Bishop's Medal Citation: April Bamford

Last Updated on Sunday, 29 August 2010 16:36 Written by Caryl Forrest Saturday, 28 August 2010 16:56

THE DIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

CITATION FOR THE BISHOP’S MEDAL OF SERVICE
To commemorate the service and commitment given to the
Anglican Parish of St Matthew’s, Masterton

By

APRIL BAMFORD

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the dedicated service to the Parish of St Matthew’s by April Bamford.

April first attended the St Matthew’s Parish about 50 years ago. From the time April arrived, she became very much immersed in the church life at St Matthew’s. For many years, at various times, she was elected to Vestry, elected as People’s Warden and for seven years was the Parish Representative at Synod.

During the last 31 years, April has assisted in many of the other functions of the Parish; Parish Editor, on the Church Cleaning Team, a leading Member of the St Matthew’s Sanctuary Guild, a Sidesperson and a Lay Reader for the Services in the Parish. Also noted is the work April has done with regard to the provision of Robes, especially for Licensed Lay Ministers in the Parish.

April has become a Licensed Lay Minister, a Cursillo Team Member and the Convenor of the Parish Prayer Line. When the Choral Evensong Service was established some five years ago for the third Sunday of the month, April became a regular participant in the Choir, established to lead the sung Service on each occasion, and is still committed to that.

With the development of the Congregation at St Andrew’s, April has also identified herself with this group and often assists with the Liturgy there, not withstanding her other commitments at the St Matthew’s 8am Service from time to time.

April’s very large commitment to the Parish is in connection with the new Organ installed at St Matthew’s in 2004. She became involved with the fund raising and applied for Grants which saw the Organ very quickly paid for. As Convenor of Organ Recitals, April arranges a number of Concerts each year not only for the Parish but for the general public. She has successfully invited a number of International and well known Organists to present Recitals. A notable occasion is the Annual ANZAC Concert which has become most popular in the Wairarapa and is attended by a wide range of Concert-goers. A Christmas Concert also looks like becoming a regular event at St Matthew’s.

I join with all those who respect and appreciate the dedication and commitment of April to the St Matthew’s Worshipping Community. We will always be extremely grateful.

She is indeed a ‘true and humble servant’ of God and his Church.

Presented on this TWENTYNINTH day of AUGUST in the year of Our Lord TWO THOUSAND AND TEN and in the TWENTIETH year of our Consecration and enthronement the TWELFTH.