THE CHURCH MILITANT

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 31, Issue 1, 1 March 1940, Page 2

THE CHURCH MILITANT

CONGRESS AT HASTINGS

Following Christ, the King

A forward move m the life and thought of the Diocese of Waiapu is to be initiated by the holding of a special church congress at St. Matthew's, Hastings, early m April next. God's work cannot be retrenched; it must advance. It is hoped that the congress will be the basis of a great advancement m the days of reconstruction yet to come. It is hoped to awaken a new spirit and to enrol members desiring to dra.w closer to our Redeemer — the Risen Christ. Many important aspects of the spiritual life of the Church will be discussed. Visiting speakers will include His Lordship the Bishop of Waikato.

Aim of Congress. Our National leaders have told the world again and again that we are fighting for a new and better world, m which justice shall rule and not force. The military action of the Allies can, we believe, break the tyranny which stands m the way, but force of arms can do nothing to build a new world, that must be the task of wiser and nobler politics and of a commerce which subordinates the motive of gain to the better service of all human needs. This hew and better standard m politics and commerce will not grow of itself; men do not rise to new heights except by the driving force of a spiritual impulse, and we know of no impulse which is good enougli and strong enough except the Christian Faith. There is a special and urgent need now for those who believe m God to set themselves with all their hearts to do God's Will. If we are to be effective now when the need is so great we must rise to a higher level of devotion, than we have yet reached. ■ The Congress is a summons to the core of the Church m this Diocese to meet for worship, fellowship and growth m knowledge and devotion. The Congress does not aim at bring-

ing together large numbers of those who are comparatively indifferent, it does aim at assembling our best and keenest, those who see a vision of the world God wants and who wish to be better equipped to bring that vision into reality. The world's condition is a chall lenge to the utmost effort our nation can make. It is even more deeply and more truly a challenge to the Church of God so to pray and so to labour that the national effort m arms is not wasted by moral and spiritual failure after victory is won. .. We are already seeing evidence of that irritability which, is a result of the strain of war. Our spiritual quality as a nation will deteriorate unless by the help of God we take real pains and make real efforts to see that it does not. Our Congress is such an effort, it lies with us to use the opportunity to the full. Four Objectives. Our effort at the Congress will be divided into four objectives: — 1. The Church's Ministry: Does the Church as a whole know what is the work the Clergy are ordained to do? Are they left free to do, or are they expected to spend time on things they should not have

to bother about? If we are to make the best use of our resources, is there something here we can learn and act upon? ; •>■ /■ 2. The Youth of the Chuich: '-' What is its responsibility? How can those of the Church's Youth who wish to sej^ve God do so among their own generation? What pan they do for the Church's children? 3. The Home: In a Christian home what open practice of our religion together is desirable and possible? Is religion a private, personal matter or a family concern? What can we do about it? 4. Our Church: Do we know its history? What is the particular contribution which the Church of England has to give to the nation and the world? Have we something which we believe is distinctive and precious, a gift from God for which we are trustees? Even these few questions suggest many things we need to think out if. we are to give faithful service. It is questions like these which will be dealt with m addresses and discussions at the Congress. Membership. During the Congress there will be two public functions to which anyone may come— an open-air service which we hope will be on the grand stand at the racecourse and a public meeting m the assembly hall on the last evening. Apart from these the meetings will be open only to Congress members; they are not open to anyone who likes to drop m. Enrolment cards are issued to the Vicars and intending members may enroll by signing the card and payr ing 2/6. Before the Congress starts those who have enrolled will each receive a badge, and these badges will admit the members to the meetings. Any Church member, young or old, may enrol, but, of course* the meet-

ings will be "over the heads" of children. It is hoped that there maybe a good representation of youth of the Church; the Congress is not just for greybeards. . Besides the general members each Parish is asked to appoint four "official members," who should represent different departments of Parish life, such as Sunday School, Bible Class, Mothers' Union and men's work. The Parishes are asked to pay the travelling expenses of these "official members." Many people who would like to go, but cannot, would be able to take their share by helping to send an "official member," who otherwise could not go. The Parish of Hastings is undertaking all the local organisation and hopes to be able to billet all the members of the Congress. That is a great job and the Diocese will owe Hastings a big debt of gratitude. Congress Fund. At the suggestion of Synod, a Church Congress Fund has been opened. Printing, hire of the Assembly Hall, travelling expenses of speakers, some refreshments and so on will all need paying for and the enrolment fee will not cover it We do not feel that the rest should be met only by collections from Congress members. There must be many Church people who would like to share m making the Congress possible, and those who live near Hastings will wish to help those for whom distance makes travelling a big expense. Is it God's will that you should help, and if so. how much? Contributions may be sent to the Diocesan Secretary, P.O. Box 227, Napier, or to the hon. secretary of the Congress, Archdeacon Maclean, Cornwall Road, Hastings, or handed to your Vicar. A Congress Prayer. Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ came to cast fire upon the earth; grant that by the prayers of Thy faithful people a fire of burning zeal may be kindled m this Diocese and pass from heart to heart, that the light of Thy Church may shine forth bright and clear; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.