CHURCH & BEACHES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1933, Page 3

CHURCH & BEACHES

SERVICES AT SEASIDE

BATHERS lx COSTUMES. ARCHBISHOPS PROPOSALS. MELBOURNE, January 4. People who consider time persons ntteauing beach services in bat.Jng eostinms are irreverent do not find a supporter in the Archbishop of MeJjcur.ne, Hr. Head, who explained the ->tner clay why the Church was going >io the beaches to spread its teachings. He also expressed the hope that tin various churches would make an effect to hold Sunday services for hikers. ‘T am conscious that a great many ■oung people are either out of touch .vitli the Church or at any rate only m loose touch with it," said Archbishop Hoad. “For them Sunday means a lay of recreation rather than a day )f worship. If they cannot com e to die Church, the Church must go to hem, and it must find them where -hey are in the greatest numbers. That, iust now, means the beaches, diotioh, of course, they are to' be round in large numbers in various country •■places. “Tber© was a good response last January to the efforts by some ot die clergy to get into touch with the holiday-makers on the beaches. Tim .'ear 1 want to back lip what some of die clergy are doing in the parishes • car beaches. T believe "that our •oung people are very willing to respond if Christianity 'is put before diem in a way which .appeals to them. They are really .searching for ideals, old ’if we' can put the ideal of Jesus thrjst before them .when they are it leisure, and they think of all that He . means to us today, they will answer with their loyalty. “I propose in January, 1933, to go to '•’our different places near the heart >f the city of Melbourne, and, with the .vicar and his choir, and his workers, to hold a. short service on the beach at. 3 pan. T hope that those .irho are on the beaches, whethei they are playing games or bathing, oi quietly' resting, will gather round u* as we try to show them something of what Jesus Christ really is in modern life. “Later, at 7 p.m., I hope to he at the parish church for the usual evening service, at which T shall welcome Uiv of those I have met during the af'oriicon. If this experiment proves ucetssl'ul, 1 hone to develop it further hi other years. I shall welcome .any who attend the bunch services in their bathing costumes, as T do not wish dicMi'i lo feel they have to put on wdinnrv clothes before attending the erviee.”