HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-08-30, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012.
4-H Club
holds
meeting
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth United Church
As most folks around here know I
was honoured to be nominated to
offer my name for the position of
Moderator of the United Church of
Canada. I was not elected and that is
fine with me. It means I have more
time to be with the folks of Blyth
and area.
My personal journey in this
discernment has led me to reflect on
where local churches in Huron-Perth
and in Ontario are headed. Some are
holding their own and most are
shrinking. Yes this can partly be
blamed on “the secular times” we
are in but congregations must also
shoulder the largest chunk of
responsibility. If we know the times
are a changing and people of all ages
relate to the world in different ways,
then we too must change how we
communicate the Good News of
Jesus Christ. After all people are still
people with fears and hopes, loves
and disappointments. Every human
condition was and is addressed in
the ministry of Jesus. So the
challenge really is in finding a way
to communicate the wisdom and the
way of Jesus which leads to having a
happy life. Isn’t this what everyone
thirsts and hungers for, happiness in
their life?
So there is a need to change how
we are in the world so that we can
still be who Christ wants us to be
and who the world needs us to be.
Change all comes down to a
question of leadership. Will the
leadership of churches (and I believe
all volunteer organizations) be able
to vision a new way of being and
then have the courage to face those
in their communities who don’t want
to change? This is a hard sell
particularly when most groups are
having a very hard time recruiting
and retaining leaders let alone
members. We are in a position that
requires us to be free of traditional
ways of being. Yes there is a real
possibility that we ‘might’ bring us
closer to death but if we don’t
change then we ‘will’ definitely die.
For myself I am willing to risk it all
for Christ’s sake and that those who
hunger for second chances find that
opportunity in the church.
One big chance that I want to
tackle head on is the sinful state of
competition among churches of the
same denomination and between
denominations. The folks at Blyth
United are going to get sick of me
talking about this but we need to
name it and exorcise it from Body of
Christ. It is in no uncertain terms an
evil demon that has possessed
congregations and lead them astray.
It has fooled us into believing that
the love of God is limited and only a
few will get God’s gifts. But the
truth is the more we share God’s
gifts the more gifts God provides. In
the scriptures Jesus calls this ‘living
water and all who drink it will never
thirst again.’ And it is where one of
churches in town gets their name.
As a preacher I could go on and on
about this but instead I want you the
reader to discern the places in your
life where only God can bring
healing. Then with hope and
expectation visit a church this very
Sunday. As you seek God, discover
that God is seeking you in new and
exciting ways. I believe that any
church will do because if you open
yourself up to God, God will lead
you to where you will find what you
need. God will guide you feet in that
time of your discerning.
By Johanna Blake
The sixth meeting of the North
Huron Sheep Club was called to
order on Monday, Aug. 13 at leader
Jacquie Bishop’s farm. All members
brought in their 4-H lambs to be
sheared by Kevin Bishop for the
Bayfield Fair. While the sheep were
being sheared, members practised
showing their sheep and preparing
their wool entry for the
Achievement Day at the Seaforth
Fair on Sept. 14.
Once all the sheep were sheared,
the members had a snack and ended
the meeting with the 4-H motto,
“Learn to do by Doing”.
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
SEPTEMBER 2 ~ The Diamond Perspective
SEPTEMBER 9 ~ Remembering 9-11,
The Day the World Changed
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743
www.blythcrc.ca
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9017
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
t Sept. 2: Mk. 6:30 ff
Phenomenal
Outcomes in
Frustrating
Circumstances
Evangelical Missionary Church
Worship10:30 a.m.
at home of E & Y Dow,
211 North St., Blyth
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, September 2
Brussels Legion at 10:30 a.m.
and in various homes at 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
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Worship Service and
Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
119 John’s Ave., Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
Rev. Mark Royall,
Sr. Pastor
10:30 a.m
Morning Worship Service
From the Minister’s StudyNow is the time to unite says Rev. Clark
A piece of history
Terry Fletcher from Londesborough United Church, third from right, and a small choir treated
the congregation at Hope Chapel Cemetery in Hullett Township with a small slice of history on
Sunday at the cemetery’s annual memorial service. The group sang “Look to the Lighthouse”
a song with a lot of history in Londesborough. Fletcher told the congregation that the song had
been performed at the 100th anniversary service of Londesborough United Church and it had
been rearranged for the cemetery service. Dozens of visitors were in attendance for the
service. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Got Married...
Call for pricing & details
519-523-4792
or 519-887-9114
Share your news
by placing your
announcement in
The Citizen