The Vicarage,
November 26th, 1926.

My Dear Friends,

The commemoration in our parish of the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice shewed that the people of Hartlip realise how good it is that once a year at least, we should together turn our thoughts back to the Great War and try to gather up afresh its lessons for us. Of course, as time goes on, a generation is growing up whose memory of those four years is but dim. As each year passes more and more of the lads and girls will have no personal recollection of them, but, as Armistice time comes round, they will be taught something of what those years meant, and learn their lessons of patriotism, and bravery, and sacrifice, but learn too to pray; "Give peace in our time, O Lord."

On November llth we had quite a good number of adults, as well as the schoolchildren, for the Service at the War Memorial, during which we kept the two minutes' Silence and laid a wreath on the Memorial in grateful and loving remenibrance of the men whose names are recorded on it. On the following Sunday evening it was good to see the big gathering of parishioners in the Church for the Special Service. What a grand Service it was, and how all present seemed to enter into it! We felt that it was indeed good for us to be there.

Belonging to Armistice time is the thought also of the Victory given to our cause, and it was appropriate that we should celebrate it by some festivity. The Whist Drive and Dance in the Schoolroom on November 12th provided a most enjoyable evening for the many who came to it; Mr. Boakes and other members of the British Legion are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts. As Secretary of the parish branch of the Legion Mr. Boakes undertook the arrangements for "Poppy Day," and, as usual, the village responded well to the appeal.

At a Meeting of the Church Council held on November 17th approval was given for the application for a Faculty to reserve two grave spaces in the new part of the Churchyard for Mr. Herbert Hales. When the Churchyard was enlarged it was arranged that Mr. Hales should have two spaces allotted to him.

At this Meeting the Missionary Committee presented to the Council a carefully considered Report of what they advised should be done by us in answer to the "World Call." It was recommended that we should have (1) a short Intercession Service for Foreign Missions each month, alternately at the 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Sunday Services, and that a Form of Service for our use should be printed; (2) that a prayer called "Hartlip's Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel" should be printed on a card and given to all who wish to have it; (3) that the children should give an exhibition of scenes in Missionary lands, during Lent; (4) that a Study Circle for women should be held; (5) that collecting boxes should be issued for some particular branch of the work, and that collections in the Church should be for the General Fund of the S.P.G. and for the Lebombo Mission; (6) that a Missionary Meeting in the Schoolroom should be arranged. A Form of Service was submitted to the Council and approved, and the Report was adopted.

St. Andrew's tide (Novemoer 30th to December 7th is kept throughout the Country as the special time for prayer for Missions and at the Services on Sunday, December 5th, we shall use for the first time the Form of Intercession, which has been drawn up and is now being printed.

In aid of the funds of the Gardeners' Society the "Peacock Entertainers" kindly came from Sittingbourne on November 19th and gave us an enjoyable Concert. The varied programme went with a swing from start to finish and Mr. Peacock's "Harry Lauder" songs brought down the house. As Colonel Locke said at the close, we hope we may have this Company at Hartlip again soon.

Many of you have already seen an imposing frame hanging on the Church notice board. In it will be put each Saturday a fresh poster, giving a special though for the coming week. Sometimes it will have reference to the teaching of the Sunday. Always the words will be worth thinking over and we hope that many will be interested in looking out for the new message each week. Mr. S. D. Hollands has kindly taken charge of this, so we know that the posters will appear regularly.

Our Choir has already started practising the Christmas music. We are to have an Anthem sung on Christmas morning and at the evening Service on the following Sunday, when we shall also sing a number of carols - some of them new to us and some of the old favourites. The celebrations of the Holy Communion on Christmas Day will be at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and midday. We shall have special thoughts about our Christman Communion at Evensong on Sunday, December 19th.

At the Great Festival when we commemorate the coming to earth of the Son of God to take our nature upon Him we shall remember the reason why we have the social festivities which are rightly associated with the season. So we may have a Happy Christmas.

I remain,

your sincere friend and Vicar,
D. H. CREATON.

Extract from the Register.

BURIAL.

Nov. 6th - John Goldsmith, aged 55 years.
Burial in Gillingham Centetery.

Nov. 4th - Cecil Frank Woodcock, aged 35 years.

COLLECTIONS IN THE CHURCH.

				£	s.	d.
Oct.	31st.	-	Organ and Choir Fund	1	15	8
Nov. 1st. & 30th. - Vicar's Fund				0	3	0
"	7th.	-	Quota to Diocesan Fund	2	13	10
"	14th.	-	S.P.G.	0	19	1
"	14th.	-	Ex-Services Welfare Society	2	6	4
"	21st.	-	Church Expenses	1	1	11
"	21st.	-	S.P.G.	0	14	0
"	30th.	-	Church Expenses	1	12	3

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