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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-14, Page 12By Pastor Perry ChuipkaTrinity, BlythSt. John’s, BrusselsAnglican ChurchesA high school teacher was giving a big test one day to his students. He handed out all of the tests and went back to his desk to wait. Once the test was over, the students all handed the tests back in. The teacher noticed that one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying, A dollar per point.” The next class the professor handed back the tests. This student got back his test and $56 in change. Probably none of you ever gave a $100 bill to a high school teacher in your day, and not only because you didn’t have the money either. Things were just done differently in those days. More and more today, I hear comments like “That isn’t the way we used to do things in high school. I can’t believe the crazy things they are doing these days in the schools.” Well, a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to help with a new initiative held for the Grade 10s of F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham and if you would have toldme what I would be doing before Iwent to this event, I might have said,“What on earth are they doing withour high schools now?!” I attended this all-day event on Wednesday, April 15 not knowing what to expect. Good thing. We met at 8:15 a.m. with most people hugging their coffee cups like they were worth a $100. For many of us you couldn’t rip those mugs out of our hands for life and death. After getting our name tags and wandering around like lost souls, we were brought together by two dynamic individuals who were not Batman and Robin, even though they had their energy. We were told that as adults we were here to help the youth create an atmosphere of change in their life. Our most important role was to act enthusiastic about the games we were to play and help the youth by being sincere in sharing in the small, what they called “our family group” for the day. We were told it was all about helping the youth to change themselves and the way they saw others in their school. Then the fun began as we welcomed the youth into the hall with loud music and loud cheers. And I mean loud! I couldn’t hear myself thinking. Good thing. After all the youth came into the room, Chris, one of the leaders for the day welcomed the students. All the adults cheered as he welcomed them. Then he introduced the other leader, Nola, who spoke about the challenge day program. She toldthem the rules and three words theywanted them to use during the day,notice, choose and act. Sheexplained that we can notice things in life that we can change if we look for them. Then we choose those things that lead to good change. Finally, we all have the power to act in ways that lead us to good changes in our lives which make us healthy and whole persons. We played some games that enabled us to get to know the youth a lot better; then we went into small groups and answered the question, “If you really knew me, you wouldn’t know this about me …” In the small groups, the adults (two in each group) started by sharing parts of their life. Then the youth did the same. Later that afternoon young people had the opportunity to share with their peers. I was amazed and touched to the heart as some of these students asked for forgiveness from their peers and others gave forgiveness. It was a moving experience to watch as students went through this process. You could see the new life that students had after their sharing time. They had changed their lives forever in a new and good way. At the very end of the day, they shared ways that they could notice, choose and act in new ways about their peers in the high school. I watched and listened as I saw the youth become mature and choose respectful and loving ways to reach out to their peers. Lives were changed that day for the better. Let me return to my originalpremise. When we compare our highschool days to high school days wehear about today, we may findourselves saying “What on earth are they doing with our high schools now! But as we think more about it things were just done differently in our days. So true and I am glad that they are done differently, especially getting the youth to be a part of the Challenge Day experience. Another reason that I am glad that they are doing things differently is because we have different youth, youth willing to take risks, willing to do something good about their lives, and willing to listen to other people around them. These youths have something to teach us. You can change your life for the better when you really want to. We can notice things in life that we can change if we look for them. Then we can choose those things that will lead us to good changes. Finally, we all have the power to act in ways that lead us to good changes in our lives which make us healthy,whole persons so that we caninteract with others in healthy ways. Go give it a try and change yourlife in a whole new wonderful way. It can be done. The Grade 10 students at F.E. Madill School did it, so can you! Just go do it! PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009.From the Minister’s StudyWhat on earth’s happening at high schools? Brussels United Church Women held their May meeting in the form of a potluck supper in the church basement. There was a good turnout of members and gusts. Contact person Nelva Scott welcomed everyone and asked Pastor Sandra Cable to say grace. Guest speaker for the evening was Natalie White, an F.E. Madill Grade 10 student. She was a member of the Madill girls rugby team that travelled to England and Wales last March to compete and see the site. She spoke and showed pictures. Pastor Cable read Mother’s Day stories, followed by some humorous stories from the book, Margaret and Me by William J. Thomas. The UCW is helping pay for three children to attend Camp Menesetung. The group will meet to plan a music and dinner event. The next meeting will be at Maple Villa June 2. Flowers will be delivered to shut- ins after that meeting. Nelva Scott closed with the UCW benediction. 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590 B l y t h C o m m u n i ty Church of God C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS O N , I N D I A N A “The Church is not a building, it is people touching people Sunday School 9:45 a.m. - Christian Education for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service Mid-week Bible Studies See you Sunday! Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, May 17 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 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, MAY 17 Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available 519-887-9831 11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship - Sunday School 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Sandra Cable, Worship Leader Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca Sunday, May 17 Ethel United Church Worship Service - 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church Worship Service - 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 Bible Study 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women at the Well Fridays 7:30 pm - Youth Group Evangelical Missionary Church May 17: 1 Jn 2:15ff, 4:1ff How to be an Antichrist in 1 Easy Step Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Blyth United Church Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark All Welcome Sunday, May 17 Join the Sunday School for a Pancake Breakfast 9 am - 11 am Donations at the door Morning Worship Service and Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Sunday, May 24 Guest speaker: John Stewart ~ Guide Dogs Luncheon after church Donations at the door 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 Parish of New Beginnings May 17 Celebration of Holy Eucharist Rev. Perry Chuipka Please join us for worship SUNDAYS Morning Service 10:00am Evening Service 7:30pm BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth PASTOR 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 Men’s Saturday Morning Saturday, May 16th 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. Located in the Fellowship Hall All men are welcome to join us! Brussels UCW meets