HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-22, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22,1997
From the Minister’s Study
Finding new church can be daunting
By Rev. Chris Johnson
Brussels and Ethel United
Churches
It was only July that I moved to
your community and it takes a great
deal of adjustment to unpack, set
up a new household, begin a new
job, get your children settled into a
new school, and basically begin all
over again.
One of the downsides of being a
minister is that throughout your
lifetime, you will probably live in
many different communities. It
doesn't give you a chance to
establish deep roots, to make long
and lasting friendships and to feel
the same connection to the
community that someone who has
lived here their whole life might
feel.
The advantage, however, of a
minister always feeling a bit like a
stranger, a bit like a wanderer, is
that they always have a special
affinity with those folks who might
feel that they're a bit on the outside
of your community, those people
who have moved in and may be
having a few troubles feeling like
they fit in.
The established community
members are rarely even aware of
new people and the challenges they
face as they try to make a home in
their new community. It's not
mean-spirited or vindictive, it's not
because people don't Care (because
I know they do), it’s just that
sometimes it takes a bit of extra
work, a bit of extra time and effort
to let an "outsider" know that they
are an important and vital part of
the community.
As the minister, most of these
problems are minor for me because
I have an instant community in
which I am part. I am meeting all
sorts of new people and enjoying it
greatly.
But let's consider a family who
might come here to start a new life
and new job and does not know
anyone. If you are in this situation,
my sincere encouragement to you
is to think about the possibility of
becoming a part of a church
community.
It's a daunting task to look for a
new church. Perhaps you're not
even too certain whether or not you
have faith in God. Maybe you're
mainly interested in a Sunday
School for your children. You
might be seeking to find some
answers to an empty feeling inside
and not sure where to turn. Or
maybe, you are simply looking for
a community in which you can feel
that you have a part, that you
belong.
There are many reasons why we
seek to be a part of a church. If you
are even just considering it, I would
like to offer you a few suggestions.
Before you even decide to attend
a worship service you may wish to
make an appointment with the
present minister, get a tour of the
church and possibly a list of the
groups and activities which are part
of that church. Even if you are
already a member of a certain
denomination, and would like to
continue in that denomination, ask
tough questions about beliefs and
policies so that you get an idea of
whether or not this is a church in
which you would feel comfortable.
Attend the worship service
without making a commitment. Is
the congregation warm and
welcoming? Do they try to make
you feel comfortable? Is it obvious
that you are the only stranger? Did
you find the worship service
meaningful and uplifting?
Hesselwoods greet at Blyth UC
It was Epiphany 2 and the
seasonal colour green at Blyth
United Church's service last
Sunday. Greeters were John and
Vera Hesselwood. Ushers were
Harvey Snell, Brenda Brooks,
Nicole Kerr and Lloyd Sippel.
Rev. Steve Huntley conducted
the service. Michael Duthie,
director of music, was organist.
Lorie Falconer looked after the
nursery.
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
was the opening hymn. The
children's hymn Shine Jesus Shine.
A solo was sung by Jolene
Coburn entitled A Light is
Gleaming, accompanied by Mr.
Duthie on piano.
The Old Testament lesson from I
Samuel 3: 1-10, was read by Susan
Howson. The Gospel reading was
taken from John 1: 43-51, and
delivered by Rev. Huntley. His
sermon was on "The Four Pillars of
Faith." Fellowship and worship was
the theme. The good news is God
gives the Holy Spirit to enable
people to do all four of the pillars.
Worship must be regular and
people must be regular and people
must prepare for it and not just sit
back, he said.
Fellowship is sharing, com
panionship or a body of associates.
Coffee break on Wednesday
mornings is an excellent
Continued on page 14
Make sure that you speak to the
minister. Give them your name and
phone number if you are interested
in learning more. If you have
observations, especially those of a
critical nature, share them with the
minister. It is only through hearing
the comments of visitors that the
congregation will learn how to
greet newcomers and those seeking
a new church.
If you are transferring your
membership from another church in
the same denomination, and are
already a fairly active and
committed church worker, take
some time to get to know the new
church before you accept a
position. Enjoy the break from your
previous church, especially if
you've always been a teacher in the
Sunday School, in order to simply
worship and observe how this new
church goes about its business.
Then if there is an area in which
you would really enjoy working,
you'll feel more ready and
committed after having taken some
time off for your own spiritual
development.
One of the recent changes in our
culture is that people will shop
around for a church. No longer do
we just go down to the church at
the comer. We examine a church in
order to judge if it is the right one
for us. When my husband's parents
moved to a new city, they spent a
whole year going to all the various
United Churches in order to find
the right one for them.
If you have no denominational
loyalties, you have even more
choice. The only thing I find with
non-church goers is that they
expect church people to be perfect,
and so have very high expectations
of what a church is. But all church
congregations have their strengths
and weaknesses, so you'll have to
be patient sometimes and attend for
a few different Sundays in order to
truly and sincerely assess whether
this is the right place for you.
Being part of a church family is a
good way to get to know the
community in which you have
chosen to live. I would encourage
you to seek and explore, and you
just might find something exciting
and fulfilling for your life.
As a newcomer to this
community, I know that it takes a
lot of courage to start again. Yet, I
believe that God is with us on that
journey, and I know that all the
churches of this area would warmly
welcome you and your family if
you care to take the first step.
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
YOUTH PASTOR - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788
Sunday
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11a.m. - Morning Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
7:30 p.m. - Addictions Support Group
7:^0 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study
7:30 p.m. - Youth
you're invited to worship with us this Sunday
10 a.m. ~ Sunday Morning Worship Service
7:30 p.m. - Evening Service
Both services will be led by Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Lord is my Shepherd, / shall not be in want. ”
(Psalm 23:1
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister
Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship
Church School - Nursery
*****
Ethel Morning Worship
How beautiful the march of days
Are you new to the Brussels area and in search of a church home? If you
would liike to learn more about either Brussels or Ethel United Church, we
would be delighted to meet with you.
Come and visit us in Morning Worship or call ahead for a tour of our church
and a chance to meet the current minister. We look forward to meeting you.
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 2:00 p.m.
BRUSSELS
- Morning Service
- Sunday School
- Belgrave Service
- Bible Study
- Bible Study
The Annual Meeting has been postponed to
February 9,1997
Wheelchair Accessible
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
Rev. Cathrine Campbell * 887-9831
Jou are ‘Welcome at the
BLYTH COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD
9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults
11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship
Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
you are welcome this Sunday
JANUARY 26 - EPIPHANY 3
MORNING PRAYER
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s,
9:30 a.m. Brussels
Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m.
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Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:45 a.m. Christian Education (for all ages)
Everyone Welcome!
Interim Pastor Glenn Brubacher
(887-6388)