The Citizen, 2008-02-07, Page 12By Rev. Cathrine CampbellMelville, Brussels,Knox, BelgravePresbyterian Churches
Life is full of surprises. I never
thought I would hear a high school
student complain about school being
closed – another snow day (grumble
grumble) – but I have, twice, this
past week. Both students were eager
to get their exams written and a snow
day was not the welcome respite it
usually is in the reality of life in
Huron County.
Well, I was sure this would not be
a concept shared by students in
Jerusalem; I understand from my
reading of the Bible that sand ismuch more common than snow, butthen Surprise! The folks inJerusalem have recently experienced
snow days as well; two to be
precise. This engendered a lot of
pictures , and comments and I was
struck by one person’s comment “It
is a time of celebration”.
Quite a contrast to many of the
voices heard here – usually not by
students however. It seems
unhappiness or celebration when
you see snow depends not only on
what is on your calendar but where
you are to shape your reactions.
My own reaction regarding snow
becomes more muted as each wintercomes and goes – no more snowangels, snow people or forts , and inthe northern climes brilliant sunny
days. But we still have pictures of
lovely views to be taken, there is to
be thanksgiving for water for a good
planting season, and yes, for snow
days. I like those days, for you seem
to get so much done.
All this thinking about snow led to
me thinking about snow and its place
in the Bible. We do know that snow
is mentioned and for a document
written in the Middle East it is
mentioned a surprising number of
times. All but two are in the Old
Testament, however.Often snow is given as a symboleither of leprosy or of purity “whiteas snow”. In either instance it can be
dazzling, having no match for colour
. But the most references to snow
bring us to our Creator and what is
given for the good of the earth. For
we are to know that snow is not the
meteorological equivalent of the
mosquito but the gift of life and
growth from the caring Creator.
Throughout scripture there is a
recognition that snow can be cold
and even seem threatening but there
is also the reminder of what a gift it
is as the Prophet Isaiah says :
“As the rain and the snow come
down from heaven, and do not return
to it without watering the earth and
making it bud and flourish, so that ityields seed for the sower and breadfor the eater, so is my word that goesout from my mouth: It will not return
to me empty, but will accomplish
what I desire and achieve the
purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah
55:10-11)”
Complaining about the snow now
seems to be a rather graceless thing
to do and we should all rethink our
reaction and instead of grumbling
we should give thanks for the snow
and all that it means. Remember,
then, in this time of winter and the
snow it brings to be careful when
travelling, be realistic in shovelling
and be grateful that all God’s good
gifts are clothed in purpose and
beauty.
The Light Shines in the Darkness,
was the theme for the annual
meeting held Jan. 28 at St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church.
President, Marjorie Deyell
welcomed everyone and constituted
the meeting with prayer. The
Purpose of The Women’s
Missionary Society was recited.
The Wingham afternoon WMS led
the worship taken from Matthew 5:
14-16.
It was announced that the
Synodical meeting will be held April
22-23 in Owen Sound.
The ladies from Ripley/Ashfield
led a memorial service remembering
members who have passed away.
Rev. Anne Yee-Hibbs conducted a
workshop on helpful guidelines for
meetings.
Lunch was served by the ladies of
St. Andrew’s Wingham. Following
lunch they shared in lively singing
led by Rev. Karen MacRae and
accompanied by Evelyn Dickson.
The guest speaker was Sgt. Debbie
Bodkin, Waterloo Regional Police.
She shared her experiences working
in different countries including
Kosovo, Chad, and Sudan.
There are three million displaced
people from Darfur. Thousands are
being murdered every day. She
personally witnessed this. Sgt.
Bodkin asked the group to write to
their government. Canada must take
immediate and meaningful action
and dramatically increase
commitments in Darfur, she said.
More information can be found at
www.SaveDarfurCanada.org, she
said.
An invitation was extended from
the Brussels WMS to hold the spring
rally at their church, May 12.
Exec
Sixty women attended the Maitland Presbyterial annual meeting, Monday, Jan. 28 at St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Wingham. The new executive is, back row, from left: Mary
Robinson, literature secretary; Valerie Sharpe, publicity secretary; Mary Wray, recording
secretary; Joanne Lennips, president; Marj Deyell, past president; Sharon McDougall, adult
east secretary. Front: Evelyn Dickson, treasurer; Erlma Haldenby, vice-president; Margaret de
Boer, adult west secretary; Betty Johnson, corresponding secretary; Nancy MacIntyre,
historian. (Photo submitted)
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008.From the Minister’s StudyAll God’s gifts clothed in purpose, beauty
Presbyterial meets in Wingham
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!
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Sunday School
10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - Olympians (JK to Grade 6)
7:00 p.m. - Youth and Adult Bible Study
HURON CHAPEL
EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH
Auburn - 519-526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, February 10
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
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Sunday, February 10
All Welcome
Worship Service
and Sunday School - 11 a.m.
Canada’s National Teen Challenge Choir
Sunday, February 10
10:00 am
at Blyth Christian Reformed Church
Plan now to bring a friend and be inspired by a message of
hope and God’s power to change lives!
From gangs to crime, to mainline drug addiction - each
member has his own story of how he finally found freedom.
Be sure to attend this exciting presentation and enjoy the
innovative and unique sound of the Teen Challenge Choir.
This event is suitable for all ages and is free of charge!
will present a music program focusing on
freedom from drug addiction on
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the amazing personal stories
of these young men!
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 519-887-9831
11:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
1st & 3rd Wednesdays - Women at the Well
Youth: Mondays - Senior 6:30 pm
- Fridays - Junior 7:30 pm
Sun., Feb. 10: Romans 5:12ff
Evangelical Missionary Church
“Sin’s Damning
Effect Undone”
Lent 1
COMMUNION
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill