HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-23, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23,1994.
From the Minister’s Study
Change in smoking tax disturbs pastor
By Randy Banks
Walton-Bluevale Pastoral Charge
A Bible- (King James, that is)
waving relative used to preach
against the evils of alcohol and
tobacco on the basis of the apostle
Paul's exhortations: "Do you not
know that your body is a temple of
the Holy Spirit within you, which
you have from God?...If anyone
destroys God's temple, God will
destroy that person." (I Corinthians
3.16, 17:6.19).
To smoke and drink was, in his
view, a contamination of the purity
and sanctity of the human body. He
was right, of course, more from the
standpoint of health than morality
or biblical principle.
The law-defying smuggling, sale,
and purchase of contraband
cigarettes is an unseemly spectacle.
Do we Canadians not have
something better to do?
My father smoked his last Export
'A' when I was quite young. Since
then, I have been privileged to live
in a smoke-free home environment.
This is no small mercy as I find my
constitution becoming increasingly
intolerant of second-hand tobacco
smoke. Smoking is a habit that I
have never cultivated and have
been thankful that neither have
most of the people within breathing
distance of me.
My only involvement in tobacco
was a money-making venture - a
perfectly legal one I venture to add.
Several summers in the tobacco
harvest provided me with die little
bundle of cash I needed to finance
my post-secondary education.
While toiling in the tobacco
fields, I could not help but become
exposed to the potent chemical
sprays that were used to inhibit
sucker growth. The summer air in
the countryside was often
permeated by this nauseating odor.
Those substances, I reasoned, were
being inhaled by smokers. I further
concluded that the costliness of
cigarettes combined with the
suspicion that the tar I peeled off
my hands al the end of each day's
work coated the lungs of smokers,
rendered smoking a losing
proposition all around.
I suppose it is more as an
overtaxed member of the citizenry
than as a clergy person that I am
fuming over recent government
action to lower cigarette taxes as a
means of curtailing smuggling.
Canada has made tremendous
strides in educating people about
the grave health risks associated
with smoking. I am inclined to
agree with the prediction of health
care professionals that cheaper
cigarettes will serve to increase the
number of smokers (especially
adolescents) and thus contribute to
higher health care costs in the
future.
I am waiting with the bated
breath of a non-smoker to see in the
next budget how the federal
government intends to retrieve this
lost tax revenue.
Moses, Isaiah, Jesus, and Paul
did not have to contend with this
issue. There is no biblical teaching
on the subject. We are essentially
free-willed creatures who can help
or harm our bodies as we see fit.
Jesus did say: "Do you not see that
whatever goes into a person from
outside cannot defile...It is from
within that evil intentions arise."
(Mark 7. 18-20). However, he was
referring to foods forbidden by
Jewish dietary laws, not tobacco
use.
Smoking has been so
conclusively linked to heart disease
and lung cancer that we cannot be
complacent about its many negative
effects. If reducing cigarette taxes
results in a reversal in the
downward trend in smoking, then it
is a fundamentally wrong course of
action.
Funny thing, wasn't it, that
immediately after the cigarette
taxes were decreased, distillers
were petitioning the government to
show their industry the same
consideration, citing the smuggling
of illegal liquor to support their
case?
The movie Cold Turkey comes to
mind. It is the story of an entire
town that quits smoking in order to
win a huge cash prize offered by a
tobacco company as an advertising
promotion. One of the characters -
the town souse - does not have the
fortitude to sign the non-smoking
pledge when the local minister who
is spearheading the campaign
brings it around. He whimpers:
"You see, the smoke bone's
connected to the booze bone - and
that is the word of the Lord."
It seems he may have spoken a
'gospel truth' of sorts.
Richmonds greet at United
Greeters on this first day in Lent,
Sunday service at Blyth United
Church were Barb and Terry
Richmond. Ushers were Doug
Howson, Mildred Ament, and Vera
and John Hesselwood. Loma Fraser
was in charge of Junior Congrega
tion.
Rev. Jock Tolmay conducted the
service with welcome and
invitation to worship. "Glorious
Things of Thee" was sung followed
with Invocation and Confession in
unison. Assurance of Pardon was
said by the minister. This was
followed by the responsive reading
from Psalm 25 and Gloria Patri.
Rev. Tolmay had the children
come to the from. He talked about
the meaning of Lent. The change of
colour of his scarf being purple is
significant of forgiveness. Ash
Wednesday is the beginning of
fasting. Using wood ash and water
mixture he placed a cross on each
child's forehead and one little boy
placed a cross on the minister's
forehead.
The choir's anthem was "O How
I Love Jesus" accompanied by Mrs.
Donna Walsh on the piano.
Scripture readers were Kristy
Caldwell and Amanda Howson.
Rev. Tolmay's sermon title was
"A New Way of Doing Things".
God is involved with the world and
God continues to see ways of
looking after everything, he said.
He wants our lives to be full and
glorious and more to praise Him.
You are the Lord of Life, to whom
else may I turn?
"Lord who throughout these 40
days" was sung. Minute for
Missions was read by Susan
Howson.
She flipped
Despite some less than ideal weather conditions there was
a conistent crowd at St. Johns Anglican Church's Pancake
Supper, Feb. 15 in Brussels. Betty Gowing was just one of
the cooks in the kitchen flipping flapjacks for the hungry
diners.
There was also a Minute for Jock
when Susan on behalf of the
congregation presented flowers and
a card to him as he and Pam
celebrated their 25th wedding
anniversary on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Vera Hesselwood presented
information from the Memorial
Committee.
Offertory and Doxology was
followed by congregational prayer
and singing of the Lord's Prayer.
The closing hymn was three verses
of "And Can It Be That I Should
Gain" followed by commissioning,
benediction and choral response.
Flowers were placed in loving
memory of Paul Klemke, father of
Joan Caldwell. Our sympathy to
Joan and her family.
In hospital are Mollie Grant,
Goderich and Irene Ament,
Clinton.
Inform Lenora Davidson at 523-
4442 of anyone who is celebrating
a special anniversary or birthday, is
ill, or has lost a loved one. A card
will be sent on behalf of the
congregation.
The Pastoral Relations
Committee has called a
congregational meeting for Sunday,
March 6 immediately after church.
The 35th general council will be
meeting in Fergus from Aug. 18-
28. Volunteers are needed. General
Council will provide accommo
dation, in form of a billet, meals
and transportation. Deadline for
application is March 15.
Anyone interested in Confirma
tion classes should contact Rev.
Tolmay.
Interested in Cultural Exchange
Program to the Peoples Republic of
China. For further information
contact the church office.
Applications must be received by
Feb. 28.
Christian Education banquet is
March 5. Anyone who can help
should contact Debbie Hakkers or
Gayle Poore.
Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. is
"World Day of Prayer". There will
Continued on page 26
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
You are welcome this Sunday
February 27 - Lent 2
Morning Prayer
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
Rector, The Rev, E. Paul Acton, 887-9273
you arc WeLcome at
tfe
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
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m.- Morning Worship
- “The Value of Sacrifice"
- Church School - Nursery
9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship
- Church School
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233
Sunday 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker - Mr. Robert Datema
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20"
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday
Faith 20 5:30 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V.
All Visitors 'Welcome 'Wheelchair accessible
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Service - Larry Rich of
Chosen People Ministries
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441
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 v MENNONITE W
FELLOWSHIP
Saturday, February 26: “Community Praise” 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 27: WORSHIP SERVICE 9:25 a.m.
Christian Education Hour -10:30 a.m.
"THE RADICALS’at 6:00 p.m.
following a Soup ‘n Sandwich
Supper beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Come ONE and ALL
Elder Alice Knorr
887-9203
3
Pastor Tom Warner
83 -6388
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