Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003

Page 1 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Table of Contents Introduction Early Days The Building of the Church Centre The Parsonage The Church at Tatuanui Waitoa Tahuna Church History Memories of Morrinsville The Rev Lex Johnston The Rev W R Laws (1959-1963) The Rev Frank Parker (1964-1968) The Rev Basil Bell (1964-1968) The Rev Les Gilmore (1969-1976) The Rev Dr. Robert Stringer (1969-1972) The Rev Irwin Fowler (1976-1980) The Rev Harry Shaw (1981) The Rev Trevor Bennett (1982-1990) The Rev Paul Sinclair (1990-2002) Church Music The Organ Sunday School Christian Endeavour Society and Bible Class/Youth Group The Ladies Guild The Missionary Auxiliary Methodist Women's Fellowship Garage Sales Men's Fellowship

Page 2 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Study /House Groups Young Mothers' Coffee Mornings Full Time Service Lucy Money Olive Money Ministers Local Preachers Office-bearers 2003

The Trustees on the steps of Annadale 1911 Back row: S Newman, W Woodley, G Gates, WR Lowry, E Scott, N Tumbull, J Palmer, The Rev GH Bridgeman Front row: J Allen, A Warren, The Rev AJ Reed, WS Allen, W Pickett, S Gillies, H Gant

Page 3 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Introduction A Centennial is a significant event in the life of any organisation. It is a time to look back and give profound thanks for the faith, vision and energy of those early settlers who had the skills to make their dreams become a reality. The Centennial is also the time for us to celebrate the present and to look to the future. This history book is an attempt to capture the spirit of the past which has been the strong foundation upon which our church is built. It includes much of the material that was originally published in the 50th and the 75th Anniversary book; plus additional material from the last 25 years. Thank you to all who have provided valuable resources for this book photographs, memories, anecdotes and general advice. I am also very grateful to the small group of painstaking proof-readers who have corrected my spelling and grammar and my computer's idiosyncrasy of omitting the letter 'n' whenever possible! Many thanks to everyone who has provided material for this history Quarterlies, photographs and other documents. I particularly want to thank Mike Gribble from the Morrinsville Historical Society and Edna Money for their generosity in lending very early photographs both for this publication and for the displays at the Centennial Celebrations 18-19 October 2003. No history will ever be complete and there are bound to be things that have been missed and I ask your forgiveness for this. I have learned so much about who the Methodists of this district are as I have compiled this book and I have very much enjoyed learning so much about the people and the faith history of this community.

Nancy Jean Whitehead September 2003

Page 4 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 The Early Days The discovery of gold at Te Aroha, the development of the farm lands in the district and its growing popularity as a health resort, led to a rapid growth of the Te Aroha town. The Methodist Church, true to tradition, followed the settlers, and in 1881 the Upper Thames Circuit was constituted, and the Rev. J T Pinfold was appointed Superintendent and stationed at Paeroa. How much of his extensive district he covered at that date is not known, but by 1893 there were regular services in the Morrinsville Public School shared between the Methodists, Anglicans and Presbyterians. In 1895, the Anglican Church was erected in Morrinsville, and the Presbyterians and Methodists were granted the use of the Church for their services for a period of five years. The Methodist services were maintained not only by the Minister, who by this time was living in Te Aroha, but by the able assistance of Local Preachers living in the district at this time: Messrs W S Allen, RC Allen, SS Allen and James Lusby. By 1899 the Circuit had grown to such proportions that the Superintendent, the Rev S Griffith, had two assistants to help him to work the area extending from Waihi, through Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville and nearly to Hamilton, and south beyond Matamata. There were four churches and 15 preaching places at distances of up to 40 miles (66km) from the headquarters at Te Aroha. These 3 Ministers were assisted by some 13 Local preachers, who not only worked in this area but regularly assisted at Huntly and Taupiri. On some Sunday mornings as many as 5 preachers went forth from the Allen Homestead, Annandale, 1km on the eastern side of the Morrinsville town boundary, to proclaim the Gospel in the scattered outposts of the district. Frequent visits were not always possible. The journeys between preaching places were long and arduous, the roads being in extremely poor condition, as evidenced by the fact that in those days the 13 miles (20km) between Te Aroha and Morrinsville frequently took 10 hours to cover. The story is circulated that a man was proceeding with great difficulty along one of the roads (so called) and he saw a hat on the top of the mud. He dismounted from his horse, picked up the hat, and discovered the wearer's head just sticking out of the mud. In answer to the question as to what he was doing there, the man replied: "Standing on the back of my horse." One of the earliest centres of Methodist activity in Morrinsville was the residence of Mr and Mrs H Gant, of Thames Street. Week-night class meetings were held there, and these proved not only of great inspirational value to the small community of ardent Methodists, but many others seeking spiritual blessing joined their warm fellowship, and it is recorded that many conversions took place. Great emphasis was laid in those days by the Methodist Leaders upon the necessity for attending that essentially Methodist institution, the Class Meeting, and the meetings held monthly during the summer months were mainly for revising the members' roll Page 5 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 and dealing with non-attendance at "Class." In the records of one meeting, held before our Church was built, it is possible to note the criterion used to determine the fitness of a person for membership. At the meeting it was suggested that a certain brother's name should be dropped off the roll "as he had not attended class for a very long time, nor yet attended the other means of grace, nor did he contribute in any way to the cause." This caused a member to ask "What constitutes a Methodist?" to which the Chairman, the Rev. C Abernethy, replied: "One who loves the Lord Jesus." "And meets in Class," added the questioner, and at once moved that the name be dropped. It was. A combined Sunday School was established under the superintendency of Mrs WS Allen and this arrangement continued until, in December of 1906, at the express wish of Mrs Allen it became a Methodist School with Mr Gillies as Superintendent. Mr Hirst appears to have held the position for a while, and was followed in 1911 by Mr CF Lindsey. Church services were held in the Anglican Church, week about with the Anglicans, until about the end of 1902, when it was felt that Methodist services should be weekly and that a church should be erected. It was first mentioned officially by Mr Pickett at a meeting held on March 10th 1903. Discussion was postponed until a week later, March 18th, and there were present at this meeting Rev. C Abernethy (Chair), Messrs. W S Allen, J Allen, R C Allen, H Gant, A Best, W Pickett, S Gillies and A J Leach. Mr Pickett then moved "that Methodist services be held each Sunday." This led to a great deal of discussion, in which it was shown that the time had come when steps should be taken to provide a church for themselves. Mr J C Allen, who was then Circuit Steward of the Upper Thames Circuit, was not in favour, and urged the utmost caution in taking the step, as it would inevitably lead to the breaking up of the Sunday School (referred to previously) which was then united under the leadership of his mother. The meeting finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of Messrs J C Allen and H Gant, who were appointed a committee to further consider and report to a meeting fixed for March 31st. The report presented to this meeting was to the effect that it would be exceedingly unwise to start a separate cause unless it was on the understanding that all would stand loyal to the cause whatever might happen. After several of those present had pledged their loyalty, Mr R C Allen moved that the committee's recommendation be adopted, and this was seconded by Mr Best. Having taken the step, it was decided to ask the Quarterly Meeting to promote a scheme for the erection of a Church at Morrinsville. At a meeting on April 17th 1903, all the members of the Leaders' Meeting, Messrs W S Allen, J C Allen, R C Allen, H Gant, S Gillies, W Pickett, A Warren, A Best and A J Leach were appointed Trustees. To help with the financing of the scheme the sum of £40/10/- was promised in the room. The following Friday, April 24th, Messrs W S Allen, H Gant, W Pickett, S Gillies, A J Leach, S Best and J C Allen met at Annandale under the Chairmanship of the Rev C Abernethy to discuss site, size and cost of a Page 6 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 church. Mr R C Allen was appointed Secretary and Mr J C Allen to act as Secretary until his return and Mr J C Allen was appointed Treasurer. The site for the Church, at the comer of Thames and Canada Streets, was secured as a gift through the generosity of Mrs WS Allen. It was reported that during the week £120 had been promised in cash and £70 in gifts of materials towards the Church Fund. Subsequently the church measuring 30 feet by 24 feet, with vestry and porch each 6 feet by 6 feet, was built to seat 120 persons, and was opened on Thursday October 15th 1903, by the Rev. C Abernethy. The Rev. S Griffith, a former Superintendent, conducted the first services on Sunday October 18th.

The original Methodist Church. The cost of the structure was £282/10/- and the fittings, architect's fees, fencing and outbuildings and incidentals brought the total expenditure to £411/12/10. The debt was £150 owing to the Church Building and Loan Fund. The Rev C Abernethy was succeeded by the Rev. J Blight, who seems to have been somewhat of a philosopher, for at a meeting held in June 1903, at which he presided, a chronicle states that "a discussion took place concerning the few Ministerial services at Morrinsville, throughout which the Chairman maintained his accustomed demeanour of unshaken serenity." The first Methodist Minister to reside in Morrinsville was a Home Missionary, Mr W W Dillicar, appointed in 1905, who stayed but a short while, and was followed in 1906 by the Rev James Richards, then a Home Missionary. He was single, and boarded in the township with Mr and Mrs Hirst, and was followed by the first married Agent, Mr G H Bridgeman, who came in 1907 and occupied a rented house.

Page 7 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Mr Richards recalls one Sunday morning when the organist Miss Snell, gave a shrill shriek when part of a swarm of bees buzzed down upon her and the adjacent choir members. Preaching places visited by Mr Richards were Mamaku near Rotorua, Putaruru, Tirau, Hinuera, Mokai, Matamata, Waharoa, Walton and north to Mangateparu and Tahuna. He covered the area on cycle or horse, according to weather conditions. In those days the members of the congregation were not slow to express approval or otherwise of what the preacher had to say. On one occasion when a local preacher was giving quite a lengthy introduction to the lesson he was about to read he was interrupted by a well-known member of the congregation, who pulled out his watch and remarked: "Remember, we'll be wanting some dinner, Mr..." On another occasion, after the Rev A J Reed had conducted an inspiring service, a member of the congregation approached the pulpit and enquired of Mr Reed whether he intended holding a prayer meeting after the service, to which he replied in the negative. When asked the reason for his refusal Mr Reed replied "The spirit doesn't move me." To which the enquirer remarked: "It ought to, then." Late in 1909 or early 1910 the Church was enlarged by the addition of some 10 feet. Until 1913 the Superintendent of the Circuit had lived at Te Aroha, but with the appointment of the Rev T N Griffin as Superintendent of the Circuit he took up residence in the new Parsonage at Morrinsville and the second Agent, the Rev P R Paris lived at Te Aroha. Becoming sleepy in church is not a recent innovation. In the early days during a service in the Morrinsville church one of the society stewards, who was appointed to take up the collection, went to sleep. Instead of waking him, someone else passed the plate around. Towards the end of the service the somnambulant one wakened and told the preacher he had forgotten to announce the collection! During the war years little activity was reported by the Trustees. The main matters were the purchase of an organ in 1914 for £57, and the consideration of enlarging the vestry. About this time it was decided by the Trustees to "remove the cross from the Church and replace it with something more suitable to a Protestant Church." The cross was removed, but we are still waiting for the "more suitable" symbol. The Church suffered a loss in the passing of William Shepherd Allen, M.A.,D.L.,J.P., on January 15th 1915. A plaque in the Te Aroha Church bears the following tribute: "He was devotedly attached to the Methodist church and a faithful and efficient Local Preacher in the Upper Thames Circuit." In 1918 the Trust suffered another loss in the death of Mr G W Brayshaw, who rendered long and faithful service to the Church and Board of Trustees. The Trustees recorded their appreciation for his valued services.

Page 8 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 During the war years many of the men of the Church served overseas, and some paid the Supreme Sacrifice. The names of LT Lowry, J C Allen and J Ireland are recorded on a memorial tablet in the Church, but this may not be a complete record. In 1919 an acre of land in Thames Street, opposite Park Street, and adjoining Dr G E Seville's property was purchased for £700. It was hoped to move the Church to this site and dispose of the comer section. The matter was held in abeyance until 1922 when all the properties were placed under one Board of Trustees. It was considered that the Thames-Canada Streets site was not sufficiently large to provide room for a Hall which the Trustees contemplated building and to accommodate the vehicles of churchgoers from the country. It was decided to sell the section as a business site, and permission to do so was obtained from the Church Authorities in Christchurch. The Trustees by this time were facing very real difficulties. The debit balance was £1323, they had no source of income other than donations etc., rates were mounting up, interest on borrowed money was a large drain on resources, and there was the normal maintenance of the properties to be faced. At the next meeting of the Trustees, after they had decided to sell the section, it was reported that the agent required £10 for advertising whether the property was sold or not. Because of this, the matter was held in abeyance for a month. The outcome was a reversal of their former decision. They decided to retain the Canada-Thames Streets site and dispose of the one-acre section in Thames Street. Apparently no buyer could be found, and in 1924 they considered leasing the land for building purposes. About this time one third of an acre was sold for £350. In this same year electric light was installed in the Church and was a decided improvement on the earlier forms of lighting which had taken a turn, oil lamps (candles for the organ), acetylene plant and benzene plant. In 1925 the Rev F Greenwood, who had been Superintendent for 3 years, and who had guided the church through very difficult days, moved on to another appointment. He received the very hearty thanks of the Trustees for setting the Trust "on a sound and satisfactory basis." It is recorded in the Minutes soon after this that a certain Minister "be empowered to have a wireless arrangement attached to the church for listening to Gipsy Smith's Sunday night services." Whether atmospheric conditions were not favourable - and they needed to be in those days - we know not, but at the next meeting we find that the decision recorded was "that there be no more broadcasting of Gipsy Smith's Mission." However, that was not the end of it, for later on they decided to "leave the matter in the hands of the Minister and two Trustees." In 1926 a "Cheerio Club" started a fund for a Sunday School building. About £11 was raised, and in 1927 this was placed in the Post Office as "a nucleus for a Church Building Fund." The Bible Class movement was in its heyday, and in 1928 the boys of

Page 9 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 the Bible Class made a request for more room. The front porch was enlarged with the boys raising approximately half the cost. The years of the late twenties witnessed considerable activity and development in the Church life. The membership was steadily increasing; Trust debt and problems were diminishing. Circuit funds were buoyant and a second Agent was employed at Waitoa. In 1931 the Church was re-blocked, and in 1935 a price was obtained for "moving the Church" - where to, is not clear. In 1937 the Lear Street and Thames Street sections were disposed of, the proceeds of the former, £50, going into the Church Building Fund. In 1938 the backs of the pews were "fixed" - a complete back replacing the uncomfortable rails. About this time a strip of land between Paine's garage and where the Church originally stood was purchased, thus giving the Church sufficient land for a Church and Hall. This was an important move and made possible the later extension. The Centennial Appeal resulted in £400 being added to the Church Building Fund.

Morrinsville Methodist Church, 1940s By this time ideas of a new Church were crystallising. In 1940 three proposals were considered by the Trustees:- 1. To move the Church east on the section and build a new Church, the old one to become the Sunday School Hall. 2. Retain the Church on the present site, put concrete foundations beneath, and build a new Sunday School Hall.

Page 10 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 3. Alter and enlarge the present Church to make it suitable for a Sunday School. After consultation with Mr Foster, architect, of Rotorua, and due consideration, the Trustees decided on the first of the three proposals. At that time the estimated cost of the new Church was £2600. The first phase of the new scheme was carried out in 1944, when the Church was moved to its new position, made possible by the purchase of land in 1938. A shop was purchased and added to form a small hall, and conveniences were built. The total cost was £879/6/4, although much voluntary labour was supplied. In the same year a Circuit appeal was made for funds for refurbishing the Parsonage. At the Church anniversary functions on October 2nd 1944, the New Church Building Scheme was publicly inaugurated. The Rev. C H Olds, District Chairman, and the Rev. A T Kent were the visiting speakers. The Rev. J L Mitchell presided. Mr. P Rushton Snr, Circuit Steward and Secretary of the Trust Finance Committee, reported that £2700 was the amount subscribed to date. Confronted with rapidly rising costs and severe building restrictions, the work could not be undertaken at that stage. By 1945 the estimated cost of the Church had risen to £6000. Concrete paths were laid around the Church and a Piano Fund was started with £31. The interior of the Church was altered by the addition of a platform and Communion Rail, and re-decorated. Mr and Mrs Johnstone presented a Baptismal Font in memory of their son Gordon, who died of wounds received in Crete while on active service. A Pulpit Chair was presented by Mrs Best and family in memory of Mr A G Best, and a Music Stand and Stool were presented by Mrs Fauvel. These gifts, together with the alterations and the installation of an oil-burning heater and the covering of the seats of the pews, greatly improved the worshipful atmosphere of the sanctuary and added to the comfort of the worshippers, while the purchase of a piano for £75 was a boon to all phases of the work. In March 1950, the Trustees felt that the time had come for a further step to be taken towards the building of the new Church, and an architect was engaged to draw up plans and specifications for a Church to seat 150 people. Messrs White, Leigh and de Lisle were engaged, and plans and specifications were prepared and later considered and approved by the Trustees and the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee. In the meantime some 22 kauri pews were purchased from the Coromandel Trustees. In June of 1952 tenders were called, and the architect and Trustees considered that the only price submitted was far too high. After slight modifications to the plan it was decided to consider a fresh basis of agreement between the Trustees and a builder, and finally Messrs F T Hawkins Ltd., of Hamilton, undertook to build on a "fixed fee" basis, the estimated cost to be £12,500, plus architect's fees and furnishings. A canvass of some of the members resulted in a generous response of promises, the payment of

Page 11 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 which to be made over a period of 5 years. This encouraged the Trustees to go ahead with the project.

Mr J Palmer turning the first sod on the site of the Church 1952, under the watchful eye of Mrs Marmie Northcott On May 23rd, the day preceding Wesley Day, the first sod was turned on the site of the new Church. A congregation, representative of the whole Circuit, gathered in the Church for a short service. The Rev. H K Brown presided. The Rev R B Tinsley and the Rev C H Olds, both past Chairmen of the District, read the lesson and led in prayer. The Address was delivered by the Rev E W Hames of Trinity College, and the Rev S Werren, Chairman of the District, brought greetings. Mr P Rushton presented the financial position. On the site, Mr. J Palmer, one of the senior Trustees, and who had been Secretary for 39 years, turned the first sod. The singing of the Doxology and the pronouncement of the Benediction brought the function to a close but marked the official beginning of the building of the Memorial Church. Immediately some 20 voluntary workers set to

Page 12 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 and with shovels, spades, truck and tractor soon had the excavations dug for the foundations. The Ladies Guild served luncheon to the official party.

The laying of the foundation stone 1953 Mr Forbes West, Mr Percy Rushton. The Rev H K Brown. From then on the work proceeded steadily, and some of our men gave very generously of their time and skill assisting the contractor with the work. The 50th Jubilee Book stated: "when completed the Church will be a worthy memorial to those who served in the two world wars and to those who have served Methodism in this Circuit. It will serve the needs of the District for many years to come and will make available the present Church for use as a Young People's Hall. Greater still will be the fact that in this new House of God people will find new life, and hope, comfort and guidance; youth will have their feet set in the paths of peace and Godliness, and to those who pass by it will, by its beauty and up-reaching spire, remind men of the Creator and Saviour of the World, by Whose grace we live." John Walsh commenting in 2003 wrote: "I remember the buzz and excitement when the new church was built and opened in 1953 with all the improvements over the old building (later used as the hall and Sunday School rooms). The new church was built with a sloping floor so at least we could now see what was going on, even when the ladies wore their hats. Unfortunately, at about this time, the fashion in hats seemed to get more grand and taller in size and we were back to status quo. What a sight!”

Page 13 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003

Morrinsville Methodist Church 1953

Interior of the Church 1953

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Morrinsville Methodist Church Board of Trustees 1954 4th row: R West, K Wooderson, G Rosser, P Westbury, C Rushton 3rd row: Pilkington, D Johnson, J Palmer, H Clothier, T Walsh 2nd row: F West, T Pickett, W Woodley, P Rushton 1st row: Rev H K Brown, President Fiebig, J West I also remember: • The socialising and conversations that went on outside after the Morrinsville Church morning services. • Mr Harvey Clothier dishing out chewing gum from his suit pocket to the children outside after the service. • the music chimes that were played through the speakers in the church steeple prior to the morning services. • the huge annual harvest festival church service and the fun auction of the produce the following evening. What a night of entertainment. • the concerts that were held periodically and the talents of various church members. • the Rev. Carr and his talented magician presentations and his sleight of hand • the Rev. H K. Brown with his brown satchel and the letters HKB embossed on it. His quick exits at times from the Morrinsville Page 15 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Church at the completion of the service to rush off and take another service within the Circuit. • the film evenings with Keith Amy using the 16mm projector." John also remembers how "after attending , Morrinsville Church and Sunday school our family travelled in haste, originally to the Ngarua Hall, and later Ngarua Church, so my mother. Mavis Walsh could lead the singing by playing the piano or organ at the monthly rostered service there. So boring as a child to hear the same service twice in succession but never the less, I was made to feel very important when H K B always allowed me to give out the hymn books from the box he carted in the boot of his car to the worshippers and allowed me to take around the collection plate during the service." Diamond Jubilee 1963 The Diamond Jubilee of the Church was held during the weekend 12-13 October 1963. A special function on Friday evening catered for about 70 children of the Sunday School. Tea was enjoyed, followed by items and films. On Saturday the Jubilee Banquet was attended by 200. This was catered for by Mr and Mrs Jones at a cost of 12 shillings and sixpence per head. The Rev. W R Laws was Chairman for the evening, with Marjorie Clark as accompanist. The following addressed those present. Rev W Gust, Mr W A Rushton (Mayor), Rev V R Jamieson, Rev W E A Carr, Rev Canon Butt, Mr C J Valler, Mrs H Money, Mr P Rushton, Rev E E Sage, Rev P Rushton, Mr R C Forbes. Items were given by the Rev W E A Carr, Ruth Mitchell and Pamela Wratt. The evening was very successful, a happy spirit prevailing. The Church was full for the morning service with about 60 people unable to be accommodated. The Rev G R Thompson took the Service and items by the Senior and Junior Choirs were appreciated. In the afternoon a Youth Rally was led by the Rev W E A Carr. A happy atmosphere prevailed, though the attendance was fairly small. A Thanksgiving Service followed by a Fellowship hour concluded a happy weekend.

Page 16 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Building New Church Centre 1980s When it was finally decided to proceed with the new Centre the idea was to build firstly the foyer, lounge, kitchen and toilets, followed by the building of the Hall and the classrooms. The Quarterly Meeting of 21 October 1981 gave permission for the Trust to proceed with Stage 1 at an estimated cost of $50-60,000. The Quarterly Meeting of 24 February 1982 received the estimated cost of proceeding with the whole complex - $101,203 and gave permission for the work to proceed. It was just as well we were able to replace the Hall because one Trustee stated that the old Hall was an eyesore and if it stayed he would go, while another stated that if it were demolished and not replaced, he would go!! It was decided that we would employ John Holton, a builder, on a labour only basis and supply voluntary labour with John Walsh being the overseer. John Holton proved to be an excellent manager of the large number of volunteers and brought out the best in them. He seemed to be a hardy sort as all through the winter he wore jandals! John Walsh comments: "I remember the building of the church centre additions in 1982. John Holten the builder was employed to build and organise voluntary labour to build this magnificent centre. Thousands of hours went into this project, which began in January and was completed in September. A lot of fun, community involvement, donations and faith enabled this project to be completed with little debt. I remember the entertaining morning, afternoon teas, and lunches prepared for us 'workers' by the Women Fellowship members; the plastic biscuits with tomato and cheese and on the final day, the sponge rubber lamingtons. After the centre was completed there was no need to talk outside in the cold after Sunday services. We could all enjoy a cup of tea in the comfort of the lounge." The complex was officially opened on 5 September 1982 at a final cost of around $140,000. For some time after the opening of the new complex the church family provided sandwiches on a Friday for anyone who would like to meet and share a meal together. A small prayer group also met for 30 minutes each Friday under the leadership of the Rev Trevor Bennett. The complex has continued to be a valuable asset not only to the Church but also to the community of Morrinsville. Apart from church activities it is in regular use by such diverse groups as Indoor Bowls, Dancing Classes, Federated Farmers, various political parties and until recently the classrooms were used by the Morrinsville Access Group Computer Course which provided training for unemployed young people. Page 17 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003

Opening the new Church Centre Mr Theo Walsh unlocks the door watched by Mr Graham Keightley and Rev Harry Shaw. At the end of 2002 it was decided to refurbish the interior of the complex and this was done by very willing volunteers. The exterior of the building was repainted in 2003. For one Saturday in March it is highly likely that almost everyone in Morrinsville knew where the Church was. To enable the painter to reach the 14 metre high end walls of the church more than just scaffolding was required. Even the average cherry picker could not reach high enough, so a 14-tonne monster machine with a reach greater than the height of the church was brought in. There were a number of near misses at the very busy intersection as passing motorists were distracted by the unusual sight. The finished job has greatly enhanced the appearance of the church and the light-coloured doors have lightened the porch and foyer areas.

Page 18 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 A positive spin-off from the job was for the young painter, Brendan Cranfield, whose skill was so evident in the work on the church. By the time he had completed the job he was booked up for several months to come by people who had seen the quality of his work. In September 2003 the kitchen has been upgraded with the installation of a steriliser and new benches and cupboards. We are very grateful for the expertise of church member Paul Bennett in ensuring that the kitchen is now up to Health Department requirements. The Parsonage In 1912 a section of half an acre in Lome Street was purchased for a Parsonage, and a house of six rooms designed by Mr. Daniel was erected. It was completed in February of 1913 at a cost of £410. Later in the same year 1 acre of land was purchased in Lear Street for the grazing of the circuit horse. The year 1919 saw the purchase of the seven roomed Parsonage in Thames Street for £900 and the sale of the Lome Street house and half an acre of the horse paddock. In the late 1940s alterations were carried out at the Parsonage, making an extra bedroom available. Alterations were also made to the bathroom and an electric stove and hot water service installed. In 1952 a working bee re-blocked the Parsonage. In 1964 the decision was made to build a new parsonage in Morrinsville. A strong committee was appointed and spent many evenings in discussing exterior and interior plans. Meanwhile the half acre section had been subdivided and the old Parsonage moved forward 30 feet nearer to Thames Street. This left a nicely elevated section which was admirably suitable for a large parsonage above a spacious double garage. The Church at Tatuananui by Percy Rushton (Junior) Forming a Road and a Church The Formation of the Church at Tatuanui, a Church that was destined to have quite a profound influence on the Methodist Church of New Zealand as a whole, began with the coming together of two devout young Methodists, Percy Rushton and William Charles (Bill) Woodley. In 1911 they arrived at Tatuanui, taking up land immediately opposite each other along Cussen Road. The road then was only "on paper" and they were successful in winning the contract to form this vital access to their farms. The contract daily routine for Bill Woodley and Percy Rushton according to the latter's journal was: rise at 3.15am, milk the cows, separate the cream, get it to the rail,

Page 19 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 have breakfast, work on the road from 9am to about 2.30pm, then return for evening milking. What did these two men talk about as they worked side by side for hours on end, day after day with slash hooks and shovels, wheelbarrows and drays, rooting out the stumps, removing the topsoil and adding clay from the roadside trenches? Subsequent events indicate that as they shaped the road they discussed the formation of the Church they so much wanted to be a part of their community, for they were the ones who were responsible for the first service of worship and for the organising of the various ministers and lay preachers to ensure regular Sunday services. House Meetings After three year of living alone in a tent, Percy married Ella Perrott whom he had met at a Church picnic at Annadale. The wedding was at the Waitoa Methodist Church on 22 April 1914 conducted by the Rev Percy Paris. From that time on their home became a centre of Christian fellowship open to all. Besides services at Waitoa and Morrinsville there were gatherings of neighbours for fellowship, usually taking the form of Christian Endeavour Society meetings, with Bible readings and discussion, testimony and prayer, and plenty of hymn singing. These meetings were shared round as new settlers arrived.

Among these were William (Bill) and Mary Kate (Marmie) Northcott who took up land alongside Bill Woodley's property. These two neighbours became linked by the marriage of Les Woodley and Alice Northcott and as history unfolded, their son Alan became the Connexional Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand (1977- 1986), while from the other side of the road, Percy and Ella Rushton's son Percy became the President of the Church (1981 -82) and shared with Alan the leadership of the national Church. The two pioneer Cussen Road farmers were responsible for rather more than they had actually planned or dreamed of. Page 20 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Church Services Begin But to return to the earlier part of the century - the first services of worship were a development of the fellowship meetings and were held at the Northcott home. As soon as the Tatuanui Public Hall was built on the corner of Cussen Road and the Main Road (Highway 26) in 1916, the services were held there and continued every Sunday for more than 60 years. No Methodist Church building was ever built or seriously contemplated, partly because of the proximity of Waitoa and Morrinsville churches where evening services were often attended by Tatuanui families, and partly because the public hall quickly became the centre of the community and it was one of the aims of the 'founding fathers' to ensure that the Church was at the heart of the community. Having such strong connections with Methodism, it was understandable that with Bill Woodley and Percy Rushton organising the plan of preachers that the Methodists should predominate, but from the outset there was a strong interdenominational flavour to the mix, with occasional visits from Presbyterian, Anglican and Baptist preachers. Local Preachers Percy Rushton (Snr) was one of the Methodist accredited local preachers. With the benefit of some theological training at Cliff College, Derbyshire England, he was in considerable demand for preaching appointments and travelled far afield, sometimes John Wesley style on horseback for journeys of fifty miles or occasionally by train as far as Paeroa and Thames. (Even in those days the term 'local preacher' was not a satisfactory term.) Other local preachers appearing on the early plans were the Trebiico brothers, Fred Eastwood and Charlie Horn - "probably our star preacher" according to Percy Rushton's journal. The Rushton family itself produced five accredited local preachers - May, Zilla, Cliff, Joyce and Percy (Jnr). All went through the trials of facing their neighbours and worst of all their own family at Tatuanui services and then having to cope with a thorough 'crit' over the dinner table afterwards. Other frequent preaching places were Waitoa, Eastport Road, Ngarua, Te Puninga, Tahuna and Morrinsville. After the death of Ella Rushton, Percy (Snr) married Sheila Andrew in 1945. That introduced another preacher to the Circuit. Sheila, who had graduated from the Auckland Bible Training Institute and had served for seven years as a missionary in India, was in keen demand not only as a preacher but also as a public speaker for a wide variety of organisations. The wider Methodist Church was also given a fairly potent dose of Rushton medication from the girls in the family. Three became minister's wives: Zilla (Rev Eric Clement who was President 1971 - 72) Grace (Rev Graham Bell), and Joyce (Rev Allen Hall). May, after years of nursing served as a Home Missionary Supply, and Sheila's daughter, Dianne, did Volunteer Service Abroad for a year, teaching in the Methodist Mission School in Ba, Fiji.

Page 21 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Ordained Ministers from Tatuanui During the late 1940s and early 1950s there was a strong Bible Class at Waitoa which the Tatuanui youth attended. A quite remarkable depth of fellowship existed in this group with an intense desire to witness for Christ. Over a period of approximately six years, six members of this Bible Class became full time servants of the Methodist church. David Trebilco (Waitoa), Percy Rushton (Jnr), Alan Woodley, Lewis Major and Ron Major became ordained Methodist Ministers, and Mary Sealey (Waitoa) became a Deaconess who later-married Rev Buddy Te Whare. Also, a little later, Ron Bennett from the Tatuanui congregation entered the Presbyterian ministry. There are probably few if any country congregations in the whole of New Zealand that have produced as many leaders for the wider church as has Tatuanui. Sunday School Within a few months of the commencement of the first Church service. Bill Woodley began a Sunday School, using the hall in the afternoon. In 1918 when Bill and Marmie Northcott came to live in the district, Marmie immediately became one of the teachers and later took over as Superintendent. In total she served for over 45 years. Her gracious ministry is remembered by hundreds of people. Ex pupils remember also some of the quite special events: Sunday School Anniversaries when the children led much of the service with specially prepared songs, readings and prayers; prize-giving, usually climaxing the Anniversary, when every child received a certificate or a book; annual picnics at first at Annandale and then further afield at Te Aroha, Okauia Springs, Hamilton Lake, Waihi Beach; special class outings with paper-chases, sausage sizzles and eeling picnics. During the 1960s Cliff Rushton was Superintendent and under his enthusiastic leadership the Sunday School blossomed, the roll reaching over 80. A well-run Cradle Roll provided a constant flow of little ones into the junior section. Times of Change In the late 60s and early 70s there were big social and demographic changes taking place. Many in the district were retiring from their farms and going to live elsewhere. Farming units were becoming larger and much less labour-intensive. By 1970 Tatuanui School Roll had already fallen to 128 and with the opening in Morrinsville of the New Intermediate School in May 1970 the roll was further reduced to 91 pupils. These changes deeply affected the life of the Church and Sunday School. With Morrinsville being so near and with travelling so easy, many were now inclined to worship in their own denominational Churches in town. In particular, when Cliff Rushton and Alice Woodley left the district the Church was bereft of some of its finest leadership, leadership that had begun with those same two surnames 60 years earlier and which, even with the closing of the Church and Sunday School, left its mark, not only on the community but also on the whole Parish, and indeed on the wider national Church.

Page 22 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Waitoa Some early history From the earliest days of Methodism in the Upper Thames, Waitoa was a preaching place. It is shown on the plan for the June quarter of 1881, and it is recorded that the congregations contributed to the circuit fund. The difficulty of supplying services, however, at times necessitated the grouping of Morrinsville and Waitoa under one heading and sometimes even rendered it impossible for any service to be provided. In the records Waitoa is often referred to as Waitoa Bush being in close proximity to large areas of Kahikatea and Totara bush. In 1884 Waitoa is shown on the plan as having a Sunday afternoon monthly service, while in 1887 and 1888, under the ministry of the Rev. S Lawry, this became a fortnightly service. In September 1889 the plan shows that Mr Lawry conducted a monthly Sunday afternoon service and that a monthly evening service was also held. Before 1903 a regular Sunday afternoon service had become established and this was held in the home of Mr Samuel Bellamy. The Rev. C Abernethy was usually the preacher. Several Methodist families had come to reside at Waitoa and this lead to the erection of a church which was opened for worship on 9th August 1903, by the Rev. C. Abernethy. The first Trustees of the Waitoa Church were Messrs. W S Allen, J C Allen, R C Allen, N A Larney, C B Larney, M A Larney, R A Larney, G Lusby, F Lusby, S Bellamy, W Bellamy, R Bellamy, L B Warren, A Jamieson and J B Thomas.

Waitoa Congregation late 1920s Some 47 years later on 12 August 1950, 300 people gathered on a Saturday afternoon for the opening and dedication of the enlarged Sunday School Hall, new kitchen and classrooms. The total cost of this project which included voluntary labour was £576. The electronic organ was dedicated at a special afternoon service on 10 May 1964.

Page 23 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Tahuna Church History 1914 - 2000 (compiled from material provided by Clarrie and Janet Jensen). The Tahuna Crown lands were thrown open for settlement in 1902 and the first settlers were drawn from the Thames Gold Fields. Although they had little capital they were men and women of the right type and they set to work to transform the barren and grassless wilderness into productive and fertile farmlands. The prosperous district of today is an eloquent testimony to the success which rewarded these hardworking pioneers. The first religious services were conducted by Methodist ministers and local preachers in the humble cottages of the settlers. These were later transferred to the little school building. Two sections, one a quarter-acre and the other half an acre, were bought by the Methodist Church in the village of Tahuna on January 18, 1913, the intention being that both would eventually be used for the building of a Church and a parsonage. Trust records show a payment of £26 being made for these sections. A small group of local residents met in the school on 22 March of that year to discuss the building of a church and the Methodist Minister, the Rev. C W Brown, resident of Morrinsville, eleven miles distant, presided over an enthusiastic meeting. It was decided to open a bank account in the name of the Tahuna Methodist Church Building Fund and Mr W J Collins was appointed Secretary with Mr H Whitechurch as Treasurer. It was unanimously agreed that the church must be built as soon as possible. Although the next official meeting was not held until January 21 1914, and in the meantime the Rev C W Brown had been replaced by the Rev N T Griffin, there had been no lessening of interest in the project and donations had been solicited from Methodist members and friends throughout the Morrinsville district by an eager band of collectors. The position was most encourasing and at this historic meeting the secretary was instructed to write to the Ohinemuri County Council requesting that "the main street be continued from the store and Post office past the church site." As we saw, in 2000, this imposing little Church standing in its commanding site on a busy main highway, which is the quickest route to Auckland from the Morrinsville district, it is difficult for us to realise that when the Secretary wrote his request it was just a muddy busy track leading to some isolated farms and to several Maori villages a few miles north, with no traffic outlet at Ohinewai to connect with the Great South Road. In the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 March 1914, we read that 5 tenders were received for the building of the Church interior 32 by 20 to seat 120 persons, (with vestry 14 by 10) ranging from £309 to £425. The lowest tender, that of a Morrinsville Methodist, Mr George Johnson was accepted by the Trustees who stipulated that the work had to be completed by the end of June or a penalty would be enforced. However, so confident were they that the building would be ready by that time that

Page 24 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 arrangements were made at this meeting for the official opening to take place about the full moon in June.

The Tahuna Church To raise the necessary funds special efforts were enthusiastically supported and it is interesting to see in the original financial return, the various means adopted to bring in the money. "Concerts, bazaars, lectures, tea meetings, socials, a river picnic, sales of produce, sales of lamb, harvest festival and anniversary celebrations" all helped to bring the desired goal nearer. The top collector was Mrs H Major, who incidentally was the first bride to be married in the Morrinsville Church after its opening in 1903, and who worked most energetically to raise funds. To meet the difference between the amount raised and the cost of the building (a porch was added at a little extra cost) the sum of £143 was borrowed from the Methodist Church Building and Loan Fund. The building was opened by the Rev S J Serpell, President of the Methodist Conference, on June 10 1914 and a large company of people came from all directions over unformed roads, through bush tracks, over swamp lands, on horse, in buggies and in farm wagons for the great occasion. It was a day of great rejoicing for the whole district. In 1918 when the influenza epidemic was raging the church was converted into a hospital for the Maori population and although some died, many were nursed back to health. The first Church Trustees were: Messrs W J Collins, H K Whitechurch, E R Whitechurch, W C White, C H Woods, A W Fielder, W R Lowry, W Hogg, G W Brayshaw and J C Allen. Throughout the first 50 years of the church there were only two Trust Secretaries, Mr W J Collins who remained in office until his death in 1936 and his son Mr L G Collins until 1973. Subsequent Secretaries were Lance Crocombe, Mcrvyn Quinc, Joan Dick and Clarrie Jcnscn. Sunday School and Bible Class Page 25 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 When the first Methodist Sunday School was started in 1905 by Mrs L J Whitechurch with 11 children (representing 5 families) in a pioneer's humble swamp cottage, she began something which continued for many years but in a different form. Over the years many have served as Sunday School teachers - the Jensen family in particular are recognised. In the 1970s the day was changed to Tuesday and a large section of the day school pupils found their way to the Church Hall after school. Later "Bible in Schools" was used at the school and the Tuesday School was discontinued. Records show that the Tahuna Bible Class commenced in 1929 although some feel that an earlier start had been made. Ministers came from Morrinsville to teach the classes and local adult leaders also helped in this work over the years. Between the late 1940s and 1960 the Bible Class had a roll of approximately 30. Hall Fund In December 1942, the Rev. J L Mitchell, Superintendent of the Circuit, was approached by Mrs J R White who stated that she much appreciated the help given to her late son. Ray, by the Tahuna Sunday School and Bible Class. Mrs White handed to Mr Mitchell the sum of £15 to be used as he thought fit to benefit the Sunday School and Bible Class. Mr Mitchell's suggestion was that a room large enough for social gatherings for young people be built at the back of the Tahuna Church. Mrs White agreed to this proposal and immediately the Trust passed a resolution to establish a Methodist Church Hall Building Fund and authorised the Secretary to receive further monies. Messrs J Marsden and L Collins were appointed Trustees for the Hall Building Fund. Donations towards the project were received over the years and by 1952 the Ladies Guild had raised £388 towards the Hall Building Fund. Several substantial donations were received from friends of the Church over the years. Plans were drawn in October 1952 for an estimated overall building of 52 by 30 feet. However, in July 1952 it was learned that the Tahuna Public Hall was to be re-built and the hall of those days was for sale and removal. Mr V A D Jack, on contract, removed the Hall at a cost of £560 and this sum, together with the purchase price of £800 paid to the Tahuna Hall Committee gave the Trust the present Hall. Substantial improvements were made over the years providing the Church with a fine Church Hall building. This hall served the Church well until 1980, but by then it had come to the end of its useful life and was demolished. Consideration was given to building a new, smaller hall, but it was felt that a major enlargement of the Church vestry to form a lounge would better serve the work of the Church in Tahuna. The new facilities, complete with kitchen and toilet amenities, were completed in 1983 and provided an asset to both the Church and the community. At the same time part of the land owned by the Church was sold as it was clear that the portion remaining would be adequate for the churches' use in the future. Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of members of the Women's Fellowship and Mr Len

Page 26 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Hopper, a shrubbery was developed on the northern side of the church grounds adding much to their appearance. Grounds Enhancement In June 1960 the Trustees decided to put a sealed drive right around the Church building at a cost of approximately £250. This made parking space for cars and generally enhanced the Church property. In May 1962, the Combined Churches Women's Fellowship approached the Trust offering assistance in the re-setting of the plan of the Church interior. This was adopted as a policy of the Trust and all worked to see the completion of the fine sanctuary, new pulpit and Communion Table, new Pulpit Bible and Communion Rail with suitable drapes and carpeting. These improvements cost £320. The baptismal font gifted in September 1942 by Mrs L Whitechurch in memory of her son Kimpton, was retained. These fine improvements were acknowledged and dedicated at a "special service to the Glory of God" on 11 April 1963. In 1968, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the Women's Fellowship, a "New Organ Fund" was established and by late 1970 a decision was made to purchase an electronic organ for $7650. Local people contributed generously, and the purchase was made. Over the years many have served as organists, among the long-serving being John Marsden, Melba Scott, Doris Balme, Loris Jensen, Nancy Eastwood and in latter years Helen Fitness. It is interesting to note that for 64 years of the Tahuna Church Trust's life no woman's name graced its list of members, but in 1978 Mrs Joan Dick and Mrs Dulcie Solley were appointed. Legally, the Trust is a Methodist Trust, but changes were made in 1966 to ensure that both the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches were represented amongst the Trustees. Our Sister Churches Anglican and Presbyterian Over the years of the history of the Tahuna Church there have been most cordial and fine relationships between our three Churches. Both of our sister Churches have used the Church for services and other activities. The Sunday School and Bible Classes have been combined and a fine Church Community spirit has been engendered. We pay tribute to all Sunday School Superintendents, Bible Class Leaders and Sunday School teachers over the years who have sought to win young people for Christ. A combined Church Youth Club ran for several years and youth activities were planned through the Bible Class on a combined basis. The Presbyterians were the first to withdraw from worship services at Tahuna and in mid 1999 both the Anglicans and Methodists ceased having services. Following the sale for removal of the Church to the Morrinsville Assembly of God congregation, a service of Thanksgiving and Closure of the Tahuna Methodist Church was held on 23 December 2000. The Church was moved to the Anderson Street site in Morrinsville

Page 27 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 during January 2001 where it is used by the Assembly of God for worship and other activities. Tahuna Combined Churches Women's Fellowship 1960-2000 During the history of the Tahuna Church, a Methodist Ladies Guild operated for some years,. In 1960, the Combined Churches Women's Fellowship was formed and it has been an effective group providing opportunity for fellowship, for worship and for service. Over the years the Fellowship has supported mission work, extended friendship to newcomers in the district, and provided treats for residents in church homes and hospitals. Fellowship has also raised funds for special projects in the Church, such as the organ and the lounge and sponsored several children around the world and the NZ Bible Society, to name but a few of the areas of their involvement. This was a very valuable and effective part of the life of the Tahuna Church and it was with sadness that the Women's Fellowship closed in December 2000 after 40 years of service. Tahuna Church on the move 2001

Page 28 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Memories of Morrinsville The Rev Lex Johnston Somewhere around 1952-53,I asked the Rev H K Brown if he needed any more lay preachers, thinking to volunteer to train for that task. H K said that a Sunday School Superintendent was the greatest need at the moment. This position was not my top choice, but after giving the matter some thought, I said that I would "give it a go".

It was the era of big Sunday Schools, and we had around 120 children all told. It was a constant headache trying to get a full muster of teachers each Sunday, but not too many people would complain today if the Sunday School in any church was too big. Joyce Watson was in charge of the primary department where there were 20-25 children. I will not attempt to name the Sunday School teachers of the time as I would be bound to forget some. In the late 1950s I took my first service as a lay preacher, I think in the Tatuanui Hall. There was a bad outbreak of influenza in the District and there were not enough preachers well enough to fill the five preaching places for which the Morrinsville Church was responsible, some on a monthly basis. The Rev. Warwick Gust, then a probationer at Waitoa asked if I would fill in for a couple of services "We won't ask you to do it again!!!!!!" Some months later Frank Griffin took over as head of the Sunday School department as I commenced training as a Lay preacher. Frank and I, "the long and short of it" progressed through the various tasks of administration and had many hilarious times together. (NB Frank Griffin is over 6' tall. Lex is closer to 5') Our favourite pastime as stewards at the Sunday evening service, was to dress up in the foyer in the various garments left hanging up by the worshippers. Percy Rushton Senior's hat came down over my eyes,

Page 29 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Errol Buchan's astrakhan coat reached the floor on me, and Marg Adamson's umbrella completed my ensemble. There was a gentleman who liked to come late every Sunday and we would do all we could to convince him that the service had just started and get him in before time. One fateful evening, as the result of too much tomfoolery, I blotted my copybook by spilling the offering plate at the back of the church so that most of the coins rolled down to the front on the sloping floor. I was admonished later in no uncertain terms by my Aunty who sang in the choir, Jean Fausett. In the next few years I held all the offices open to a lay person, except the president of the Women's Guild. I must have been a terrible Trust Treasurer and was glad to relinquish that office to Graham Eastwood and become the Secretary which was more in line with my skills. The Rev Bill Laws must have been glad to see the change. The installing of the pipe organ in the new church provided us young fellows with a unique chance to do something different as we acted as assistants to the organ builder. I can still hear Colin Brightwell debating with the ladies as to which way the side drapes would be hung nap up or nap down; and Colin leaning over my shoulder as I stained up the cross "darker than that Lex, darker still”. So much for my “ministry" in Morrinsville 1959-1963 The Rev Bill Laws The Rev William R and Mrs Laws served in Morrinsville from January 1959 to December 1963. It was Mr Law's first experience of a rural circuit and he valued the contacts at firsthand with the farming community and while at times he found the travelling tiring, he much appreciated the beauty of the countryside and the wide open spaces. All aspects of the work of the Circuit he found rewarding and interesting but he was particularly grateful for the opportunity to lead Bible Classes at Morrinsville and Tahuna, cottage meetings at Tauhei and (in his first year) to be closely associated with the children's work at Tatuanui and the Bible Class at Waitoa. Property developments gave satisfaction. The erection of the Ngarua Community Church, the redesigning of the sanctuary at Tahuna, the opening of the Waitoa Parsonage, the installation of the pipe organ at Morrinsville, the first steps towards the erection of the new parsonage at Morrinsville all took place in his time and gave him joy. The Morrinsville appointment led to Mr Laws' election as Chairman of the Waikato- Bay of Plenty District, a position he filled for four years. This gave him a detailed knowledge of the circuits in the District and of Conference Committees and Funds

Page 30 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 experience that proved invaluable to him when he left Morrinsville to become General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand in 1964. Warwick Gust - Assistant Minister at Waitoa during this time, has this to say of the Rev Bill Laws: "Rev W R (Bill) Laws was Superintendent of the Morrinsville Circuit (now Parish) during the early 1960s. At this time I began my probationary Ministry at Waitoa which was then part of the Morrinsville Circuit. Bill Laws was also Chairman of the South Auckland District (now Waikato Bay of Plenty) and thus was my Superintendent at both Circuit and District level. Bill was a scholarly and gracious Minister, always careful in his treatment of junior colleagues. In public he referred to me as, "my colleague Mr. Gust ". I was never referred to as "the probationer" a style of address favoured by some Ministers. Older people in Morrinsville will remember Bill's strong, biblically based preaching, which both educated and inspired those who listened carefully to him. He was a faithful pastor to his people in spite of demanding and busy District and Connexional activities. Some who were children in those years may recall his children's talks based on the adventures of a tame Opossum called Poss. Needless to say these talks were much appreciated by the old as well as by the young. In 1964 Bill, with his wife Jean and their two children Jane and John, went to Christchurch where Bill was Connexional Secretary for some years and President of Conference during the early 70s. He will be remembered by older Methodists for the important contribution he made to the life of the Church. Morrinsville will remember in particular Bill's faithful Ministry as one of John Wesley's "Preachers of the Gospel"." As a child in the 1950s John Walsh also remembers 'Poss the Opossum' children's stories with a moral theme, which both young and old enjoyed. He was also fascinated by the unique way Rev Laws used to pronounce the phrase 'Holy Spirit' (Hooley Speret) 1964 -1968 The Rev Frank Parker The Rev Frank Parker is now living in retirement in Te Awamutu. He was unable to contribute to this centennial history, but he is remembered with much affection by those who knew him in Momnsville and who continue to keep in touch with him. His strong pastoral ministry to all was very much valued. He is particularly remembered Page 31 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 for the emotion he expressed whenever he baptised an infant. Some highlights of Mr Parker's ministry were: Morrinsville was a two Minister Circuit for the full 5 years term of his ministry with the Rev. Basil Bell and he arriving and leaving together.

• Morrinsville Parsonage was built after much controversy over the question - which shall be built first the Morrinsville Hall or Parsonage? • Property matters in all places received due attention. All churches were repainted, Waitoa and Tahuna redecorated inside and Morrinsville Church remodelled inside. The remodelling of the front of the Church was a gift from the Westbury family completing the work begun by Percy Westbury just prior to his becoming ill and his death in 1966. • Church school was commenced. Morning services were well attended with often chairs down both sides of the aisle. • Sunday School and Bible Classes were both held at the "new" Parsonage under the guidance and teaching of Mrs Vivienne Parker. 1964-1968 The Rev Basil I remember arriving with my family to take up an appointment in the Morrinsville Circuit on a very hot early February afternoon in 1964. We had travelled up from Bluff, our first charge, and the first thing we noticed was a dramatic change in temperature from the Southland climate. Leaving behind a congregation that had its livelihood in fishing, oystering and waterside work, we were soon to learn that life in the rural areas in our new situation, Page 32 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 had everything to do with cows and the milking shed. The dairy fanners in those days milked 100 cows on a hundred acres, more or less, and made a comfortable living. We soon learnt about bloat, milk fever and leptospirosis.

Everyone knew who Emma was. She was the circuit car at Waitoa. A mini-minor that had a hard and busy life working the country areas of the circuit. Waitoa during these years had a very strong Bible Class that met every Monday night. My memories of it were of a group of forty to fifty young people that were very ably led by Des Moody. Some of the social activities that I recall included the annual days skiing at Ruapehu, Easter Camps, mystery car drives and dances in the Waitoa Hall. The Waitoa Bible Class was well known for its strength and vitality not only in the Circuit but around the district. The Waitoa church building was in need of a spruce up and it was Wally Gray, a church member and builder, who had a vision of what it could be and gave of his time and skill. The result was very pleasing and the remodelled sanctuary and church were duly dedicated by the Circuit Superintendent, Frank Parker. During these years working parties were coming out from Fiji to work in New Zealand and one such party of nine or ten came to the Waitoa Dairy Factory. They were all Methodists as most Fijians are and rented a house next to the Church. We invited them into our homes and while they were with us we had another dimension to church life. After 5 busy years in the Circuit the 1968 Conference lifted us out and we moved on.

Page 33 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 1969 - 1976 The Rev Les Gilmore I was considering an invitation to Taumarunui, when the Chairman of the District, the Rev R F Clement, told me not to be in too much of a hurry. He didn't say why, but he knew what I didn't know, that the Rev. Frank Parker had been accepted as Hospital Chaplain, Auckland, and that therefore Morrinsville Circuit Morrinsville Circuit would be vacant. Neither did he tell me that he had advised the Circuit officials to invite me as Frank's successor. Within 24 hours a telephone call came, inviting us to visit Morrinsville, and when we did, it didn't take us long to decide on saying "Yes" to the invitation. Personally, I had been hoping for an appointment not too far from Auckland, because I wanted to be reasonably close to a much-loved elderly aunt there. Morrinsville, therefore, seemed like an answer to prayer.

Conference confirmed the invitation, and in due course we arrived. Packing had taken so long that it was about midnight before we got there, but the lights were blazing and there was a warm welcome from the Circuit Stewards and their wives. All through the earlier years of ministry, we had lived in older-type houses and for a while, we moved around the Morrinsville Parsonage with almost a sense of unreality. It was difficult to believe that we were indeed inheritors of that lovely dwelling. We came to a Circuit which was in wonderful heart with a good choir at the central church, an able and dedicated band of lay preachers and a welcoming people. God had indeed blessed the ministry of Frank Parker and he was an easy man to follow. Both Kathleen, my wife and I, had been brought up on farms, and, after 22 years of city life, it was once more a delight to experience country hospitality. Our teenage, city-born Page 34 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 daughter Alison, was not so sure. Where, she wondered, would she find anyone suitable to marry, in the depths of the countryside? John Walsh took care of that. Within the first month he shyly requested permission to take her to the pictures, and after that, it wasn't long before wedding bells were ringing. Now, nine years and two bonny children later, Alison has become a 'sober and godly matron' and John a solid and reliable citizen. One of the joys of working in Morrinsville, was related to the small number of churches there Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, the Gospel Chapel and the Assembly of God. Of these, the last mentioned closed down after a while. (Paying a return visit to Kaitaia in 1974, I found there were 13 different religious groups in a town no bigger than Morrinsville.) Relationships between the mainline churches were invariably good. The tone was set early on when we were saying goodbye to the young Baptist minister Bob Lockwood during the time when Father John Daly was President of the Ministers' Association. At the close of a farewell evening when ministers and wives met at the Vicarage to farewell Bob, Father Daly offered a beautiful extempore prayer, in which he thanked God for "the life and witness of our dear brother Bob" and invoked the Divine blessing on his ministry in Owairaka, to which district he was going. Refurbishing the pipe organ, originally installed in 1962, in the Morrinsville Church was a real thrill, and we were glad that the total cost (round about $7000) was paid before we left. The Celebration Night when the refurbished organ was used for the first time, was memorable, with Arthur Reid giving a recital on the instrument and Louise Malloy Auckland's Queen of Song as guest vocalist. She told me that night that I reminded her of Ronnie Barker. Since that time, half-a-dozen people have told me the same thing, and even one of my grandchildren when she sees Ronnie on TV shouts out excitedly: "G'anpa! G'anpa!" One of the highlights of our term in Morrinsville was the Shalom Programme conducted by the Rev. Ron Major and Mr Charles Fenwick. As a result we pinpointed as our greatest need - the building up of a real family atmosphere in the Church. The Committee of Ten which sprang out of the Shalom programme, was a great experience. Charged with organising monthly Family Services, the Committee arranged some quite exciting worship experiences which involved much shifting of furniture and a whole lot of congregational participation. I'd like to express special thanks to the people who served with Convenor Gordon Taylor on that Committee. The whole exercise was abundantly worthwhile, and one for which I will be forever grateful. We both have very happy memories of the Christmas Carol services in Howie Park. We often used to wonder whether the residents of the town and district really realised what a beautiful spot it is. On a Sunday night before Christmas each year, it was transformed into a veritable fairyland, as hundreds of singers read from their carol sheets with the aid of flickering candles. Page 35 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Another of the tasks which gave me great delight, was the conducting of song services at the Geriatric Hospital on Sunday afternoons. I used to take the Presbyterian Services as well as our own, because the Rev. Bill McLeay didn't include the ability to sing among his many virtues. Usually I took a band of singers along with me and the most regular were Mesdames Jessie Griffin, Hilda Taylor, Annie Mallett and Moya Badham. For quite a while there was one old fellow who invariably demanded that we should sing "'ome sweet 'ome". We used to oblige so frequently that it became a sort of signature tune! The obvious gratitude of the old folk, made it all very worthwhile. Our daughter Barbara, much less known in Morrinsville than Alison, notched up two achievements while we were there. She secured her MA in History, with a thesis on "The Maori Land Policy of the Liberal Government, 1900-1912," and also secured a husband. She and Charles Pengelly were married in Morrinsville and we held the reception at the Parsonage. She was the last of our progeny to be married, Margaret, our only other daughter, having been married during our Otahuhu ministry. It would be difficult to know where to stop if I began any wholesale enumeration of people who proved helpful during our term, but I cannot omit mention of the Mundells, the Bellamys, the Woodersons, the Eastwoods (especially Nancy for her fine work in the Sunday School), Glenis and Neville Westbury (with special thanks to Glenis for her sensitive organ playing) Merle Fausett as Choir Leader, Clarice Griffin as Secretary/Typist/Cleaner/Sunday School Teacher, Hilda Taylor as faithful Treasurer and good friend, and the Money sisters (including Lucy when on furlough) with their many and varied gifts. For the first part of my term in the Circuit I concentrated mainly on Morrinsville, Tatuanui and Patetonga, leaving the rest of the Circuit to my excellent young colleagues Robert and Helen Stringer. When they were posted to the Solomon Islands and not replaced, my work spread over the whole circuit. From a multitude of memories, there are some things which stand out. Springdale always seemed to me an ideal country district, where a Union Church had existed for over 48 years. At every service, folk of all denominations would be present, and there was a well-run Sunday School with a surprisingly large roll. It was with real regret that I said goodbye to the Frank Keightleys and the rest of the good folk, when Springdale was incorporated into the Te Aroha Circuit early in 1975. Tahuna Church could scarcely have existed at all without the Jensen brothers and their devoted wives. Loris excelled as an organist and Janet as president of the Combined Women's Fellowship. That particular Women's Fellowship was a really lively concern and on several occasions I marvelled at the buoyant numbers and the good "spread" of denominations in the membership. But alas! they were not good churchgoers, though mighty fine people just the same. When the Sunday School faded out, we started "Tuesday School" and with the goodwill of the Headmaster, children came after school in encouraging numbers, often 35-40 of them. I used to really look

Page 36 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 forward to my weekly meetings with these fine youngsters. (Credit must go to Eve Wooderson for the "Tuesday School" concept. She pioneered it in the Tauhei District, where it was also very successful.) Waitoa Village centred round its huge Butter Factory, presented a rather strange problem. Religiously, there seemed to be a kind of invisible and indefinable line drawn between "factory" and "farm" and it was almost exclusively from the latter area that support for the Church came. To compound the difficulty, quite large numbers of people regularly went out of Waitoa to worship either at Morrinsville or Te Aroha. As a result, numbers at Church services were small in Waitoa, but quality was high. 1 have seldom met anywhere more devoted lay-folk than Maurice and Diane Hight and Vie and Edith Sealey. There was always an atmosphere of real wan-nth and devotion in the services, especially when Maurice Hight returned greatly enthused from a Lay Preachers' School and persuaded us to re-arrange the pews in a semi-circle with the preacher in the midst! The Christmas Service just before we left will always remain in our memories. It all began with a remark of Vie Sealey's: "Wouldn't it be grand if everyone who ever went to Church from Waitoa could be brought together at one time and in one place for a combined service of worship". With the co-operation and goodwill of the Churches of Morrinsville and Te Aroha (many of which drew members from Waitoa) we held a service of "The Nine Lessons and Carols" in a crowded Waitoa Public Hall. Representatives of the various churches (including the Roman Catholics!) and the local MP Jack Luxton, read the Lessons and we made the rafters ring as we sang the well-loved Christmas Carols. It was a fine piece of Christian witness and Waitoa folk were thrilled and surprised to find that the Christian forces in the village were ever so much stronger than they had suspected. Patetonga, 20 miles north, with its own lovely district church, was always a joy to visit. In the earlier years of my term in the Circuit, attendances at worship were most encouraging and on several occasions, we held stimulating winter week-night study groups. But alas! there came large numbers of removals and attendances dwindled alarmingly. Throughout, the Bowmans were the mainstay of the services and I shall always be grateful for their musical ability and their warm hospitality. Tatuanui was a thriving "society" in earlier days and involved some wonderfully devoted people like Alice Woodley, Doreen Jensen and Cliff Rushton, but with the passage of time folk moved away and numbers dwindled. The Sunday School limped along for a year or two after Alice Woodley had to give it up, and then it faded away. At length, it was decided that Morrinsville was so close that folk from Tatuanui would worship there. Ngarua possesses what must be one of the loveliest country churches for miles around, but possibly because the district is almost equi-distant from Morrinsville, Te Aroha and Matamata, very few ever attended the local services during my time. At last, my Presbyterian colleague decided to withdraw and I followed not long after. The Page 37 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 increasing cost of petrol, the awful rush of getting there and finding on arrival a congregation of one, or two, or three, proved too much, and only the Anglican Church from Te Aroha continued with twice a month services there. I'll always be sad that that lovely church was not better used during my time there. I was heavily involved in Bible-in-Schools work throughout the District and at one time or another, I taught in every Primary School throughout the district except Waitoa, Ngarua and Motumaoho. It was demanding in terms of time and travel, but the country children in particular were delightful, and I loved it. I must pay a warm tribute here to the excellent work that Nancy Eastwood did at Mangateparu School and Mrs. Merson's work at Tahuna and Te Puninga. She was always a very willing reliever at many other places too. I valued the work of Eve Wooderson and Hazel Mundell in this special field as well. It was a great disappointment to me personally, when through a Ministers' Association decision, Bible in Schools teaching was discontinued in the two town Primary Schools. The dark spot in my Morrinsville ministry was the nervous breakdown which I suffered in the last three months of 1974. With a large Circuit to look after and a Stewardship Mission to prepare for, I was involved at the same time in a large amount of Conference work which entailed several trips to Christchurch working very long hours. Under the pressure of it all, I just cracked up! I shall always be grateful for the way the Church as a whole stood by me in those very depressing days, giving me four months leave and arranging for the Rev. Les Norwell of Cambridge to take the services. Looking back, however, I can be almost glad that it happened. I had always been a fairly ruggedly healthy sort of fellow and I learned from this experience what it was really like to be weak and helpless. I'm even grateful for the weeks I spent in Tokanui Hospital, an institution for which I have the greatest admiration. The standard of medical care I experienced there was quite outstanding and I met some mighty charming and helpful folk there as well. My Presbyterian colleague proved himself to be a true friend and he shouldered many of my public duties in a truly wonderful way. I shall always be grateful to him. The swiftness and completeness of my recovery was also aided by the unswerving devotion of my wife and family, and, I truly believe, by the prayers of many friends. I was walking down to the Church on the Sunday morning of which I was to start work again, when the Mayor Cliff Wiseley came across the road from St. Matthew's Church. With outstretched hand he greeted me: "Welcome back, Les! The Vicar prayed for you in Church this morning." I learned later that I had been publicly prayed for in pretty well every Church in town! I learned the hard way that you can't do when you're Hearing 60, what you could do with ease at 40, so ever since I've seen to it that I make time for reasonable leisure, something I had never been very good at before. That was 3 "A years ago (at the time Page 38 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 of writing May 1978) and I don't think I've had a really bad off-day since. For all of which I can sincerely say "thanks be to God." Morrinsville proved to be a wonderful place to come to, a marvellous place to serve God in and a mighty hard place to leave. Both of us will always remember it with deep affection. 1969 - 1972 The Rev Dr Robert Stringer Always Gumboots in the Boot If there was one thing that typified my ministry at Waitoa it was a pair of gumboots in the boot of the car. When I was visiting and I wanted to spend time with the men of the parish all I had to do was to put on the gumboots and go to the cow shed. I soon became adept at stripping, changing the cups and avoiding the mucky stuff.

Starting in 1969 I served for three years as a probationer at Waitoa. It was my introduction to ministry. Country life was a new experience along with the warmth of many conversations around the kitchen table. The main occupational hazard of being a rural minister was the many cups of tea offered and consumed. I can still remember arriving at Maurice and Diane Hight's farm and being asked what size cup of tea did I want. A small or a large cup? For some reason it must have been one of those days when I was very thirsty and said “a large cup thanks”. I was then presented with a cup as large as a soup bowl. Rural life was very challenging. I learnt many new skills, such as how to paper bedrooms in the manse, how to put air into the water pump when the pressure bowl became saturated, and the advantages of stacking the freezer with a half beast that had Page 39 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 been killed and butchered on a nearby farm. Being newly in the work force and with a working wife who was teaching at one of the local primary schools we had to run two cars. Luckily the next door neighbour was a mechanic and together we spent many hours keeping old cars going. First an old Hillman that seemed to have square wheels and then a humpback Standard Vanguard with a Ferguson tractor engine. It seemed indestructible. And then there were the enjoyable recreational pursuits such as water skiing on the Waikato River or exploring the old gold mines on Mount Te Aroha. There was also the vegetable garden, which with the help of a good supply of cow manure grew great vegetables especially pumpkins. I can still remember working in the garden the day that the American astronauts first landed on the moon. Waitoa at that time consisted of a number of scattered small churches from Ngarua, in the south through Waitoa to Springdale, Tahuna, and out to the house church at Miedema's farm near Te Puninga. I leamt to keep the sermon short so that a number of services could be packed into the one Sunday morning. When sometimes there were only a couple of people who turned up we often had a great discussion and a time of prayer together. I enjoyed the humour of the area. One day when there were only a couple of people at a service I was told the joke about the minister who when a farmer and the organist turned up to a service, the minister asked the farmer whether he wanted a service. The farmer replied "that is what I came for". So the minister put on the whole works and they struggled through the usual four hymn sandwich and a sermon. As the farmer left the service he said to the minister "when I go out to feed the cows and in a paddock I find only one cow, I don't drop the whole bloody load". Being part of the Morrinsville Methodist Circuit meant that the minister also took services in the other preaching places in the parish along with the superintendent the Rev Les Gilmore. In the three years from 1969-1971 there was tremendous ecumenical co-operation. Ngarua and Springdale were community churches where the services were taken by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches in turn. Usually on the fourth Sunday it was designated a combined service, often with a shared ministry. At Waitoa we alternated between the Presbyterian and Methodist ministers. There was good co- operation with the Rev Duncan Hercus, the Presbyterian minister from Te Aroha. There was also considerable contact with the Rev Brian Scott and Rev Canon Pitman the Anglican ministers also based in Te Aroha. Because the ecumenical co-operation included scripture classes in schools the minister at Waitoa would attend the ministers' fraternal in Morrinsville as well as Te Aroha. At that time there was also good fellowship with the clergy of the Catholic Church in Te Aroha. There were two young Catholic priests Fr Tony Petersen and Fr Gary Harrison. The former Fr Tony was exiled from Auckland because he had taken part in anti- Vietnam war protests. He was under orders from the Bishop not to speak to the media or take part in demonstrations. I learnt a lot from those two who were at that time very social justice oriented.

Page 40 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 I was invited to be part of an ecumenical Christian Family Movement (CFM) group meeting in the Te Aroha-Waitoa area. The CFM was a radical Christian family movement encouraging couples to be committed to their church, their family and justice in the community where they lived and overseas. On one occasion I attended a meeting of this movement in Auckland and was asked by a priest where did I come from? I answered from Waitoa. He replied "I didn't know that we had a priest in Waitoa". I replied "no you don't but the Methodists have". With these connections I can remember attending anti Vietnam war rallies in Hamilton and protesting against the South African life saving team at Waihi Beach. The last I heard of these two priests. Tony was teaching somewhere in Asia and Gary was working for CORSO. Those were the days of the Church Union debates. I can remember attending the briefings in Hamilton and other places. My main memory was looking at the people assembled and noting that I was one of the youngest there. I also wondered what was the big deal and why couldn't we get on with the process. This has been important for me as all of my ministry since then has been in the United Church in the Solomon Islands and the Uniting Church in Australia. The worship life was central to the life of the church in each of the communities. I note from my register of services at the time that we often had up to 60 people at our Waitoa services. The average was more like 23. In Springdale and Tahuna we often had up to 30 or more people attending, especially when there were special services such as a baptism or a harvest festival. When we dedicated a new organ at Tahuna in 1970 there were over 50 people present. There must have been a large number of children at Tahuna because I noted that at the Sunday School anniversary in 1970 we had 30 adults and 40 children. This was very much the result of the tremendous work of Loris and Des Jensen. Those were the days when we experimented in what was called modern worship. This generally meant the use of modem hymns other than the Methodist Hymn book, readings and meditations in an attempt to communicate the gospel in a contemporary context. Those were the days of Michael Quoist and some experimental orders of communion put out by the Methodist Church. I can remember using the Rev Ormond Burton's epic narrative poem entitled Born of the Virgin Mary one advent service and experiencing quite a hostile reaction because this was so different from the usual presentation of the Christmas story. One of the most spectacular worship events I ever participated in was a combined service in Te Aroha on Good Friday in 1970. It took the form of a modern presentation of the stations of the cross under the title 'Calvary via Whitaker Street'. Almost 500 people attended. The first station was Jesus being condemned to death and a reflection on how easily we condemn unjustly people who are different. We had a number of bikies turn up and rev their motor bikes on the edge of the crowd. The crowd literally bristled with rage. It was so realistic that a traffic officer, who had not been told that they were part of the event, stopped them and told them to pull over and not to make so much noise.

Page 41 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 On the way to the second station the crowd passed a man having problems with his car and a 'down and out' in the gutter. This was the station where Jesus accepts his cross ... but our cross is no cross of wood. Do we see the challenges we see and meet here and now. Did we stop and offer help? An 11-foot cross in two sections was carried through the street until the final station. On the way we had a car with a loud speaker system playing He ain't heavy he is my brother. When Jesus met his Mother we had a dialogue between mother and son indicating the generational gap between parents and children. Even the teenagers in the crowd felt that their concerns were being included. The climax to the 60-minute 'happening' occurred on a vacant lot opposite the main Post Office where the cross was erected. Here we nailed to the cross placards with words such as 'I am hungry and you offered me a pill is that enough', I am thirsty you considered my plight is that enough?, I am a stranger you sent me to a government institution was that enough? I needed clothes you sent me to CORSO was that enough? I was in prison and you called for more prisons is that enough? The "crucifixion" from Jesus Christ Superstar was played and a voice said "God forgive them they don't know what they're doing. Who is my mother? Where is my mother? My God! My God have you forgotten me?" Then the verses from Matthew 25:34-36 were read and the posters were torn down from the cross one by one and replaced by a large illustrated poster which said 'He's not heavy He is my brother'. After a final prayer together we ended singing the song The Impossible Dream. The event made the evening news on Auckland TV. In another attempt to discuss faith in a modem context, I remember using Andrew Lloyd Weber's Jesus Christ Superstar as a basis for discussion when it first became available. I can distinctly remember Vie Sealey who was the circuit steward at the time saying "I don't know about that". Vie was exceptional as he was always willing to learn and we went on to have considerable discussion about the musical and its implication for communicating our faith in Jesus Christ. There was a distinct division between the farming families and the families who lived in the village and worked at the milk factory at Waitoa. I remember well that we often had interesting discussions sitting around the kitchen table of one of the families near the factory. Somehow over the morning a group of women would grow until there were quite a number present or had passed through during the morning. On the basis of this experience we started a new women's group that would meet at the church for discussion on topical issues. We would bring in special speakers and also ran a creche to look after the children. There was always lively discussion. However the members of the local Methodist Women's Fellowship were horrified and called a special leaders meeting to discuss this venture. As a young 24 year old I was probably very brash in my attempt to bring in new ideas and make connections about the issues and people who were part of the community at the time. I remember my time in the Morrinsville parish as a very formative one in my Page 42 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 faith journey and I still have fond memories of the many people who in their generosity opened their homes and lives to my ministry. For this I will always be thankful. I will never see a pair of Wellington boots without remembering the people of the parish. Robert Stringer served three probationary years at I Waitoa before being ordained in November 1971 at the Methodist Conference in Wellington. From I Waitoa he went on to be a Minister with the United \ Church in the Solomon Islands. On his return in 1978 he moved to Perth in Western Australia where he became the Synod Consultant for World Mission ; and Social Justice for nine years. After a short ministry in the Northern suburbs of Perth he returned to University for further study and then in 1992 became the National Director for Social Responsibility and Justice with the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Sydney. At present he is the Executive Officer of the Settlement Neighbourhood Centre providing services for Aboriginal families in the inner city suburbs of Redfern in Sydney. 1976-1980 The Rev Irwin Fowler

At the time of writing this history, the Rev. Irwin Fowler was unwell and was unable to contribute his memories of his ministry in Morrinsville. Mr Fowler was well liked and respected and his ministry was very much valued by the people of Morrinsville. 1981 The Rev Harry Shaw I have very warm memories of my time with you, even though it was only for one year. It was a busy time as I was Minister of Cambridge Union Church at the same time. Apart from my visits to your homes, two things stand out in my memory. There were strong moves to do something with your buildings but no consensus on what would be the best move. I can remember a Trust meeting where we took a straw vote. Eight members were present and we had four proposals before us. The vote was a stalemate. Two members voting for each of the four proposals. Finally, after some Page 43 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 strategic moves, we decided to proceed with the new hall as far as finance would take us. Knowing the character of the Morrinsville people, I realised that that would mean keeping going until the whole job was completed. And so it was. You ended up with your new buildings. A great achievement. The other memory was of a more personal nature. On my way to Morrinsville one Stewardship Sunday, I had an attack of appendicitis. I had to admit from the pulpit that I was in some pain. We completed the Service and the Stewardship procedures afterward and then I headed for Cambridge. I didn't realise that the road between was so bumpy. Every bump registered with some agony until I got to the doctor. I was on the operating table at 2.30pm that afternoon. We got the job done! Many thanks for the way you received me and the contribution which you made to my Ministry during my time with you. 1982 - 1990 The Rev Trevor Bennett In February 1982, we arrived in Morrinsville and, in the nine years until retirement at the end of 1990, thoroughly enjoyed and valued our association with the people of the parish. When we arrived, building of the new Church Centre was already in progress and working alongside the volunteers on the job proved a wonderful way of getting to know people and to identify with Morrinsville. Who will forget the moment when the old hall (the previous Church) was demolished or the rejoicing a year or so later when we celebrated the clearing of the debt. The new Centre not only provided a practical facility, but also encouraged a spirit of hope and of confidence to move forward.

Perhaps one of the outstanding events of our stay was "God Awareness Week," when all the churches combined to witness to the presence of God in every part of life. All sorts of events took place -sporting, social, recreational, inspirational, devotional – Page 44 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 from indoor cricket matches to street evangelism, from garden visits to major combined worship services and community picnics. All spoke of a God who is not remote and irrelevant, but present and involved and of a life richly to be enjoyed. For several years, Morrinsville enjoyed an annual Christmas Parade and the Methodist Church entered floats that spoke of "the reason for the season". We hoped that people got the message, but the team effort in creating our "masterpieces" was itself valuable. Ecumenical relations in the area were always good and some excellent worship services and combined events took place. But the modern facilities created by each of the major denominations made closer commitment difficult. Previously, I had worked as an Industrial Chaplain and believed this work to be extremely valuable so, while at Morrinsville, I was happy to work toward further developing chaplaincy in the Waikato and was deeply involved in the establishing of a Waikato Region of what was then the Inter-Church Trade and Industry Mission - now Workplace Support. I was grateful to the parish for allowing me the freedom to work in the area and for an understanding of my responsibilities as the Methodist District Secretary for five years. Finally, though, it is people rather than programmes or events that one remembers. Eleven people served as Parish Stewards and so many others gave service in many areas in those nine years and we deeply appreciated such devotion. Yet it is not only what people did, but what people were that one remembers. Always there was so much love and tolerance; always there were saintly older people to whom one could turn, my mothers and fathers in God. For them all, I shall remain ever grateful. 1990- 2002 The Rev Paul Sinclair After twelve enjoyable years with the Morrinsville Methodist parish, the system finally caught up with us and more than suggested that it was time to be re-stationed.

Page 45 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 To begin at the beginning which is always a good place to start. When at Trinity College, I was given a student supply for 3 weeks during the August Vacations and the circuit was Morrinsville when Rev. Les Gilmore was minister. I had often suggested to Lynne that Morrinsville would be a good appointment to retire from. That nearly happened! Better still we were stationed here when our children Steffan and Fiona were in their developing years. So we were able to share life as a family and played a full part in the life of the parish. When we moved from Dunedin we were unsure if rural New Zealand would be able to meet our total family needs. We were delighted that it did and more. Lynne who was a midwife was able to continue being based at Rhoda Read Maternity. She has now developed into a Children's Ear Nurse Specialist. Steffan and Fiona were able to develop their skills and enjoyment in community activities. Both were in the Morrinsville Te Aroha Community Orchestra, Piako Brass and Fiona in the Little Theatre. I also enjoyed being involved with Rotary and the Community house. Highlights were the people activities, house groups, lunches, potluck teas, mid-winter and Christmas Dinners. Seems like we enjoyed all the food things. During those twelve years we withdrew from involvement with the Patetonga Church and closed Tahuna, these are always nostalgic times. We also refreshed the interior of the church. We look back with warmth and affection at our time in the parish and community and wish you all well for the future.

Page 46 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Church Music Methodism was born in song. The Methodists are certainly a singing people and the Morrinsville people are no exception. Like most places, the Choir has had its flourishing times and then at times has ceased to be. We have been dependent on the talent that offers and the availability of choirmasters and mistresses. In 1953 there were nearly 20 members. At this time, Choir Sunday was well established when the choir presented a cantata or some other special music and the lead the choir gave in the musical life and worship of the church was greatly appreciated by all. The Junior Choir was also active and gave faithful and valuable service in morning worship. John Walsh remembers the junior choir singing every Sunday morning during the service and the weekly practice sessions. Some of the choir leaders that spring to mind. Merle Fausett, John Searle, Bert Vyie and Esther Hoist (junior choir). In the 1980s the new hymn book 'With One Voice' was introduced. At one stage in the 1990s new members were sought for the singing group. Paul Sinclair will always be remembered for his request in the bulletin for more members for the "sinning group" and Marg Adamson for her immediate response "count me in!" Now in 2003 the choir is still a singing group which comes together to prepare music for special occasions. Over the past few years this group has been led by our very talented and long-serving organist Glenis Westbury. Church music has also been enhanced in recent years by the contributions of our trumpet players Jack Bennett and Steffan Sinclair and our sharing in the development of Fiona Sinclair's singing talent. The choir masters and choir mistresses of former years would find our present music very different and yet in many ways very much the same as we continue to sing our praises to God. Choirmasters and Mistresses Mr H Turnbull Mr J T Osborne Mr E K Partington Mr L Buchan Mr P Cooper Mrs C Hart Mr L A Wattam Mrs E Mudford Merle Fausett Glenis Westbury The Organ "A Pipe Organ is more than an instrument to make music. It is a work of art". Months of planning and fund raising by church members made the purchase and installation of the organ possible, the cost being around £2,000. It was an exhaust pneumatic instrument with 672 pipes. An electric motor below the church floor drives

Page 47 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 a compressor which fills the big bellows designed to feed air to the pipes. These are fashioned from lead, tin and antimony alloys and carefully glued woods. A screen hides the organ's pipes and mechanical features.

Organist Glenis Westbury 1962-9 The organ has an interesting history. Built in London by Hill and Son, it was originally part of the main organ installed in the Christchurch Cathedral in 1889. In 1928 the old organ was taken down and made into three smaller ones, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington receiving one section. It is this part of the old instrument which is now in Morrinsville.

Page 48 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Midday Friday June 1, 1962 saw the dismantled organ unloaded at Morrinsville. No doubt there were many who surveyed the parts taking up the entire space of the Choir Vestry, parlour and entrance porch, who wondered how the instrument could ever be put together again. Mr George Sanders of G Croft and Son, Auckland, began the intricate task of installation on Tuesday June 18. Throughout the job he was greatly helped by Mr H McWha and many voluntary helpers and skilled tradesmen. The organ was finally ready for dedication on Sunday July 22. Tuning had taken over 6 hours with Mr Sanders checking and re-checking until he was completely satisfied. On the evening of Saturday 21 July Peter Avert, organist and choir master at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Wellington gave the first recital on the organ assisted by violinist Sandra Avcri. The programme included works by Buxtehude, Handel, John Stanley, Haydn, Vivaldi. Cesar Franck, Bach, Vaughan Williams, and Samuel Sebastian Wesley. Mr Avert was also the guest organist for the dedication service the following morning, providing a recital of music before the service, and the impressive Boellmann Toccata as the retiring voluntary. Mr W G Cranna was the guest organist for the evening service. In a letter to The Rev. W. Laws following the recital Peter Averi wrote: "George Sanders has really done an exceptional job on the organ I feel sure that maintenance costs over the next few years will be negligible, as he has taken such trouble over renewing worn parts and cleaning the mechanism. It has been a great thrill for me to have had a small part in the negotiations and installation of the organ and a sense of relief too, to find that the organ fitted in the available space so perfectly." After the organ was installed a number of organists including Dianne Rushton, Mrs Jenny Buchan, Maurice Hight, Nancy Eastwood, Mrs Laws, Jennifer Hight, John Parker and Glenis Westbury all received organ lessons from Bill Cranna. In 1975 it became necessary for the organ to undergo a major overhaul and modernisation. This included the installation of a new wind chamber and conversion from pneumatic valve action to electro-magnetic action. A new pedal board was also installed. Following completion of this work a recital was held on 11 October 1975 to demonstrate the capabilities of the organ. The soloist was Mr Arthur Reid of Auckland and the Takapuna Methodist Church Choir also performed. Several recitals have taken place since then with talented New Zealand organists performing. Further work needs to be undertaken on the organ and planning is underway for a series of organ recitals in 2004 to begin to raise the funds necessary. In the meantime, however, the organ continues to give a wonderful and inspiring, even if occasionally temperamental, lead to the music of worship. We give thanks to God for the dedicated service of our many skilled organists over the years.

Page 49 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Organists Miss M Pickett Mr Rigden Miss A Holloway Mrs D Jones Miss M Gant Miss B Jones Miss Snell Mrs H Fauvel Miss Susan Warren Miss D Clothier Miss L Best Miss B Clothier Miss V Brayshaw Mrs R Dunphy Miss M Jones Mr L A Wattam Miss R Jones Mrs R Hart Mr Hankey Mrs E Mudford Miss 0 Westlake Mrs C Hart Miss Marjory dark Mrs Jenny Buchan Mrs K Leach Mrs Bev Page Mr John Parker Miss Jennifer Hight Mrs Vema Chalmers Mr Keith Amy Mr Stan Clarke Mr Geoffrey Roberts Mrs Elva Bennett Mr Harold Shcrson Mrs Helen Fitness Mr Bill Cranna Mrs Glenis Westbury (1962 -)

Page 50 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Sunday School The first Sunday School was conducted by Mrs W S Allen and through the years there have been a succession of competent Superintendents, who, with the staff, have been able to lead the children in the things of God and God's Kingdom. Children have always been children and at times they were not easy to control. The method one teacher used to deal with "difficult lads" was to tie them to the seats with a piece of cord or even the belt of his overcoat!

Morrinsville Sunday School 1924 In the 1953 Jubilee Book it was reported that roll numbers had been fairly constant through the years "we have had as many children as we could reasonably handle within the limited space at our disposal." There was good co-operation with the Anglican Church who allowed the Methodists to use their parish hall on Sunday afternoons for the primary Department. Olive Money recalls that "the highlights in the Sunday School year were the Sunday School Anniversary followed by a Sunday School tea, concert and prize giving. Each year we had the opportunity of sitting a Sunday School exam organised by the Auckland Sunday School Union or the Methodist Church Youth Department. We had verses of Scripture to memorise and had to be able to answer questions on set stories of the Bible. Pupils from our Sunday School usually did very well and were quite high on the prize list." Page 51 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 The writer of the 50th Jubilee Booklet commented "large numbers of children pass through our school and although the number finally received into church membership seems to be small, we feel that what has been taught to the children cannot all be lost." When the new church was built, the old church became available to the Sunday School and the staff at the time looked forward to having better equipment and more space for classes. John Walsh recalls in the 1950s when his mother taught her pupils at Sunday School to make slings during a lesson on David and Goliath. She was most embarrassed to read in the local newspaper of the police concerns of children in Morrinsville making slings. He also comments "there were the Sunday School Attendance Registers on the wall where all of the children were given a sticker each time we attended. After so many stickers we got a wall chart with a little bible verse on it. When we had accumulated four small charts we were given a big picture frame sized wall chart." The Sunday School Anniversary and nativity re-enactments performed each year with the children sitting on planks held up with scaffolding up the front of the church, and the movie sessions Keith Amy showed in the hall depicting news from the overseas mission fields and the cartoons for the children were also highlights of the 1950s. Other memories include "the Scripture Union Exams we were encouraged to take each year; the Sunday School picnics at the Crystal Hot Springs near Matamata, the running races, sack races, egg races and three legged races, along with the great picnic lunches, orange drinks and lolly scrambles." John particularly remembers "Lex Johnston taking us older boys for a walk up Thompsons Track one Saturday to observe plant and bird life and observing my first wild pigeon." Over the years the Sunday School roll fluctuated but in 1978 the roll stood at 45. A roster system was worked by some 20 teachers with each taking a 6 week session. A Family Service was held between each session. In 1978 a number of Anglican children joined the Sunday School and some of the parents also became involved in teaching. During the 1990s the Sunday School was ably led by Lynne Sinclair assisted more recently by Fiona. Sunday School attendance continues to fluctuate and at the present time the numbers are very small. We look back nostalgically to the days of full classrooms, but recognise that changes in society and in the demands made on families make it much more difficult for them to be involved. The Church is continuing to look for ways to keep in touch with these younger ones as they are a very important part of the life of the congregation. Sunday School teaching is a particular skill and we give thanks for all those dedicated teachers who served the Sunday School over the years. Page 52 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Sunday School Superintendents Mrs W S Allen , Messrs S Gillies, Hirst, J Dalton, W Richards, W Roberts, E V Willis, C A French, J Roberts, G E Beswick, W Pickett, C F Lindsey, G Johnson, W T Evans, Forbes West, L Jones, Miss N M Jensen, Miss E Hetherington, Mr P Rushton, Mr F Griffin, Lex Johnston, Colin Brightwell, Sid Roberts, Olive Money, Graham Eastwood, Barry Parsons, and Nancy Eastwood. Sunday School Pageant 1994

Page 53 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Christian Endeavour Society and Bible Class/Youth Group Just when the Christian Endeavour Society was formed in this Circuit is not known, but the earliest record we have is dated May 7th, 1912. During the period it operated it appears to have been quite a lively society. Just when it ceased to be is not known. In 1918 a Wesley Guild was formed, but it does not appear to have functioned for much beyond a year. These were the forerunners of the Bible Class movement, which must have begun in Morrinsville in the early twenties, and has continued with the usual ups and downs. At times the numbers have been small and the work disappointing, but to those who have kept in close touch, the work has been most rewarding. To Mrs H Money, Miss E Hetherington and Mr G E Beswick many young people owe a deep debt of gratitude for their wise and capable leadership over many years. The Church has been represented at various camps throughout the district, and many look back on those camps as turning points in their lives. The camp facilities were often very basic but the friendships made at those camps lasted for many years. In 1953 there were three Bible Classes with a total roll number of 34. A more recent innovation was the formation of a Youth Club, which had a membership of 35. This catered for the social life of our older young people and was quite popular. Neville Westbury led the Youth Group between 1959 and 1961. This was held on Saturday nights with attendance ranging from 25 to 80. One special event in 1961 was in combination with the Youth Group from the Brethren Assembly when 2 busloads went off at 4am for a day at Mt Ruapehu ski fields. About 1962 the late Harold Richardson took over running the Youth Group for several years. When Harold stepped down, Neville and Glenis Westbury took up this role again. Bob Teal was also a leader at this time. In 1968-69 Graham Eastwood took over the leadership of a Bible Class Group after Lex Johnston went farming. Meetings were held at the Parsonage because of lack of accommodation elsewhere. After the Gilmores arrived the group moved to the Hall and the meeting night was changed to a Friday and followed by a games session. Memories from the 1960s include: • The deep discussions on Monday evenings at the parsonage when the senior bible class met with the Reverend Frank Parker, the lessons taken from a study book written by the Reverend Eric Hames and at the conclusion each night going to the Vallers' as a group to play table tennis and snooker for the remainder of the evening.

Page 54 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 • The bible class camps at Epworth over Easter. • The CYMM (Christian Youth Movement Methodist) and the active part it played in the Morrinsville circuit organising dances, church youth services, annual trips to the snow (often two bus loads), car rallies, sport competitions and exchange weekends with other CYMM branches and the active involvement it had in raising charitable funds; Corso, Operation 21 are two that spring to mind. • The youth of our church travelling to our elderly parishioners in their homes singing Christmas carols and the look of joy on their faces as we did so. • Rev Gusts' "mini car". The time the youth had a sausage sizzle at the Waitoa parsonage garage one Saturday evening, and a group of those present picked his car up and half turned it across the garage door. When he went to drive to Waitoa Church the next morning to conduct the service he had to run because he couldn't get his car out. Worship was a little late that Sunday morning. In the early 1980s Nancy and Graham Eastwood were again involved in Bible Class leadership with both a Senior and Junior Group running. Some of the highlights of these years were weekend camps at the Walsh bach at Mount Maunganui, the raft race at Epworth Camp and two fishing trips to Whiritoa. Friday night games evenings were run through until the end of the 1980s. These were fun times playing badminton, table tennis, draughts, chess and other board games at the centre with many people not involved with the church family joining in. In 1989 Tony Westbury began leading a small group and some attended Youth Trek, Easter Camps and July Rally at Epworth Camp. Annual car rallies also provided lots of fun. Tony was also very involved in youth work at a District level. After Tony left Morrinsville, Paul and Lynne Sinclair picked up the leadership of the Youth Group. Unfortunately Youth Group is now in recess due to lack of numbers.

Page 55 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 The Ladies Guild Although the records go back only to 1926 so far as the Guild is concerned we know that the first guild was formed during the ministry of the Rev. T N Griffin. During the years the ladies have been instrumental in raising considerable sums of money for the Trust and other funds of the Church. The annual Sale of Work has been a feature for many years and has been given various names such as All Nations Fair, Rainbow Fair, Coronation Fair and Christmas Fair.

Ladies'Guild 1925 from the left. Back row: Mesdames W Hogg, H Money, F Saunders, W Lowry, G W Brayshaw, W Johnstone, . G F Oates, J West. Middle row: Mesdames W G Abercrombie, C Manuel, F Pickett, F Greenwood, E Partington, H Gant, T Westlake, E D Snell. Front row: Miss Gibson, Edna Money, Mrs J Maber. The first Bank Note and Silver Tree was organised through the Guild and held towards the end of 1932, the proceeds amounting to £135 for Circuit Funds. Apparently the ladies used their ingenuity to raise funds and at a social held in 1931 entrance was by payment of one penny per inch of waistline. Cordial relationships with the ladies' organisations of the sister churches have existed over many years and from time to time Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans and Methodists have exchanged visits.

Page 56 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 The Guild has always taken a keen interest in Church life and has demonstrated that in practical ways. At times the responsibility of cleaning the Church has been their lot; they have always attended to the floral decorations and have taken part in raising funds for improvements such as the heating of the church, covering of seats, improvements in the kitchen and furnishings. During the time of economic depression they helped to ease the burden of many people, particularly mothers and children. Gifts of food and clothing were made to needy families, clothing was sent to orphanages and they assisted at the local depot for the unemployed. During World War II they assisted in the Red Cross shop, knitted for soldiers, wrote to the local boys overseas and forwarded parcels to the value of over £170. From January 1941 until March 1945 parcels were dispatched monthly and Mrs Parr was ably assisted by a keen band of workers. After the War the good work was continued by sending food parcels to England. Mrs J West, who was convener of the Committee, received scores of appreciative letters from those who have received gifts. The ladies played a worthy part in the community life by sharing in the various street appeals that were made for worthy organisations. The older people of the church were, from time to time, honoured, and from 1938 the Guild was responsible for the conducting of the morning service on Mother's Day. Through the years the Guild has met a real need in the life of the Church and community and has been the means of providing Fellowship and spiritual stimulus for those who attend the meetings. With the amalgamation of the Guilds and the Missionary Auxiliary at local level in 1962, and later at national level, the era of the guild came to an end, but the work and commitments are still carried on under the name of the Morrinsville Methodist Women's Fellowship. Presidents Mrs F Greenwood 1922-25 Mrs E E Sage 1925-30 Mrs FG Brown 1930-35 Mrs A A Bensley 1935-39 Mrs W Hogg 1939-42 Mrs A Carr 1947-48 Mrs J West 1948-49 Mrs G Thompson 1949 - 52 Mrs E G Hindman 1952-54 Mrs H K Brown 1954-57 Mrs G E Fausett 1957-62

Page 57 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Secretaries Mrs F Pickett -1927 Mrs L Osbome 1927-28 Mrs F Pickett 1928-31 Mrs W Hogg 1931-35 Mrs Baillie 1935-37 Mrs Ireland 1937-38 Mrs W Hogg 1938-39 Mrs L Brayshaw 1939 - 47 Mrs G Fausett 1949-52 Mrs P D Simpson 1952-57 Mrs I B Barker 1957-62 Treasurers Mrs E K Partington - 1926 Mrs L Brayshaw 1926 - 28 Mrs W Harden 1928-29 Mrs G F Oates 1929-35 Mrs O W Martin 1935-42 Mrs W Hogg 1942-44 Mrs H Money 1944-50 Mrs R Bradley 1950-53 Mrs J Williams 1953 Missionary Auxilliary In July 1930 a Missionary Auxiliary was formed with Mrs F G Brown as President, Mrs H Money, Secretary and Mrs W Timmins, Treasurer. Throughout the years it functioned very satisfactorily and was instrumental in raising several hundreds of pounds for the Home and Foreign Mission work of the Church, besides assisting the Deaconesses with finance and material and generally extending the missionary spirit in our Church life. The Auxiliary made annual visits to the Tahuna and Waitoa Gleaners Groups and helped in those areas to foster and maintain the Missionary interest. In 1951 an evening Gleaners group was inaugurated known as the Evening Circle. This became very popular, enabling young mothers and working women to share fellowship together. Visiting and local speakers brought a wealth of information and inspiration to the ladies who worked hard and unselfishly to raise funds for the general Missionary work and the various special objectives that were presented from time to time. Mrs L Lindeman was for many years Stamp Secretary and handled thousands of stamps sorting, cleaning and packing and made an excellent contribution to the Auxiliary. While we list those who have held office of President, Secretary and Treasurer, tribute must be paid to those Vice-Presidents, Gleaners Secretaries, Depot Page 58 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Managers, Treasurers of other funds and the District Council Representatives, all of whom rendered valuable service. In 1962 the decision was made to amalgamate the Guild and the Missionary Auxiliary and this valuable work has been continued by the Methodist Women's Fellowship. Presidents Mrs F G Brown 1930-35 Mrs A A Bensley 1935-39 Mrs H Cannon 1939-40 Mrs J L Mitchell 1940-42 Mrs H Cannon 1942-44 Mrs J West 1944-46 Mrs H Fauvel 1946-51 Mrs G K Rodda 1951-55 Mrs S Rushton 1955-60 Mrs M C Death 1960-61 Secretaries Mrs H Money 1930-41 Mrs D Jones 1941-44 Mrs H Fauvel 1944-46 Mrs R Hazlehurst 1946 - 51 Mrs A S Telfer 1951-52 Mrs P Cooper 1952-53 Mrs A S Telfer 1953-57 Mrs H Fauvel 1957-58 Mrs M Walsh 1958-62 Treasurers Mrs W Timmins 1930 - 33 Mrs E Parr 1933-40 Mrs P Cooper 1940-45 Mrs A Carr 1945-48 Mrs G Fausett 1948-51 Mrs H Daines 1951

Page 59 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Methodist Women’s Fellowship In February 1962 a special meeting of the Ladies Guild and the Women's Missionary Auxiliary was held with the intention of combining the women's groups within the Circuit. The decision to combine was unanimous and the Morrinsville Women's Fellowship was formed. This consisted of the afternoon group, evening circle and Tatuanui. Mrs O Barker was Chairwoman of the combined executive for many years. Missionary interest was maintained by the appointment of conveners who kept in contact with those on active service. The fellowship was deeply involved in the caring of the sick, needy and elderly folk, especially within our own church family. Visits were made with flowers, fruit and cakes. Personal laundry was attended to for the patients of the Geriatric hospital and many women assisted with transport to and from the day care centre. The Evening Fellowship had the responsibility of caring for the younger mothers and children; visiting the maternity hospital regularly, organising a creche and arranging activities such as the Cradle Roll Christmas Party. The Annual Fair was the main money raising feature of the year, with months of effort resulting in hundreds of garments and novelties for sale. Cake stalls, jumble sales, luncheons and a monthly sales table were also well supported. Many gave unstintingly to the "Bank Note Tree." The Parsonage Building Fund received generous support from the fellowship as did furnishings for Wesley Hall and the Church. One of the major undertakings was the financial support of the church organ fund. With our sister churches we shared cordial relations and participated in the ongoing association of the All Churches' Women's Committee. Fellowship was affiliated to the local branch of the National Council of Women and the Crippled Children Society. Members also attended Waikato District Fellowship Quarterly meetings. Devotions and Worship in each group had a special place and much thought wass centred on this aspect. The motto "to know Christ and to make Him known" serves to remind all that we meet in the name of the Lord. Evening Fellowship 1951 - 78

Presidents Secretaries Mrs J Fausett Mrs N Foster Mrs K Leach Mrs J Lawson Mrs J Badcock Mrs O Barker

Page 60 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Mrs A Ramage Mrs C Griffin Mrs E Carter Mrs M Hutchins Mrs J Harper Mrs C Johnston Mrs N Eastwood Mrs T Oldham Mrs P Sealey Mrs E Rosser Mrs N Bradbum Mrs G Westbury Mrs J Blanchett Mrs B Taylor Mrs T Oldham Mrs E Webster Mrs G O'Neill Mrs H Larsen Mrs W Scott Mrs B Ford Mrs G Westbury Mrs S Good Mrs G Parsons Mrs I Fowler Mrs M Laurence Afternoon Fellowship 1962 -1978 Presidents Secretaries Mrs B Forbes Mrs M Walsh Mrs J Fausett Mrs O Barker Mrs M Walsh Mrs A Clothier Mrs K Leach Mrs J Fausett Mrs B Westbury Mrs O Barker Mrs M Clubb Mrs N Eastwood Mrs C Griffin Mrs M Soper Mrs C Griffin Mrs E Bennett

Garage Sales At our first garage sale in the 1980s there was such a crowd in the hall you could scarcely move. People had been waiting outside and the queue stretched down as far as the bowsers at the garage. That sale raised over $4000. Approximately 20 years later we are still running these very successfully. One wonders each year where all the saleable items come from. While the garage sales are often seen simply as fund raising events, there is also a strong sense of fun and fellowship experienced by all the workers.

Page 61 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Men’s Fellowship In common with other areas the fortunes of our own Men's Fellowship continued to fluctuate. Formed in 1934, it lapsed after a few years of activity. In 1951 a fresh start was made with quite a strong membership. Interesting speakers led the men in their thinking. Although the average attendance was not as great as it might have been, the Fellowship catered for the needs of our men. They very willingly organised a number of Church activities and functions and assisted with others. The Annual Men's Fellowship Service, conducted by the members was much appreciated and revealed considerable talent in our midst. Unfortunately the group went into recess in the late 1950s. During the later part of the Rev. Bill Laws' ministry an enthusiastic group was set going under the leadership of Vie Leach, with Laurie Cotter as Secretary. It was refreshing to have a willing and active group of devoted churchmen to help in various cases of hardship or sickness. Vic and Laurie both moved south to Taranaki and Milton Mundell took over the Presidency, supported by Murray Hight and later by Gordon Rosser as Secretary. During this period Wesley Hall was filled to capacity on several occasions. Of particular interest was an address by the late Stipendiary Magistrate, Steward Hardy, drawing an audience of over 70 men representing all the churches in Morrinsville. Maurice Hight capably led the group for several years with George Soper as Secretary. The Rev. Les Gilmore spurred the fellowship into action again when sincere efforts were made to form a Combined Churches Group. Kay Sing loyally led the group for some time and several successful projects were completed. After the Men's Fellowship closed in the 1980s Focus Groups began. These were for both men and women and met monthly for a time of fellowship together, as well as to hear a guest speaker.

Page 62 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Study/House Groups Study groups have obviously been a very important part of the life of the Church. In 1976 many people from our congregation attended "Life in the Spirit" Seminars at the Anglican Church. These seminars had a significant impact on the lives of many of our church people. It was through the experiences of attending these seminars that people decided to meet regularly for fellowship. The group began when someone said to Graham and Nancy Eastwood "We are coming to your place on Sunday evening. What are you going to do about it?" In those early years up to 20 met on Sunday nights as well as a group meeting during the week at Joyce Larsen's home. Many other people have hosted groups over the years including Graham and Nancy Eastwood, Neville and Glenis Westbury, Eve Wooderson, Joan Goodare, Betty Westbury, Val Forsyth and Victor & Edith Sealey. At first the groups met weekly but from 1992 this became fortnightly. Those attending the groups found warm pastoral care, intellectual stimulation and opportunities for spiritual growth in an encouraging and supportive environment. There are still two active groups meeting in 2003 where people can share their thoughts, their doubts and their beliefs in a warm and non-threatening atmosphere.

Young Mothers Coffee Mornings A group for mothers of pre-school children was started in the mid-eighties. Its aim was to provide fellowship and mental stimulation for busy young mums. Childcare centres were only an idea at this stage! A creche was provided so the members could relax and concentrate while the various speakers introduced discussion ideas, various crafts and information from organisations e.g. ways to save money on your electricity account. The group continued successfully for approximately seven years, by which time the children were starting school and societal changes meant many women went back to work.

Page 63 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Full Time Service Over the years quite a number have gone from the Morrinsville Church to spend varying periods in the full time work of the Church. Lucy Money God's Care is Unfailing: His Timing is Always Right I was brought up in the Methodist Church and I loved to listen to the stories of missionaries on deputation and to see their lantem slides. I was 10 years old when, at a service lead by Rev. Tom Dent, I knew that God was calling me to be a missionary in the Solomon Islands.

I finished Form 6 when I was 15. It was the beginning of the big Depression. Workers were being brought home from the Solomons, not sent out. I was too young to start nursing training, teacher training or attend university. There seemed no way I could start preparing for missionary work. So I continued with other work and activities, but still believed that God's call would be confirmed. In 1940, a friend asked me to go and work with her in the YWCA in Christchurch, mainly running teenage girls' clubs. World War II had started and again missionaries were being evacuated from the Solomons. In February 1943 the Methodist Conference was held in Christchurch. At the Missionary Meeting the main speaker was the Rev. John Metcalfe, who had not left Page 64 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 the Solomons when the other missionaries were told to leave. Now he had been evacuated on a USA hospital ship, wearing USA Chaplain's uniform and not recognised by most Conference members. But it was before Mr Metcalfe spoke, while he was being introduced, that God spoke to me again and confirmed my call to the Solomons. I had no doubts after 17 years I must prepare to go. There followed training as a maternity nurse, midwife, deaconess and Plunket nurse, and in January 1947 my preparation was complete. The war was over, I was dedicated as a Methodist Deaconess and ready to go. Transport was not easy, but a way was found. At the beginning of May, I left by flying boat to Fiji and then by a very small steamer, the Kurimarau, to Honiara. Two weeks in Honiara, a month at Munda, and then, on July 7"\ I at last arrived at Sasamuqa on Choiseui Island. If I were to write of all that I did in the next 51 years, it would more than fill a book. I did all that I was trained for, and anything else that needed doing. Not long after I arrived, I was called to a neighbouring village to assist a woman whose baby had been born but the afterbirth or placenta was retained. This, with a resultant 3rd stage haemorrhage, was the main cause of maternal deaths, particularly in patients whose babies were born in the village. It was a very dark night but fortunately a calm sea, a very small canoe and a paddler whom I did not know, and of course who didn't speak English. The patient was in a small lean-to building attached to the back of the cookhouse on a narrow bed of wooden planks, with just enough room to walk between the bed and the wall at one side and a space about 12" to 15" wide at the end, which a small puppy wanted to share with the nurse. Lighting was one small hurricane lantern. Several people were crowded into the shack. These were not New Zealand conditions, where a doctor would be considered essential, but I had been well taught the procedure. With God's help, the placenta was delivered, any bleeding stopped and mother and baby in satisfactory condition. So we left, with instructions to the relatives to bring mother and child to the maternity ward at Sasamuqa next day; a good introduction to midwifery in the Islands. There were no doctors on Choiseul. We had a tele-radio, but no transport. The circuit, which then comprised the whole Island, had no boat, and it was before the days of outboard motors. The nearest doctors were at Gizo, 75 miles away, or at Munda, 100 miles away a 12 hour trip. We had many emergencies, not all maternity cases, but they were the most frequent. We had two options. Firstly with the help of the radio and local people, we could try and locate a ship or a launch somewhere around Choiseul, whose bosun would be willing to come back to Sasamuqa and take the patient to Gizo. Or secondly, we could radio to Gizo or Munda and ask for a ship, preferably with the doctor on board. Both Government and Mission doctors were very co-operative, provided of course there was a ship available and that the doctor was not away somewhere else. I started at the beginning by saying that God's love is unfailing. In spite of the delays and distances, we never lost a mother in all these cases. God was surely with us.

Page 65 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 I was officially in charge of the maternity and infant welfare work (we usually had at least 5 or 6 babies and toddlers who had come in from other villages when their mothers died) and the supervisor of the Sisters' House girls the Girls Boarding School. When there was no general trained nurse, I supervised the Clinic. I taught English to the senior students in the school which had never had an overseas trained teacher until Sister Nancy Ball arrived 4 years after I did. I made numerous trips round Choiseul on the Mission ship (stationed at Munda) giving immunisation vaccine in all our villages. For 9 years we had no Superintendent Minister, and I acted in his place. I started a Bible Class for the Sisters' House girls and later before the commencement of U.C.W.F., a Bible Class for village women. It was the commencement of Bible Class work with the girls that led to my translation work. Very little had been done before the war and I soon began to translate those passages which I needed from both the New and Old Testaments. Then the project grew the 4 Gospels and Acts, then the rest of the New Testament, published separately. Later we did a complete revision of the New Testament published in one volume, and finally the Old Testament. I worked always, of course, with one or more Babatana consultants, and with a translation committee men and women, older and younger members. Always I had the help and advice of the United Bible Society's consultant. I am not university trained, nor have I had any specific training in linguistics, but I believe that this was God's work, not mine, and that it was God's Holy Spirit who guided us. Indeed, I believe that I am but a vehicle, one of many, whom God uses to accomplish his purpose. There have been changes: Methodist Mission; Methodist Church Solomon Islands District; United Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; United Church in Solomon Islands, but it is still God's call to do his work in his strength. I also said at the beginning that God does not make mistakes, his timing is always right. Had I been able to train as a nurse or teacher and go out to the Solomons before World War II, my career as a missionary would probably have been very different and the Babatana Bible would perhaps never have been translated and published. It is true that our times are in His hands and He calls and uses us at the right time to fulfil his purpose. I was awarded the M.B.E (British) in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1966. Contrary to the usual custom, I was given a choice of places where the medal would be presented Honiara, Gizo or Sasamuqa where I lived. Naturally I chose that the Resident Commissioner come to Sasamuqa, so that the local people could be present. The medal was presented under the huge Buni tree at the anchorage. The citation read as follows: "Sister Lucy Money, who is a Deaconess in the Methodist Church of New Zealand, came to the Solomons in 1947 and has been stationed at Choiseul ever since. Sister Money has been in charge of all Methodist Church activities in Choiseul, and her work in connection with infant Page 66 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 welfare and maternity cases has been outstanding. In addition she has taught at Sasamuqa School for many years and has devoted long hours to the translation of the New Testament into Babatana language. Her contribution to the development of Choiseul has been substantial." A treasured memory is the arrival, dedication and distribution of the Babatana Bible, just before I left the Solomons in 1998. It was for this I had stayed on many years after the Church's official retiring age. Two people, who have remained very much part of my life are Pose Talasasa (nee Lomae) and Martha Qilavisu. Pose worked in my office for several years, and Martha was my companion, cook and housekeeper. I brought them both with me on furlough in 1973-74. Pose is now married and with her family lives in Honiara where she has a very responsible position with Solomon Airlines. She has been back here more than once and has been a great help to me when going home on furlough or when I had business to do in Honiara. Martha has been back frequently and we have come to think of her as our Solomon Islands sister who is much one of our family. Praise be to God.

Pose Talasasa (nee Lomae), Lucy Money, Martha Qilavisu

Page 67 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Olive Money

I was born in Christchurch on 8th June 1913, the second child of Henry and Selena Money. The first 3 years of my life were spent in Christchurch and in September 1916 the family moved to a farm in the Waikato. My memories of Christchurch are very vague but I do remember that for transport on the farm we had a horse and gig and driving to Te Aroha and Morrinsville in the gig. The nearest school was opened at Te Puninga and I was enrolled as a pupil on 3 June 1918. Later in the month my parents sold the farm and moved to Canada Street, Morrinsville where I attended the Morrinsville Primary School.

On passing my Proficiency Examination, I attended the Morrinsville District High School and I passed my Matriculation examination and the following year my Higher Leaving Certificate. Soon after leaving High School in December 1930 I was fortunate to be offered a position in the Borough Council Office where I assisted the Town Clerk, who worked part-time. My duties consisted of working mainly as Secretary of the local Agricultural Pastoral Association, acting as Cashier, issuing Driver's Licences and

Page 68 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 dealing with building Permit applications. I had limited knowledge of typing and bookkeeping and my duties were many and varied. My responsibilities grew and I was often left in charge. In 1943 the Town Clerk was called up for military service and I was appointed as Acting Town Clerk in his absence. With this new appointment I became the only Lady Town Clerk in New Zealand. As the Town Clerk had also been secretary of the Fire Board, the Patriotic Committee and the Emergency Precautions Committee, these responsibilities fell to me as well. The Mayor and Councillors were very understanding and supportive and I was often required to work at night but still managed to keep up with my responsibilities at Church and Sunday School. On the return of the Town Clerk before the end of the war, I resigned from the Morrinsville Borough Council after 14 years' service and in 1945 took up a position with the Takapuna Borough Council. On moving to Auckland, the Takapuna Methodist Church soon became my church home and I became involved with the activities there, making new friends and was soon teaching Sunday School again. I became Captain of the Girls' Life Brigade and the Cadets for the younger girls. In 1953 my life took a new direction when I was approached by the Methodist Overseas Mission Board and asked to consider going to the Solomon Islands as Secretary to the Chairman of the Mission. My dedication as a Missionary Sister took place in the family Methodist Church in Morrinsville and I left New Zealand by flying boat for Sydney in April 1954. On my arrival in the Solomons at the Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella several days later, to my delight my sister Lucy was there to meet me. The headquarters of the Methodist Mission in the Solomons were at the time, based on the island of Vella Lavella. There were several European people stationed there and my new home became a leaf house which was cool and comfortable with a permanent floor. While I was living there I unfortunately had my first attack of malaria. The facilities of the Mission were sparse with no office for the Chairman and I often worked in my new position as Secretary, in the Chairman's bedroom until an office was built by the wharf. The teaching and nursing sisters of the mission were kept busy and they did not have much opportunity to see other parts of the Solomons or visit other Mission stations. I was fortunate that as the Chairman's Secretary I accompanied him when he visited stations on Vella Lavella, Choiseul, where Lucy was stationed, and Bouganville and Buka. I also attended the annual Synod together with representatives from all the stations. This was held at all the various stations in turn. The nature of my job meant that I did not have a lot of contact with the Solomon Islanders so did not have to leam the language (Roviana) but I did help with the Girls' Life Brigade. In due time the building of a new house for the Sisters was completed and we felt quite smart but in some ways it was not as cool and comfortable as the leaf house.

Page 69 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 About the end of my third year at Roviana several of us took a furlough at the same time, travelling by aircraft via Sydney. After being away from traffic for so long it took me some time to get used to traffic in Sydney and it was a thrill to see the lights of New Zealand again and be home with Mum, Dad and Edna. The frequent attacks of malaria and my health record while in the Solomons meant that I was unable to return and with great reluctance I had to hand in my resignation and spend a year recuperating." Olive Money then worked at Morrinsville College at Principal's Secretary and Secretary to the Board of Governors until her retirement some 21 years later in 1978. In 1980 she was able to return to the Solomons and visit her sister Lucy at Sasamuqa which gave her the opportunity to see at first hand the people and places about which Lucy had written for years, and also to see the changes that had taken place since Olive had worked in the Solomons. Olive now lives at Matamata Country Lodge and she writes: "I am grateful to the staff for their kindness and care. In looking back over the years, I feel I have much to thank God for. First of all, for Christian parents and a good home where high standards were set more by example than by precept; for my sisters for all their loving care when I needed more and more assistance; for my friends; for my Church, which together with my parents, has led me to a Christian faith. God has guided me in many events of my life. He has never failed me even though I have often failed Him and even had moments of doubt. He is a God of love, who is a Father, caring for his children and His promises are true." Others who have gone into the fulltime work from the Circuit include: Miss Pat Moodie to Foreign Missions Revs L Hanna, Henry Woolford, Percy P Rushton, David Trebiico, Lewis and Ron Major, Alan Woodley who served a term as General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand and Ron Bennett who is a Presbyterian Minister Mrs May Robertson (Rushton) served as Home Missionary Probationer and Mrs Mary Te Whare (Sealey) as Deaconess Supply in Hamilton.

Page 70 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Ministers Upper Thames Circuit 1881- 1883 Dr J T Pinfold 1883-1884 G T Marshall 1884-1886 T J Wallis 1886-1887 O Dean 1887-1890 S Lawry 1890-1893 John Law 1893-1896 T A Joughlin 1896-1897 S Griffith 1897-1899 S Griffith and J W Burton 1899 -1900 S Griffith, W S Bowie and W Beckett 1900 -1901 S Griffith, D Weatherall and W Greenslade 1901 – 1902 C Abernethy, W Baton and W Greenslade 1902 -1903 C Abernethy, R P Keall and J Belton 1903 -1904 C Abernethy, C C Harrison and J Belton 1904 -1905 J Blight, C C Harrison and G F Stockwell 1905 -1906 J Blight, C C Harrison, E D Patchett, W Dillicar (HM - Morrinsville) 1906 -1907 J Blight, J Dukes, G Snadden, J Richards (HM Morrinsville) 1907 -1908 J Dukes, T W Newbold, G Snadden, G H Bridgeman (HM - Morrinsville) 1908 -1909 J Dukes, J Wrighley, A J Reed, G H Bridgeman (HM - Morrinsville) 1909 Paeroa and Waihi became a separate Circuit 1909 – 1911 A J Reed, G H Bridgeman (HM - Morrinsville) 1911-1912 A J Reed (died May 8, 1912) C W Brown (HM Morrinsville) 1912-1913 G B Hinton,C W Brown (Home Missionary Morrinsville) 1913-1916 P R Paris (second Agent) T N Griffin, Morrinsville (Superintendent) 1916 Morrinsville constituted a separate Circuit Superintendents 1916- 1918 CW Brown (HM) 1918- 1919 T R BWollaxall 1919-1922 H Cottom 1922- 1925 F Greenwood 1925-1930 E E Sage 1930-1935 F G Brown 1935- 1939 A A Bensley 1939- 1945 J LMitchell 1945-1948 W E A Carr 1948- 1952 G Thompson 1952-1959 H K Brown 1959-1963 W R Laws

Page 71 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 1964- 1968 F H Parker 1969- 1975 L R M Gilmore 1976-1980 I Fowler 1981R G Eastwood (Lay Supply) 1982-1990 T L Bennett 1991-2002 P F Sinclair 2003 N JWhitehead Probationers F J Handy (HM) 1920-21(Tahuna) H W Payne (HM) 1921-22(Tahuna) A T Kent 1929-31(Waitoa) G R Bowden 1931 - 32(Waitoa) B M Chrystall 1933 - 36(Waitoa) J A Daglish 1936 - 37(Waitoa) R W Mayson 1937 - 40(Waitoa) J B Dawson 1940 - 42(Waitoa) W Gust 1960-64(Waitoa) G B W Bell 1964-69(Waitoa) R G Stringer 1969-73(Waitoa) M W Greer 1974(Supply)

Page 72 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Local Preachers The Circuit owes a great debt of gratitude to the Local Preachers who have through the years given unstintingly of their time, talents and substance to assist in the maintaining of the numerous services of worship and to proclaim the gospel of redeeming grace. The following list of names have been found from various Circuit records: WS Allen, J C Allen, S S Allen, R C Allen, J Lusby, H Gant, Mr Snow, J Palmer, G D Seale, Mr Ransom, Mrs Osborne, W T Evans, A E Thomas, A Noble, A T Scrivener, A J Leach, J P Jensen, G J Johnson, H R Baigent, A N Scrivener, H Woolford, Lloyd Jones, P Rushton, G Hanna, Miss E Hetherington, H E Pain, C Rushton, R G Trebilc, D Trebilco, Mrs G R Thompson, Fred Eastwood ,Miss M Rushton, Miss Z Rushton ,Miss J Rushton, Charlie Horn, George Bryant, P P Rushton, Maurice Hight, K Wooderson, Mr Lex Johnston, Sheile Rushton, Derek Chalmers, Rowen Smiley, Graham Eastwood. Office Bearers 2005 Parish Stewards Clarrie Jensen and Alison Walsh Lay Preacher Graham Eastwood Minister's Steward Neville Westbury Treasurer Janet Jensen Assistant: Elva Bennett Parish Meeting Secretary Nancy Eastwood Organist Glenis Westbury Assistant: Elva Bennett Sacramental Stewards Freda Carrigan, Ann Curry, Nancy Eastwood, Rita Mann, Bemice McWha, Alison Walsh, Doreen Worthing Church Stewards Jack Bennett, Freda & Meredith Carrigan, Val Forsyth, George Gooch, Janet & Clarrie Jensen, Helen Larsen, Miles Laurence, Gordon & Elaine Lovatt, Rita Mann, Wally & Claire Mann, Lynette Roberts, Victor & Edith Sealey, Vema Semmens, Harold Sherson, Margaret Thomas, John & Alison Walsh, Betty Westbury, Neville Westbury, Doreen Worthing, Lance & Norma Wratt. Church Centre Custodian Neville Westbury Parish Sub-Committees: Property Paul Bennett, Freda Carrigan, Clarrie Jensen, Gordon Lovatt, Claire Mann. John Walsh, Neville Westbury Worship & Education Graham Eastwood, Elaine Lovatt, Alison Walsh, Glenis Westbury Pastoral Jack Bennett, Nancy Eastwood, Val Forsyth, Bemice McWha, Victor Sealey, Betty Westbury Finance Elva Bennett, Janet Jensen, Helen Larsen Social Freda Carrigan, Janet Jensen, Helen Larsen, Margaret Thomas, Anne Udy, Betty Westbury Flower Roster Claire Mann

Page 73 Morrinsville Methodist Church Centennial 1903 - 2003 Cleaning Roster Carol Bennett Gardens Helen Larsen Singing Group Glenis Westbury and Nancy Jean Whitehead Methodist Women's Fellowship President Elva Bennett Secretary/Treasurer Doreen Worthing Synod Rep John Walsh Bible Society Rep. Glenis Westbury

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