VICAR'S LETTER.

My Dear People,

This month ushers in Lent, a time not generally observed today as it was by our parents, and yet a period marked by some self-discipline and self-denial must be good for us all if only to turn our minds to the really serious side of life. It rests with each one to make a resolution whereby we put into practise some form of self-restraint as a means to keeping our body in subjection, and lifting our thoughts to the spiritual.

The Church Wardens have asked me to mention our parish debt. Two years ago we had to spend a lot of money on the tower, lych-gate, etc., and this year the ordinary accounts are still in debt. We should make an extra effort to wipe this out. We are spending a big amount in putting in electric light, but this is being paid for by money collected in former years, and saved to meet such a contingency. Even so, it looks as if we have not enough cash in hand to fully carry out the scheme proposed at the last meeting of the P.C.C. Therefore the Wardens appeal to the generosity of parishioners.

Your sincerely,

CECIL G. MUTTER

LENT SERVICES.

These will be held on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m., and a weekly Celebration of Holy Communion on Thursdays at 10 a.m. This year it has been impossible to arrange for a special preacher to visit us.

MISSIONARY BOXES.

These were opened in January and the contents sent to the S,P.G., our Church's great central Society in London. Twelve shillings and ten-pence was the total, viz. - Vicar 5/8, Mr. Ongley 5/3, Mrs. Kitchingham 1/11. The Vicar will gladly supply a box to anyone who would like to have such in their homes. Every little helps to spread the Gospel overseas. The needs are great. What is given in the Missionary cause is unselfish, as we expect no personal return for it. Money

given to church expenses is payment for what we personally receive in the way of having a glorious building kept in repair, warmed, and lighted for our comfort. Past endowment partly provides the services of a parish priest to conduct the services - the people do not pay towards this. This is due to the generosity of people who lived in bygone years.

BURIALS.

Feb. 17th - Cyril Edward Soper, aged 46.
17th - Blanche Annie Mary Freed, aged 44.
23rd - Alfred John Tong, aged 58.

MOTHERS' UNION.

The Vicar of Upchurch was prevented by illness from coming to address the monthly meeting on February 3rd, so his place had to be taken by the Vicar. We hope Mr. Lightburne will therefore come to us on March 24th, at 2.15 p.m.

The Annual Corporate Communion of the M.U. throughout the world is always on Lady Day, March 25th, which this year falls on a Friday. Our service will therefore be at 9.30 a.m. on that day.

Nine of our members went to the Deanery Devotional Afternoon at Sittingbourne, on February 22nd. The services were conducted by the Vicar of Lower Halstow.

Some of the members have expressed a desire to go to London this coming summer to visit the M.U. Headquarters at Mary Sumner House, Westminster. Will the members think this over to see if it can be arranged? If members went by the early workmen's train we should arrive in London soon after nine, and the fare would be only 1/6 return, and we could do Westminster Abbey in the morning, then have lunch at Mary Sumner House dining room, and be conducted over the building. More sight-seeing could be done in the afternoon, and an early return be made if so required. The very early start on a fine summer morning might not be difficult, and so a cheap outing be secured. Let the enrolling member know if this suggestion meets with approval.