Pastoral Letter.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 31, Issue 2, 1 April 1940, Page 5

Pastoral Letter.

Bishopscourt, Napier. Ist March, 1940. My Dear People, I hope that you will read carefully the reprint of General Synod's deliberations upon the Report of the Military Affairs Committee: for it has not received the Dominion-wide publicity that it deserves. In this country we are only beginning to realise that the War will demand substantial sacrifices of one kind or another from us all. Indeed we can be thankful for being defended from the fate meted out to such peoples as the Czechs, Poles, and Finns, by their more powerful neighbours: for there is no evidence that we are more deserving than they, •or our threatened countrymen m Britain. Victory will be achieved by nothing less than the maximum of effort on the part of all, and m itself will be worth while only if it leads on to lasting peace, and a world reconstructed more directly m accordance with the laws of God. I i At no time then has the spiritual leadership of the Church been of greater importance, and m no place more necessary than amongst the men of our fighting forces. For some of them may be called upon to render the supreme sacrifice, others perhaps to 1 bear wounds and disablement, and as we hope, the majority may return to give a lead m the vital task of establishing a better order. It is therefore impossible to calculate the potential value of religious help and inspiration offered to these young men. The Army provides for the appointment of Chaplains but, as m our parishes other things are also needed, m addition to the priest. Churches, chapels, halls, furnishings, organs, books, and various social amenities all constitute the setting for the family life of a congregation. And it is the task of the "Church Army" to provide corresponding facilities with their huts and tents, wherever our troops are stationed. These premises cost money for erection and maintenance. They are open to all irrespective of •denomination, and no charges are made for anything. There ' are books magazines,, writing materials, comfortable chairs, table games, and light refreshments, controlled by a qualified officer and presenting a haven of quiet and rest difficult to procure m a busy camp. For use at Church Services and also privately, we have already ordered twenty thousand Prayer Books which will scarcely meet the needs of Army and Air Force Chaplains. A Maori edition is also m preparation. •Copies of the Scriptures are also m demand. Premises and furnishings for Chapel use, at celebrations of the Holy 'Communion, and other purposes at the big aerodromes have yet to be considered, and we are engaging a clergyman to organise this branch of our work immediately. One Church Army Officer is now m Egypt, another will accompany the Second Echelon, and funds will be sent to the Senior Chaplain to meet necessities as they arise. 'Our Chaplains do not participate m grants made by Patriotic Committees and other bodies m New Zealand who are organ- : ising valuable social work. Church of England people are solely responsible for the raising and spending of their own funds. In the last war, under similar conditions, our work was very successfully accomplished and I have every confidence that our people will stand loyally behind their Church's determination to minister effectively to their relatives and friends who are serving their country to-day. Our Waiapu Diocese has already contributed £565 for which we are deeply grateful. In Wellington magnificent efforts have resulted m a total of £1900 of which £1200 came from collections on one day. Last year that Diocese raised £40,000 for their new Cathedral, paid all stipends m full, and an increased contribution to Missions. Their people have certainly learned how to give. In proportion to quota the boys of our Waiapu Districts are leading the recruiting of the Dominion. About half of the troops belong to the Anglican Communion, and as Senior Chaplain for our Church as well as Bishop of the Diocese, I appeal most earnestly to you ■all to play your part m the meeting of our obligations. Please treat this cause as a part of the sacrifices, which m these days of momentous happenings, will inevitably be required m one form or another from us all. Your Sincere Friend, G. VINCENT WAIAPU.