigger, result m each case is aimed at for next year. The call for volunteer Church workers is very poorly answered. At Otane we were fortunate to secure . the services of Mr Selwyn White for the Sunday School m place of Miss Dorothy Waiworth, who has gone back to her home m Palmerston. Will parishion- • ers please note the intended bazaars, etc., to be held after- Christmas and be ready to respond? Eotorua. (Vicar: Yen. Archdeacon .Chatterton, 8.D.) A meeting was held m St. Luke's Parish Hall on September 28th for the purpose of forming a Council of Christian Congregations similar to those formed m Auckland and Christchurch, and also m some towns m England. Archdeacon Chatterton presided, and there were also present the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers and Salvation Army captain as well as lay representatives from, each denomination. After the chairman had - explained the objects of the Council, which were to speak with united voice m the name of the Christian Church on questions affecting the moral and spiritual welfare of the community; a constitution was adopted by, the meeting which .provided that the Council, consist of. all .the ministers willing, to join and six lay

representatives from each congregation, the Maoris of Whaka and Ohinemutu counting as one congregation. An executive was appointed consisting of each minister and one lay member from each congregation.' General meetings will be held about once a quarter and executive meetings as often as necessary. It is hoped that it will not only prove a step forward m the direction of Christian unity but that it will influence m a practical way, where necessary, the civic life of the town. ' Opofciki. (Vicar : Rev. A. F. Hall, M.A.) No notes from here have appeared for two months. The reason is that little of diocesan interest has happened, and the Synod report is printed elsewhere. The Nukuhou Church people got up a social, by which some £9 was raised. This brought many people together, and m a .small • outlying centre it is a necessity, if < our religion is to affect our body, soul and spirit, for our social side to be developed. Anyhow, at Nukuhou both hosts and guests were happy, and we are grateful for the help given. The Sunday School children had their tea party on October 20th, and. m games and songs passed a very happy time. The parish paper, with its circulation of 400 a month seems to be supplying a real, need, as it keeps the country people m touch with the •Church. There is always a column of missionary news as well as parochial information, and the paper serves as a medium of instruction as well. It is entirely paid for by advertisements, and therefore is distributed free, 185 copies going away from the township monthly. - It has. not been found possible to rivive the G.F.S. at present for, various reasons. In the meantime the Girls'' Bible Class at the Vicarage is, we hope, doing useful work. Cathedral Parish. (Vicar: The Very Rev; the Dean). .^v. At the last meeting of the Mothers' Union two beautiful little water colors, appropriately framed, were presented by the Dean on behalf of the members of the Dorcas Society and Mothers' Union to Mrs H. Judd as a slight memento of her untiring and enthusiastic assistance to both societies when a member of the Cathedral Parish. Mrs Judd has gone to reside m the Waipukurau Parish. Our loss is indeed their gain. At Mattins on the Sunday after Trinity Mr C. H. Edwards unveiled a memorial window to the late Mrs Edwards, and the Dean dedicated the gift. The prophets Ezekiel and Daniel are depicted, and the window is a beautiful adornment to. the Cathedral. The Dean spoke a few words of kindly memory, and then dedicated as follows: — "In the faith of Jesus Christ . I dedicate, this window to; the Glory

of God and m loving memory of Matilda Edwards, m the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. " The 20th annual meeting of the Girls' Friendly Society was held on October 11th, the Dean presiding, supported by Mrs Sedgwick and Mrs Ruddock. Reports were read from seven branches, and the reformed St. Andrew's branch, Port Ahuriri. Many- helpful addresses have been given at various branches, on Mission subjects m particular. The Hastings branch has £520 m" hand for a hostel which it is keen to start. A very satisfactory report was presented from the Napier Lodge. It shows that the Lodge is most useful, and that the management of Miss Makeig is fully appreciated. The committee heartily thank all those friends who contributed to the support of the Napier Lodge, whether m money or m kind. Havelcck North. (Vicar : Rev. Canon K. E. Maclean, 8.A.) We had the pleasure of a visit from the Bishop m the beginning' of the month for part of a week-end. The Vicar kindly invited the Vestry to meet him on Saturday evening, when we saAv him from a new .point of view, as an excellent teller of yarns. On the day following we listened to him as the preacher of an inspiring sermon which should help his hearers to seek earnestly to be not only Christians, but ''fully" Christians. A few days afterwards the sensible people m the Parish came to the Sunday School concert, which • vas a marked success. There was no lack of variety, pianists, soloists, plays, Morris dances, action songs m f uli dress, whose charm was enhanced by the lack of self -consciousness on the part of the performers, and the simple and artistic character of the dresses. The preparation for such an evening is part of a good education, and one could not help noticing the improvement m the use of colours and style that has taken place during the last few years m dress, m the arrangement of the stage, and' m the movements of singers and actors. Surely this increasing intuition of what is beautiful m color, sound and movement, is part of the religious education of mankind; for beauty, is ai' expression of the Love of God for His children, as is showii m all nature, and it must give joy to the Lord. Jesus Who loved the * ' little children" to find them — though it may be unconsciously — absorbing it into their being. . ■ St. Andrew's, Port Ahuriri. (Vicar: Rev. E. Drake). It is only out of a strong sense of fluty that the Rev. F. B. Redgrave has consented to undertake the position of General Secretary to the N.Z. Anglican Board of Missions that the Archbishop m the name of the

Church of the Province has urged him -to.' accept." It is with very real regret that Mrs ' Redgrave and he leave the Port after a residence of nearly 5 years, and they wish very heartily to thank all the parishioners m country and town for their many expressions of goodwill,, especially those manifested during the past few weeks. The annual Sale held during the past month realised just about £100 clear profit. Two Confirmations were held during the past month, 23 being confirmed at St. Andrew's and 16 at Eskdale. At Eskdale one who had been confirmed m the Roman Church was solemnly received by the Bishop into our branch of the Catholic Church. Waipukurau. (Vicar: Rev. A. W. Stace). This parish has suffered a good deal from sickness during the past, winter and early spring. In common with other places there have been several cases of pneumonia. Among those who have suffered from this was Mr Charles Scruby, "who passed peacefully to his rest on Thursday, October sth. The late Mr Scruby had attended St. Mary's Church twice every Sunday, almost without a break, for 33 years. ■ He was a" faithful and devoted Churchman, a great help to the Vicar m many ways, a good husband and a respected member of the community. To Mr Scruby the services of the Church were very real. These he found good for the' journey of life, shelter, -and lights ' along the road. A special memorial service was held on Sunday, October Bth, at St. Mary's, the Vicar taking as his ? text Rev. 14-13, " Blessed are the dead which die m the Lord . . . for they rest from their labours." For Mrs Scruby the very deepest sympathy" is felt. We all miss our dear brother, but we know that "He which hath begun a good work will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. ' ' St. Matthew's, Hastings. (Vicar: Rev. R. T. Hall. Assistant Curate: Rev. 0. Gibson). " Patf onal Festival services were held on St. Matthew's Day, September 21st, there being Choral Eucharist at 7 a.m., and sung Evensong at 7.30. The Festival was continued during the Octave, on ■ the Sunday morning, at a very beautiful service, the Rev. J. B. Brocklehurst was the preacher and he also dedicated the new reredos erected m memory of the late Mr and Mrs Beamish. The parish is very fortunate to possess such a beautiful work of : art as this reredos is. At Evensong the Yen. Archdeacon Simkiri addressed a large congregation, another inspiring service being a fitting conclusion to a . very happy day, At the meeting of the Gleaners' Union on September 28th it was decided to forward a

donation "of &L1 to the Rev. F. Long m. ..China. Mrs Hunter Brown, of Wairoa, desires to thank the Gleaner who forwarded,, anonymously, a "box of dolls for the Missionary stall at a sale recently, held. On Sunday, October Ist, we had the pleasure of a visit from our Bishop, who preached a very fine, inspiring sermon at Evensong. The Bishop alsp addressed a large gathering of children m the afternoon. The Mothers' Union 'held its usual meeting, on October 3rd. There was. a large attendance arid all present enjoyed an excellent address by Mrs Rice on "The Eights of the Child.' 1 ' The monthly meeting o;£ the C.E.M.S. was held on October filth, when there was a : good roll up. of men, the chief subject of the eveningbeing Prohibition, which produced a very interesting discussion. A. Mother Goose Fair, organised by the Women's National Reserve and the G.F.S., m aid. of the Girls' Hostel Fund, was held on October 14thV The effort was very successful, arid is expected to clear nearly £120. Puketapu. (Vicar : Vacant);, " His Lordship the Bisnopeame to us on August 13th and it was a joy to all to have him. He travelled 80 miles with three se'rv.ices. There was? a Confirmation at Puketapu, when 'the following were confirmed >— ]£eith Jones, Eric Tong, Albert Fearn, Myra Jones and Lucy Tong. We celebrated oui'Patrdnal Festival on October Ist, when we had the Yen. Archdeacon Simkin with us. The Vicai'j having accepted the cure of St. Andrew's, Napier, will be leaving his old parish, early m November. His stay m Puketapu has been short" . and extremely happy.