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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-12, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009.A World Day of Prayer has been inexistence since 1922. Anyoneparticipating in this annualecumenical service joins in worshipwith Christians around the world and in 2,000 communities across Canada, same service, same day. Leading the service at Londesborough United Church were Kerri Whyte, Helen Dale, Betty Millar, Joan Whyte, Gail Lear and Marjorie Duizer. As part of the service the women watched a video which showed the many diverse aspects of the country. This year’s service was written bythe women of Papua, New Guinea.Its title/theme was, In Christ, thereare many members yet one body. Papua, New Guinea is an independent state made up of 600 islands on the western side of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the islands have active volcanoes, geothermal springs and mountains. Nearly 85 per cent of the six million people live in rural areas. The rugged terrain and isolation of villages is largely responsible for the fact that Papua, New Guinea has more than 1000 cultural groups with some 800 languages. Each culture is expressed in unique ways. These differences may have influenced the theme for the service. Papua, New Guinea has been described as a “mountain of gold floating on the sea of oil”. The country is poor but full of natural resources such as gold, silver, copper, oil and gas. Multinational companies have exploited the riches and peoples of the country.The country shares with the rest ofthe world problems with climatechange. Poverty and illiteracy areresponsible for the high rate of violence against women. Related issues include a high rate of HIV AIDS and human trafficking. One portion of this year’s service was a call for God to have mercy. Laid at the foot of a cross during the prayer were symbols of problems shared by the women of Papua, New Guinea – a fractured heart for disunity, a knife for violence against women, crutches for the ravages of HIV AIDS and a length of rope for violence. Hanging on the cross was a ‘bilum’. Unique to Papua, New Guinea, a bilum is a handmade string bag used by the women to carry everything from babies to firewood, each one different in design and colour. The scripture passages read from Romans 12: 4-21 reminds all persons that diversity in background or cultures results in a diversity of giftsall of which are necessary tocommunity. Despite our diversity weare united in the body of Christ, thechurch. Our gifts are to be used for the good of others. Exodus 2 is the story of the baby Moses being taken from his river basket into the home of the Pharaoh’s daughter. Women from different cultures and classes worked together to save a child. The women of Papua New Guinea have united in recent years to be instruments for peace and reconciliation between their cultures, communities and families and good stewards of God’s creation. On stage There’s a magical carpet ride of family fun from Triple Threat Productions coming to The Livery during March break. Tennah Stephenson of Vanastra, left, and Kathryn Peach of Blyth are appearing in Aladdin Jr. on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and children and $10 for adults. They are available at The Livery or Wuerth’s Shoes on The Square in Goderich. (Photo submitted) Londesborough church hosts service WE DO SO MUCH MORE ■ Commercial Store Fronts ■ Wide selection of vinyl and vinyl clad wood windows ■ Entrance Doors - steel or fibreglass ■ Interior wood French doors ■ Garage Doors - commercial and residential ■ All Glass and Mirror work Andersen is the registered trademark of Andersen Corporation. All other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. 1st Avenue, VANASTRA LOCAL CALLS IF BUSY CALL 519-482-7869 519-482-5816 EMAIL: dndglass@tcc.on.ca CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY! PROFESSIONAL SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION Now is the time to Renovate! You could be eligible for up to $1,350. Tax Credit for Home Renovations with the government-funded Home Renovation Tax Credit* Everyone wants a more energy-efficient home, and the government wants to help you get it. Check out the Eco-energy rebate available from the Provincial and Federal governments. You can receive up to $60/unit on eco-friendly windows and doors. Marg Miller Dave Miller“Fergie” Ferguson Cathy Cudmore John MacLennan Energy Advisor NEWS FROM LONDESBORO The character attribute being given emphasis at Hullett Central Public School in March is ‘optimism’ or choosing to be positive. Positive results were realized by the school’s penny drive in February. The school donated $360 to the Easter Seals Snowarama, proving pennies do add up to something positive. They thank everyone who emptied their pockets or piggy banks. This Friday, March 13 the school will have another ‘spirit’ day. They are being encouraged to wear their western gear to class – cowboy hats, boots, bolos, etc. Hullett families are reminded to mark their calendars for this year’s carnival and auction. This year’s theme is “Hullett’s Hawaiian Luau”. Contact a SAC member if you want to offer items and/or assistance. Optimism attribute at HCPS The second candle in the Lenten wreath was extinguished by Ed and Mary Salverda as they presented the Lenten Tennebrae at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, March 8. The senior choir sang, The Morning Light Is Breaking for their ministry of music. Psalm 22 was the morning’s responsive psalm. Memorial flowers were placed in memory of Paul McMaster by John and Jane Hoggart and Harvey and Yvonne Hoggart. Don Goodall read a Minute for Missions titled, The Gift of Listening. Monetary gifts to the Mission and Service fund of the United Church of Canada support a mission in First United Church in Vancouver. People come to that mission to talk of their problems seeking assistance as well as a kind ear. They are helped to find solutions and their way forward. During the children’s time Rev. Pat Cook related the story of two monks who worked in the bakery of a monastery in 672. Brother John baked ‘little arms’ for the Lenten season. Brother Bonaviste recognized them as pretzels. Rev. Pat showed the children how when a pretzel is held one way, it resembles a heart. Turned over one can see arms held together in prayer. She encouraged the children to talk more with God during Lent Carrying Our Cross was the theme of Rev. Cook’s message to the adults. To be a follower of Christ is the cross Christians carry. To follow in the way of Christ, doing what is right in difficult circumstances, is bearing the cross. In Mark 8: 31-38, Jesus tries to prepare His disciples for what is coming, the crucial days of Easter, and talks of taking up a cross to follow in His footsteps. Jesus comes to the world as the crucified Christ. If people take up His faith and follow they will every day gain new knowledge and insight into their faith. He prepares them for a future when the sun will again shine after any rain that may fall in their lives. Rev. Cook left congregants with the question, How can we bring light into the lives of others along the way? Bible study will resume at Knox United on Tuesday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. The UCW will hold a work bee at the church on Wednesday, March 18. A variety of projects will be worked at that day, including frozen meals, beginning at 9 a.m. Salverdas light Lenten candle BE A FACE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER BECAUSE CANCER IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SO ARE WE. Open your door and give generously when a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer comes knocking this April. www.cancer.ca HELP US MAKE CANCER HISTORY.