Decem

ber January 2008/09

St Andrew’s Upper Plain

St Francis’ Bideford

St Alban’s Taueru

St Matthew’s Masterton

St Matthew’sSt Matthew’s Parish NewsParish News

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Editors Note

Recently our study group ended its time to-gether with a ‘pot luck’ meal. It was a time of fellowship and laughter, eating and drinking, a time to reflect on our time together as we got to know and support each other, in both good times and bad. We invited Steve, our vicar, to be part of our fellowship and as he shared our joyous time

together, he slipped the following observation into the conversation, “I can see that as a group you are comfortable and can talk openly and hon-estly with each other.” He then followed with a question, “Now what are you as a group going to do to support those around you who are maybe not in the same space?” It was a question that was raised later in the evening, as we all sat around drinking coffee and squeezing in just one more sweet nibble. The answer was delightfully simply and yet has the potential to be so pro-foundly rewarding, for all those involved. I reminded the group that Christmas wasn’t far off and it is well known that for many people, it can be one of the loneliest and financially stretching times of the year. I suggested “How about those of you who are organising a Christmas meal, set one extra place at your table and ask someone you know who will be alone, to join you. It can be a neighbour, someone from church, someone in a retire-ment village, a left out family member.” They starting talking and began to list the benefits of such an exercise, and with very little extra effort – after all what’s one more ‘spud in the pot.’ For those of you who are reading this, may I suggest you try it. Christmas should never be just about us, rather it should be used as one way of showing that the love of Christ can extend to our neighbours and friends, even strangers, at this special time of the year. May Christ bless you richly with a step of faith this Christmas, Rev. Merv Jones, Editor

The Vicar’s Soapbox I mentioned the Open Home Foundation partnership in the last news. An opportunity to be invited into homes within our local communities to simply be mentors or A Friend in Support. I hope you might prayerfully con-sider if this is something you might be called to. Two other exciting Parish ventures emerged from the Vestry Planning Day.

The parish will undergo a Parish Profile during Lent next year, developed by NCD (Natural Church Development) Promoted by the Diocese, three surveys covering all the worship units in the Parish will measure the eight quality characteristics for growing or developing congregations. The findings will help the future vestries to understand the unique qualities of the various services and provide re-sources to help with the practical implementation of the principles for Natural Church Development

The second venture is beginning to put together the process for holding the “Conciliation/Celebration Gathering on St Matthews Patronal Sun-day September 27th 2009. Invites will be going out before Christmas to all the previous Vicars, As-sistant Priest and Curates. I am very grateful for the forwardness of the current vestry, working with my Assistant Priests to bring together a great deal of unity and ap-preciation for each other. By the way, many may not know that David Lacey is now being considered for ordination. Please uphold Dave and Margie as they work through the discernment process. As I reflect on the developments over the past few months:- David Cole returning to “parish life and conducting regular services Michael Burt picking up Rest Home services for Mary Perkins as well as taking 10am services. April Bamford and Barbara Udy are now Lay Ministers and Yvonne Esau (Vicar’s Lay licence.) Side Door growing in depth, The Good Shepherd Catechesis expanding, fund raising beginning for a hall at St Andrews, Mainly Music midweek ministry ready to begin around the second term next year. --------

Well we have a lot to be thankful for and I am reminded of the Psalm-ists words in Ps. 133 . “where there is harmony, (or unity) it com-mands a blessing. Let me finish with this thought as we draw towards celebrating the birth of Jesus the foundation of our Faith in God our Creator. I think of Mary and Joseph, focussed on the expected baby, wondering what he will be like and how he will affect my life. I try imagining the preparation that Mary made. She spent three months helping her cousin Elizabeth with an unexpected pregnancy. Then she had to face the awful crisis with Joseph, who could not understand how his fiancée could be pregnant (Matthew 1:19). Then when things seemed to be on an even course for the birth, she found they had to pull up roots, harness the donkey, and trek up to Bethlehem, where they could find no room in the inn. Mary's main preparation was adjusting to the unexpected and un-wished-for. The best patron for Christmas has to be the quiet and im-perturbable Joseph. The Christmas Story holds something of the mystery of our own journey in this world we live in. As we focus on Jesus we will discover the abundance in life that comes from believing in Him the Grace Giver.

Steve. ☺

CONGRATULATIONS — to one of our own. On Saturday 29th November, Rev. Pam Mildenhall celebrated 30 years as an ordained priest in the Anglican Church. She began this ministry as a curate at St Matthew’s Masterton in 1975, under the guidance of the then vicar Rev Rodney Murphy. She was ordained priest in 1978 by Bishop Edward Nor-man before moving to Mania, South Taranaki as their vicar in 1981. Pam was THE first women to be ordained in the Wellington diocese, and ONE OF the first women priests throughout New Zealand. She remains actively involved in the Parish as an Associate Priest and maintains her church status as Canon Emeritus. When I spoke to her, she wanted me to thank all at St Mat-thews over that 30 year period who openly supported and loved her as she took what was a real ‘step in faith’ for a woman - Ed

What’s happening at St Matthews? NEXT HEALING SERVICE

Sunday 7th December at 7pm - These Services have been held every two month over the past year and the Prayer Ministry Team have been encouraged by the wonderful support of those from throughout the town (and beyond) who have attended and especially by God’s wonderful healing in His Love. If anyone feels as though they need physical, emotional or spiritual healing, please take a step in faith and allow God to restore.

“LOST IN WONDERLAND” Saturday 13th December at 7.30pm - This Alice in Wonderland take-off is brought to you by Sidedoor and friends as a fundraiser. $5 entry with refreshments for sale at half time.

CAROLS UNDER THE STARS Sunday 21st December at 7.30pm - If you would like to try something a little different at this Christmas season, St Matthew's is once more offering an evening full of fun, food and – importantly – the Christmas message as you may not have experienced it before. At 7.30pm simple BBQ fare will be available, followed by live music then a Nativ-ity based drama presented by members of the Sidedoor Youth Church. An interval laced with lashings of Christmas cake, ice cream, tea, coffee and cold drinks will set up attendees for the second half, the well-loved Carols and Bible readings. As the night darkens, film clips will be shown between the songs and readings, adding to the atmosphere of wonder and delight. There may well be some 'angels' flitting about during the evening and a Nativity scene in the church will be worth a visit during the interval. Some of the musicians will be drawn from other churches in Masterton, but most of the volunteers and participants are members of St Matthew's. Bring along a seat, a rug and your singing voices. Candles and song booklets will be supplied, as will all of the food and drinks. If the weather turns inclement, provision has been made to shift the event into the church, in which case it should probably be renamed 'Carols under the Roof', which hasn't the same ring to it! CAROLS UNDER THE STARS will last approximately two hours and is intended to present the Christmas story simply and sensitively to all members of our richly diverse community – of any faith or none. ALL WELCOME – bring the grandchildren! Remember, everything FREE!

Recent Organ Events @ St Matthew's SING CHRISTMAS

On Wednesday November 19th, approxi-mately 210 people attended this concert, including good contingents from various Rest Homes. Christmas songs and traditional carols were sung with gusto by the audience, Roy Merriman, Val Mellish (organ) and Robert Gray (saxophone) performed to their usual excel-lent standards. The skit Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, played by Randell Mellish and compared by MC Rev Merv Jones, both wearing silly antlers and big red noses, and with a new solo performance by Fred Holloway, was again full of laughs However, the star of the show was once again the Rodgers organ, played more than ably by Michelle Holloway, if fact at one point she left the organ and it continued to play all on it own. This concert continues to draw the wider community together to celebrate the birth of Jesus – and have some fun along the way.

Music @ St Matthew’s Presents the 2009 Season of Organ Concerts

The 2009 season will include classical concerts by internationally acclaimed musicians. Light classical & popular programmes by NZ and local organists. An-

zac Concerts. “Sing Christmas” and perhaps some choristers…..

All at St Matthew’s Anglican Church Church St. Masterton.

Continuing with the aim of bringing internationally acclaimed organists to Mas-terton, “Music @ St Matthew’s” has great pleasure in presenting concerts by these two organists. Carlo Curley, who I’ve been hoping to invite for some time opens the season in February and Christopher Herrick, who played so wonderfully on a previous visit, is returning in July. Do not miss these marvellous musicians – in fact I suggest that you mark your calendars – now!

Friday 27th February 7 pm Carlo Curley with “Organ Extravaganza” Introducing Carlo Curley. He is justly world-famous for his elegant performances and quick wit and his delightful informality has attracted a whole new following. Self-styled champion of the classical organ, a large and charismatic figure, Carlo has dedicated his life to blowing the cobwebs out of the organ loft and bringing music to suit all tastes to the masses - and by all accounts, they're loving every moment of it. To be fair, classical music isn't everyone's cup of tea but when a musician boldly announces that 'Bach invented Rock and Roll', that a particular composition by Handel is a 'real toe-tapper' and that during the next piece his 'size 12's are going to go bananas with smoke rising from the pedal board', it takes a strong will to turn a deaf ear. An American, based in the UK, Carlo Curley is described as having “Breathtaking technique and brilliant interpretations “ “he set the keys alight with his playing” Admission Adults $20, Students $5. Door sales There’s a special ticket offer for this concert. For every two adults at $20 each, you may bring a friend for FREE. Read more from his web site http://www.carlo.com Friday 24th July 7 pm Christopher Herrick. UK with “Organ Fireworks” This superb organist makes a welcome return visit to Masterton. Classed in the world’s top five of classical organists, Herrick wows the audiences wherever he plays. 'Herrick is a musician with a powerful urge to communicate. And communicate he does, drawing on his enormous technical and intellectual resources to turn out performances which sometimes amaze, often astound, but never fail to stimu-late.' Read more– and hear-from his web site http://www.herrick.musician.org.uk/ Admission Adults $15. Students $5 You can email me to join the concert notice and reminder list. It’s free….other concert dates soon.

April Bamford Convenor, “Music @ St Matthew’s”

abamford@paradise.net.nz Phone 06 377 5026

Mary’s Lamb @ Schools Mary, had a little Lamb,

His fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went,

The Lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school each day, It was against the rules.

It made the children laugh and play, To have The Lamb at school.

And then the rules all changed one day,

Illegal it became; To bring The Lamb of God to school,

Or even speak His Name!

Every day got worse and worse, What must we do to stop the crime, As days turned into years. That's in our schools today? Instead of hearing children laugh, Let's let The Lamb of God come back We heard gun shots and tears And teach our kids to pray!

.

It just ain’t cricket. Two ninety year old men, Nev and Vic, have been friends all their lives. It seems that Vic is dying, and so Nev comes to visit him every day. "Vic," says Nev, "You know how we have both loved cricket all our lives, and how we played together for so many years, you have to do me one favour. When you get to Heaven, let me know if there's cricket up there." And shortly after that, Vic dies. A couple of nights later Nev is sound asleep when he is awakened by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calls out to him, "Nev....Nev...." "Who is it?" says Nev sitting up suddenly. "Nev, it's me, Vic." "Vic ? Where are you?" "I'm in heaven," says Vic , "and I've got to tell you, I've got really good news and a little bad news. The good news is that there is cricket in heaven. Better yet, all our old mates who've gone before us are there. Better yet, we're all young men again. Better yet, it's always spring time and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play cricket all we want, and we never get tired!" Really?" says Nev, "That is fantastic, wonderful beyond my wildest dreams! But, what's the bad news?" "You're opening the batting next Tuesday".

End to the Sesqui Celebration A number of parishioners travelled to the Wellington Cathedral to take part in a special service to mark the end of the Diocesan 150 years sesqui celebration.

These included (from left to right) Ngaire & Joyce Montgomery, Merv & Lorraine Jones, Anne Kershaw, Liz Greville, Barbara Udy, Steve Kimberley & April Bamford. Also in on the act were Steve Thomson, Bishop Tom, the Dean and the Governor General

Photos courtesy of Bruce Levy

Christmas Parcels 2008 ‘Christmas Fare from those who Care’

The same small group of Jenny Burt, Denise Arcus, Mike Arcus, Fern Hamilton, Gill Bruere, Bev McNeilage, Margie Lacey, June & John Whitehead, Jo Beres-ford and Merv Jones are in the process of putting together more Happy Ham-pers for this coming Christmas. Potential recipients will include single mum’s, needy families and individual nominations that we receive from St Matthews Parish. We have again sought and received generous contributions from local compa-nies, by way of food and money, and also from the St Matthews Parish commu-nity.

Christmas is fast approaching and at the present time we have nominations rolling in for Hamper deliveries on 17th December. You can help by either giving a cash donation. Sponsor-ing a whole hamper is $120, or half $60 If you would like to nominate someone to receive a hamper, just fill in the form below and hand it in to the church office. REMEMBER all donations including those for the Christmas hampers are TAX DEDUCTIBLE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Hamper Nomination Form

I wish to nominate the following family to receive a hamper. Surname:__________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

Number of people: ______________

Approximate ages: ______________________________

Name of Nominator:__________________ Phone:__________________

Reflection

The new pastor and his wife were assigned to reopen a church in suburban Brook-lyn. When they saw the church, it was very run down and needed much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christ-mas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible driv-ing rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do, postpone the Christmas Eve service. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory col-oured, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colours and a Cross em-broidered right in the centre. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus, but missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus, some 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the en-tire problem area. Then he noticed the woman walking down the centre aisle. Her face was like a sheet. 'Pastor,' she asked, 'where did you get that tablecloth?' The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Aus-tria. The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just bought the tablecloth. The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week, but was captured, sent to prison and they had not seen each other since. The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made him keep it for the church. So the pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could

do. She lived on the other side town. What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the Spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would re-turn. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighbourhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike. He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison.. He never saw his wife again. The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little car ride. They drove to the other side of town, to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine. A True story of another of God’s co-incidences - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid

From the Register

Baptisms: Samuel Matthew Bunny Olivia Georgina Weir Kristina Elsie Mary Cook - affirmation of baptism in Russia and adding Godparents in New Zealand.

Funerals: Wayne Jones (Jonsie) Olive Ena Long Maxwell James Clarke Garth Tasman Southey.

Christmas Services in December Sunday 14th St Andrew’s, Upper Plain Carols & Jesse Tree 10:00am Masonic Village Nine Lessons & Carols 4:00pm St Matthews, Masterton Nine Lessons & Carols 7:00pm Sunday 21st St Alban’s, Taueru Nine Lessons & Carols 9:30am St Francis, Bideford Carols & Jesse Tree 6:00pm St Matthews, Masterton Carols Under the Stars 7:30pm Wednesday 24th (Christmas Eve) St Andrew’s, Upper Plain Midnight Mass 8:30pm St Matthews, Masterton Carols by candlelight 11:00pm Thursday 25th (Christmas Day) St Matthews, Masterton Traditional 8:00am St Matthews, Masterton Carols and organ 9:30am St Andrew’s, Upper Plain Christmas Day 10:00am

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 Resthomes Lansdowne Court Each 3rd Friday 10:30am Kandahar Each 3rd Saturday 10:30am MetLife Each 3rd Wednesday 10:45am

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

Lay Ministers Dan Rodda, Dave Burton,

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

Verger Dan Rodda

Vestry Members June Whitehead, Ros Murdoch,

Edwin O‘Hara, David Lacey Doug Whitcombe,

Home Communion Rev. Michael Burt, Mary Perkins,

Ros Murdoch

Rest Homes Mary Perkins, Rev Liz Greville

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