The Citizen, 2009-11-05, Page 16By Pastor Brent KipferBrussels Mennonite FellowshipOur communities need to fight withcourage, creativity and love. The
stakes are high.
What will our neighbourhoods
look like in ten years? Where will
our children be educated? How will
decisions in the next months shape
our families and communities over
the coming decades?
If you live in North Huron or
Morris-Turnberry, you have been
wrestling with these questions for at
least a year. They have now also
become urgent for us in the northern
wards of Huron East.
Crisis transforms us – for better or
worse. We may not have power to
make decisions for the Avon
Maitland District School Board, but
we can decide how we engage the
battle and what kind of foundation
we lay for the future of our
community.
Here are some key responses that
will ensure that we are enlarged
rather than diminished by this
conflict:
1. Active care. There is no doubt
that our communities place high
value on strong, local education.
Around the school council table, at
public meetings and in one-to-oneconversations, I am encouraged tohear parents, neighbours and businessowners speak passionately about
what our schools mean to them.
At the same time, there is a high
degree of cynicism about the
Accommodation Review Process.
Local communities do not have the
power to make decisions about
school closures, renovations and
building projects.
We need to contend with forces
beyond our direct control: funding
formulas from the provincial
government, population trends, past
building decisions and the decision-
making process itself.
We need to resist the temptation to
throw up our arms and say, “Why
bother?”
We need to stay engaged even
when we are discouraged.
I know that God actively cares
about our community and our
children – and I want to do the same.
2. Learn. It takes work to
understand the issues. It involves
learning about government policies,
school board priorities, enrolment
projections, building analyses and
new acronyms like “ARC” and
“ReCAPP.” Ask questions. Test your
assumptions. Come to meetings.Read The Citizen! 3. Honour those who see thingsdifferently than you do. Conflict is
normal – especially when change is
in the air. Whether you are talking to
a senior member of the school board
staff, a parent from a different school
or someone who lives on your own
street, expect to hear different
perspectives.
Assume that you have something
valuable to learn from their thinking.
Avoid putting people in categories of
“us” and “them.”
Listen deeply to others. Be honest
about differences but seek common
ground.
Trust that God can show the way
through conflicting ideas and
proposals. The New Testament
teaches that our battle is never against
human beings – but against spiritual
forces that undermine the well-being
of people and communities.
4. Look for creative solutions. I
am encouraged by the number of
people in both Brussels and Grey
who have expressed a commitment to
work together to keep a school in our
part of Huron East.
I know that the communities of
North Huron and Morris-Turnberry
have had significant disappoin-tments in their attempts to come upwith a solution that meets theconcerns of the school board.
Even so, I can think of no better
approach for addressing our
challenges than to work together with
our neighbours and seek the best
possible way forward.
5. Trust God. As I read the Bible
and reflect on my experience, it
seems that God is particularly active
during times of upheaval and
disruption. The Spirit of God hovers
over chaos and brings new worlds
into existence.
Crisis contains an invitation to
more robust faith. God can sustain
our families and communities no
matter what happens. By God’s
grace, the battle will make us
stronger!
PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009.
A former area resident is
among the Canadian soldiers
currently serving in
Afghanistan.
Michael Schneider, 34, the
third of four children of Jim
and Dorothy of Auburn, is a
Master Corporal with the
Princess Patricia Canadian
Light Infantry in Edmonton.
This is his third tour of duty,
the first being in Kosovo, the
second in Afghanistan a few
years ago.
He joined the army right
out of school. “His first day
of duty was his 19th birthday,” said Jim.
For the father of two, 11-year-old Heather and 20-
month-old Logan, serving his country is his life, his
parents say. For them, therefore, “we like it or lump it,”
says Dorothy. Despite their concerns and fear, she adds,
“It’s his career, his choice, so he goes with our blessing.”
Right from the time he could get around, Dorothy said,
Michael was on the path to that career. “He went through
Scouting, got his Chief Scout award, then instead of
Venturers went into Air Cadets were he earned his Medal
of Excellence.”
He also played in the military band, and with the army
band has been all over the world, said Jim.
Schneider’s current tour is six-months, though it is
expected that he will get a brief break to come home to
be with his wife and children at Christmas.
The Schneiders have heard from their son, by
telephone, but conversations are kept to the basics.
During the most recent, “he seemed content and
relaxed,” said his mother. “He seemed like Michael. It
was good to hear his voice.”
Staying in touch is something her son’s always been
good at, says Dorothy. In 2006 his parents had just heard
of the death of four Canadian soldiers on the news when
the phone rang. “
It was Michael, just wanting to let us know he was
okay,” said Dorothy.
Other times, she says, he calls to unload. “He needs to
get things off his chest, someone to talk to.”
While their older son, Dennis, who also served in the
military, got out after a tour in Somalia, Jim said he
expects Michael still has years, and tours, before him.
“He likes strict order and routine,” he adds. “He could
retire at 39 but I don’t see him stopping. He’s too
military.”
“He has a job to do,” said Dorothy. “He’ll do it and
come home for a while.”
From the Minister’s StudyCommunity in fight for local education
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
,
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
Timeless Truths
For Today
308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth
Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590
Blyth Community Church of God
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, November 8
Worship Service & Sunday School
at 11 a.m.
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, November 8
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, November 8
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
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Brussels United Church’s
133rd Anniversary Service
Sunday, November 8 at 11 a.m.
Special Music
Ethel United is closed this Sunday
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
November 8: James 5:7-18
“Patience &
Prayer in
Suffering”
International Day
of Prayer for the
Persecuted
Church
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
50-Day Spiritual
Adventure
FELLOWSHIP
LUNCHEON
Sunday, November 8
th
following Morning Service
Everyone is Welcome!
Local son in Afghanistan
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
MASTER CORPORAL
MICHAEL
SCHNEIDER