The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2011-02-03, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011. By Minister Perry Chuipka Minister of Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth and St. John’s Anglican Church in Brussels. This Valentine’s Day the Dreamer’s Youth Group at Trinity Anglican Church wanted to do something different. This day is often set aside to show your appreciation and love for your sweetheart. So that got me thinking about the history of Valentine’s Day, so let’s look at the background around Valentine’s Day. The history of Valentine’s Day is steeped in legend and has a rather varied background. Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third- century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree just wasn’t fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had him put to death. Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’. Those words are still used on cards today. Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure; February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating clear back to the middle ages. In fact, Valentine’s Day ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent. Another valentine gentleman you may be wondering about is Cupid (Latin cupido, “desire”). In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around wounding both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love. So as we look at the varied background of Valentine’s Day, the Dreamers Youth Group has been working to emphasize that February has been the month to celebrate love. So this year the youth wanted to reach out to more than just the people who are a happy couple. There are many people who at Valentine’s Day are reminded of break-ups, divorce, broken relationships or simply being alone without a partner. The youth thought this skating party could be a time when we remember that we are all God’s Special Valentine – no matter if you have a sweetheart or not. So at this Valentine’s Venture, God is everyone’s valentine. Skating begins at the Blyth Arena at 3:30 p.m. and runs until 5 p.m. There is a gathering after the skating at Trinity Anglican Church Hall to celebrate this event of being God’s Valentine, a part of the event that the group felt would be especially important. Hot dogs, hot chocolate and a Valentine’s cake will be available for all. There will be a collection jar for the Blyth Public School project, Kids Giving Water as well. Nobody is obligated to give towards this cause. So come as one, in couples and as all your family, helping us to celebrate that God is our Valentine. You and I can make a difference this Valentine’s Day by helping people to feel better about themselves knowing that they do have a Valentine on this special 14th day of February. If at all possible, please call 519- 357-3437 or e-mail us at perrychuipka@eastlink.ca to let us know your numbers that are attending. The ABC Women’s Ministry of Auburn, Blyth and Clinton EMCC Churches will welcome special guests Men of Note and Annie Sparling to their ninth annual Faith- In-Song concert to be held once again in the Blyth Christian Reformed Church at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11. Back again by high demand will be emcee Steve Cook. The Men of Note male chorus was established in 1998 with Arend Steutker as the first director and Dianne Bruinsma as pianist. It is an interdenominational choir with a membership of 30. Participating members come from all over Huron County and beyond. From Bayfield, Clinton, Blyth, Brussels, Ethel, Gorrie and even Listowel they find their way to come to practice in Clinton every Wednesday night from September until May. The Men of Note mostly participate in local church services, fundraising concerts, seniors homes and the annual Festival of Praise, which is the group’s highlight of the year. This annual event is hosted by five male choirs from Woodstock, Sarnia, Chatham, St. Thomas and Clinton. They sing as separate choirs, but also do about seven mass choir songs. The choir has been directed by Jannie Top since January, 2008 and accompanied by Malinda Exel since September 2008. Annie Sparling was born and raised outside Detroit, Michigan and being from a musical family, music has always been a part of her life. Her talent was uncovered in Grade 2 of elementary school. During school music practices the music director told her parents that every week he could hear a clear beautiful voice, then discovered it was Annie. He had her doing solos for church and school from then on. After completing high school Annie received a voice scholarship to Wayne State University where she performed opera and sang in various choirs. In addition to classical music Annie enjoys singing jazz, folk, musical theatre as well as contemporary and sacred music. After marrying David Sparling from Blyth, Annie directed a children praise team, had a thriving voice studio, and ran a Kindermusik program for young children. Currently, in addition to volunteering at Clinton and District Christian School, directing choir and helping with Christmas programs, Annie provides special music to churches and community groups. Tickets are available at The Gift Cupboard in Blyth, by calling 519- 523-9267 and at the door. From the Minister’s StudyGod can be your valentine this month 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 6th “Your Cheating Heart” February 13th “Your Desiring Heart” and Valentine Luncheon Everyone Welcome Please join us for 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 Pastor Gary Klumpenhower 519-523-9233 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com Sunday, February 6 Ethel United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m. Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship getlivingwater.org Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848 Living Water Christian Fellowship 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Small Group 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women’s Ministry Fridays 7:00 pm - Youth Group Feb. 6:1Cor. 2:1-12 “The One Thing the Church Needs to Know” POTBLESS, Annual Congregational Meeting Evangelical Missionary Church Fri., Feb. 11 Faith-In-Song 8 p.m. at Blyth CRC Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, February 6 Brussels Public School at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. 6:30 pm - DVD series on the Book of Revelation by James MacDonald Sunday School for children 4 to 11 years of age (mornings only) Childcare provided for infants and toddlers Coffee & cookies after the morning service For additional details please contact: Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Chris McMichael 519.482.1644 119 John’s Ave., Auburn 519-526-1131 www.huronchapel.org 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service Guest Speaker: Rev. Wilbert Schwindt Adult Fellowship Games & Wii Night Friday, February 5th at 7:30 p.m. Meet in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favourite board, card or Wii game and your favourite snack! Faith-In-Song coming back to Blyth By Mikenna Lane Students at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School are blessed to have finished their exam schedule without a snow day. Students are feeling a sense of relief and teachers will have a busy few days marking, reporting and preparing for the second semester. It has been a very busy and eventful semester and students are ready for change. The second semester begins on Feb. 3 and everyone is excited to be starting a fresh new schedule of classes. Students are focusing on healthy living as they host Winterfest on Feb. 16, a spiritual overnight retreat in April and students are beginning to train the community in the school’s fitness centre. The brand new fitness centre will have its grand opening on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Elwin Garland SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-2664 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Welcomes you to come and worship with us Trinity, Blyth 9:15 a.m. Church Office: 519-317-4883 St. John's, Brussels 11:15 a.m. 519-887-6862 Sunday, February 6 Rev. Perry Chuipka www.nabcom.ca/church Second semester begins at St. Anne’s