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The Citizen, 2013-03-21, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013. PAGE 3. How to pray in our own Gethsemanes (J.R. Miller) “And being in agony--He prayed more earnestly!.” Luke 22:44 This is the record of our Saviour’s Gethsemane experience. Like a bright lamp, this Scripture shines amid the olive trees of that garden--to show us the path to comfort in our time of sorrow. Never before nor since, has there been such grief as the Redeemer’s that night--but He found comfort in His prayer. His agony lessened as He prayed, until at last its bitterness was all gone--and sweet, blessed peace took its place. The ‘gate of prayer’is one of comfort. There is no other place for true comfort and help. We learn from our Lord’s Gethsemane agony--how to pray in our own Gethsemanes. God never blames us for asking to have the bitter cup removed, nor for the intensity of our prayers; but we must always pray with submission to His will. When we sincerely pray, “Not my will, but may Your will be done”--comfort comes, and then peace. A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 The Citizen offices will be closed on FRIDAY, MARCH 29 for Good Friday The deadlines for the April 4 paper will be the same as usual: Monday, April 1 2 pm in Brussels and 4 pm in Blyth Budget includes increased spending of 2.51 per cent North Huron Township Council passed its 2013 budget on Monday evening with a 2.51 per cent overallincrease in spending.The increased budget means tax increases on an average house assessed at $152,884 of 0.07 per cent in Wingham or $2.11, 0.89 per cent in Blyth or $23.28 and 0.94 per cent in East Wawanosh or $23.24. However, with assessment values, these numbers could actually represent a drop in taxation rate, if not a drop in taxes for some properties according to Finance Director Donna White. The increases in spending represent several increases throughout the community as well as just over $1 million in capital expenditures. The two major projects for the year include exterior repairs to the Wingham Town Hall valued at $250,000, of which half will come from a grant and the rest from reserves, requiring no taxation, and upgrades to the Blyth water systems which will cost $144,561 taken from user fees.Other projects include replacingand repairing infrastructure, equipment and roads projects. Salaries in the municipalities, either through new programs, new positions, a two per cent cost of living increase and grid movements increased approximately $650,000, or approximately 12 per cent, in the new budget, though the numbers may say something different. White explained thatapproximately $50,000 to $60,000was added to salaries in the fire budget that used to be counted under the training budget. “It should make it clearer when we present these numbers to neighbours where the money is going,” she said, adding that it brought the fire department in line with the rest of the municipality in terms of budgetary practices. Of the annual taxes that will becollected this year, 57.25 per centwill stay in the municipality while 27.11 per cent will be collected for the county and 15.63 per cent will be given to the local school boards. Of that 57.25 per cent, Wingham residents pay 62.41 per cent, Blyth residents pay 17.66 per cent and East Wawanosh pays 19.93 per cent. The full Irish Following weekly service at Blyth United Church on Sunday, March 17, the congregation embraced the fact that it was St. Patrick’s Day and held an Irish lunch. Here, members of the congregation dig in to several Irish-inspired brunch dishes. (Jim Brown photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Women’s Day Out tickets still available Greeting worshippers at Blyth United Church on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17 was member of the Sunday school Tessa Bibok. Ushering were Elaine Chamney, Hope Button, Lissa Kolkman and Tom Cronin. Floyd Herman was music director and Mark Bibok ran the power point. Rev. Neil Lackey of Huron/Perth Presbytery was guest speaker in the absence of Rev. Gary Clark. Special announcements were that the Sunday school will be in charge of the Palm Sunday Service on March 24 at 11 a.m.; Good Friday Service on Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m.; and Communion is on Easter Sunday, March 31 at 11 a.m.. Tickets are still available for Women’s Day Out on Saturday, April 13 - call Joann MacDonald if you need any. The UCW is inviting women of the community to join them at their meeting on March 28 at 1:30 p.m. to hear their guest speaker Constable James Stanley of the OPP speaking on scams, frauds and adult safety. Camp Menesetung is looking for people to fill staff positions. For information call 519-523-6497 or 519-527-0525. The call to worship was the singing of the two hymns, “I Have Called You by Your Name” and “Dance with the Spirit” followed by the prayer of confession and the assurance of pardon repeated responsively and the saying of The Lord’s Prayer. The scripture reading was Psalm 24 read responsively and a reading from John 12: 1-8. The children were asked to come to the front for their story time. Rev. Lackey asked a couple of children to taste the liquid he had in glass. While he put a drop of each on their tongues he asked the others to watch how they reacted. The changes in their faces told the others whether or not it was a good taste or a bad taste. He told them that bullying would be a bad thing and a gift from someone would be good thing. He told the children that Judas in the scriptures could only see the waste in the perfume that Mary washed Jesus’ feet with but Jesus told him it was a CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON TAXES DUE The first 2013 tax installment for the Township of North Huron is due on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Interest at 1 1/4% per month, or any part thereof will be charged on unpaid accounts as of March 27, 2013 and the first day of each month thereafter. NOTE: Persons who have acquired properties and have not received a tax bill should contact the Municipal Office. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve a taxpayer from responsibility for payment of taxes, nor from penalty for late payment. Please contact the Treasury Department in regards to the various payment options available. Pre-authorized payment sign up forms are available at www.northhuron.ca or at the Town Hall. Donna White Director of Finance Township of North Huron Insurance • Investments • Mortgages* • Tax Preparation 1-877-422-6346 ext. 532 bmachan@canfin.com http://brianmachan.canfin.com * Mortgages offered through Canfin Mortgage & Equity Inc. FSCO Licence #11949 Brian R. Machan, CFP Blyth churches host walk event on March 24 By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Sorry to hear that Ruth Dougherty is a patient in Wingham Hospital. We hope she is feeling better and will be home soon. Happy birthday to Bayden MacDonald who celebrated his birthday March 16; Donna Sippel, Listowel and Amy McCrea, who celebrate March 21; Taylor Wharton, March 22. Don’t forget the monthly pancake breakfast at the Legion Hall on Sunday, March 24. Come out and support your local Legion Branch. Join the churches in Blyth as they host a “Walk Through Holy Week” on Sunday evening, March 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church and then on to the other churches in the community. Everyone is welcome. Continued on page 7