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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-08-26, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26,1992. PAGE 15. From the Minister's Study Church visits leave minister with questions BY STEVEN WEBB KNOX PRESBYTERIAN, CRANBROOK I once had a conversation with a person that went something like this: “How was your holiday?” “It was pretty good. How were the services here at home while we were away?” “I don't know I didn't go.” “Did you get a chance to visit some other churches over the summer?” “No, I didn't go to any; I figured that if you didn't got all summer, I didn't need to go either.” I have a habit of asking these types of questions. You know the kind, the ones that are better left unasked. This year I am not asking them. We just came back from holidays and that is why this conversation comes back to mind. The assumption that since ministers take time off from work, naturally they do not attend church. After all it's summer time and there are better things to do, places to go and people to see. I won't speak for all clergy but I rather enjoy going to church, even on my holidays, and sitting in the pew for a change. In fact, we make it a point to locate a church and check the time of service a day ahead so that we won't miss it. This year we were fortunate enough to attend the very first service of a young minister in her first pastoral charge. It brought back all kinds of memories and dreams and left us feeling excited about all that would happen in that charge. It was very obvious that she was comfortable and capable of being a part of the ministry in that community. She was excited by the prospect and so too were the members of the congregation. We also attended a church service in one of those historic churches where everything you look at is surrounded in history and tells a tale of years of faithful service. This church, found in a small community, was enormous. The steeple would rival any of the large city churches; the pillars inside were all made of bird's eye maple logs; the pulpit was as high as the balcony and completely built without nails. We learned all of this by taking a tour of the building with a young man who acted as our guide. He gave us a wonderful and Couple resides in Seaforth GLOUSHER-STAFFEN Egmondville United Church was the setting for the Aug. 1, 1992 wedding uniting Colleen Lynn Giousher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Giousher of Bly th and John Edward Staffen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Staffen of Seaforth. Rev. Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Stampa was the officiating clergy while Miss Adrian Hockridge was intern. The bride was attended by her matron-of-honour Glenyce McClin- chey of RR2, Clinton. Acting as bridesmaids were Darlene Giousher of Tillsonburg and Beverley Brad­ shaw of Fort Erie. The best man was Murray Kelly of Seaforth. Ushering the guests were Larry Giousher of Blyth and Steve Birch of London. The flower girl was Shannon Montgomery of Egmondville, while Bradley Barry of Seaforth was ringbearer. Soloist Tammy Janmaat was accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Marion Rose. Family and friends paid tribute to the newlyweds at a reception in the Royal Canadian Legion Seaforth Branch 156. Special guests were Colleen's grandfather, Mr. Ward Dodgson of Owen Sound and his family and John's grandmother, Mrs. Annie Staffen of Seaforth. Other out-of- town guests were from London, Kitchener and Orangeville. Following the reception the Staffens left for a honeymoon stay at the Wheel's Inn, Chatham. They have taken up residence in Seaforth. very colourful description of the congregation and its history, told us all of its dark moments since its founding and then proceeded to tell us that the worship service was usually held at about 11.00 and that the service lasted about an hour or so. We took our chances, went at 11:00 and stayed for the hour. Then we stayed for two and a half more hours. They had invited us to their church picnic. We went to church with friends, we went by ourselves. We attended services of our own denomination, but attended more that were not. We were received with openness and warmth wherever we went and were never made to feel uncomfortable at any except one. From the moment we went in until the moment we came out, something was not quite right. My young daughter yawned in the first time minutes and asked if she could go to sleep. We really couldn't fault her. The rest of the service was just ... well, it is kind of hard to describe. We left, feeling empty, frustrated and discouraged, mostly because we didn't feel that we had worshipped God or learned about Christ and his love. It wasn't the Mennonite news Pastor Tom Warner preached the Aug. 23 sermon from Matthew 11: 25-30. One must be honest with himself and with God. Giving the impression that all is well when it is not is an insult to God, for He knows when things are not well. Pain of the mind, soul and heart are just as real as physical injuries. They may not be noticeable to man but they are noticeable to God. When you become a Christian, worry and burdens do not disappear, but Jesus makes dealing with burdens easier for as He said, “My yolk is easy and burdens are light.” Linda Campbell was worship leader, Lena Seigers led the singing with Kathy Procter playing the piano. The monthly singing and fellowship group met at Bruce and Linda Campbell's on Sunday evening. Women's shelter gets funds Women and children in Huron County, who are victims of family violence, will benefit from new provincial funding for a new women's shelter called Survival Through Friendship. A $1 million jobsOntario Capital grant will provide eight months of employment for about 13 people during construction of the new building. The announcement was made today by Huron MPP Paul Klopp on behalf of Community and Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, Marion Boyd. Mr. Klopp said Survival Through Friendship will receive $1 million from the province to build a new centre in Goderich that will provide up to 12 beds for women and their children. “The jobsOntario Capital grant will provide funding to build a new women's shelter and much needed protection and counselling service will be available to abused women and children in Huron County,” he said. Construction of Survival Through Friendship will begin in the spring of ’92 with a targeted opening date of fall ’93. fault of the congregation or the guest minister; it was just one of those things. One of those things that after a lol of reflection was valuable for me to witness and discover. Il allowed me to discover and learn, perhaps not so much about our God or Christ but our service to Christ, yours and mine. In fact my whole summer and the experiences of these different churches left me with a few questions to answer, perhaps for you to answer as well. How do we greet all visitors to our church? How do we make them feel welcome? Will they encounter Christ among us, feel that we are truly a Christian community and that they are a part of that community? Do we offer them God's blessing and do we accept them as a blessing from God? We know what the answers should be; do we have the courage and conviction to live them? BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Joint Summer Worship Service at Melville Presbyterian Church "This is my Father's world" THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday Pentecost 12 - August 30 Holy Eucharist - BCP Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev’d E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 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 you are. Welcome 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 BLYTH UNITED CHURCH Invites you to join them in Worship at 11 a.m. Guest Speaker: Rev. Evan McLagan Phone 523-4224 MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy Joint summer worship service with Brussels United at Melville Presbyterian Church in August 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. . BLYTH CHRISTIAN A REFORMED CHURCH M-* HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH GUEST SPEAKER: Rev. J. Verhoog from Exeter Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.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. J4/T Visitors Welcome Wheelchair accessible