BOB WALKER
St John's Hill
Credit due
I am writing to let people know the Women's Refuge three-week pop-up boutique was a huge success. At least $20,000 was raised. This money is used by Women's Refuge to help women and children of Whanganui affected by domestic violence.
There have been a number of articles in the Chronicle and the midweek papers regarding a couple of people who have been credited with being the main organisers of the boutique. Both Carla and Amanda contributed, using their contacts in the fashion industry and their own individual businesses to try to inject a bit of difference into what had proven to be a success the previous two years.
I think there needs to be a bit of clarification as to who should really be given the credit for the successful running of this boutique. That person is Jo Hodder, the recently retired manager of Whanganui Women's Refuge. The boutique was her vision; this is the third year that it has been up and running. With her dedicated band of volunteers she has sorted, cleaned and presented thousands of articles of clothing, generously donated by the amazing people of Whanganui.
Jo organised the roster of the 25 volunteers who worked at the beautifully presented location in the Rutland building. She was there pretty much all day, every day for the three weeks, and the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing for shoppers and the volunteers who worked there.
As one of the volunteers, it was a privilege to work alongside Jo and the other ladies.
We received much positive feedback from the shoppers. Many were repeat customers, coming in several times, and a large number of the shoppers brought in their used clothing as further donations.
I am sure at some stage there will be a formal thank you from Women's Refuge to all businesses and people who were involved but I felt it was important to point out the valuable contribution that Jo made.
CATHY DALTON
Whanganui
Bible reading
In the Chronicle of April 23, Richard Peirce thanks Hans Vaatstra for his deeper thought on interpreting the Bible.
I feel a little disappointed with Vaatstra's complicated and elaborate set of seven rules for reading the Bible. He would have us needing a university degree in hermeneutics, the science of interpretation, before we dare open a Bible.
Interestingly, my dictionary suggests that such a degree is only needed for scripture study. That seems to say: "You are allowed to read the Bible so long as you read it my way."
I think my "Who wrote it?", "What did he say?", "When did he say it?", "Why did he say it?" is far simpler and effective. You can apply this to any literature.
And Richard Peirce complained that many Christians are leaving churches because they are exasperated by the lack of intelligent stimulation. I answered him with some things to think about, but in his reply he speaks of my "little learning" and doesn't say anything about what any scholar says about any of the issues.
He just denounces the "second-hand books" that were in the sale, a number of which were Bibles.
TOM PITTAMS
Whanganui
Mixed morals
[Columnist] Steve Baron and All Blacks TJ Perenara and Brad Weber have got me somewhat confused.
Brumbies winger Chance Peni can put Israel Dagg out of the game with a brutally foul tackle, Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps can urinate on a bar in Sydney and the silence from our three self-righteous guardians of morality is deafening.
But when Israel Folau quotes some verses from the Bible — why, even crucifixion would be too good for him! Weber and Perenara don't want to play against Folau but apparently are happy to take the field against Peni and Phipps.
I suppose those are the standards they and Baron would impose on society.
ALLAN ANDERSON
Brunswick
Send your letters to: The Editor, Wanganui Chronicle, 100 Guyton St, PO Box 433, Wanganui 4500; or email editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
