HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-03-28, Page 25From the Minister’s Study
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990. PAGE 25.
‘Get in touch with God’ says Minister
BY THE REVEREND
DAVID A. T. FULLER
I recently attended a three-day
retreat at the Holy Cross Centre
near Port Burwell. This event was
sponsored by the Diocese of Huron
for its recently-ordained clergy. It
was, without doubt, a much-need
ed respite from the draining de
mands of daily life.
We gathered at this secluded
little sanctuary along Lake Erie late
one Sunday evening and found it
seemingly deserted. Our rooms
were ready for us and some fresh
fruit had been left for us in the
common room, yet we were not
met by any kind of delegation. At
first we felt a little abandoned but
as it turned out, the “low-key”
welcome gave us a taste of the rest
of the retreat: no busy schedules,
no laid-on programming, no rigor
ous disciplines. We therefore used
that first evening to get “caught
up” with old friends, to relax and
read, and to settle in for the next
two days.
The next morning. Father Paul,
our retreat leader, emphasized the
importance for us to relax and to do
what our over-taxed minds and
bodies told us. Paul, speaking from
his 31 years as an ordained priest,
realized he could do little with us,
and little for us, if we were not
relaxed and rested. He encouraged
us to take a nap in the afternoon
and to use the retreat centre’s
spacious property to walk and get
some fresh air. Paul’s wisdom and
direction proved to be a very
powerful and successful prescrip
tion. By the latter part of the day,
most of the participants had relax
ed and were emotionally ready to
hear the seminars being offered.
The Holy Cross Centre is run by
a Roman Catholic order called the
Passionist Fathers. They are called
the “Passionists” because their
preaching emphasizes the “Pas
sion”, or suffering, of Christ. This
particular religious house in Port
Burwell recognizes Jesus’ suffer
ing and sacrifice for the whole of
Creation and has therefore devoted
its ministry to raising our society’s
consciousness of environmental is
sues. The brothers at Holy Cross
have set the retreat centre up so
that all visitors take in, enjoy, and
then become transformed by the
beauty of God’s Creation. They
allow God, through the power of
His lake, His trees, and fields, and
through His birds and animals,
to instill a sense of peace and
wholeness that is essential to life.
As I walked along the lake,
seeing snow geese ahd deer,
hearing the pounding of the water
on the beach, feeliijg the caress of
the wind on my face, and smelling
the first pollens of spring, I
gradually became aware of God’s
peace and love for me and all
people. Each step I took pushed
away the concerns and worries of
life, many of them needless, and
made way for God’s return to the
centre of my being. The experience
was life-giving and re-affirmed my
faith in our loving, forgiving and
generous God.
I realize not everyone can pick up
and go to a retreat centre like Holy
Cross. The realities of life just will
not always allow it. However, we
do live in a society which robs us of
the time we need to find inner
peace, and God. Radios, televi
sions, videos, newspapers, and so
on, all make demands on us,
hoping to change our lifestyle and
gain access to our bank accounts.
In doing so, these media can rob
us of our individuality and our need
for God. This being the case, we
must make time to get away and
re-discover ourselves and God. We
must push away the distractions,
worries, and obsessions which
weigh us down. In moments of
peace and quiet, when the sense
lessness of worry disappears, we
will find God coming to us with
outstretched arms.
My hope is that during this
season of Lent each of you redis
covers the same love and peace 1
rediscovered as I looked out over
God’s Creation near Port Burwell.
Take some time, in whatever way
you are able, to find a quiet space
and get in touch with God.
Set us Afire" theme of annual WMS
Presbyterial meeting in Stratford
“Set us Afire” was the theme of
the annual meeting of the Strat
ford-Huron Presbyterial of the
Women’s Missionary Society,
W.D. held on March 20 in St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Stratford, with Mrs. Stuart Steven
son, RR 2, Brussels, presiding.
The meeting opened with devo
tions led by the Goderich afternoon
auxiliary. Mrs. Gordon Alexander,
RR 4, Listowel, was moderator for
the secretaries’ reports and Miss
Jean Isbister, Stratford, gave the
treasurer’s reports.
The Area Education Consultant,
Miss Evelyn Murdoch of Hamilton
discussed the areas of the Task
Force on restructing that affect the
W.M.S. and presided for the
installation of the 1990 officers.
The Harrington auxiliary was in
charge of the devotions in the
afternoon. An “In Memoriam”
service was conducted by the
Seaforth auxiliary. Mr. Earl ClaYk,
Stratford, favoured with an organ
solo.
The guest speaker, Rev. James
Dickey, minister of St. Andrew’s
and a former editor of the Presby
terian Record, spoke on the theme,
“Set Us Afire”, paying tribute to
the work of the W.M.S. members
through the years. However, the
decline in membership in the past
two decades attests to the fact that
the W.M.S. is not appealing to the
women of the Church as it once did.
With ordination of women as
ministers and elders, the W.M.S.
is no longer the only avenue open
to women to serve the Church.
Many women today must work
outside the home for financial
reasons due to present economic
conditions.
Also, the role of the missionary
has changed. In countries where
missionaries have served in the
past, the churches now provide
their own ministers and leaders.
Now, the need is for technicians.
He challenged the W.M.S. to
change to meet the needs of a
changing society or face extinction.
The Avonton C.O.C. won the
Macerspey Award and the Atwood
Explorers, the Gowlett Award. The
Spring executive meeting will be
held April 10, 1990 at 1:30 p.m. in
Seaforth Presbyterian Church.
Blyth Christian Puppet
Ministry featured at YFC
The recently formed Blyth Chris
tian Puppet Ministry, composed of
local talent, is scheduled to
appear at the April 7 meeting of the
South Huron Youth for Christ, held
in the Centennial School at Bruce-
field.
The cast, consisting of five
puppeteers and one vantriloquist
will manipulate 12 puppets and one
ventriloquist doll - a modern day
“Charlie McCarthy” called Okey
Pokey.
Leslie and Jackie Cook of Brus
sels are directors of the troupe and
their puppeteers are Julia and
Michael de Jong, Danielle McDou
gall and Christina Black.
They will also appear at two
special services being planned at
the Blyth Church of God on June 1
and 2.
Blyth United church to hear about Cuba
Greeters at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, March 25 were John
and Vera Hesselwood. Ushers were
Murray and Barb Musty, Jim
Walsh and Lavern Clark.
The Scripture reading was -John
9 (1-13) read by members of the
Grade 1 class assisted by teachers
Brenda McDonald and Bev Blair.
The theme of the children's story
was “I am the Light of the World”
followed with the singing “Give
Me Oil In My Lamp”.
In charge of Junior congregation
was Sheron Stadelmann. Myrtle
Badley was Nursery leader.
The senior choir’s anthem was
entitled “Sometimes Alleluia” ac
companied by Mrs. Phyllis Boak.
Flowers in the church were from
the funeral of Audrey Biggerstaff
and flowers were also placed in
loving memory of a friend and
neighbour Dean Musty. The title of
the sermon was “God’s Amazing
Grace”.
Everyone is invited to the even
ing unit meeting on Wednesday,
March 28 at 8 p.m. to hear
Edelgard Hoba share her experien
ces in Cuba and to see some
pictures on the church’s roll in
Cuba.
The spring thankoffering will be
held April 8 at 8 p.m. with guest
speaker Mrs. Barb Hicks. A remin
der, senior choir practice is on
Friday next week, March 30 at
7:45 instead of regular Thursday
evening.
HURON
SUPERIOR MEMORIALS
‘ ‘ Established over 60 years’ ’
Serving Blyth, Brussels
and all of Huron County
Neil Elliott
153 High Street, Clinton
Bus. 482-9441 Res. 482-1748
"Evening appointments available”
Melville
Presbyterian Church
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00-Morning Service
Sunday School
9:30 a.m.-Belgrave Service
LJJJ We welcome you to come and worship with us!
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV.
April 1,1990 Lent 5
HOLY COMMUNION
Blyth
9:30 a.m.
Brussels
11:15 a.m.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
King Street 887-9313
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Sunday, April 1
Lord, give us the light of Your hope
11:00 a.m.Morning Worship
Church School
12:15 p.m.Communicants’ Class
7:30 p.m.Bible Study
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
AUBURN
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515
10:00 a.m. - Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
8:00 p.m. - Evening Service
Wed. - Prayer and Bible Study
Fri. 7:30 - Youth
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - Kids Klub
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMEDCHURCH
HIGHWAY4,BLYTH
Rev. W.H. Lammers
Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
SundaySchool 11:00a.m.
The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20”
Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday
Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V.
ALL VISITORS WELCOME
I need help
in
pre-arranging
my funeral
There are many people in our community who are
elderly and have no one in their family available to help
pre-arrange their funeral.
If you are in this position, let us ease your mind. As
caring funeral directors, we are always here to help advise
you on funeral matters. We will answer all of your
questions and address your concerns.
So please, don’t hesitate to pick up the telephone and
call us at any time. We’re always available.
Betts
Funeral Home
BRUSSELS
887-6336
GORRIE
335-3571