Who We Are
Where Have We Come From

January 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann, L.Th). — There was an excellent attendance at the annual church meeting, several changes in the Officers' Court being made. Treasurer: Mr E. Petherick; A.A.S.S. Superintendent: Mr C. Rawlings; Deacons: Messrs D. Bewley, C. Burt. K. Fear and D. Youngson. Thanks were expressed to Mr Bewley for his service as treasurer for fourteen years and to Mr Fear who has been superintendent since A.A.S.S. commenced six years ago. At an outstanding service Miss Mere Pou was commissioned fulltime worker among the Maori people of the district. The N.C.C. film strip "Half the World in Need" has been screened. Sympathy is expressed to Mrs Duxbury, Mr J. Trotter and Mr K. Shuker who have all suffered recent bereavements. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs P. Holman on the birth of their second son. At the Boys' Brigade break-up six boys: Richard Deyell, Stephen Hewitt, Neville Kenning, John McLean, Michael Simkin and Trevor Trew, were presented with the Queen's Badge.—M. F. S.

 

February 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann, L.Th.). — At recent services the Karamu High School Choir presented nine lessons and carols and our own choir presented the Christmas Cantata "Love Transcending." The children brought toys for distribution to Asian children at a special family service. The Christmas family social was very well attended and enjoyed by all. We welcome into membership Misses Preston and Taylor on transfer from the Brentwood Baptist Church, Essex, England, and Mr Arthur McKenzie from Hanover Street. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Jim Sweatman (nee Ruth Davidson) on their marriage and to Miss Kay Brock and Mr Arthur McKenzie on their engagement. We regret the passing of Mr S. Mountford. Our thoughts are specially with our sick and aged folk at this holiday period.—M. F. S.

 

March 1968

Maori news: Hastings reports well attended Christmas functions organised by Miss Mere Pou.

 

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— All activities are now starting again after the holiday period and most of our folk have returned home. We are indebted to Messrs R. Baker, G. Fear, K. Fear, B. Mitcherson, G. Wallace and N. Williams for conducting our services in the absence of our minister. At a recent service Gaylene Elliot, Brian Kenning and Ray Cartwright followed their Lord through the waters of baptism. We offer our sympathy to Mr H. Growden on the death of his mother. Congratulations to Mr Brian Martin on his marriage recently to Miss Elaine Bennett of Westshore. We also congratulate our many young people who have had success in recent examinations and pray that all, but particularly those who are leaving their homes to further their studies elsewhere may seek His guidance in all they undertake. — M. F. S.

 

April 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. McCann).— We thank Rev. A. V. Brown for conducting the services in our minister's absence at Masterton. We enjoyed the music and messages the Talley family from America brought to us at our evening service and at the Crusade in our city arranged by Youth For Christ Team. The film "Vietnam Profile" which showed how, in the midst of war God's work still goes on, was screened at a special week-night meeting. Our annual church picnic was held at the Tukituki River and a pleasant day was had by all attending. The Boys' Brigade officers and boys from the N.C.O.'s training course paraded and took part in a morning service. Gaylene Eliot has been received into membership. Congratulations to Mr Peter Bradley on his engagement to Miss Doralle Vines Three homes have been blessed with the arrival of little ones. Mr and Mrs Rex Read and Mr and Mrs A. McGregor (daughters) and Mr and Mrs Burtenshaw (son). — M. F. S.

 

May 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— The Harvest Festival display this year was arranged by the Adult Department of the Sunday School. The goods were auctioned and the proceeds donated to the local Maori work and the Auckland City Mission. Members of the B.M.M.F. were joined for their annual Communion Service by men of the Napier Church. All missionary groups occupied the choir seats and members assisted in the service for B.W.M.U. Witness Week and the Day of Prayer with the Napier ladies was held in our church A most successful shop day augmented B.W.M.U. funds. A special Maori service was addressed by Morphy Graham, the Maori evangelist from Levin. The Ladies' Friendly Hour's first meeting of the year was a demonstration on artificial flower arrangements. Our sympathy is extended to Mrs Ernest Burns on the death of her brother, Mr Colin Turner, who was treasurer of our church some years ago. Congratulations to Mr Winston Peters on his engagement.—M. F. S.

 

June 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. McCann).— Our minister preached at the combined Good Friday services at the Methodist Church. A very successful Easter camp was held at Hastings, the eighty campers attending the Sunday morning service when Rev. Trevor Fear was the preacher. The following Sunday evening Mr Maurice Clapperton, gave the address and other campers took part in the service. Mr Laurie Darrington spoke of his work with M.A.F. Ladies' and Men's Prayer Breakfast sessions started and ended special Self-denial Week. Rev. T. W. Cadman of Napier spoke to the Girls' Brigade Companies of the district at Church Parade. Brigade enrolment service held when all our uniformed groups attended. Sympathy extended to Mrs J. Thorp and Mr A. Jolly, who have suffered bereavements. We welcome Brian Kenning and Ray Cartwright into membership. We also congratulate Ray on his engagement, and Mr and Mrs R. Duggan and Mr and Mrs J. Braithwaite (Suva), on the birth of their son and daughter respectively— M. F. S.

 

July 1968

Hastings Maori Bible Class

Forty-six members and leaders of the Maori Bible Class at Hastings attended the camp held at Tuki Tuki during the May school holidays. Camp began on Friday night and ended on Monday afternoon. The speaker was Mr Maurice Clapperton, a member of the Hastings Church, who also led the singing at the services with his guitar. There was a very full programme including Study Circles, led by the Bible Class leaders, morning services with the speaker, and the showing of slides of Bible stories each evening. A roaring camp fire was the centre on each evening, with sizzling sausages on Saturday, and choruses and testimonies on the Sunday. Sister Mere Pou reported that it was particularly satisfying to notice two of the senior girls taking evening devotions in their rooms with other girls quite on their own initiative.

 

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— Two family services were held in place of the usual S.S. followed by a cup of tea and fellowship. The Bible Society film "The Years Between" was screened at an evening service. In place of our usual prayer meeting we joined our Maori people to mark the Centenary of the Maori Bible and heard an outstanding address by Dr Amanaka Havea of Tonga. Miss Mere Pou arranged a very successful weekend camp for her Maori Bible Class. A highlight for our young people was the weekend visit from the Hamilton Bible Classes, who conducted an inspiring youth service on the Sunday evening. We express our sincere sympathy to Mrs Phyllis Gamman and family on Allan's sudden homecall. Five little ones were brought by their parents for dedication: Blair Burtenshaw, Aaron Duggan, Alaster Holman, Kevin Price and Michelle Read. A church fair raised $500 towards the building of a new S.S. block.—M. F. S.

 

August 1968

{joomplu:946 detail}
Reception for Queen's Men

The Governor-General handing a certificate to Sgt. R. J. Deyell, First Hastings Company (Hastings Baptist Church).
Others from left are: S. H. Hewitt, D. J. Maclean, N. B. Kenning, T. L. True. M. D. Simkin—First Hastings Company; R. G. Donnell, P. J. Donnell, J. W. Reid—Second Hamilton Company (Central Baptist Church).

 

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— Our minister has been inducted President of the Hastings Branch of the N.C.C. and Ministers' Association. During the winter months our evening services commence at four-thirty and so far have been very well attended. At an impressive service, six of our young girls, Robyn Eliot, Lyndsay Evans, Pauline Kemp, Jocelyn and Diana Mardon and Jocelyn Shuker, were baptised. We welcome Mrs Wadham from Brooklyn into membership of our church. Sympathy is extended to Mrs Matheson on the passing of her husband. We remember in our prayers Lyall Palmer in hospital at Palmerston North and all who are unable to worship with us through illness. We offer our best wishes to Mary Trotter on her marriage to David Smith and to Yvonne Bewley and Peter Hewitt on their engagement. Our Ladies' Friendly Hour celebrated its tenth birthday in June.—M. F. S.

 

September 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— A special Home and Family week has been held. Mini readings for family devotions for the week were prepared by Mr L. K. Fear. The film "Worship —A Family Heritage," was shown at the mid-week meeting and invitations were sent out to all married in our church in the last ten years to be present at the Sunday evening service, when the subject was "As for me and my house." Mr Alex Jolly, one of our oldest members, has been called Home and we will miss him from his place in church and at A.A.S.S. Our sympathy is extended to Mr and Mrs Eric Palmer and family on the death of their son and brother, Lyall, and to Mr A. Morgan on the accidental death on Missionary service of his daughter. Agnes. Congratulations to Mr Peter Bradley on his marriage to Miss Doralle Vines. Thirty of our young people journeyed to Wanganui for the weekend programme ending B.C. Week.—M. F. S.

 

October 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Macann).— Our minister and his family have had a short holiday at Tauranga. In his absence our services were taken by Mrs Pascoe and "The Gideons." We are indebted to Rev. Victor Johnston of the Bible Training Institute for his addresses at the Sunday services and during Bible Week. An afternoon family service was conducted by some of our young people, the address being taken by Mr Chris Mardon. We had a visit from Rev. Ridland Jamieson who conducted our prayer meeting. Sympathy is extended to the family of Mrs John Bewley, who, after a long illness, has been called Home, and to Mrs W. Peters on the passing of her mother, Mrs Currie. Mr John Spurdle has been transferred to the Hillsborough Church, Auckland. We welcome several new members to our fellowship— Mr and Mrs G. Knight, Mrs McKenzie (Palmerston North), Misses Robyn Eliot, Lyndsay Evans, Pauline Kemp, Jocelyn and Diana Mardon, Joyce McEwan and Jocelyn Shuker.

 

November 1968

Obituary: Rev. H. B. Hughes

The oldest surviving minister trained by our denomination, died on September 10, aged 87. He was the Rev. H. B. Hughes, M.A., B.D. As a student for the Baptist ministry he trained at Knox College between 1906-1909. He accepted a call to the new Hastings cause and was its first Pastor, helping to lay the foundations of one of our strongest provincial churches.

Mr Hughes married Miss Ruby Lascelles, daughter of the Rev. M. W. P. Lascelles, a former Secretary of the Baptist Union. In 1914, Mr Hughes moved to Ashburton and helped re-establish the work there. He felt the need for post-graduate training, and became the first New Zealander to take a B.D. course at the then Baptist McMaster University in Toronto. For many years he represented that University in New Zealand.

After his return from Canada, Mr Hughes became pastor at Esk Street, Invercargill, for four years. Shortly after this he joined the Presbyterian Church and served at Port Ahuriri, Te Aroha, Thames and Otahuhu. He, however, never lost his interest in our work and eagerly followed events through the medium of the "Baptist". Mr Hughes is survived by his wife and two daughters. R. E. B.

 

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. Mcann).— We were interested to have Rev. Lalhuala Darlong, General Secretary of the Tripura Baptist Christian Union, take the address at a morning service and to meet him at the church luncheon which followed. In a pulpit exchange with Napier we welcomed Rev. T. W. Cadman to our service. About thirty of our folk took the opportunity of meeting with Napier for a prayer meeting and debate and seeing over their impressive new buildings. Sympathy is expressed to Mr Fred Hawkes on the loss of his father. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Ted Eliot on the arrival of their baby son. We also congratulate Mr Alan McEwan on being accepted as a trainee pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. A number of our young people had a happy day trip by bus to Mt. Ruapehu.—M. F. S.

 

December 1968

HASTINGS (Rev. G. T. McCann).— Visiting preachers have been Rev. A. H. MacLeod. Rev. D. E. Patrick, who also sang a solo and duets with Mrs Patrick and Rev. Ivor Davies. At a youth service Mr Harvey Price preached and others assisted. A large number of our people attended the opening of the new church in Napier. We congratulate our sister church in the planning of such a comprehensive scheme for all stages of Christian education. We were saddened to hear of the death of Mrs B. Neale. Sympathy to Mr G. McKenzie on the death of his father. Congratulations to Miss Kay Brock and Mr Arthur McKenzie, and to Miss Joan Grainger and Mr Ray Cartwright on their marriages, and to Mr and Mrs Colin Wilson on the birth of their daughter. Miss Mere Pou's Maori Bible Class attended a Labour weekend camp at Taupo with others from Rotorua. Congratulations to the B.B. Drill Team who again won the annual East Coast Drill Competition. —M. F. S.

N.Z. Baptist Magazine

Since the first days of the church, Hastings Baptist submitted regular summaries of church life and events to the New Zealand Baptist Magazine.  As part of the centenary archive those updates have been collected and reproduced here.  It is a catalogue of people and moments that have shaped the church’s story.