HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-09-25, Page 26As they said third time was the
charm for the Musical Muskrat
Festival in Wingham this past
June.
Committee member Steve
Sabourin presented the balance sheet
for the event to North Huron council
at the Sept. 15 meeting. For the first
time, the event realized a small
profit.
“The idea was to incorporate as
many municipal facilities as we
could to showcase the town. The first
year was a loss, the second year we
pretty much broke even. This year
we made just over $1,000,” said
Sabourin.
However, while the Friday night
and Saturday events were big
successes, things changed on
Saturday night, he said.
“We took a huge hit on the dance.
People aren’t interested and the
committee is going to meet to
discuss this.”
Sunday as well did not draw the
crowds that the earlier events had.
“Friday and Saturday are a hit. After
that it kind of fizzles. It’s almost like
it’s too much now.”Sabourin noted one interesting
point about the two popular days,
however.
“They seemed to draw two
different crowds. Hopefully we will
get to the point that everyone comes
to both. But it was nice to see
different faces because it means
there is an interest.”
Councillor James Campbell asked
what the feeling of the committee
was, whether they were encouraged
or discouraged.
Sabourin said, “Everyone was on a
high, then we got the Saturday night
and it all fell apart. It does hit, but
people are pretty gung-ho.”
Councillor Alma Conn, council’srepresentative on the committee said
she was impressed by the
enthusiasm of the group, but was
also pleased that they acknowledged
the weaknesses. “I’m glad they
aren’t going to flog a dead horse
with the dance.”
Other councillors complimented
them on an excellent event and
expressed their hope that it con-
tinue.
“I think the strengths have been
recognized and we can carry on with
those. We also know what the
weaknesses are so will be seeing
what we can do, if we can evolve a
little more.”
The general meeting of the Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 420 in
Blyth was held on Sept. 2 at 8
p.m.
Following the opening
ceremonies, donations made by
motions included: CT Scanner for
the Goderich hospital, $500 and the
Saugeen Maitland Girls hockey
team, $100.
Coming events in the work of the
Legion include: a community
breakfast Sept. 28 and a turkey
bingo on Oct. 7.
PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008.
With 12 years of youth ministry
behind her, Kathy Douglas saw
herself settling into her new position
quite naturally.
“In the United Church when you
graduate you understand you will be
settled, there will be a mutual
decision on where you fit. My
opinion was that I would go
anywhere in Canada as long as it was
a diaconal position. That’s why they
felt this would work and I agree. It’s
been a good fit.”
‘This’ is youth minister for the
Huron-Perth Presbytery of London
Conference. It is a new full-time
position paid through a $3 allotment
increase for each Presbytery
member.
“It’s impressive that the United
Church has put resources behind
youth ministry,” said Douglas, a
mother of three grown children, who
has settled in Blyth.
She believes that the idea behind
the position was a result of the
church’s recognition of today’s
reality. “There are segments of the
population not being connected to
church. My focus is adolescents. I
don’t think my goal is to get bums in
the pews. It’s to help to get youth to
feel a connection.”
Douglas has never pretended to be
the one church, one congregation
type of minister. “Personally I never
felt called to congregational
ministry. I would never have gone
into it if that was what I was required
to do.”
Social justice, part of diaconal
ministry along with Christian
education, was what drew her she
said.
Her work with youth and within
the community comes in a variety of
forms. One of her projects is the
organization of retreats in various
areas of the Presbytry. “Church
people and youth are helping to
organize them.”
“Retreats work because youth are
often too busy to commit to regular
groups, so it’s a one-time event that
is intensive.”
And fun. “The camp atmosphere is
relaxing. They have fun, feel safe
and develop relationships.”
At this point a retreat is being
planned for children in Grades 6, 7,
and 8, by the high school students.
“They come up with a theme, ideas,
activities, which is better because
they certainly know more than I do
what kids will like.”
While her ministry is United
Church based, Douglas said her
programs are open to others. “A
good chunk of the kids involved are
not affiliated with the United Church
or any church. They come with
friends. And if they aren’t bringing
in friends then what am I doing here.
This is not about saving souls it’s
about how you are making your
choices.”
Douglas is also planning events
that will be multi-media. “They will
be youth-centred drama and music
the kids will put together and invite
the community to come and enjoy.”
Employment opportunties are
another concern. “Kids in rural
communities need jobs and
experiences. Ideally if I could find
some funding to give kids jobs...”
One thought she has would be for
weekly children’s programs that
would require the hiring of kids
through the summer to run them.
“It’s one idea. My biggest goal is
watching for opportunities to find
kids summer jobs.”
In addition to working directly
with youth, Douglas will also be a
support and resource to others. “I
would do some co-ordination of
leadership support for those already
working with youth.”
She is also looking for the
churches to connect as well. “I hope
there will be events that will focus
on issues, that the church will open
its doors to host them. In this way
the church says we care about these
issues and need to be educated and
informed.”
Education is on-going for herself
as well as Douglas introduces herself
to the programs and agencies in the
county. “I’m a resource person. I
think my job is to find out stuff so I
can direct people there.”
Though she works from her home
and enjoys the flexibility, Douglas is
also out and about in the community.
“I’m getting my face out there,
getting myself known in churches
and finding out what they’re doing.”
Blyth Legion Branch
donates to hospital
Third time’s the charmfor Wingham festival
Welcome
Kathy Douglas is the first youth minister for the United
Church’s Huron-Perth Presbytery London Conference.
She resides in Blyth. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
404 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
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Minister’s focus on youth
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen