WAR WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1941, Page 3

WAR WORK

; CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACTIVITIES. IN NEW ZEALAND & OVERSEAS. ' In view of the imperative need for the support of patriotic funds throughout New Zealand the public should ' know that the Church of England is receiving finance from the National ! Patriotic Fund Board for carrying on ' her work with His Majesty’s forces ’ both in New Zealand and overseas. ’ Church members are therefore asked ’ to liberally support appeals now being ! made for patriotic purposes so that 1 adequate funds may be forthcoming to 1 enable the church and other societies ’ to carry on this most necessary work ’ for the benefit of our men. A church army hut has been erected at the base in Egypt and was to have been officially opened on April 15. This will provide a base of operation for chaplains and enable church army officers to render more efficient service to our troops. A church army officer ’ writes: —“For this and many other fa- ■ eilities that we have received from the ’ National Patriotic Fund Board 1 ex- ' tend on behalf of the church army our 1 sincere thanks and appreciation. We ’ do know that ail ranks are heartily grateful to the people of New Zealand for what they are enabling us to of- ’ fer. For example, camp life would not ’ be quite the same without the Y.M.- . C.A. and church army institutes, nor ’ would the city of Cairo be nearly so ’ interesting without- the New Zealand Club, which is most decidedly proving ; its worth.” ’ Most satisfactory reports are con- ’ stantly Joeing received of the work in New Zealand. The Rev. H. L. R. Isherwood, chaplain in .the Northern Mili1 tary District, describes the work of the , church army as being most efficient- ’ ly carried out and highly appreciated ■ by both officers and men with particu- ! lar reference to the camp at Whangarei. The church army officer in this camp, quite apart from his official duties, has done a most valuable spiritual work; conducting a nightly prayer circle and a weekly Bible class. He has constantly placed men in his debt by many little acts of kindness done for '■ them daily. ! The same type of work is being car ried on by the Rev. C. F. Webster in the Foxton Territorial Camp in a new marquee recently erected to assist him with his work. Recreational facilities in this camp are admittedly inadequate and this new marquee has materially added to the men’s comfort. The Rev. G. M. McKenzie reporting on his work in a Naval Training Station writes: —“The spirit in this establishment has been amazing; men and boys alike have put their hearts’into the work so that the first term has been a great success. The trainees have had the spirit of true pioneers and have laid down a foundation that will be enduring. One very fine feature of the work is the number of candidates coming forward for Confirmation; 37 men and boys have been confirmed this term. From about 160 trainees we have an average voluntary attendance of 50 at Holy Communion.” From these extracts it will be evident that the Church of England is active in her work for the men who are serving our country.