Tauranga-Te Puke Maori Mission District.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 10, 1 December 1941, Page 7

Tauranga-Te Puke Maori Mission District.

Institution of the Rev. M. A. Bennett A very important event m the life of the Maori Mission took place on Sunday, November 2nd, when the Rev. M. A. Bennett was institute^ as Vicar of the re-constituted Mission District of Tauranga-Te Puke. The Institution Service was conducted by the Rev. O. S. O. Gibson, and was held m the Maori Church at Raiigiuru, Te Matai. There was a large congregation including representatives from the various Maori centres and a number of pakehas from Tauranga. The service was a most impressive one and was followed by . the Holy Communion, the Celebrant being the Rev. M. A. Bennett, assisted by the Revs. O. S.-i.Cv, Gibson and Hemana Pokiha. The Vicar of Tauranga irf his address emphasised the importance 1 of the parts which both the new vicar and the people had to play, and that only as there was the .'.fullest: co-operation could there be lasting results. He urged the necessity of a steady faithful daily witness. "Your life," he said, "is the greatest sermon you can preach." In bearing this witness it should, be remembered that there is only ' one Church, N Maori and Pakehaare united m the one great army, ■;:,'; r . f ; ;^ ... ,,;■%;.' , After the service members, of the congregation were entertained to lunch with the customary. Maori hos-

pitality. Mr. tai Mitchell translated : into Maori the address which bad been given m Church and speeches of welcome were given by several Maori leaders, the Rev. O. S. O. Gibson later replying on behalf of the visitors. . Waipiroßay My dear Parishioners, The Services on Christmas Day \ will be as follows:— Te Araroa— 3 a.m., Holy 9 om " munion. Kaharau— B a.m., Holy Communion. Waipirp Bayr-9.30 a.m., Holy Communion. Tokomaru Bay — 11 a.m. Holy Communion. • I need hardly remind you that every confirmed member of the Church is under obligation to make his, or her Communion on this great Festival. To do so may involve the making of adjustments m some of the social festivities connected with the day, but it is incumbent upon church people to make such adjustments, and not to allow their religious obligations to become sub^ ordinated to the social aspects of the day.. Particularly should parents bring their children to join m, .an.. act of worship to the Child Christ; only by doing so will children: be brought up to realise that . the central figure of Christmas Day is. not Santa Glaus, but Jesus Christ the Incariiate ; Son of God. No child over five is tod young- to join m the worship of the Church even if he does occasionally take a run outside to stretch^ his legs. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all the happiness* possible Christmas, with the hope that by next year peace and goodwill will have become a reality, arid that those who are separated from us will be restored to us m safety and will once again gather round the family board. - . Yours sincerely, A, R. H/ MORRIS.-