MISSION WORK

Chronicle (Levin), 21 April 1947, Page 4

MISSION WORK

METHODIST UNION FORMS AUXILIARY An auxiliary of the Methodist Women's _ Missicrnary Union was formed in connection with St. John's Church on Wenhesday last, When Mrs. Virtue, the Dominion president of the- Methodistt Women's Missionary Union was present at the meeting. - Mrs. Virtue - explained the aims and objects of the auxiliary, after which she presided over the election of officers. This resulted as follows;— President: Mrs. H. S. Kings; vice-presidents : Mesdames Sorensen, Hale and Foston; sectetary; Mrs, R. Rolston; treasurer: Mrs. E. Bott; Kurahuna treasurer: Mrs. Hale; stamp collectof: Mrs. Storey ; . gieanings .secretary:.. Mrs. Moxham. On Wedhesday evening Mrs. Virtue was also the guest speaker at the Fireside Club, where she held members spellbound at her inspiring description of the Passion Play, which, until before the war, was enacted every ten years at Oberammergau, a village of some 2000 inhabitants situated at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. Mrs. Virtue witnessed this play durihg its final season. Some 700 people take part, all of whom must be born and bred in Oberammergau. Preparation for the play takes a year, and the season extends from May to September, when it is put on twice a weeI^- The play begins promptly at 8 a.m, ahd concludes at 6 p.m. Tfle huge theatre, which Was nnly used for this purpose, seats 5080 people, and the stage is open to the sky. Mrs. . Virtim... said. the thirtyscehea depktinf the last w e&k of life on earth are played with the utmost reverence, and the reality of the day is beyond description. From the first scene, the triumphal entry of Chfist into Jerusalem, one is .carried back 2000 years and felt as one with the sorrowing Mary, the imhappy and remorseful Judas and *Peter, and others who played such prominent parts in the life of Jesus. Mrs. Virtue said it would be impossible to look on the scene of the Crucihxion, in all its stark rdality, were it not for the knowledge that the final scene was the glory of the Resurrection.