INITIATING FORWARD MOVEMENT

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 31, Issue 1, 1 March 1940, Page 1

INITIATING FORWARD MOVEMENT

Basis for Advancement m days of reconstruction

Bishop's Letter Bishopscourt, Napier, March, 1940. My Dear People, As most of you will know, I was appointed by the Bishops last August as Senior Chaplain to. the Forces for our Church. . Since the outbreak of war my duties have consisted m the appointment of chaplains to minister m the training camps m this country and to accompany the troops overseas. In common with the other Bishops of the province I am a member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Church of England and as Senior Chaplain was elected to the Executive. This branch of our war work is a big one and includes the provision and maintenance of premises, staff and equipment essen.tial for effective spiritual ministration. In its way it will demand, as m the last war, substantial material sacrifices from our church people at home on behalf of our men serving m New Zealand and overseas. In asking the permission of the Government for the exemption allowed by their regulations from participation m the General Patriotic Fund scheme the Church was desirous of being free to organise her work of collecting funds from her people, establishing "Church Army" huts and tents, and supporting the efforts of her chaplains along lines which proved successful m 1914-18. ,

The estimated budget of the Military Affairs Committee, printed on another page of this issue, discloses the magnitude of the work waiting to be done, when funds are available. Taking Personal Charge. After much thought and consultation with others I have come to the conclusion that I ought to follow up the task of appointing chaplains to the Expeditionary Force by taking personal charge of the ministrations" of our church to the men overseas. And I shall .therefore be accompanying the Third Echelon on its departure.

I have made this matter known to the Bishops of the province and to the standing committee of the Diocese, who have consented to make the necessary arrangements for my absence. Dean Brocklehurst will act as commissary and the Bishop of Aotearoa will conduct Confirmations m the Parishes as he goes about the Diocese on his Maori work. Qther Bishops are also prepared to give their services when necessary. Eighteen months m your midst have demonstrated to me how pleasant a task it is to discharge the

duties of my office as Bishop of Waiapu, and I shall look forward with anticipation to the time when it will again be possible to assume these normal responsibilities m days of peace and progress. Period of Intensive Activity. Meanwhile we have immediately m front of us a period of intensive activity. lam anxious that we make full use of the opportunity provided by our Church Congress at Hastings on sth, 6th, 7th and Bth April. For I am hoping that there we shall initiate a steady forward movement m the life and thought of the Diocese which will provide a basis for great advancement m the days of reconstruction yet to come. A strong team of visiting leaders have promised their services to guide us m devotion, thought and discussion. They are His Lordship The Bishop of Waikato, Archdeacon E. J. Rich, of Wairarapa, Canon Watson (Wellington Diocesan Missioner), and Canon E. H. Strong (late principal of St John's College, Auckland). A comprehensive programme has been planned. It will include opportunities for consideration of our problems and plans for their solution, an open-air service, public meeting m the Assembly Hall, and daily services. The Parish of Hastings has most generously undertaken to provide hospitality. Full details will be made available to you all by the secretary, Archdeacon McLean, through the Vicar of your Parish, and I would urge both young and old to join us m this great event if it be m any way possible at all. As you will observe from my itinerary I expect to visit a number of Parishes and speak of the Congress, during the next few weeks. Your Sincere Friend and Bishop, G. VINCENT WAIAPU.