Cuts in church services seen as last resort

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 8, 24 July 1984, Page 6

Cuts in church services seen as last resort

The work of the Anglican Church in the Waimarino could be drastically cut back, and may cease altogether in two of the three districts unless parishioners help meet church running costs. That was the reluctant message from the parish vicar, Reverend Bob Peck, last week. The latter move would mean an end to all baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and burial services and to

the regular Sunday services in two of the districts of Ohakune, Raetihi or Rangataua. But, says Rev. Peck, cuts in services are seen as a iast resort' and will depend on the community's donations during the annual Stewardship Appeal to be held this Sunday. "It's a decision we do not want to make." The district has already seen the Methodist and Salvation Army churches

withdraw from the Waimarino and Rev. Peck does not want the Anglican Church added to the list. "It seems a shame that in the face of financial crisis the evident church growth should be inhibited," he says. The church needs over $30,000 to meet expenses for the coming year, not including a further $5,900 still owed to the Diocese for arrears accrued over previous years. "Unless we get substantial support from our own parishioners, as well as other Anglicans, certain work will have to close." The parish roll lists 212 families as Anglicans, but there are more in the district who call themselves Anglicans, Rev. Peck says. "We're asking them to join those on the roll in terms of giving to the parish." The increased costs are the result of an accumulation of annual arrears owed to the Diocese which have resulted from the difficulties of inflation and increased Diocesan local costs, Rev. Peck says.

The Ruapehu Parochial District and Wainuiarua Maori sub-district is one of the largest Anglican districts in New Zealand. Rev. Peck and the honorary assistant curate, the Rev. T.T. Hawira, cover an area from Wanganui to Waiouru and from Koriniti to just below National Park. In the 1960's four clergymen worked in the area together, Rev. Peck says, and Ohakune, Raetihi and the Maori pastorate were separate parishes. When he took over nine years ago the district was in bad financial shape, Rev. Peck says, but with the cooperation of parishioners it was again brought into a healthy position, withdrawing from Diocesan assistance. For five of his nine years here the district has been financially healthy and selfsupporting, including one year when the district's rate of giving was fourth highest in the Wellington Diocese. Although the closure of St. Mary's in Raetihi, St. John's in Ohakune, or St. James 'church in Rangataua is a last resort, the possibility is weighing heavy on Rev. Peck's mind.