Young Anglican Fellowship at St. Matthews

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 35, Issue 5, 1 July 1944, Page 11

Young Anglican Fellowship at St. Matthews

Monthly Meetings Accepted Feature of Parish Life.

The Young Anglican Movement has created wide interest m New -Zealand. In some , dioceses this movement has been launched. In Waiapu we have all been waiting for ; something definite. In St. Matthew's Parish, Hastings, something has been done. The V.A.M. has great possibilities and the widespread interest and enthusiasm of all young people is a happy omen for its splendid future. The time for action, is when interest and discussion have reached a climax. Unfortunately m some cases this climax has been; reached and passed, and enthusiasm is waning considerably. There has been to much general talk and too little action. Young people like something definite and detest procrastination. The V.A.M. has, apparently, been launched elsewhere, the fact remains that it has NOT been launched m Waiapu. Reports . filtering through indicate that where launched it has .not yet proved the expected success. To ensure enthusiastic support the time is surely ripe for immediate action. When launched, this movement will fail lamentably if the allegiance of those Anglicans not normally m contact with church organisations, is not won. ■ V.i ■ Something Definite. A Young Anglican Fellowship has already been formed three months -at Si Matthew's to combat the irreparable harm resulting from a policy of "not coming rapidly to earth." This fellowship is a forerunner of the V.A.M. and is not intended to be a substitute. It was formed to bring together Young Anglicans m worship and fellowship. Its value lies m the fact, that already numerous young people not connected with any existing organisation (e.g., Junior Vestry^ Choir, Bible Classes), have already "been brought into contact with those who are. . •'" ; . Success Since Inception ' ■ '■■ j •.'■■.•■■. , '■ • ■''■■■■. The Fellowship meets every fourth Sunday of the month at Evensong arid later, m the Parish Hall. Over 70 young people attended the first meeting and the number rose to nearly 100 a month later. • '. -

The Evensong is characterised by one of the Senior Bible Class boys reading a lesson, and by the special prayers and hymns. The true atmosphere and spirit of worship is -thus obtained, for, the service is not just' Evensong but the Young Anglican Evensong. ■ Afterward m the hall there is supper and singing, and to avoid the old complaint 'I don't know anybody," all wear a name tag. The fellowship always concludes early (by 9.30 p.m.) .with the singing of an hymn and the Benediction. " There is certainly nothing new m a Youth service and social, but the very name Young Anglican makes this organisation stand apart.- The co-operation of the Bible Classes has brought many, fresh young people into the fellowship of the Church. ■ . '" ■•■■■■•■■■ . ' .■'" : ■>■.■■'.■ -'. ■■ ./ ■ St. Matthew's Parish has at least begun, the ground is being prepared, the Young Anglicans are being brought into the church to learn that worship and fellowship are/ : closely related. Until the V.A.M. "D-Day" is announced we at St. Matthew's will continue to draw as many Young ' people as possible into our Fellowship. For, even if the V.A.M. should be continually delayed or fail to materialise the St-. Matthew's Young Anglican Fellowship will always play a great part m the life of the Parish, because, it DOES exist, it is VITAL, and its aim is to lead all m loyalty to church and thus service for God.— T.M.L.