Hartlip Parish Magazine. March, 1923.

The Vicarage,
March 5th, 1923.

My Dear Friends:

My first word in our Magazine must be one of thanks for the kind and hearty welcome that my wife and I have had to our new home and parish. To leave old friends and oid surroundings and take up everything new and strange is always rather trying and we do appreciate both the kind "goodbye" from our old parish and our welcome to Hartlip.

Those who attended the service in the church on February 23rd when I was "Inducted" by the Archdeacon of Maidstone, must have been impressed by the solemnity of the charge given to a Vicar of a Parish and I ask for your help in my efforts to carry it out. I need your prayers that God will give me wisdom and strength to faithfully and effectively perform the ministry to which He has called me, that together we may do the Master's word and strive for the advancement of His Kingdom in our midst, that nothing on my part, or on yours, may hinder the true fellowship that there should be between Pastor and those amongst whom he ministers. I need your sympathy - that true fellow feeling without which the wheels of life cannot run smoothly. Perhaps it is not generally realised how much the work of the parish priest depends upon this for the worth of his ministry and his own happiness in it. I, personally, cannot be happy unless I feel that I have it.

And may I venture to ask for your >confidence that everything between us may be open and straightforward. Sometimes things may be done which do not meet with the approval of all. I do hope as you know me better, you may be able to feel that I am at least trying to do what I believe to be right and for the best and acting connscientiously. I always sincerely respect the conscientious opinions of others, even if I am not able to agree with them. You will, I am sure, allow me at once to open my mind to you in this frank and plain way.

I cannot help saying how pleased I have been on my two Sundays here, with everything connected with our beautiful church - the hearty services - the singing of the choir - the organ - the bells, and above all, the large congregations at the evening services. It has all been helpful and encouraging to me.

With so much to do in settling down in our new house and trying to get in touch with parish things, I have not so far been able to make the acquaintance of many parishioners, but I am hoping soon to have the pleasure of knowing you

all personally and feeling that I am no longer a stranger to anyone in the parish.

At a meeting of the Church Council held on February 27th, we revised the Parochial Roll of Electors. The names of quite a number of parishioners who are not on the Roll and who are qualified to be upon it, were mentioned. We shall be glad if they will sign the necessary form (copies can be found in the church) so that the Secretary (Mr. Labrum) may enter their names. A "qualified elector" is one who is 18 years of age and who does not belong to any religious body which is not in communion with the Church of England.

The Annual Church Meeting will be held in the School on Monday, March 19th, at 7 p.m., when the Churchwarden's accounts will be presented, a new Church Council elected, etc. All those who are on the Roll of Electors are entitled to attend this Meeting and are invited to do so.

For several reasons I have thought it wise not to arrange for week-day evening services this Lent, but we are having a Short Service on Friday afternoons at 3. In Holy Week, the Services will be:- on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Mattins and the Epistle and Gospel for the day at 10 a.m. Maundy Thursday, Holy Communion 8 a m. Good Friday - Mattins and Ante-Communion, 11 a.m. "An Hour's Meditation on our Lord's Passion" with Lantern Pictures and Sacred Music at 7.30 p.m. From long experience, I know how impressive and helpful this Good Friday Evening Service is and I hope many will attend it. On Easter Day, the Celebrations of the Holy Communion will be at 8 a.m. and at mid-day.

Classes for instruction for Confirmation will be commenced soon. I shall be glad to hear from any who would like to come to them. I should like it to be understood that attendance at the classes does not pledge anyone to be Confirmed. I am pleased to have the opportunity of speaking on the subject to those who wish to consider it. I do not yet know the actual date of the Confirmtion, but it is to be in May - either at Newington or at Stockbury.

I am, your sincere Friend and Vicar,


D. H. CREATON.

P.S. - With this number of the Magazine (which is very late) will be given away the "Home Words" for January and February, so that readers may have the earlier parts of the Serial Story and also some Picture Postcards which are presented by the Proprietors of "Home Words."