HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-04-23, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23,1997 PAGE 23.
From the Minister's Study,
Minister says English being polluted
By Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Blyth Christian Reformed Church
The other day I heard a part of a
radio program that discussed the
language used in advertising. Since
advertisers don't want to offend
anyone, they are sensitive about the
language they use. The host of the
show, however, probed by
advertising agencies, don't use the
language that is common on the
street, language which isn't nearly
as sanitized as what is used in radio
and TV advertising.
That set me to thinking about the
changes that have taken place in
public speech over the last couple
of decades. I once wrote to our then
Prime Minister Trudeau about his
misuse of God's name. The reply I
received was unapologetic, since
that kind of language, it said, has
become common usage. In my
lifetime, it wasn't always so.
Our language is becoming very
polluted. And we should not think
too lightly about that.
Speaking in general, we are very
concerned about pollution. We
measure air pollution and set
definite limits to what is allowable.
We shut down major industries if
they transgress these limits.
And the same holds true for
water pollution. We impose hefty
fines on people who are guilty of
that.
We know that pollution is
dangerous to our health, so we set
standards for how much we will
tolerate.
But we don't set standards for
what is acceptable language. We
apparently don't consider gross and
blasphemous language to be
harmful for society's well-being
anymore.
But do we really think that no
harm is done when a number of
parliament calls another
"honourable member" an sob? And
is it really of no concern that kids
use the "f' word in the school yard?
We can tell kids that it is wrong,
but when television shows no
longer need to guard their
language, and people in high office
can use gross and blasphemous
language without apology, do we
have any reasonable standards left
for judging what is acceptable
language for our children?
It is ironic that members of
parliament cannot call another
member a liar, even if the facts bear
that out. But they can call each
other a lot of other much worse
names without fear of censure.
The worst, of course, is the lack
of respect for God’s name. People
seem to think that God doesn't care
how they use his name. But if they
would know anything at all about
God, they would know that he "will
not hold anyone guiltless who
misuses his name."
We'd have a more noble society
if we would take God's word about
such things a bit more seriously. In
Ephesians 4:39, the Bible says: "Do
not let any unwholesome talk come
out of your mouths, but only what
is helpful for building others up..."
When you realize that our speech
is a reflection of what lives inside
of us, a reflection of the moral
standards by which we live, then
the deterioration of our speech over
the past decade or so becomes a
frightening sign. The language we
use tells a story about what is
happening to us. And as this
pollution is worsening, the moral
fibre of our nation is weakening.
Bad language is hardly an innocent
matter.
Certainly, the English language is
rich enough, so that we don't need
to resort to gutter language and
blasphemous words to make a
sharp point. Certainly, we would
also gain a lot more respect for
ourselves - and show more respect
for others - if we express ourselves
in more honourable ways. And
certainly, we would act a little
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Jou are wefcome this Sunday
APRIL 27 - EASTER 5
MORNING PRAYER
Rev. Nancy Beale
Trinity, Blyth St. John’s,
9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday Brussels
Wheelchair Accessible 11:15 a.m. ~ Sunday
you are- 'Wefcome 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
more like people made in the image
of God if we take greater care
about the language we use.
If we consider ourselves
religious, if we believe we are
creatures of God, then we should
also let ourselves be taught by God
about what is acceptable language.
Our language should speak well of
us. Then we will serve both God
and our neighbour. /
Brubacher preaches final sermon HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
Glenn Brubacher brought the
message to Brussels Mennonite
Fellowship on Sunday, April 20.
The scripture passage was Romans
14: 1-8, and the theme of the
message was, "When We
Disagree".
Kristy, Tim and Kathy Procter,
each played accompaniment for
some of the hymns while Mark
Hiller led the singing as well as the
worship service. Joy-Ellen
Greenwood played for the
offertory.
Tracy Goodland, Nathan and Ben
Dettweiler, Tim Procter, and John-
Eric Pardys participated in the
MYEC Bible Quizzing Event at
Steinman Mennonite Church on
Saturday, April 19. Elwin Garland
was the coach of the Brussels
group.
Next Sunday, a farewell for
Interim Pastor Glenn Brubacher
will be held. April 17 will be his
last official Sunday as interim
pastor. A fellowship meal will be
held after the Christian Education
Sessions.
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
YOUTH PASTOR - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788
Sunday 10 a.m.
Monday
11 a.m.
8 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 p.m.
Family Bible Hour
Morning Service
Evening Service
Addictions Support Group
Prayer & Bible Study
Youth
LOIS MAY VOLK
An RR1, Londesboro woman,
Lois May Volk, passed away at
Clinton Public Hospital, April 18,
1997. She was 74.
The former Lois May Doupe was
bom in Fullerton Twp, Perth Coun
ty on May 6, 1922. She was the
daughter of the late Gamold Cecil
Doupe, and Anna Mary Treby
(Roy) Doupe Gibson of Seaforth.
Mrs. Volk was the beloved wife
of William Alvin Volk, who prede
ceased her in 1996. Four children,
Martha, John, Douglas and Dar
lene, a sister Betty Wonnacott and
a brother Adam Kenneth Doupe,
also precedeased her.
Left to mourn her passing are a
sister, Annie Glenys and her hus
band Karl MacNaughton of Walton
and a brother Harold and his wife
Pat Doupe of London.
A private family service was held
on Monday, April 21 at the Beattie-
Falconer Funeral Home "Tasker
Chapel", Blyth. Rev. Paul Ross of
Londesboro United Church offici
ated.
Pallbearers were Harry Kerssies,
Daryl Ball, Gordon Radford, Doug
Snell, Murray MacNaugton and
Willis Bromley. Carrying the floral
tributes was Jack Lee.
A graveside service took place at
Ball's Cemetery, Hullet Twp.
Special service
R.W. Bro. Denis Langridge (front) and V.W. Bro. Gordon
Leggatt conducted the North Huron District Masonic
Divine Service at Brussels United Church on Sunday,
April 20. The service was attended by approximately 60
Masons and their families.
A celebration
of life
A Celebration of Life is an event
that has been commemorated for
the past decade as an opportunity
for kidney patients, donors and
their fatnilies to assemble and
celebrate the miracle a kidney
transplant brings.
The Kidney Foundation of
Canada - Western Ontario Region
is carrying on the tradition of
hosting this important event, which
highlights Organ Donation Week.
Approximately 200 kidney patients
(including: pre and dialysis
patients, kidney donors and
transplant patients) and their
families are invited to gather at the
Waterloo Recreation Centre (101
David Bauer Drive), Waterloo on
April 24, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Entertainment will be provided
by the "Still Waters Folk Singing
Group". Special fun events and
delicious refreshments will
complete the evening.
One objective of the celebration
is to increase awareness of the
success of kidney transplants and to
inform Canadians about the vital
impact of transplantation. There is
an ever increasing need for
Canadians to take action by making
a conscious decision to become an
organ donor.
The organ donor crisis is greater
than ever. More than 2100
Canadians are awaiting a kidney
transplant.
All kidney patients and their
families are invited to attend.
Anyone planning to attend this
event is asked to please call 742-
2023 or 1-800-667-3597.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister
Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
Nursery*****
9:30 a.m. Ethel Morning Worship
Friday, April 25 - Possibility Day at Duffs United Church,Walton
For children, grades JK-6. To register, please phone 887-6540
ALL ARE WELCOME
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service
Wednesday 2:00 p.m. - Bible Study
Wheelchair Accessible
We welcome you to come and worship with us.
Rev. Cathrine Campbell 887-9831
you're invited to worship with us this Sunday
Sunday Morning Service -10 a.m.
Praise & Prayer Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Van Geest will lead both services.
Trust in the Tprd with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledgeJlirn, and jle will
make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:5 $ 6
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
zL Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible