HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-02-07, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013.
St. Anne’s hosts Mardi Gras
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth United Church
“Oh I’m spiritual, not religious,” is
a common response to my
confessing to someone I’ve just met
that I am a minister with the United
Church. It is one of those things that
confuse me because it feels like I am
being gently accused (or judged) of
being one who judges others. It is as
if I am standing on the edge of
blowing my top if I find out
the person in front of me is not
going to church! Which is just not
true.
It’s not that I don’t care if a person
is going to church or not but it is not
my main reason to like or dislike
them. Actually I try to accept people
for who they are and not according
to some list of ‘holy’ or even nice
characteristics. People are people
and if there is one thing that my
discipleship in the ways of Jesus
teaches me is that we are called to
talk, laugh and break bread with
everyone. That goes for churchgoers
or not, Christians or not, spiritual,
religious or not or any other group
you can mention. That doesn’t mean
getting along with everyone has
been easy (and I have occasionally
failed at it) but that is where the
practice of discipleship comes into
play.
To be a disciple is to be a follower
and student of a mentor, teacher or
figure. To claim to be a Christian is
to claim to be a disciple of Jesus,
known as the Christ. I like being a
disciple of Jesus. It means that I
haven’t got it all figured out. It
means that I have lots yet to
learn and that I want to learn
whatever Jesus has to teach me. It
means I am in process toward
becoming or achieving my fullest
human and spiritual potential
and not just me but the denomination
of the United Church with whom I
journey in faith. We unashamedly
admit that we are not perfect,
that we don’t have it all figured out
and that we have lots left to
learn. We believe that theology
(the knowledge and study
of God) evolves and that its fullest
potential is in the future not the
past.
Yes Jesus was a historical figure
rooted in a particular time but much
of what he said still challenges me
and us today. “Love your
‘neighbour’ as yourself,” and
“forgive us our sins as we forgive
those who sin against us” are just
two of the tenants, of the way of
Jesus, that have evolved and we
understand them now in broader
terms then even 80 years ago. It has
been historically recent that our faith
evolved and we ordained women
(1936) and then gay and lesbian
individuals (1988).
Another recent learning is that
when we say ‘neighbour’ we mean
not just those who look, act and
believe like us but also those who do
not. United Church folks have felt
the sting from other Christians as we
have openly spoke to Muslims,
Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and people
from other world religions about our
shared journey toward God. We
accept that for us the road to
salvation is through Jesus but for
others it is Muhammad or the Dalai
Lama or other spiritual leader. We
accept that those who are spiritual
and not religious may also find
God as they search this glorious
creation. We seek to be open to
where the inclusive Spirit of God
leads us even if it means a bumpy
ride.
Our theology has and continues to
evolve. It is Jesus, this prophet, this
preacher, this gift from and of God
that keeps calling us to hear his
words in new and exciting ways. I
am reminded of an old riddle. What
is the difference between a house
and a coffin? The answer, a coffin
has only one door, one way in and no
way out. My faith journey has
opened my life to relationships with
all sorts of people from all sorts of
religions and no religion at all. I am
glad that the church I am part of is
not a coffin but rather a house with
room for all. And if I must be judged
let it be because my house of faith
has many doors.
By Rachel Robinson
Semester two has begun and we’re
back at it after a wintery exam
schedule. We continue to “Count
Our Blessings” at St. Anne’s and are
very grateful to have many activities
to look forward to in the second
semester.
We can’t wait for our annual
Winterfest at the end of February,
our Lenten campaign begins soon
(we will be collecting specific items
for St. Vincent de Paul) and our
March evening of fun games is just
around the corner.
Our St. Anne’s Me to We group is
hosting a Grade 6, 7 and 8 Mardi
Gras Dance on Friday, Feb. 8
from 7 to 10 p.m. in the St. Anne’s
cafeteria. The dance costs $5
and all money goes to help
build a school in Kenya.
Freezies and treats will also be on
sale.
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.
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, February 10
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
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
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 10 ~ Jesus the Original Transformer
FEBRUARY 17 ~ The “I” Test
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9017
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
getlivingwater.org
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
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)
“God’s Inner
Spa Treatment”
February 15, 8 pm at CRC: Faith-In-Song
February 17: Special Guests
- Teen Challenge Farm, London
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Evangelical Missionary Church
Feb. 10: Ex. 34, 2 Cor. 3
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
On What Really Matters
HURONCHAPEL.org
Every Sunday @ 10:30amy Sunday @ 10:30amerEv
HUR
y Sunday @ 10:30am
ONCHAPEL.orHUR
y Sunday @ 10:30am
ONCHAPEL.or
y Sunday @ 10:30am
gONCHAPEL.or
y Sunday @ 10:30amy Sunday @ 10:30amy Sunday @ 10:30am
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 StudyHouses of faith should have many doors: Clark
Have A New Addition?
Call for prices and details
519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114
Let everyone know about
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