CHURCH, HOME AND CHILDREN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 114, 4 August 1927, Page 4

CHURCH, HOME AND CHILDREN

WOMEN AND CAREERS WHAT A MINISTER'S WIFE DOES It is supposed to have been the exKaiser Wilhelm who once laid down “Kirche, kochen, und kinder” as comprising the legitimate field of women. Few have adopted the programme more literally than the Rev. Winifred Kiek, 8.A., though the author might* easily fail in recognising his ideal in action (says a writer in the “Adelaide Observer.”) In the kitchen Mrs. Kiek is and always has been happily at home, but as mistress of Parkin College she inspires, rather than performs, “kochen.” j The church has been taken for her i field wholeheartedly, but it is as a i minister of the Congregational Church rather than the speechless worshipper that one imagines the Kaiser had in view; while as for the “kinder” she lias extended her interest till it covers the whole field of youth’s welfare as well as the care of her own three children. When asked her opinion of careers for married women, Mrs. Kiek said: “It’s never going to be a big question. Only those women who really l'eel they have a vocation are going to i want to keep their work. Most girls I go in for teaching or something of the | kind, because they have to do somei thing, and they might as well do that. Some of them, a very few, do really feel they have a calling. “That’s what I feel, and so does my husband. We believe that it is a divine call. “Then, you know, it all depends on the husband. I could never do what I have to get done if it was not for my husband’s help and faith and support I love housework, but he has never wished me to be tied at all to household cares. When we were first married I helped in his church. While the children were small, of course, I did very little. But then, I do not think that period of withdrawal matters at all in a woman’s career. Everything she does for her children is going to help her in her understanding of human nature, and that is wanted in every profession, most of all in the ministry. "Now my youngest child is eight, and all are at school. I always make a point of being at home and free from the time they pome home, until their bedtime. When they want me, I delight in playing with them. If not, I am always jus* there, with a book or a piece of work that can be easily laid aside, so that if they want me for anything I am always ready to talk to them. This isn’t a duty; it’s my great pleasure.” A PERFECT SCREAM! “ simply priceless. We dragged all the deck chairs and garden seats up beside the house and piled them together. Then we poured three or four tins of petrol over them, and set fire to the lot. Xext Pip broke the street alarm and warned the fire brigade, and then we all screamed ‘Fire!’ outside the house. It was such fun! The smoke went past some of the bedroom windows and put the wind up everybody. My dear, you would have screamed yourself speechless to see old Mrs. Grantfeather hobbling out of the house in a—doesn’t it kill you?—green plush dressing gown. She’s gouty, you know, and about a million years old. I laughed myself sick. Piggy Chipway has a new scream for Saturday night. He’s poisonously bright. Always—“ALYS.” HENDERSON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE The monthly meeting of the Henderson Women’s Institute was held on Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs. Dorman presided over a large attendance of members. When the general business was finished Mr. Cutler gave a most interesting address on flower and rose cultivation. The serving of afternoon tea and a little informal conversation concluded the meeting. To keep parsley a good colour for sauces, etc., wash it in warm instead of cold water. When boiling a pudding in a cloth, put an old plate at the bottom of the saucepan to prevent the pudding from sticking to the pan.