VICAR'S LETTER.

My dear people,

This issue of the Magazine ushers in the month of Christmas and the Church's Season of Goodwill and one hopes and longs for the era of Peace on Earth of which the Angels sang. What a happy Christmas it would be if only Italy and Abyssinia could compose their differences and proclaim an Armistice! The statesmen of Europe could then rejoice with their loads of anxiety removed, and all give themselves to the task of building up their own nation's prosperity - a task of stupendous difficulty - which can only be accomplished when the war clouds are gone and peace reigns. So we go on praying "Give peace O God, give peace again," and to this add the clause - "Make us worthy of such peace."

May you one and all have a Happy Christmas in your own homes; do not let us forget the origin of Christmas, but make a point of being at Bethlehem to worship in spirit the Prince of peace - the Babe of Bethlehem. Christmas without our worship and Communion would mean a Festival robbed of its heart and core. So I invite you to join in our Christmas worship as the prelude to the happy times you will spend in family reunions.

As most of you know the Archbishop sent us the Rev. K. P. Smith to give us talks on the Church's great task of Missionary endeavour. I hope from the bottom of my heart his words, spoken so earnestly, may bear fruit in our lives. Christ and His Religion is the Hope of the World. We are all ready to complain when things go wrong, and to blame others, so often forgetting each of us have a definite part to play in the uplift of our village, town, and country, and even in the world at large. Our Church must put First things first, and be loyal to the commands of Jesus Christ, her Founder.

As I write Lord Jellicoe has just been buried at St. Paul's. In New Zealand I often had the privilege of giving him Communion. He was a devout and loyal son of the Church. So was Kitchener, Haig, and others of the splendid leaders in the Great War. The true greatness of these men consisted in their having Christian religion in their hearts as the main spring of their nobility. Such lives are an inspiration to lesser folk. "Let us not grow weary in well doing."

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER

MOTHERS' UNION.

Mrs. Creaton, who is now Diocesan speaker for the Mothers' Union, came and gave a most helpful talk to the members last month. She was delighted to visit our Hartlip Branch, and our mothers were equally pleased to welcome her. At the December meeting, which will be held in the Church, we expect to have one of the clergy addressing us. Wednesday, December 18th, at 2.30 p.m.

PARISH NOTES.

Services - Christmas Day - Holy Communion at 6.30 a.m., 8 a.m., and at the 11 a.m. Service.
On Sunday the 29th there will be a Carol Service at 6.30 p.m.

The Sunday School Treat will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st, and the G.F.S. members and candidates are also invited. Parents are invited to come at 6.45 p.m. to be present at the prize giving.

On Friday, January 3rd, in the Parish Hall, there will he a Grand Entertainment given by the Women's Fellowship, under the direction of Mrs. Noble, and by the G.F.S. Time, 8 p.m. Do not miss this unique and original performance. Tickets 2s., 1s., and 6d.

The Vicar and Mrs. Mutter invite the Wardens, Choir, and Bellringers to supper at the Vicarage on Tuesday, January 7th, at 7.15. p.m.

The Choristers will sing carols round the village before Christmas, and the money parishioners kindly give is shared out by the Vicar according to the attendances made at practices and services during the past year.

An annual collection is also made by the Bellringers, and affords an opportunity of showing our appreciation for the honorary labours and time given by the men in the Church belfry.