Vicar's Letter.

My dear People,-

A New Year is beginning and I wish you all a happy one.

The Christmas services were well attended, and our Church looked very beautiful with its evergreens, flowers, and lights. Please note that we are having a Carol Service on both the Sunday nights following Christmas. Come and join in.

May I thank all of you who contributed to the choirboys' fund, and also those who have shown their appreciation of the bellringers.

The Sunday School and G.F.S. are to have their treat and prize distribution on January 3rd at 5 o'clock, and Mrs. Mutter and I hope to have the wardens, men choristers, and bellringers to dinner on Wednesday 9th, at the Vicarage, at 7 p.m.

We are losing Captain Marks from the position of Church Treasurer, and Mr. Denson has kindly consented to carry on this work. We hope our former treasurer will return and take over the position once again, but meanwhile his headquarters will be at Portsmouth. The Parochial Church Council passed a hearty vote of thanks to him at their last meeting, and with this I associate my own personal thanks and good wishes.

Mrs. Webb has left the Parsonage and is going to Gibraltar for the winter. We shall miss her kindly acts in many ways. Major and Mrs. Aldous have taken up residence for two years. Mr. Francis Webb has taken a seat on the Parochial Church Council, and all will welcome that fact as it is good to have a member of a family to whom the Church owes so much in the past.

It is a pleasure to know little Mrs. Scott has got over her latest operation. She has had so many that we hope this may be the last, and that now she will enjoy such health as she has not known for years past.

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER.

Mothers' Union.

The Rev. H. M. Johnson, Rector of St. John's, Chatham, came and addressed our last meeting, and those present enjoyed his talk very much. Our Vicar has been appointed as a Diocesan preacher for the M.U.

Women's Fellowship.

Mrs. Noble has received a charming letter of thanks written by Mr. S. Hollands, as Secretary of the Parochial Church Council, in which he expresses the Council's gratitude for the work done in repairing the Church hassocks.

NOTE THIS ENTERTAINMENT.

January 16th in the Parish Hall.

Scenes will be portrayed of a voyage to the East, showing life in Marseilles, Port Said, Persia, and India - a galaxy of local talent. Wonderful dresses and jewels. An ass, a camel, a tiger, and an elephant will appear on stage. (Visitors are asked not to feed these.) The G.F.S. are giving the first part of the show. Buy your tickets in advance and make sure of a seat. Tickets 2/0, 1/0, and 6d. admission.

The proceeds of this unique entertainment will be used to start the fund for obtaining nursing services for our own sick and injured. More will be heard of this scheme later at a public meeting.

The Royal Wedding day, November 20th, was celebrated in the Parish Hall by a gathering of the women and children of the village. A cinematograph talkie was shown by the Film Publicity Department which was really an advertisement for the Persil Products. It was a humorous film combined with pictures showing how Persil products are manufactured, and proved instructive and most entertaining. Following this the hall was cleared and the company took their places at the tea tables. Before Grace was said the Vicar asked all to join in the National Anthem. A large iced cake with almond paste - a "royal wedding cake" - was brought in, and ample justice was done to the good things provided.

Thanks go out to Mesdames Denson, Locke, Noble, Mutter, and Wakeley, and to Messrs. Denson, Luck, and the Vicar for providing the party for our village people.

Baptisms.

Dec. 9th - Brenda Elizabeth, daughter of Edmund Charles and Nellie Mary Harriss.
Michael John and Nigel Robert, twin sons of Percy Hubert and Dorothy Harriss.
16th - Maurice William Stanley, son of Walter and Florence Daisy Janet Thomas.
23rd - Jeannette Florence, daughter of William James and Eva May McLean

Burial.

Dec. 22nd - George Alexander, aged 73 years.

ARCHBISHOP'S NEW CHURCHES FUND.

Gift Day Service in Canterbury Cathedral 3 p.m., January 19th.

This is the final appeal of our Archbishop to raise the last £10,000 for this diocese. Please help, even if you call give only a little. The envelope is enclosed and should be sent to the Vicarage by January 17th. The Church officers earnestly beg for your liberal response - Hartlip must do its best.