HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-10, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013. PAGE 7.
Terry and Mary Fletcher have
chosen a career in the ministry
towards the end of their working
years and the people, places and
events of the Bible suddenly took on
greater significance for them.
Consequently a trip to the Holy
Land had been on their bucket list
for some time. On Nov. 26 of last
year they embarked on a 10-day
clergy familiarization tour of
Israel.
This pilgrimage was arranged
through Imagine, a Christian Travel
Company out of Florida and all 18
travellers were connected in some
way to the ministry. Terry and Mary
were the only Canadians on the tour.
The travellers shared worship,
readings and reflections at the
various sites they visited. Terry and
Mary led in meditation at the Garden
Tomb.
Terry noted that in Israel one is
always in the Bible. Their Jewish
guide, Hezi, was truly
knowledgeable about the Bible and
all 61 of the sites they visited. Their
tour began in the Negev region along
the Dead Sea and ended with a walk
through part of the ancient city of
Joppa/Jaffa.
The tour happened just after the
most recent ceasefire in the Gaza
strip but the couple noted that they
saw no awareness of the conflict and
felt totally safe. Terry remarked that
they noted significant differences in
attitudes, etc. between the
Palestinians, Muslims and Israelis.
Thus they came to understand why
the area has conflict. And the tour
did have to go through checkpoints
during the travel.
Accommodations and meals were
totally acceptable. Early and late
meals were provided by the hotels.
Their noon meals were taken along
each day. One day they were
served a kosher meal at a kibbutz.
The two shopping stops were geared
to religion. The couple brought
home frankincense and an incense
burner and an olive wood
carving.
Highlights for Terry were actually
walking on the stone steps where
Jesus and other Biblical figures
would have exited the Jerusalem
temple; renewing their wedding
vows in the chapel at Cana where
Jesus performed His first public
miracle turning water into wine at a
wedding and renewing their
baptismal vows in the Jordan River.
They brought home water from the
river as well.
The couple found that visiting
such ancient sites as Bethlehem,
Nazareth, the Garden Tomb,
Gethsemane and the Mount of
Olives helped them feel connected
to Jesus. It reminded Terry of finally
meeting a pen pal face to face. They
felt as if thousands of years had
rewound and they were back in the
time of Christ when they stood in the
desert and glimpsed a far off oasis.
Jerusalem was described as an
astonishing city. Mary was thrilled
to walk through the tunnel at
Siloam. One day concluded with a
sunset boat ride on the Sea of
Galilee to Tiberias.
The pair developed an
appreciation and admiration for the
Jewish people’s struggle to maintain
their heritage during their visit to
Masada, the site of the Jewish revolt
in 73AD and the Holocaust and
Children’s Memorial Museum,
which Terry described as
heartbreaking.
Visiting sites from both the Old
and New Testaments and recalling
the people and events of those sites
brought the Bible to life.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent at
Londesborough United Church
Terry Fletcher lit the candle of love.
His service that morning was based
on a poem by Cristina Rossetti, 1830
-1894, “Love came down at
Christmas, Love was lovely,
love divine; Love was born at
Christmas, Stars and angels gave the
sign.”
The senior choir sang two anthems
during the service, both adaptations
of well known Christmas carols, “O
Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the
Herald Angels Sing”.
Terry Fletcher reminded thechildren who gathered at the frontthat in their daily interactions and
activities they need to do and say the
things that would ensure they make
the ‘nice’ list.
The Minute for Missions read by
Jane Hoggart was about the Our
Place mission in Victoria, B.C. This
mission offers nutritious meals, a
bed and a variety of assistance
services to 45 men and women who
call the mission home. United
Church Mission and Service dollars
partner with this mission. As much
as anything these people need to
know someone cares about them,
that they have a home.
The scripture passage was Luke
2:1-7, an account of the trip along a
long inhospitable road from
Nazareth to Bethlehem for the birth
of Christ. Signs for this earthly
journey were given to those who had
been watching for, awaiting the birth
for many years.
The other road to this birth was a
heavenly one, when the creatorbecame part of His own creation.This coming to earth shows how
important we are to God. Our sign is
the love God has for us.
The sanctuary at Londesborough
United was filled with worshippers
for the Christmas Eve Service led
by Terry Fletcher. He lit the centre
candle in the Advent wreath,
the Christ Candle, signifying the
birth of Christ. The service that
evening was one of scripture
readings that told the Christmas
story and hymns.
“Sleep Holy Babe” was the senior
choir anthem. Women of the senior
choir began the service with the
anthem, “Birthday of a King”. Later
the men of the choir offered “I
Wonder As I Wander”. Guest soloist,
Kelsey Falconer, sang the very
beautiful “O Holy Night”.
Flowers in the sanctuary on
Sunday, Jan. 6 , were placed by the
Mitchell family in memory of
Elwood who passed away suddenly
on Dec. 27. Keeping Audrey, Roband Traci, Mark and Laurel and theirfamilies in your thoughts and
prayers in the coming weeks will
surely help them deal with their
loss.
Now that 2012 has ended,
Londesborough United is gearing up
for its annual meeting on Feb. 24.
Reports for the annual report should
be to the church office by Jan. 24.
The senior choir of
Londesborough United will practise
prior to the morning service on Jan.
13.
’Tis the season to be putting away
things of the Christmas season.
Might I remind you again as you
straighten up the house to pack up
some good used books for the book
sale the senior choir of
Londesborough United is planning
as a cancer benefit in February.
Books can be dropped off at
Radford’s Farm Equipment/Post
Office beginning Jan. 15.
Just a thought as we leave
Christmas 2012 behind and begin anew year, “Take the joy of Christmaswith you every day.”
Fletchers travel to Holy Land
United Church plans cancer benefit book sale
Trailblazing
Having a hill is only half the battle as Hullett Central School
students found out on Monday. Students, from left, Chloe
Elliott, Reid Button and Dawson Hoggart had the height to
slide from, but they had to create a slick slide to limit the
bumps they’d run into. (Denny Scott photo)
17th
18(snow date - Wed., Jan. 16th)
15
MEETING NOTICE
MUNICIPALITY OF
MORRIS-TURNBERRY
The upcoming Council meetings for the
Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be held:
Tuesday January 15 at 7:00 pm Budget Meeting
Tuesday January 22 at 7:30 pm Regular Council Meeting
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
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