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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-06-10, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10,1992. PAGE 15. From the Minister’s Study Why chase shadows in the spiritual realm? BY PASTOR TOM WARNER BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Do you remember discovering your shadow? If you're like I am your memory is good but short. I don't fully recall, but I do remember how my shadow was a fascinating thing. As children we could make our shadows short or tall depending upon the time of day. We could run a race and if we lost, we could say our shadow got there first. Then of course, an argument followed about whose shadow was really first! The most humorous was pretending you were hurt when your shadow was stepped on. As an adult I don't spend much time concerning myself with my or another person's shadow. Now and then someone will comment about the amount of shade my shadow creates. Otherwise, as adults, we don't chase shadows or argue about them. So why do adults chase shadows in the spiritual realm? Why do we argue about the shadows in the spiritual life? Spiritual shadows have to do with food and drinking habits. Even special religious holidays and styles of worship, are only shadows and yet so much emphasis is placed upon them. The issue of Sunday only as the day for worship is just the shadow of the substance that casts the shadow. The substance or the body that creates the shadow is Christ. We will spend hours arguing the shadows, but what do we do with Christ? Jesus asked the religious leaders of His day, “What do you think about Christ?” They had no answer to that question. Was this due to their stressing the shadows? How much I enjoy sitting in the shadows of the big maples around my home. Yet it is the maple tree that I truly appreciate, not the shadow or shade. Is that part of our problem today in our non-Christian country of Canada? Has the church of Jesus Christ seen and argued for the shadows? Maybe it's time to ask ourselves the question Jesus asked, “What do you think about Christ?” Answer that question from faith in Him as personal Lord and Savior and the other questions will be answered before asked. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday June 14 - Trinity Sunday at Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. The Rev'd E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 ' New growth Members of Majestic Wl in Brussels donated a tree to the Masonic Memorial Park on Mill St. With Lodge members Gerald Gibson and Don Dunbar are Majestic ladies, from left: Kathy Bridge, Marie McTaggart, Jane Devries, Ida Evans, leona Armstrong, Jean Fraser, Peggy Cudmore and Verna Tunney. Chapel nears completion The new chapel in the Masonic Memorial Park in Brussels is near ing completion and is hopefully to be ready by the end of this month. The idea for the chapel began to take shape in the early part of 1991. Bell Canada had deeded property it owned on the bank of the Maitland River off Mill St. to the Masons and they decided to deed it back to the town as the Masonic memorial Park. Lodge members then began to look at the idea of a way-side chapel to be built on the site as a place for tourists, and residents, to stop and enjoy moments of quiet solitude or prayer, says Gerald Gibson, lodge member. Local contractor Murray Long was engaged to construct the 12' by 8' building, the exterior of which was completed last fall. The interior will be paneled and Mr. Gibson says they hope to find old church pews - three for each side - to furnish the chapel. There will be a pulpit at the front and a guest book for visitors to sign near the entranceway. Mr. Gibson said as well that they would very much like a hymnal from each of the local churches to place in the pews. In addition to being used as a pic nic and rest area, lodge member Don Dunbar said it is hoped that the chapel will be used for small weddings or for pictures. It is open 24 hours a day for the community's use. UCW holds Thankoffering The 30th anniversary of the Brussels U.C.W. was held at Brussels United Church on Sunday, May 24. The ladies held this as their Spring Thankoffering. Rev. Cam McMillan was attending London Conference in St. Thomas. Greeters at the door were Jane DeVries and Ruth Sauve. Isabel Wheeler welcomed the congregation and lead in worship and Prayer of Approach after which “We Praise You O God” was sung. Ruth Sauve gave the children's story, “Who has seen the Wind.” Scripture was taken from Philippines 2: 4-9 and was read by Luella Mitchell. The Prayer of Confession was read by all. Words of Assurance was given by Luella. Betty Campbell and Joyce Jacklin sang a duet, accompanied by Alice Brothers. The celebration of sacrifice was lead by Barbara McCutcheon. Doris McCall led in prayer and Gertie Kellington introduced Debbie and Ian Hulley of Clinton. Debbie spoke of U.C.W. work and how their donations keep the Perth and Huron camps going. Ian spoke of how the Board of Directors should be changed every four years. Debbie and Ian attended 1st National United Church Conference held in British Columbia last fall. Doris gave thanks. Offering was taken by Jean Bridge, Cindy Clark and Audrey Cardiff. The Offeratory Prayer was led by Doris. “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” was sung after which Isabel Wheeler gave the benediction. There is no Church on May 31 in Brussels but members will attend the Ethel Anniversary Service in Ethel at 11 a.m. The June meeting of the U.C.W. will be held in the Church basement. Margaret Jarvis will give the speech she gave at the 45th Annual Speaking Contest in Toronto, May 2. Women attend conference This past weekend, 116 ladies from London Conference celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Westminster Conference for Women at Westminster College in Ix>ndon, Ontario. The theme this year was “Travelling Onward” with Rev. Bruce MacDougall, Executive Secretary of Hamilton Conference, as guest speaker. The only man in the group, Bruce (as he asks to be called) shared his faith, humour and visions for the future of the United Church. Very special guests were Alice Shitsimi and Esther Waithiru from from Kenya. Both ladies who are highly educated and speak fluent English, expressed their support for the World Wide Ecumenical Decade for the Solidarity of Women. They shared some of their beliefs and culture through song. Attending from our area were Muriel Coultes from Belgrave, Mary Hoonaard and Susan Howson from Blyth, Florence Cartwright and June Fothergill from Londesboro and Debbie Hulley, Donna Johnston, Sharon Veitch and Nancy Wise from Clinton. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth are ‘WeCcome at the BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11 -12:15 - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McCONNELL ST., BLYTH MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. -Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service - Church School Graduation - Congregational Picnic ****** 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship Service - Church School Graduation - Congregational Picnic****** "Lord, this day Your children meet" A BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH GUEST PREACHER: Rev. Arie Van Eeck from Waterdown Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. ******** The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20" Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V. All Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School For All Ages "CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN & PICNIC" Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Sharon Freeman 887-6564 EVERYONE WARMLY WELCOMED