VICAR'S LETTER.

My dear People,-

December brings with it the observance of Christmas, not only a great Church Festival, but also the "home" festival, when families are re-united, or, failing that, when good wishes and presents are exchanged to show that our friends are not forgotten. So once more I wish you one and all a happy Christmas, full of true joy and gladness. The almanac which accompanies this magazine is your Church's Christmas card to you.

On Christmas Day the first celebration of Holy Communion will be at 6.30 a.m., so that it may be possible for anyone to get back home to allow another person to attend at the 8 o'clock celebration. A third celebration follows the 11 a.m. service.

On the Sunday after Christmas carols will be sung by the choir at the evening service, and also the Sunday after that one. Although carols are sung round our village, it is not correct to have them in Church in Advent, which is the solemn time of preparation before the great Festival. It is incongruous to mix up the two seasons or keep Christmas before the time. The date of the Sunday School Treat will be announced later on.

May I bespeak the generosity of parishioners to our Choristers when they come round carolling. The money given is divided amongst the lads, according to the attendances made by them during the year.

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER.

MARRIAGE.

Nov. 17th - Herbert Henry Down to Dorothy Alice Golder Setterfield.

BAPTISMS.

Nov. 1st - Pearl Helen, daughter of George and Olive Elizabeth Mitchell.

Nov. 4th - Peter, son of William George and Edith Caroline Bailey.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL.

Mrs. Auger is the local Secretary in Hartlip, and she reports her pleasure in the good response made by the boxholders. She has paid in to Rochester £5/10/0 as the result of the last collection, and more boxes have been taken lately, so that even more may be taken next time.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP.

It has been decided to give up an afternoon from time to time so that the Mothers' Union may have regular meetings, and as the great majority belong to both Societies this plan should work well and save members coming out twice to meetings in one week. Our M.U.meeting in November was to have been addressed by Mrs. Taylor-Jones, but at last moment, owing to family illness, the speaker could not come. The Vicar stepped into the breach and gave a lecture on his visit to the Holy Land.

In January the members are giving an Entertainment in the Parish hall. Remembering what they did last year, we feel certain of a "bumper house."

Perhaps it is it little early to speak of the magnificent dresses and scenery in preparation, or the histrionic efforts the ladies are capable of. It is on occasions like this that husbands realise what lantent powers their wives possess, and sit amazed.

GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The members and candidates are meeting each week and have been busy dressing twenty0fuor dolls. which are resplendent in their beautiful new outfits. What pleasures these will give to the little orphan girsl when they receive them at Christmas.

Nurse Webster is giving instruction about bandaging and first-aid and the treatment of burns. It is most useful knowledge knowing the right thing to do when accidents occur. We hope parents will impress on their girls the value of this, as sometimes young people do not quite see it.

MRS. CREATON'S CAT.

Pussy was brought in a basket from Downderry, in Cornwall, some time ago to Bapchild. She promptly disappeared and gradually made her way back to her former home, a distance of three hundred miles, taking some months on the journey. It is an amazing example of the homing instinct.

WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY.

Will those wbo help please note that Mrs. T. G. Denson is now the local Secretary, having this this position, so long held by the late Mrs. W. H. Luck.