Lemsford News February 1916

Special Intercession – On the first Sunday in the year, which was kept as a day of special Intercession, the offertory on behalf of the Serbian Refugees realised the very large sum of £68 6s. 10d.

National Egg Collection for the Wounded – Miss Holdsworth wishes to thank all those who have so kindly contributed eggs or money to the cause. Since November 1st, she has been enabled to send 103 eggs and 14/6 in money. She hopes to send eggs every week now that they are more plentiful, and will gladly pack and forward any that are sent to her or to the Schools.

Lemsford News May 1916

Soup – The soup made for the children during the winter months was much appreciated. We commenced a month earlier than usual and continued a few weeks later owing to the very severe weather. We thank all those who so kindly helped to contribute vegetables. After the expenses were paid there was a balance of 5/10. This will be used to add a few books to the school library.

Parcels for the Boys at the Front – are still being sent off at frequent intervals. Thanks to a cheque for £2 being received from Mrs W. Horn, which arrived when the “Parcels Fund” was greatly in need of help, we were able to keep up our despatch. Mrs Horn is also very kindly providing each parcel with a par of socks. Grateful letters are still being received, showing that our boys appreciate and value the few goods sent to them.

Lemsford News June 1916

National Mission – There is to be a great National Mission during the months of October and November. It will probably take the form of a week-end mission to be held in every parish. Its main objects are to prepare for the return of our soldiers so that those who have been impressed at the Front (as many have been) shall not come back to homes where there is no regard for religion, and also to shorten the war by bringing the nation back to God. To be of any use the Mission must begin at once. We all know how many in this place have nothing to do with religion, and seldom, if ever, enter a place of worship. We must think of them, pray for them, and do all we can to bring them in. If we fail we shall then have done our best. The work of church-people is to bear a witness. There is no promise that that witness will act with compelling power on them who refuse to listen.

Lemsford News July 1916

Children's Union – A gathering was held in the Schools on Wednesday afternoon, June 7th in connection with the Children's Union. Miss Pinchard, who is the Lady Lecturer in connection with the Cripple's Branch of the Waifs and Strays gave a very interesting talk on the work of the society. After her address a collection was made and teas were served. There was one stall of miscellaneous articles, which had been made by the boys and girls attending the winter classes. Most of the things were quickly sold. The younger members of the Union then gave a short entertainment consisting chiefly of action songs. The total receipts amounting to £6 17s. 4d. Five guineas were sent to the Cripple's Fund, and the remainder, after expenses were paid, were put to the fund at home for purchasing material for next session's classes. We wish to thank all those friends who were most thoughtful in sending provisions towards the tea, which greatly lessened the expenses and also those who came to the gathering or who helped in any way to make the afternoon a success. Will those parents whose children are not already members please try and allow them to join. If they are not able to attend the classes in the Winter, they can help in three ways. 1st by using the prayer for the children, 2nd by working at home, and 3rd by having a collecting box. We have a sack which we are trying to fill with disused articles of any description, in aid of the Waifs and Strays. Any articles will be gratefully received at the schools at any time. We have been told from head-quarters, that “Nothing is too old, and Nothing is too small.”