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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-03-28, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013. New again The Maitland Presbyterial WMS held its annual meeting earlier this month and installed its new executive. The executive is, back row, from left: Mary Robinson, Nancy MacIntyre, Valerie Sharpe, Kathy Armstrong and Joanne Lennips. Front row, from left: Mae Raynard, Norma Raynard, Mary Simmons, Evelyn Dickson and Marj Deyell. (Photo submitted) By Rev. Gary Clark Blyth United Church Easter is important to me, but as I look around our country and world its importance has significantly waned in the hearts and minds of many. I think I understand why. As Christians we talk about the death of Jesus as being a necessary part of our salvation. Actually not just our salvation but the salvation for the whole world as well. As I talk with people, particularly but not exclusively young people, I hear why they are turning away from Christianity. For them it is incomprehensible that God (as a Father or a Mother) would demand that their son Jesus die for our sins. This is called atonement theology. Young people, like my own daughter, do not understand how his death 2,000 years ago does anything for them. It is all Greek to them. Actually it is Hebrew, as in an ancient Hebrew belief in animal sacrifice as a means to be forgiven by God for our sins. Even the natural processes of life like child birth required a sacrifice (Leviticus 12:1- 8). I certainly don’t claim to know why God would have this constant thirst for blood and burn offering. As well if Jesus’ death was to set us free from sin, then why is sin a continuing problem? Every sin under the sun seems to be just as bad today as it was back in the time of Jesus. Indeed why are there any problems in the world if his gift was so globally significant? These are tough questions and we dare not wave them away as if those kids and other doubters don’t have a point. I think most of us hunger to make sense of our world. Things like tragic accidents or fatal cancer in a healthy person cry out for a reason, something to make sense of the loss. But often there is no reason, just weeping and the journey that grief brings. So we begin to look for what good can come out of our tragedies. We know we are marked by pain but can something new and unexpected grow in the desert of our dark nights? I think this is why the disciples who were Hebrews used atonement theology to make sense of the death of Jesus. His death couldn’t be meaningless, could it? At least in atonement theology his death would mean something spiritually for them and the world. Just for argument’s sake let’s just set aside the whole atonement idea. Even if there is no atonement does Jesus’ life make a difference to us today? I say yes! In Jesus we see, hear and experience a man who let faith change his life and in doing so change the lives of those around him. If you can judge the size of a rock dropped in a pond by the waves it makes, than you can judge the kind of person by the waves their lives leave behind. Jesus must have been quite a person. It was not his riches nor building projects nor even masterpieces of art that tell us so. It was his life. In how he loved God and loved others he has made waves that continue to rock the world. He also taught us, as Rev. Paul Clayton once wrote, about the importance of having “the dream, the burden and the powerful moment of opportunity.” Jesus dreamed a possibility for his people and indeed for all humanity that eludes us still. He believed in and lived out the healing possibilities in forgiveness and the life-changing miracles it creates. He tore down the artificial walls that prejudice builds and challenged any structure that would deny people a path to freedom and joy. Jesus himself says almost nothing about atonement and instead focuses on the power of God through community to heal us and set us free from sin (sin being anything that separates us from each other and God). Jesus had a dream. I believe that what each of us needs is the courage to have a dream so precious that we will be ready to accept the burden of making that dream a reality. Even when it means going against the grain and the mocking of family, friends and society. Even if it means giving our lives. Next we are ready to seize the powerful moment of opportunity when it comes. In living this out, Christ makes sense! We understand that in our hearts as well as minds the Christ-like power of giving one’s life for a dream far greater than ourselves. This is why Jesus left such amazing waves and why we might even go so far as to call him “God Can Use Me” was the theme for the annual Women’s Missionary Society meeting held March 11 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Wingham. The meeting had been postponed twice due to stormy weather for those travelling from out of town. President Kathy Armstrong welcomed everyone and constituted the meeting. The WMS Mission Purpose was recited. The worship service was taken from Ephesians 2: 8-10 and led by the Kincardine group. Barbara Stuart gave a very inspiring message. Minutes from the previous meeting were read by recording secretary Norma Raynard. Maitland is hosting the Synodical meetings which will be held April 16, 17 at Knox Church, Kincardine. A lovely service in memoriam was presented by the Brussels group. Officers for the coming year were installed by Rev. Peggy Kinsman and the sacrament of Holy Community was shared. Mary Robinson gave an invitation to the spring rally to be held at Molesworth on Monday, May 27. Courtesy remarks were given by Marg Underwood. “A riveting powerful story, guaranteed to change your life forever.” - Huron Chapel Good Friday Service @ 10:30am Easter Sunday: Sunrise Service @ 7:15am - Morning Service @10:30am www.huronchapel.org Maundy Thursday, March 28 St. John’s - Noon Service and Lunch Trinity - at St. Peter’s, Lucknow; 6:30 Supper and Service Good Friday, March 29 Both congregations at St. Peter’s, Lucknow at 10:30 am Easter Sunday, March 31 Holy Eucharist - Rev. Thelma Kudelka Trinity - 9:15 am St. John’s 11:15 am getlivingwater.orgPastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 am at 308 Blyth Rd. Evangelical Missionary Church Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Bible Study Tuesdays 7:30 pm Tuesdays 7:30 pm (at CRC) Youth Group 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm Women At The Well Easter Son-rise Service 7:00 am at 39718 Amberley Rd. Bring a lawn chair. Easter Celebration 1 Cor. 15:19ff Easter - Portent of the King’s Coming Dominion Easter Sunday Good Friday FREE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST 8:30 - 10:30 am at Blyth Memorial Hall; with optional short worship to follow. Sausage, eggs, back bacon. Bring the whole family! 250 Princess St., Brussels 519-887-6388 www.bmfchurch.com Pastor Jim Whitehead Guests Welcome Jesus Is Lord! Brussels Mennonite Fellowship Good Friday Service 10:00 am Easter Celebration 10:00 am Refreshments to follow From the Minister’s StudyClark establishes Easter’s importance WMS installs new executive Continued on page 15