HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-07-28, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011.
Health Unit offers heat wave tips
By Rev. Gary Clark
Blyth United Church
Recently I attended a U2 concert
in Toronto. I found it quite the
happening to be sure.
There were 62,000 fans in the
seats and another 12,000 standing on
the floor of the Rogers Centre. At
one point there was a light show of
sorts but it didn’t figure largely in
the event. The people were there for
the songs and for the band.
U2 is one of those rare bands that
has really connected with a wide age
group. I saw families with little kids,
lots of 40 and 50-somethings and
those older still.
I think this has happened because
the band are seekers of truth and are
passionately concerned about the
lives of the poor on our planet. Their
song “Pride” is about sacrificing
your life for higher ideas and for the
greater good. In the song “I Still
Haven’t Found What I’m Looking
For” a whole generation has lost
faith in the easy answers of
monetary success felt like someone
is singing their song. In the song
“Mysterious Ways” we are
introduced to the Holy Spirit
although that name is never used. In
“Native Son,” “New Year’s Day”
“Love and Peace Or Else,” “Sunday
Bloody Sunday” and “Peace On
Earth” the topic is guns and the
damage done when one ideology
uses violence to oppress those
within the same country. In the song
“One” the issue is turmoil in the
family when a child disappoints the
parents. Oh yes and there are lots of
love songs.
U2 is a band that has no issue with
calling themselves Christian but they
sometimes have problems with what
is done in the name of the Christian
faith. They have a song called
“Jesus Christ” but there are other
songs where their faith pushes the
edges of my faith.
They and their faith have matured
in front of the eyes of millions of
fans worldwide.
In 2001, speaking to Rolling Stone
magazine the lead singer Bono said,
“Christ says, I think, in the sermon
on the mount, ‘If you love your life
too much, you’ve already lost it.’
Which is an interesting one. As a
younger man I remember I didn’t
understand what he meant, because I
loved life. You’re holding on so tight
to it that you're incapable of doing
anything with it. It’s about fear.”
These guys have not been afraid to
change and grow while everybody
watches and listens along. U2 and
Bono in particular have used their
fame to shine the light of public
opinion on world issues. Sometimes
that has been uncomfortable for
world leaders and sometimes not.
Maybe that has been one of the
most fascinating and attractive
things about them. They try to live
their faith and it influences their
music, their vocation.
I know that many will miss their
Christian references but the message
of sacrificial love and life, or
forgiveness and second chances
keeps coming through.
Would Jesus approve? I think so. I
believe Jesus wants us to struggle
with our faith. I believe we are
meant grow from the faith of a child
to that of a worldly and mature
follower. We are meant to use our
gifts, talents, influence and faith to
awaken our friends to the needs of
the world and lead by example.
Why is this necessary? Because
far too many in our society sing the
song and live a life that says they
still haven’t found what they are
looking for.
I think that a band like U2 can
open the door to spiritual curiosity
but it is up to those involved in
church life that will invite them into
a mature relationship with God. Or
we won’t and the song will remain
true.
With the hot humid weather last
week expected to continue, the
Huron County Health Unit is
advising the public to take care to
prevent heat-related illnesses.
Environment Canada reports
expecting extremely high
temperatures and humidex values
across Ontario and in particular
across Southwestern Ontario. The
health unit is asking people to
monitor weather conditions and take
precautions.
Public Health Nurse, Donna
Parsons, says anyone can suffer heat
related illness when their body is
unable to cool during exposure to
excessive heat. Those who are
especially at risk include young
children, older adults, people with
chronic health conditions and those
who are active or work outside or in
hot environments.
Forms of heat-related illness can
include: heat cramps (severe
cramping usually in the legs or
abdomen), heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Symptoms of heat
exhaustion can include heavy
sweating, weakness, fast heart rate,
dizziness, nausea, vomiting and
fainting. Heat stroke is a medical
emergency that can prove fatal if not
treated. Symptoms include
headache, dizziness, confusion and
fainting. Skin may be sweating or
may be hot, red and dry.
If someone is experiencing
symptoms of heat illness, they
should be immediately moved to a
cool place and drink liquids such as
water or a sports drink. Apply cool
water to skin or clothing and watch
for signs such as fainting or
confusion that would indicate the
need to seek emergency medical
care.
The health unit recommends the
following tips:
• Limit time outdoors between 11
a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV index
is most intense.
• Drink lots of water and natural
juices, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, coffee
and cola.
• Avoid eating heavy meals.
• Avoid the sun or heat when
possible. If you must go out, stay in
the shade.
• Find an air-conditioned room. If
you don’t have air conditioning in
your home, go to the mall, library or
recreational facility.
• If you can’t find an air
conditioned facility, take a cool
shower or bath.
• Keep curtains or blinds drawn
during the hottest part of the day.
• Wear light-weight, loose-fitting
clothes. Wear a wide-brimmed hat
and sunglasses.
• Avoid intense or moderately-
intense physical activity.
• Talk with your doctor or
pharmacist to see if your medication
makes you more vulnerable to
extreme heat.
• Check on children, seniors,
persons with disabilities and
individuals with chronic illness.
Make sure they are well hydrated
and have no signs of heat-related
illness.
• Never leave anyone, including
pets, alone in a closed, parked
vehicle.
• Use fans to draw cool air at
night; do not rely on a fan as a
primary cooling device during
extended periods of excessive heat.
Check with your local
municipality for any public places
that may be available for people who
need relief from the heat.
Weather conditions can be found
on the Environmental Canada
website.
For more information on health
impacts related to environment
conditions, contact the Huron
County Health Unit at 519-482-
3416 or 1-877-837-6143.
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
July 31st ~ Summer Psalm Series: Praise
August 7 ~ Guest Speaker
~ Summer Psalm Series: The Go Project
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, July 31
Brussels Legion at 10:30 a.m.
and at various locations at 6:30 p.m.
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 Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
Brussels and Ethel churches are closed for July
while Pastor Cable is on holidays.
As other years we are invited to worship at
Melville Presbyterian Church for July.
Please note: Worship is at 10 am at Melville.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
July 31: Gen. 35:1-15
“Israel at Home in
God’s House
– at Last”
Evangelical Missionary Church
Meeting this Sunday
at Gayle Poore’s,
280 Dinsley St.
– 10:30 a.m.
Please join us for worship
Summer Intern Pastor Kevin Boss
Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743
www.blythcrc.ca
SUNDAY
Morning Service 10:00 am
Sunday, July 31 Evening Service
7:00 pm in the Clinton CRC
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Outdoor Service and potluck picnic on
Sunday, August 7 at 10 am in the Blyth Lions Park.
Bring lawn chairs. All are welcome!
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
Church Office: 519-357-4883
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, July 31
Rev. Perry Chuipka
www.nabcom.ca/church
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, JULY 31
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
From the Minister’s StudyMinister praises U2 for their faith in song
119 John’s Ave., Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
10:30 a.m.
Worship Service
Come join us for
worship this Sunday
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August – Visitation Month
Worship resumes Sept. 4
at Blyth Public
School