September O

ctober 2009

St Alban’s Taueru

St Matthew’sSt Matthew’s Parish NewsParish News

www.stmatthewsparish.org.nz

St Andrew’s Upper Plain

St Mat thew’s Master ton

St Francis’ Bide fo rd

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Editors Note I’m sure we’ve all had conversations with returned travellers from an overseas trip who relive every day by day moment with you. Yes, you guessed it (turn the page now if you must). At the end of July Lorraine and I returned from a trip to see our daughter and fiancée in London, with some travel in Europe, Turkey and stopping in California on the way home.

I will not bore you with the many wonderful travel experiences we had, but I do want to convey something of a short history of Turkey.

It may be a surprise to some of you, but Turkey was at one time the centre of the Christian world, and even today there is a strong Christian presence in what is a predominantly Muslim country. The first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine, overthrew the then Catholic centre in Rome and relocated it to the rebuilt old city of Byzantium, renaming it Constan-tinople around the year 320AD (now called Istanbul, the capital of Turkey). In an effort to bring all Christians to-gether, in the year 325AD he ordered around 300 bishops to meet in a city

called Nicaea (above), where they produced a one Christian faith statement known as the Nicene or Apostles Creed, still recited in many church services today.

Whilst planning for the trip, I asked if we could visit a small town called Iznik. Where!!! was the response. The town Iznik used to be known as Nicaea and we have a red pottery fish (good Christian symbol) in our kitchen to remember it by.

In Istanbul we visited the famous Blue Mosque during prayer time (right) and the huge Grand Bazaar where we bought, amongst other things, an ornate silver neck cross, happily sold I might add, next to copies of the Koran and paprika and endless numbers of cucumbers & olives, the staple diet at breakfast. A great place and very friendly people

Next time — Ephesus

Rev. Merv Jones, Editor

The Vicar’s Soapbox

Conciliation/Celebration Gathering Sunday Sept 27th

Over the years as I have reflected on my own Christian journey I have be-come more aware of the significance and the part that reconciliation has in it. My conversion, my return to faith in Jesus came only through reconciliation, Acknowledging my wretchedness as a husband and father only happened when I discovered how much God loved me enough come to me and to forgive me. It was all about reconciliation on His part, as He extended the invitation of unconditional love through the work of His Son. His act of reconciliation re-stored my unashamed need for Him in my life – to give meaning; why living without Him was a “no brainer”. Now, as I read the Bible I can’t help seeing reconciliation written on every page. Reconciling begins immediately after Adam and Eve rebel, then continues with His favoured people, (Israelites) called to demonstrate living in harmony with one another and with their Creator, to finally through the New Testa-ment Church to all of humanity, Jew and Gentile alike. When we look at the world today, it still yearns for peace and goodwill, and the work of reconciliation cries out. But like the people of Israel, the Church struggles to imitate God’s Uncondi-tional Love for His Creation. Divisions through culture, world view and theol-ogy have plagued the Church from conception. Reconciliation has to be it’s greatest need if it wants to be the “light” to the world. Reconciliation is our greatest gift to each other and to our community. Reconciliation demands understanding, commitment cooperation, unconditional love, grace abounding, faith and unity in diversity. But look at the fruit of reconciliation. In Johns Gospel Chapter 17 verses 21 - 23 Jesus prays for future believers, “My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father --- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will be-lieve you sent me.

Can you imagine that? As the Church radiates “Unity,” (that can only begin through reconciliation) “Then all world will believe in the Lord Jesus“ (the great reconciler for all) In a few weeks the Parish has the opportunity to express it’s own “Unity in Christ.” The Conciliation/Celebration Gathering on Sunday Sept.27th will allow us to review our past, contemplate on our present and dream in faith to be a truly “Christ Centred Church” in and with the community of Masterton/Wairapapa. Let me finish with a picture that came out of our last Parish “Solemn Assem-bly.” It’s a picture of Unity and Diversity that should be synonymous with any church; that calls for acts of understanding, commitment, cooperation, uncon-ditional love, grace abounding, and faith. “I saw in my minds eye a flock of may be a dozen Canadian geese flying in their normal “V” formation, heading for their summer breeding grounds. In “V” for-mation for a number of advantages. From time to time each honked their sup-port and encouragement to the ones in front of them. I though that in a prac-tical sense, flying in someone else’s slipstream wasn’t as easy as it looked! Then I saw in the sky another flock in similar formation, this one perhaps big-ger in size. Then another group came into view until I saw maybe five groupings with still more groups coming, filling the sky, all different in size, all in “V” for-mation, some at different heights, all honking support and encouragement to one another in their individual flights. Then it occurred to me, that while there were separate groups; they were all of one purpose, all headed to a common goal, -- the Summer feeding grounds.” My interpretation for this “vision is simply this. There are effectively nine worshiping congregations (including Youth Side Door ) presently in the Parish. We are all “Flying in Christ formation with a single purpose, to serve the same God in the power of the Holy Spirit, whom as a Unified Trinity, we all love in our own understanding and expressions. What a magnificent sight to behold!” I hope you see the same “Parish Dynamic” feel the same call, the same urge, and are able come to and celebrate with me and all the invited, our common heritage and purpose in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Steve. ☺

What’s happening at St Matthews? Tuesday 22nd September 7pm - Watoto Choir - FREE Pencil this into your diary NOW! This childrens choir has been here before and really are a truly beautiful sound to listen too. Bring your friends to this ’entry by donation’ concert and hear something quite exquisite.

Conciliation-Celebration Gathering Sunday 27th September from 12 noon to 3 pm — Preparations for our Parish Conciliation-Celebration Gathering are well advanced and the anticipation is growing as all the management details come together for this special Parish event. We are anticipating over two hundred to attend and enjoy the Food Fest, the History Display, as well as the Grand Gather-ing service.

We hope you can join us too, to be part of a significant event in the 134 year history of the Parish and share with many others who have been in-vited from the wider Masterton community.

As part of the History Display, a committee is in the process of producing the first written history of the “Anglican Parish of Masterton” as it was called in 1875 (and now being reclaimed to reflect the whole Parish.) Any further contributions could provide valuable information towards that. (We would be happy to copy anything that is contributed and return originals as everything is now catalogued and stored by the Wairarapa Archives.)

Call the office for any further details of the afternoon’s event and if you would like to help or contribute to the event with food, flowers are general support I look forward to meeting you.

Rev Stephen Kimberley, Vicar

NOTE: There will be NO 8am or 10am services on this Sunday

WANTED — Men who can (or think they can) sing!! Tuesday 15th September at 7pm — Part of the Parish Conciliation-Celebration Gathering programme will include a Men’s Singing Group. It has been proven time and time again that when men are put together and given permission to sing, they will do so enthusiasm and accomplishment. So come to the practice at 7pm on Tuesday 15th Sept. and be part of a ‘first’ in the parish for many, many years. We will be well guided by Ray Coats, our ‘Praise Be’ conductor of some note.

Music @ St Matthew’s

The organ concert season is now over for this year- 2009 and although it started with the (Big) blip of a cancellation early in the year with Carlo Curley, there was the May concert and then things cer-tainly hotted up in July/August when there were three events within a month! One was Christopher Herrick’s absolutely splendid “Organ Fireworks” concert. For some time, Christopher has been known as one of the world’s finest organ-ists, and that appellation still stands. The other two events were singing re-lated, one being a beautiful Final Service and Prize Giving mounted by the choristers from the RSCM’s Winter Choir school held here at St Matthew’s. One of our own, Katherine Sprowson, took part in the school and said that she really enjoyed the experience and learnt heaps! Katherine was supported finan-cially by parishioners and is very grateful for that. Soup and hot drinks were served to the congregation following the service. The second singing event was also mounted by RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) – a Singing Workshop, directed by the acclaimed choral director, Stephen Rowley from Wellington. The music was based on the new RSCM publi-cation, “Sing Psallum” which was published to celebrate the 80th Anniversary. Persistent advertising resulted in 21 participants from six churches attending and Rev Alison Pitts, the Deputy Chair of the Wellington Branch pronounced it a success! The music – aimed at the North American market, but International, Ecumeni-cal and Inspirational was really enjoyed by everyone. There is much in the book which could suit the congregations at St Matthew’s and Hilda Payne (Evensong Singers) is arranging for the music to be available for us. We learnt and sang a very catchy version to the Creed, some jazz, calypso, new words to Mozart, newly written hymns, a round, and in Spanish, Hebrew and of course in English. Expectations from Stephen were high – and we seemed to rise to the occasion! At day’s end we were exhausted, but satisfied, and delighted that we were given the opportunity to partake. It is truly a blessing that RSCM exists, that individuals give so generously of their time and talents to present these opportunities and that the music now on offer is no longer purely of the Anglican Cathedral tradition. The day ended with a short service conducted by Rev Alison Pitts, Deputy Chair of Wellington Branch.

The final organ concert for the year was ”Victorian Matinee” in September and given by Ron Newton from Oamaru. Caryl Forrest wrote a review which you can find on her web site http://brightwings.typepad.com/bright_wings/organ-music It starts. “While titled Victorian Matinee there was nothing Victorian about Dr Newton's performance. Relaxed and engaging, he immediately developed a great rapport with his audience and demonstrated a fine mastery of the Rodgers Tril-lium organ, together with sensitive, innovative registration.” It was a grand way to end the season and the audience, comprised of people aged from 18 to 80++ have been very positive about it. They loved it!

2010 Programme March 23rd 1.30 pm Tuesday Chris Powell. UK. “Blackpool Tower comes to Town” April 23rd 1.30 pm Friday. ANZAC Matinee April 24th 7 pm Saturday ANZAC Concert. June. To be confirmed- An organist has been approached July 10th Saturday 11 am. RSCM Winter Choir School Final Service and Prize giv-ing. August 7th Saturday 7 pm. Barry Brinson. Christchurch. “Organ at the Movies” September 10th Friday 7 pm. Carlo Curley. UK. “Organ Extravaganza” There will also be a special organ concert for schools and a further Singing Workshop. That’s a total of eight music events and apart from the schools’ con-cert, everyone is invited to them all! Please remember that an email list operates to remind you of the music events. If you would like to enlist please contact April Bamford abamford@paradise.net.nz It’s Free…..

News of the Hobday pipe organ, previously at St Matthew’s. Dr Newton is well-known as an organ builder and tuner. Trading as the New Zea-land Organ Manufactory, he is based in Oamaru but travels the length of New Zealand installing, restoring and keeping some of New Zealand's finest organs in good working order. The Arthur Hobday pipe organ, which served St Matthew's for many years, has been restored by Dr Newton and is currently being installed in St Patrick's Basil-ica in Oamaru with the likely opening scheduled for 28th November 2009. Some people are keen to visit Oamaru for the opening. One has been designated “Tour Director”! If you wish to go, contact April Bamford to register your inter-est.

‘From the Country’ St. Albans, Taueru Prior to winter finally setting in, Vestry decided to give the Parish’s ‘dearest old lady’ an outside make-over. It was estimated that apart from the odd paint ‘touchup’ prior to the centennial celebration in 2005, the churchs last ‘real’ paint job was during the major renova-tions, over 15 years ago. So paint-ing quotes were received and it was agreed to let a contract to two St Matthews parishioners (who are also painters I might add). Work began with extensive preparation in the form of water-blasting, not without its initial hiccups, I might add. This ain’t rocket science I know, but before undertaking any form of water-blasting, a prerequisite is that you MUST have - you guessed it - WATER. Well de-spite our two trusty painters foraging amongst the agapanthus along the front boundary (for many hours it would seem) it took a ‘mummy’s look’ by the Editor to guide them to the only water source on the site. Thank good-ness they are not firemen looking for an H2O supply!!!!! After some weeks of near perfect weather, the church was repainted in its original (or as near as we can get) colours and is looking an absolute picture, as are the parishioners above standing outside after a Sunday service. Many thanks to Dave & Doug for what was more than a painting contract, but a true labour of love. Next, spray the Marseille roof tiles to rid them

of moss. And yet another labour of love, this time from Brian Maunsell, is the addition of two handmade hymn boards added to the in-side of the nave. The hymn num-bers were donated by Rick Long, from the Sign Factory, so now both the hard of hearing and the short sighted should always be on the right hymn page.

St. Andrew's, Upper Plain Quite an assorted lot of news over the last few months! June saw the final collecting and counting of buttons for Moriah School in Welling-ton which were then combined with some from the Masonic Village, various indi-viduals, St Peter’s and St. Luke’s churches and a very healthy lot from St.

Matthew’s. A dozen of us were joined by three from St. Matthew’s and we all travelled down to deliver the buttons to the school. We were given a wonderful tour of the Holocaust museum at the Jewish Centre, something that will stay with us. We had lunch and then were shown around the synagogue. Our Chris-tian roots are firmly embedded in Judaism and seeing the style of building that Jesus would have worshipped in helps bring the biblical accounts to life. At St. Andrew's we were lucky to have an offer from Tessa Picking’s grandson for us to be his ‘community contribution’ from his work. So Aaron made a new garden along the paddock side of the church and planted it with donated grasses – and with the little garden that the children of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd programme planted it is looking very loved and colourful. While Liz was in USA see CGS report - Steve, Dan and Yvonne did a great job, taking services and tending the flock. Sad times with the deaths of Dr. Dorothy Potter, and Pam Rodda, may they both rest in peace. Dorothy we farewelled from St.Matthew’s as we were too small to take the crowd. Dan we will continue to nurture as he adjusts to life without Pam. Things to look forward to: The Conciliation Celebration Gathering on 27th The Catechesis children’s service 8th Nov Music in Gardens fundraiser 21st Nov

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Apart from the planting of bulbs and plants along the front of the church the children have been learning a whole variety of new things from parables, songs and prayers to altar works, geography of the Holy Land and the Maxims. Mrs. Alison Ballantyne, executive officer of the Anglican Schools Office paid a visit, took masses of photos and was most enthusiastic about our programme. Judy Wagg also came to visit with her camera, and with the photos taken dur-ing a couple of sessions plus those taken at Epiphany when the Atrium children took a lead in the Pentecost service for Hadlow we ended up with a wonderful record of the children’s activities – hopefully we will be able to develop this aspect for the parish website. Photographs from these occasions were used to make a power point presentation for Liz to take to Chicago in July when she attended a two week training to complete her accreditation as a Catechist for all three levels. Other visitors came, local and from further afield as well as parents checking the programme out for their children. Barbara Udy has been out of action with a broken ankle but Yvonne Esau, several parishioners and our wonderful Claudia (crucifer/server) plus Rev’d Elizabeth Snowsill main-tained a high standard during Liz’s absence. Both Barbara and Yvonne are trained catechists of level 1 so the tasks and joys are shared. We are planning now a service that the children are going to take for the con-gregation in November and also looking ahead to Christmas!

Bideford – St. Francis Continues with the uniqueness that is a de-light to be part of – Ella Mitchell (daughter of Nicki Woodhouse, daughter of Deb Woodhouse) was baptised and welcomed into that special community. Winter played havoc yet again – although this was not the usual water over the bridge, it was Anne Kershaw being ill and not able to take the service while Liz was in Chicago – however all was not lost, she

preached a very good sermon the following month. In the pipeline is a Supplementary Hymn booklet to go alongside the A&M we normally use – it should be in use for the September service. Please note - a solution has been found for the lack of light (no electricity!) for the organist – a miners lamp

Humour I drove passed the cemetery the other day and noticed 4 pall-bearers walking around with a coffin. I passed by again some hours later and they were still walking around with it. I thought to myself, 'They’ve lost the plot’ With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week. Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Tokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. All was going well until the under-taker came to put Larry into the coffin. He put his left leg in…………….. and then all the trouble started.

The children were in the church school cafeteria for lunch where a large pile of apples had a note saying, "Take only ONE. God is watching." At another table, full of chocolates and cookies and toffees, someone had placed a card on it saying, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Other Regular Services St Matthews: Midweek Service Every Thursday 10am Hall (Youth SideDoor) Every Friday 6:30pm Hall (Children’s Ark) Every Sunday 10am Evensong Each 3rd Sunday 5pm Country Taueru (St Alban’s) Each 1st Sunday 9:30am Upper Plain (St Andrew’s) Each 2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday 10am Bideford (St Francis’) Each 3rd Sunday 9am Rest homes Lansdowne Court Each 3rd Friday 10:30am Kandahar Each 3rd Saturday 10:30am MetLife Each 3rd Wednesday 10:45am

We note the passing of a previous Vicar of St Matthew’s, for an impressive tenure of 22 years from 1952 until 1974. Ask any ‘older’ parishioner about him and they will have a story to tell about the antics of this Man of God. Editor - my only contact with Archdeacon Venimore was leading up to the St Albans, Taueru, Centennial Celebration in 2005, when we asked if he would like to come to the special service we were planning. He answered ‘Yes’ like a shot, but at 94 years old thought he should check with his doctor first. He subsequently declined our invitation as the doctor had the ‘audacity’ to suggests that maybe he shouldn’t go.

+Tom - How Vulnerable We Can Be

When the ferry sank in Tonga I was reminded how vulnerable we can be. There were those who perished; caught by the speed of the sinking boat, and there are the loved ones who suffer the pain of the loss. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with those affected – relatives, friends and the nation of Tonga.

While we seek security in all sorts of ways from retirement savings, to river flood protection works, to fire engines; life still contains risk. We can lose our savings, we can be flooded, we can still have a fire and it can happen without us doing anything to cause it. The book “Bad Things Happen to Good People” deals with something of this, and shows that by uncovering a faith, people “hurt by life” can be supported and work through their difficulty.

Someone else who suffered as Kushner did – losing a loved one – counsels us no matter how difficult it is, “ to accept what happens to us and to do what we can with the possibilities that life offers us – not to judge that we de-served to have something else happen to us, or that we should have differ-ent possibilities”. He, as with Kushner, identifies with Job – that he cannot “call God to account” or put another way, God is not to blame just as an inno-cent person isn’t.

In suffering, we have our own vulnerability to face whether we are the af-fected one or it is some other person’s misfortune we are linked to. When a person who we love suffers, we too can experience loss, pain, anger, anxiety – we can be vulnerable like the sufferer. Even when there is a disaster somewhere such as the sinking of the boat in Tonga or 9/11, we can experi-ence a sense of pain and loss. We can feel what it is like for those nearer to the tragedy – something of the pain.

Whether we are being tested by suffering ourselves or whether we feel for someone else, it is as well to remember that our God isn’t an angry God but the God of love, who demonstrated the extent of that love in Jesus Christ to suffer as we do, to die as we will but then to overcome death, and in so doing offering us and others hope beyond the suffering. There is however, a “but” as there so often is – as Doug Muder poses the question: "What am I going to do with the life I have now?"

It is then for us to hold to a faith that offers us hope, and at the same time strength – for that is what our God provides when we are vulnerable.

+Tom - Bishop of Wellington

From the Parish Register Baptisms: At St Matthew's Te Ropiha John Keating Issac Ivanath Coley Zoe Amber Brock Jordan Lee Messiter Daniel Christopher Jack Messiter Matthew Masoe At St Albans James Nicholas McDonald Heide Marie Slater Madelyne Leanne Slater Carter - Affirmation of Baptism At St Francis Ella Jane Mitchell Weddings: At St Matthew's Segia Schuster and Steven Edwin Wilson At St Albans Darlya Michelle Redfern and Samuel Charles Walker At St Andrew's Phoebe Elizabeth Bowyer and Mathew Robert Paul Wilson Funerals: At St Matthew's Thelma Annie Burton Beryl Enid Clarke Charles Liverton Frank Colban Mona Rosie Christina Curtis Stanley Francis Smith Edith May Locke Davidson Leonard William George Eldershaw Percival Charles Braggins Zona Lea Mayall Dorothy Field Usher Potter

The Anglican Parish of St Matthew Office Hours: Mon—Fri, 9am-1pm

35 Church Street, PO Box 588, Masterton Phone 370 8589 Fax 370 8587 email: st.matt@xtra.co.nz

Website: www.stmatthewsparish.org.nz Parish Priest: Rev. Steve Kimberley Ph. 377 3020

Church Wardens: Edwin O’Hara 377 4625, John Whitehead 377 1464 Vocational Deacon: Rev. Christine Ellis 377 5089

Priest Assistant: Rev. Merv Jones 377 4709 Priest Assistant: Rev. Liz Greville 370 8274

Office & Reception: Patti Robertson Children’s Congregation—The Ark: Lesley Martel 378 7707

Youth Congregation—SideDoor:: Youth leader: Fern Hamilton 378 8353 or 027 369 4501

Telephone Prayer Line: April Bamford 377 5026 Prayer Ministry: Christine Ellis 377 5089

Priest Associates Rev. Ted Dashfield Rev Pam Mildenhall Rev. Michael Burt

Rev David Cole

Lay Ministers Dan Rodda, Dave Burton,

Lorraine Jones, Barbara Udy, Anne Kershaw, David Lacey, April Bamford, Yvonne Esau

Verger Dan Rodda

Vestry Members June & John Whitehead, Trevor Mills

Edwin O‘Hara, David Lacey, Mike LeCren Arlene du Cann, Doug Whitcombe

Home Communion Rev. Michael Burt, Mary Perkins

Rest Homes Rev Michael Burt, Mary Perkins

Alpha David Lacey

For baptisms, weddings, funerals and special services at: St Alban’s Taueru Contact: Rev Merv & Lorraine Jones, Anne Deans

St Andrew’s Upper Plain Contact: Rev Liz Greville, Mike LeCren St Francis’ Bideford Contact: Rev Liz Greville, Barney Woollard

Editor Rev Merv Jones: phone 377 4709 email: talltiny@xtra.co.nz