The Citizen, 2010-02-04, Page 12By Rev. Tom Murray,Knox United Church, BelgraveOver the years of my ministry, themost often made comments by
people within and outside the faith
have been about what it means to be
a member of a church, synagogue, or
temple.
It has always intrigued me that at
first glance most people are reluctant
to commit to being a member of
anything. Joining in the activities is
one thing, actually signing on is
another!
I believe primarily, that this
reluctance stems from our place of
busyness, from our fear of the
unknown, or worse the experiences
people have had with a faith
community in the past.
I can only speak from my United
Church and Reformed Church of
Canada experience. In my
estimation too much has been
attached to being a member that has
nothing to do with being a person of
faith. For, in reality, being a member
of a local faith community has
everything to do with what God asks
us to do already.
You would probably agree with
me: if I said that we should get along
with each other in the faith
community, that we should respect
each other’s opinions, that if we
asked people to lead we would be
willing to follow their leadership,
and that we should grow in our faith
so that we can use it well and live out
what we believe to the best of our
ability.
This is exactly what I believe;
being a member of a faith
community is all about. It may
sound more formal but in reality it’s
nothing more than what I just
explained. What we ask of each
other is nothing more or less than
what God already asks of each one
of us.
Some people have justifiable
hang-ups about becoming a member
or may never feel ready to sign a
piece of paper saying that they will
be a member. That’s okay. But
recognize the reality of what God
asks of each one of us regardless,
everyday of our lives:
1. I Will Protect the Unity of My
Faith Community... by acting in love
toward each other... by refusing togossip... by following the leadershipwe’ve entrusted to each other.2. I Will Respect the Other’s
Opinion… by accepting their right to
select their own path… by allowing
them to speak as I listen… by
honouring their choice of belief.
3. I Will Share the Responsibility
of My Faith Community... bywarmly welcoming those who visit...by praying for its maturity and itsconsequent growth... by inviting
friend and stranger alike to share
worship with us.
4. I Will Serve the Ministry of My
Faith Community... by developing a
servant’s heart... by discovering my
gifts and talents...by being equippedto serve by my spiritual leader:Pastor, Rabbi, or Imam. 5. I Will Support the Witness of
My Faith Community... by attending
faithfully... by living a godly life...
by sharing regularly what God has
blessed me with in wealth, strength,
and benefit.
This is the only deal we get in
belonging to a faith community,
whether we sign on the dotted line of
membership or not – God loves us,
and desires to use us, to make adifference in the world he created!Let’s live the real deal and we willmake that difference! PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010.
For Haiti
The Blyth Community Church of God held a coffee house to
benefit the relief efforts in Haiti on Sunday, featuring
entertainment by Karl Berg. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
From the Minister’s StudyA faith community membership the real deal
Canada Summer Jobs is a
Government of Canada initiative. It
provides funding for not-for-profit
organizations, public-sector
employers, and small businesses
with 50 or fewer employees to
create work experiences for students
between the ages of 15 and 30.
Employers must submit
applications for funding from Feb. 1
- 26.
As of Feb. 1, application forms
and the Applicant Guide will be
available on-line at
www.servicecanada.gc.ca or at any
Service Canada Centre. Employers
will be able to submit their
applications on-line, by mail, or in
person at any Service Canada
Centre.
The application assessment phase
will be completed in April so that
students can begin working starting
in May.YOU ARE WELCOME
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship
Mid-week Bible Study
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
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N
D
I
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A
Timeless Truths
For Today
308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth
Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590
Blyth Community Church of God
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
Men of Note
performing at 10:00 am service
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, February 7
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
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, February 7
Worship Service & Sunday School
at 11 a.m.
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 Bible Study
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women at the Well
Fridays 7:30 pm - Youth Group
Evangelical Missionary Church
February 7: 1 Cor. 14:23 ff
“Worship that’s a Witness”
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, February 7
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 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:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, February 7
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
REV. DAVID WOOD
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School & Small Groups
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
Sunday,
February 21
at 10:30 am
Come and hear this
terrific choir and be
amazed by their
personal
testimonies.
TEEN CHALLENGE
CHOIR
Funding
applications
for summer
jobs now
on-line