The Citizen, 2008-02-28, Page 12By Pastor Ernest DowLiving Water Christian Fellowship (EMC), BlythRespected historian Arnold
Toynbee observed, “A society's
quality and durability can best be
measured by the respect and care
given its elderly citizens.”
Various other notables (Mahatma
Ghandi, US President Truman) are
credited with similarly noting that
a nation’s greatness is measured
by how it treats its weakest
members.
Canada’s economy seems strong
and its future prospects undergirded
by rich natural resources are rosier
than those of many nations; but are
we just as great in our compassion
towards the disadvantaged?
Our Judeao-Christian heritage
underscores the need to care for the
helpless. The Pentateuch warned,
“Do not curse the deaf or put a
stumbling block in front of the blind,
but fear your God. I am the LORD.”
(Lev 19:14)
God Himself undertook to have
special regard for the helpless; this
concern was shared with the leadersof the nation. The messianic king, as a model forall Jewish kings, would do much
more than simply “rule from sea to
sea”: “For he will deliver the needy
who cry out, the afflicted who have
no one to help. He will take pity on
the weak and the needy and save the
needy from death. He will rescue
them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his
sight.” (Ps 72:12-14)
In the New Testament, Jesus
showed a special concern for the
very young, for widows, and the
handicapped. Referring to a certain
young child, He said, “See that you
do not look down on one of these
little ones. For I tell you that their
angels in heaven always see the
face of my Father in heaven.” (Mt
18:10)
On another occasion, when the
disciples rebuked those who had
brought children for Jesus to lay His
hands on them and pray for them,
the Master objected and insisted the
little ones be brought to Him. He
made them a priority. FrequentlyJesus took time to pause and healthose who were blind and lame,crippled or otherwise afflicted. (Mk
1:34)
Recently a representative from
Wingham Right To Life made a
presentation at our church. While the
images of children and the elderly
painted a beautiful portrait of the
wonder of human life, some of the
statistics were startling and
disturbing.
Since the decriminalization of
abortion in 1969, over three million
babies have been aborted; over two
million of these occurred since the
Supreme Court declared abortion
law unconstitutional in 1988.
That translates roughly into one
million in the first 20-year period
since 1969, two million in the
second 20-year period.
That’s a lot of potential
Canadians! Currently there are about
30 abortions for every 100 live births
- i.e. out of every four potential
babies, three ‘make it’ but one
doesn’t.
The three million figure caught myattention the most. Hitler is almostuniversally condemned formassacring some six million Jews
during his tyranny.
Yet here we are in ‘civilized’
Canada, almost halfway to the same
total in terms of abortions! Do we
really care for the vulnerable in this
respect?
In other areas, we are making
headway in our compassion for the
physically challenged. My wife has
a medical condition which renders
her incapable of walking
occasionally. For a recent vacation,
we decided it was time to see about
obtaining a wheelchair. Within an
hour of placing a call to our local
Legion branch we were provided
with a ‘loaner’ wheelchair at
absolutely no charge – what a
wonderful service.
The airport had special gates for
those in wheelchairs so we did not
have to wait in long lines at security
checkpoints like most passengers.
The airline personnel were very
helpful when I telephoned about
seating arrangements on the aircraft;
we were provided with seats close to
the entrance onto the plane,immediately behind those inbusiness class. Airline staff at the check-in gate
helpfully rolled the wheelchair
backwards (thoughtful! - I learned
something) down the ramp to the
airplane, and made sure the
wheelchair was there waiting for us
when we disembarked.
All in all, I was very impressed by
the consideration and great service
rendered to those in wheelchairs.
In an episode of the popular
Canadian comedy Corner Gas,
elderly, but generally able-bodied,
Oscar complains of a bad back in
order to obtain a handicapped-
parking permit from his doctor. At
first his wife Emma is critical of his
scheming, but soon begins to find
it very handy to take advantage
of the special parking spots located
conveniently in crowded mall
lots.
Hopefully the average Canadian
can become more accessibility-
minded (and compassionate toward
those truly warranting our help)
without abusing the grace extended
by a great society!
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008.
Fifteen ladies and guests attended
Majestic Women’s Institute meeting
on Feb. 13 at Huronlea Nursing
Home.
President Ruth Bauer opened the
meeting which was followed by the
minutes and treasurer’s report.
Correspondence included a letter
from Huronlea regarding Majestic
WI hosting the birthday party on
Dec. 9, 2008.
Registration forms have arrived
for the convention in Kingston from
June 6-8.
The ACWW church service is on
April 27 at the Donegal Church. The
District annual is on May 28 at
Brussels Presbyterian Church.
Officers’ day is April 19 at
Bloomingdale. The casserole supper
and card party is March 6 at 6:30
p.m.
Kathy Bridge introduced Allyson
Cardiff from Ontario’s Finest Inns.
An inspector goes to the inns
periodically to make sure that the
rooms, food and outside grounds are
up to standards. If they are not the
inn could be taken off the list.
Anyone interested in taking a trip
is asked questions of how far they
want to travel, price, hobbies or
interests, time of year, among other
things, such as visits to wineries and
spas. You do not have to be in the
Brussels area since they can be
contacted through their website or
phone. Over 650,000 visit this
website each year.
A book, Great Fall Drives, is
distributed through the LCBO and
information is also included in the
National Geographic.
Kathy Nichol was the original
entrepreneur in the Innkeepers of
Ontario. She worked for other inns
first, then had her office out of her
home. Around 2000, she opened an
office in downtown Brussels and
now has Tammy King and Allyson
Cardiff working for her. Their
busiest time is at Christmas since
you can “Buy the Gift of Time”, a
gift certificate to give to the special
people in your life.
Roll call was “What was
something old that you wore at your
wedding?” Items included hankies,
garters, jewellery and dresses.
Discussion was made on the
March 6 casserole supper and card
party with food, set-up and clean up.
Jackie Mirotta read Smiles, to the
members.
UFO will be held at Bev
Craddock’s on March 11 at 10 a.m.
O’ Canada and Grace were sung,
followed by the singing of Happy
Birthday to Helen Topham who is
celebrating her 80th birthday on Feb.
16.
Lunch was provided by Edna
Pletch and Jackie Mirotta.
Next month’s meeting is on March
12 at the Brussels Library. Members
are asked to bring something for the
surprise auction.
WI gets Inn-formation
From the Minister’s StudyCompassion, not cruelty, for the vulnerable
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
,
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!
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224
Sunday, March 2
All Welcome
Worship Service
and Sunday School - 11 a.m.
Lent 4
Guest Speaker: Emily Phillips
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
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
Trinity, Blyth
9:30 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, March 2
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
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
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., Mar. 2: 1 John 4:7-19
Evangelical Missionary Church
“He Did This Just
for You - Pt. 1:
I Will Love You
Forever”
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Camping Sunday