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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-31, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013. By Pastor Perry Chuipka St. John’s and Trinity Anglican Churches A seven-year-old boy had lived near this large church all his young life. He used to watch people go in just before 9 a.m. and just before 10:30 a.m. However, he noticed that he only saw a few people leave the church. He didn’t know that the church hall was connected to the church building at the back and most left through the church hall after having coffee and tea. He was always wondering what people did in that church. One Sunday morning, the little boy found the courage to go into the church by himself. Before he entered, he saw a big sign outside that said, Welcome –we have a 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. “He had left his house at 8:30 a.m. so it was still early before the 9 a.m. service. He entered and walked into the church. The Pastor who was in the church lighting the candles noticed the boy so he went over to greet him. The pastor said, “welcome to our church and then asked him where he was from. The little boy told him his name and then went on to tell the pastor how he had always watched people going to church from his bedroom window. After their conversation the boy noticed a large plaque at the back of the church. Pointing up to the plaque on the wall the boy asked the pastor,” what is this?” "Well son, these are all the people who have died in the service," replied the pastor. The little boy’s voice barely broke the silence when he gained the courage to ask quietly, "Which one, the 9 a.m. or the 10:30 a.m. service?” It is interesting to me in that funny story that the first thing that the Pastor did in meeting that little boy was to take time to listen to his story. Story listening is the beginning of any valuable relationship. Think for a moment of any of your relationships that you value. What makes them valuable? My valued relationships are important to me because I know something about the history of the person. The same holds true with any of our relationships that are important to us. I remember being with a congregation that was asked to bring in an item from their past and tell everyone a story about it. I was amazed what everyone brought with them. There were pictures of the past, an old stuffed cat that attended many “blessing of the animals services, an old hat that had been at many Easter Sunday services and the list goes on. Even the person who often said very little had something to say when they held their item up to the group. In listening to their stories I discover a great deal about a congregation. But we not only listen to hear stories, we listen for other reasons. Effective listening is about much more. Listening is one of the most important skills you can have. How well you listen has a major impact on the quality of your relationships with others. We listen to obtain information. We listen to understand. We listen for enjoyment. We listen to learn. Given all this listening we do, you would think we’d be good at it! In fact most of us are not. Depending on the study being quoted, we remember between 25 per cent and 50 per cent of what we hear. That means that when you talk to someone for 10 minutes, they pay attention to less than half of the conversation. It is hard to believe, I know! Turn it around and it reveals that when you are receiving directions or being presented with information, you aren't hearing the whole message either. You hope the important parts are captured in your 25-50 per cent, but maybe not. Clearly, listening is a skill that we can all benefit from improving. By becoming a better listener, you will improve your productivity, as well as your ability to influence, persuade and negotiate. What’s more, you'll limit conflict and misunderstandings. All of these are necessary for healthy relationships. Here are some tips about being an effective listener… Give your full attention on the person who is speaking. Don’t look out the window or at what else is going on in the room or at your cell phone. This may sound simple but today giving our full attention is something that everyone needs to work at, especially, with all the electronic gadgets we cater to. Make sure your mind is focused, too. It can be easy to let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say next, but you might be wrong! If you feel your mind wandering, change the position of your body and try to concentrate on the speaker’s words. Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk. Speakers appreciate having the chance to say everything they would like to say without being interrupted. When you interrupt, it looks like you aren't listening, even if you really are. Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak! You can't really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want say next. Listen for main ideas. The main ideas are the most important points the speaker wants to get across. They may be mentioned at the start or end of a talk, and repeated a number of times. Pay special attention to statements that begin with phrases such as “My point is...” or “The thing to remember is...” Ask questions. If you are not sure you understand what the speaker has said, just ask. It is a good idea to THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m. CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS MINISTER Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div. All Welcome MUSIC DIRECTOR Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 FEBRUARY 3 ~ No Leaders? No Wonder! FEBRUARY 10 ~ Jesus the Original Transformer getlivingwater.org Living Water Christian Fellowship Evangelical Missionary Church 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School Wingham Bible Study - Tuesdays 7:30 pm Youth Group - Tuesdays 7:30 pm (at CRC) Women At The Well - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God) Feb. 3: Jer. 1:4-12 “Where is God Sending Me?” February 15, 8 pm at CRC: Faith-In-Song February 17: Special Guests - Teen Challenge Farm, London Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Communion, Annual Congregational Meeting 250 Princess St., Brussels 519-887-6388 www.bmfchurch.com Pastor Jim Whitehead Guests Welcome Jesus Is Lord! Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Worship Service 10:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, February 3 Brussels Business & Cultural Centre at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 ALWAYS A PLACE FOR YOU HURON CHAPEL Every Sunday at 10:30am www.huronchapel.org You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00 am Evening Service 7:30 pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Interim Minister: Pastor Gary Klumpenhower 519-523-9233 Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743 www.blythcrc.ca MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9017 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School BRUSSELS Sandra Cable, Pastor Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00 am Sunday School Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship United Church From the Minister’s StudyOpen your ears and listen to people Continued on page 16