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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-01-27, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011. In his message on Jan. 16, Terry Fletcher asked congregants to look at a familiar Bible story in a renewed way. The group leading the program at the UCW meeting on Monday, Jan. 17 were doing a similar thing. “I am pregnant and scared. Now what? How do I tell my parents? My boyfriend? I don’t know what to do. Who can I talk to?” Mary, the mother of Christ, probably asked herself these questions 2,000 years ago. Mary was likely just a young teenager. This is a side to the Christmas story we may never have considered before as we listen to the words of the scripture. Mary was in a difficult situation for our faith. She likely worried about how society would accept her. Mary’s faith, her visit by the angel and Joseph’s understanding saw her through the crisis. Those same concerns about an unplanned pregnancy are experienced by women today. They also worry about making the right choice(s) for the baby. “What about adoption? Abortion? My future? I’m all alone.” A newly organized pregnancy centre, called “Room 2 Grow”, and its understanding volunteers want to see these young women through the crisis in their lives. Perhaps they see the face of Mary in the women who come to them. They want the girls to know they have choices. “Room 2 Grow” is a charitable group situated in Clinton at 9 Rattenbury St. whose services are open to women of Huron County who need help dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. The women of the Londesborough UCW who gathered in the church basement that evening heard a presentation by one of the volunteers for the service, Linda Renkema. Linda stated that initially, many of the women in this situation feel abortion is the only answer. This group talks to the women about other choices. They give unconditional love and support to the women, many of whom lack resources, have a sense of abandonment, may be dealing with addiction and feel they have nowhere to turn for help. Unfortunately, Linda revealed, there are between 60 and 70 teenage pregnancies in the Avon Maitland District School Board and this group wants to be there with answers and help. In the few months of operation the group has seen despair replaced by hope, loneliness by love and ignorance by knowledge during their talks with the girls. They offera listening ear, educationalprograms, referral to community resources, free pregnancy tests, etc. They plan eventually to offering parenting classes, adoption counselling (through Beginnings in Hamilton), and post-abortion classes, if that is the route the women choose to take. They want to give the future back to the women in crisis. The site also as a ‘care cupboard’ with diapers, baby and maternity clothes for those who need them. The services are free and completely confidential. At present, the service is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, they operate and pay their rent through donations and a few corporate sponsors and volunteers. They would welcome financial support and prayers. They also ask that everyone who knows about the group spread the word so help can be given to the women. There is also a need for foster homes for some of the women. The time of devotion, led by Ann Adams, Kim Roetcisoender and Catherine Allen included scripture readings Luke 1: 26-33 and Luke 2: 1-7, verses of the Christmas story. Everyone sang the hymn, “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”. Areading/prayer encouraged thewomen to radiate the light of Christmas in this new year. ET CETERA A notice crossed my desk this week about the Seventh Annual North Huron Snowarama. This year’s ride will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19. Trail riders can register and have breakfast between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Londesborough Community Hall. Breakfast is sponsored by the Londesborough Lions Club. There are a variety of fun activities happening during the day as well along the 130 km. run through the trails of North Huron. Last year’s run raised $13,500 for Easter Seals kids in this area. All monies raised for the run stay in Huron County to assist challenged youth with mobility equipment, communication devices, summer camping and recreation. Don’t want to ride the trails? You can help by sponsoring a rider, donating to the North Huron Snowarama Committee and/or going out for breakfast that morning. Need more information? Contact Adrian Salverda at 519-482- 9113. I was looking for a new item to keep readers reading this column and last week we investigated‘dates’. The “Google machine”spewed out all sorts of fun stuff. Some of it I plan to pass on to you in monthly blurbs. January is more than half over so some of this month’s facts will be late. However, did you know that January birthdays can be celebrated by giving/sending carnations? Don’t forget that this is Alzheimer Awareness Month. The forget-me-not flower, has been adopted as the society’s emblem. This is also mail order gardening month. By the number of seed catalogues in the mail this month many gardeners are aware of this. During January, I found there are 22 special weeks designated. January has only four weeks so I chose four you might find interesting – man-watchers week (must be for ladies only), celebration of life week (one for all of us to remember during a month that is regarded by many as the most depressing), and along the same vein that someday we’ll laugh about this week and for all business folk, the thank-you-customers week. The third Monday in January is designated as Martin Luther King Day by our neighbours to the south. Another ‘king’, Elvis, is remembered on Jan. 8, his birthday. Robbie Burns is celebrated by the Scotsmen and those who want to beon Jan. 25. We missed NationalHugging Day on Jan. 21 but you can make it up on Spouse’s Day on Jan. 26. Compliment Day on Jan. 23 sounds like a great idea for a depressing month followed on Jan. 25 by Fun At Work Day. Our Chinese friends will celebrate their New Year on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The details of your wedding will be recorded in black and white for friends to read and you to clip for your scrapbook if you tell the story of your wedding in our 2011 Bridal Parade. 1 photo of the bridal couple plus 300 word write-up (write it up yourself or pick up a form from The Citizen office and fill it in and we’ll write it for you). Just $25 (including HST) - must be paid in advance. Your story will appear along with those of other bridal couples from the past year. As well, the story and photo (plus up to two additional photos from your wedding) will, be published on our Brides in Huron website (www.northhuron.on.ca) for your friends around the world to enjoy. Deadline: February 18 Issue date: March 3 DON’T LET THE MEMORIES OF YOUR WEDDING FADE 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen Email: norhuron@scsinternet.com NEWS FROM LONDESBORO By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORONew pregnancy support group featured at meeting