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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-10, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1994. PAGE 11 From the Minister’s Study Minister envisions faith in a small flower pot By Rev. Mary-Jane Hobden Belgrave Pastoral Charge I recently spent an afternoon repotting some house plants. One looked beyond help, but I decided to keep a couple of shoots and see if it could be nursed back to health. At this point it is still touch and go, although things are looking promising. Most of the other plants had simply outgrown their pots and needed room to expand. They are vibrant and full of growth. New leaves or shoots can be seen within them quite often. It was these different states of plants which spoke to me of the beginning of a ministry in a new parish. Sometimes things have to be cut back or weeded out and then nursed back to health. Sometimes things simply need room to expand. As a brand new minister I like to think of myself as one of those new shoots on a well established plant. My arrival has signalled a desire for growth, not only in me, but also in the people who have called me to grow with them. Watching the repotted plants in my living room I realized that it has taken some time for them to begin to respond to their new surroundings. First they had to recover from the move to a new town, then to a new pot. Both arc traumatic on the plant. I am reminded that the move to a new parish can be the same for the newcomer and the residents. Unlike the plants for whom I decided a move was necessary, ministers and congregations have a little more say in the decision. However, when God calls it is difficult not to respond. Il is responding in faith which promotes growth. Faith is like the new soil we put in the new pot for a plant. It is rich in all of the essentials which are needed for nurture and growth. One of the plants I put in a new pot was newly bought, just to help add to our new home. Il was a small plant with its green leaves, but with a promise from the florist that it would flower by August. With a home in a larger pot, some fresh soil and some loving care it does indeed look as though there will be flowers in August. The plant has responded and the promise is beginning to be filled. Ministers and their congregations are like this plant. With much promise the journey begins. The mix of people is new and provides the nutrient rich soil which promotes growth and the loving care comes from bolh sides. Our faith in Christ is the basis for our growth. It is the main ingredient in our soil. The loving care comes through shared faith. Growth comes in the shared experience of change. Every change brings a chance for ever greater growth. Shared faith involves openness to one another, to new ideas, and to new possibilities. A new minister can sometimes help us express that shared faith; to challenge us to put it in action. Ultimately, however, it is we who as a community of faith, have to put our own faith into action. The potential to grow is within each of us whether there is someone outside, or someone new, to show us where it is. Christ has shown us that we have this potential. We need only to accept the chances to do so. Like my little plant who will have flowers in August, we must all allow ourselves to grow. Allowing and encouraging one another’s growth benefits us all. Growing together only makes us stronger and better able to face the many challenges of living the Christian life in today's world. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday August 14 - Pentecost 12 Morning Prayer - BCP Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Rector, The Rev. E. Paul Acton, 887/9273 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 Joint Worship Service for United and Presbyterian congregations at Melville Presbyterian Church August 7 - September 4, 1994. 11:00 a.m. Ethel United Church closed August 7 - September 4, 1994 Worship the Lord, Give Praise to God HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 Sunday 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Gospel Echoes Singers 8 p.m. - Pastor Don Vair Wednesday 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth - Pastor Bob Lewis, 526-7441 ‘You are dVeLcome 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 Summer concert Julie and Angela Verburg were just two of the entertainers at the gospel concert held at Blyth Lions Park on Sunday night. Rev. Van Geest of Blyth Christian Reformed Church organized the event held under sunny skies. Blyth United welcomes pastor 1 BLYTH CHRISTIAN ZJa reformed church HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH-523-9233 Sunday 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Rev. A. Van Geest 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 TVeCcome Vfteelcfair accessible On Sunday, Aug. 7 the Blyth congregation of the United Church welcomed their new minister. Les Rutledge introduced Rev. Stephen Huntley, his wife Kale and son Andrew. Greeters are Vera and John Hesselwood. Ushers were Fred and Linda Meier and their daughters Laura and Kerri. The nursery was in charge of Elaine Brown. Call to worship was followed by the hymn O Worship the King. Prayer of Confession and Assur ance of Pardon followed. Rev. Huntley's conversation with the children was on using a mirror to see yourself. He asked one child to pretend to be a mirror and another to be in front of the minor. Whatever one did, the other had to copy. We are all children of God; He made us all differently, Rev. Huntley said. God loves us just the way we are. We can't be exactly the same. The anthem The Wonder of it All was sung by the choir under the direction of Mrs. Phyllis Boak. Rev. Huntley's sermon entitled ''Imitators" came from the New Testament lesson Ephesians 4:25- 5:2 and Gospel lesson John 6:35 41-51. He asked the congregation members if they had ever tried to imitate someone. Where would we start to be an imitator of God, he asked. To imitate God is to be ourselves. What we arc is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. The theme of the sermon was "you arc somebody, so act like it". Hymn O Master Let Me Walk with Thee was followed by pastoral prayer and the Lord's Prayer. The closing hymn was Be Thou My Vision. Coventing service for Rev. Huntley is on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Church services throughout August will be at 10 a.m. Vacation Bible School is 11:30 a.m. from Aug. 22-26 at Christian Reformed Church. All children ages four to 12 are welcome. Donations of cookies and juice, to be left in the narthex would be appreciated. Men's Life and Coffee Break potluck picnic is on Monday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at Blyth Lions Park. Bring your own cup. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy - Morning Service - Sunday School - Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. 11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. to invite a friend to come with you to BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP Friendship Sunday Service Jr. Achieve, receives support Continued from page 10 entrepreneurs of the future." During the next few weeks, members of the North Huron Education Committee will be undertaking a fundraising cam paign in support of the Junior Achievement. In order to support the local demand for programs, S3,500 must be raised from the business community. If the fundraising campaign is successful, Junior Achievement programs can be offered in North Huron schools as early as this coming fall. For more information on the Junior Achievement Program contact Brian Treble of the North Huron Education Committee, 524- 2188 or Paul Nichol al the Huron Business Centre, 527-0305. Sunday, August 14 - 9:15 a.m. Singing Tune-Up Time 9:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE with “Cornerstone” 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School For All Ages Fellowship Meal to follow. All Are invited. Remember every Friday morning form 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. “The Sound of Summer Players” for children ages 5-12 Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder Linda Campbell 357-1648