Combined Service Photos

Wednesday, 01 September 2010 13:51

Bruce Levy's photos from the Combined Service on Sunday, 29 August 2010, are available on the Masterton Anglican website

Bishop's Medals Awarded

Saturday, 28 August 2010 17:03

Three dedicated and hardworking parishioners were awarded Bishop's Medals by Bishop Tom Brown at the Combined Service held on Sunday, 29 August, at 10 am.

April Bamford

A parishioner at St Matthew's for 50 years, April has served in almost every facet of parish life. She has served on the Vestry, been the People's Warden, been the parish Synod Representative, and is Convenor of the parish Prayer Line.

She is also a Licensed Lay Minister, a Cursillo team member, and member of the Evensong Choir.

April contributes in no small way to the smooth running of both St Matthew's 8 am congregation and St Andrew's in the Paddock, including leading worship.

Her determination and superb project management and fundraising skills was in large part responsible for the magnificent Rodgers Trillium organ in St Matthew's, and engagement of the world's finest organists to take part in the ongoing Music at St Matthew's organ music series.

Read the Bishop's Citation here.

Jenny Hoby

Since moving to the Wairarapa in 1990, Jenny played the organ for St Andrew's at Upper Plain for the monthly services, and was for many years the sole organist. Jenny also chose the hymns. When the congregation grew at St Andrew's, Jenny's contribution increased.

Jenny also played when required at Tauweru and at St Matthew's.

At the same time Jenny has played for rest home services for many years, as well as playing for services in other denominations.

Now in her seventies, Jenny finds it more difficult to play for services, but remains committed to playing for rest homes and as a standby organist at St Andrew's.

Read the Bishop's Citation here.

Mary Perkins

Since returning to St Matthew's in 1993, Mary has undertaken hospital visits with the reserved sacrament, home communions, and has been a visitor at Glenwood Private Hospital, Khandahar, Lyndale Rest Home and Metlife Care Village.

Mary was a Licensed Liturgical Assistant, and assisted with leading the opening ministry, administering the chalice and doing the readings at both the 8 am and 10 am services.

Of her own volition, Mary also acted as Sacristan, and that role was formally acknowledged by the vestry.

Mary attends the mid-week service as Sacristan, but not being as mobile as she once was, she wants to remain of service to the parish, but at a more sedate pace.

Mary is integral to St Matthew's, a much-loved spirit, and someone we are glad to have among us.

Read the Bishop's Citation here.

A personal acknowledgement

It is such a delight to applaud the ‘good and faith-filled’ work of these three women.

Jenny and Mary, I worked with in some of their rest home ministry. The Metlife Village service we began some years ago ministering to those who have already played their active role in the larger community and now are able to ‘rest’, although they still have strong opinions about the world in general! Fabulous! Mary, ever the humble servant and Jenny the sensitive musician have added to the quality of life for many.

April a loved and treasured friend, and fellow cursillesta for almost ten years now, has been with me through the wonderful, sometimes bumpy, journey of ordination into Holy orders. Her contribution to the life of the larger parish and unstinting support of St. Andrew's in the Paddock, along with so many others, gives us all a chance to celebrate this honour to her.

It is a mark not only of appreciation, but of utmost respect for their selfless contributions to others, that is such a thrill to have recognised by the Bishop.

Thank you Mary, April and Jenny.

Much love and many blessings
Liz

African Bishops meet : Good Samaritan parable points to need for tolerance

Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:24

Uganda’s President Museveni said today that tolerance was a biblical imperative and that Christians should not “have one minute of time wasted” by those promoting prejudice.

Speaking to almost 400 bishops and other guests at the All Africa Bishops Conference in Entebbe this morning, President Museveni used the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan to highlight the need to overcome difference and pursue peace and healing.

Drawing on Ugandan religious history, President Museveni explained it took only ten years after the first convert to Christianity in Uganda before Catholics and Protestants were fighting and killing each other.

Read more: African Bishops meet : Good Samaritan parable points to need for tolerance