HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-07-02, Page 12By Rev. Gary ClarkBlyth United ChurchHappy Canada Day Friends!What a week we are having and in
the middle of it, Canada Day.
On this day we celebrate an
anniversary. It commemorates the
founding of a nation but more than,
it celebrates the reality that we are
greater when we work together. As
some one from PEI I am well aware
that not everyone jumped at the
opportunity to be part of Canada.
Some of us required more courting
and some required, well let’s face it,
cash before they would agree to give
up some of their independence in
favour of Confederation.
Over the years every province has
shaken collective heads and said “I
don’t know if this Confederation is
working out for us. We have to give
up an awful lot and I’m sure if we
are getting enough out if it.”
It seems to me that in the midst of
the present economic storm we feel
the strength of our union and the
mutual support that it brings. That is
often the case that we feel the
strength of our unions when they are
tested in adversity.
Having said that I recognize that
we arrived at this place because we
have also been able to look honestly
at our mistakes and apologize for
them. No individual, institution, or
corporate organization lives without
making mistakes. It comes with
being human. Knowing that making
mistakes is part of living we ought to
work at not only fixing the problems
that mistakes bring but also work at
how to humbly acknowledge the
emotional damage that occurs with
mistakes.
From what I have seen in life it is
far easier to fix a machine than it is
to mend the heart. This is
particularly true when we don’t want
to see ourselves as imperfect and
fallible and that we too will make
mistakes.
In the book of Isaiah chapter 6 we
hear of Isaiah’s call to become a
prophet. Before he becomes a
prophet he acknowledges that he is
an imperfect person from a race of
imperfect people. God, through an
angel, reaches out to heal Isaiah not
from his imperfection but from the
guilt and shame that it has brought.
It seems to me that this is what
being in a healthy relationship is all
about. We work at helping each
other when we mess up. We do this
not just because we love or are in
relationship with others but becauseour day of messing up is coming andwe will need forgiveness then, asmuch as someone else needs
forgiveness now.
This knowledge and a willingness
to act on it makes for healthy
relationships within families,
organizations and countries. I would
also point out that Isaiah names the
bringer of forgiveness as an angel.
There is also warning in the
middle part of that chapter. Itbasically says that those who refuseto perceive, hear or care about thistruth even though it has been shown
and told to them will see their
country and relationships lie in ruin
and their houses deserted.
It is a high price to pay for
ignoring the need to forgive and to
seek forgiveness. For our country,
our organizations and our
relationships to see the next
anniversary we need to practise theart of forgiveness, both in the givingand in the receiving. We have, on most days of the
week, the opportunity to be an angel.
I hope you take those
opportunities. As you bless others
with forgiveness, so shall you be
blessed.
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009.
A boost
The Brussels Library building project received an infusion
of cash last week with a cheque in the amount of $1,550
from Majestic Women’s Institute, raised through the sale of
a quilt. Yvonne Knight presents the cheque to Charlie Hoy.
The total donations to date, including the Brussels Trust
contribution amount to $76,363.56. The library committee
are also selling limited edition prints of the Carnegie Library
for $20. These can be obtained by calling Hoy at 519-887-
8581. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
From the Minister’s StudyAll need to practise the art of foregiveness
308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 519-523-4590
B l y t h C o m m u n ity Church of God
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
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N
D
I
A
N
A
“The Church
is not a building,
it is people
touching people
See you
Sunday!
Worship Service
10:30 a.m.
for July and August
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, July 5
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
Come let us worship!
We welcome you at
Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship
Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388
Summer Worship Services
are at 10:00 a.m.
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow
519-523-4848
Living Water Christian Fellowship
July 5
“David,
a Leader after
God’s
Own Heart”
Evangelical Missionary Church
NOTE: Joint worship at
Blyth Community Church of God
JULY - AUGUST
10:30 am
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, July 5
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
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, July 5
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, July 5
Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
PASTOR DAVID WOOD
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School is cancelled for
the summer months
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS
August 17-21
“Athletes in Action”
Soccer Camp
Ages 7-12
July 6-10
“Through the
Wilderness”
Vacation Bible School
Grades JK - Gr. 6
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + GST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen