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The Citizen, 1997-08-06, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6,1997 From the Ministerfs Study Reflections on religion By Rev. Stephen Huntley Blyth United Church • One of the issues when the subject of religion is broached, is the tendency to separate out that which is religious from the non­ religious. Religion is something which takes place, many say, on Sunday mornings sometime between nine and noon, or at least insinuate by their actions. However, is not all of life intrinsically religious? Whether we choose to ignore the fact or not, everything we do, every thought, every action has a religious origin and connotation, because religion has to do with the meaning of life. Whenever we engage in meaning-making, we engage in religion or religious inquiry. I read, for example, lots of religion in some newspapers such as The North Huron Citizen. The origin of the word religion, I believe, is interesting and will be of help in our discussion. Religion comes from the Latin religio, which means to bind together. The first usage of the word came from Roman chariot races. Religio was the leather strapping which bound the rider to the chariot. Thus, religion is the process of binding things together in order to make sense out of our world. Another way of putting it is; a place for everything and everything in* its place. The Christian religion is just one way of making sense of our world (albeit the best. I'm a bit bias). The sorting out process we usually do in life is engaging in religious activity. Whenever I hear someone say they are not religious, I cringe at the ignorance of the remark. How can someone be religious and another not? Secondly, in order to make sense out of life we need to ask religious questions. How did I get here? What is the purpose of my life? What happens to me when I die? Very often people, in and outside of organized religion, connect religious faith to blind devotion. (No questions allowed please!) This is bad religion, or perhaps more accurately, simply control. Many forces attempt to control our thinking, our living. Many churches do this. (Which I think is the problem most people have with churches and organized religion). Before condemning the church for past and present faults, let us examine more closely the religion of the day, Secularism. What we question so adamantly about faith and the Bible, we neglect tp scrutinize in secular society. We sit and listen to the priests of our day, (an example is the media), tell us what is important in life. We accept almost wholeheartedly what we read in papers, or hear on television as if life consists entirely of what is reported. What about other things left out, what they didn't tell us? Ah, control, I smell its incense wafting up to the heavens, whoops, stratosphere. Secularism also states it has all the answers. Everything we want to know can be determined in the physical elements. If you can't see it, it doesn't exist. Don't look to faith for help or answers, they say that is for simple people and the unenlightened. Right, Malcom Muggeridge and C.S. Lewis were dummies. I could go on, but I see it is noon and people are starting to look for die exits. Time to close. Jon 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 Phone 523-4590 McConnell St., Blyth MELVILLE Museum hosts craft show Demonstrations of traditional handcrafts are the focus of Handwerk: A Waterloo County Craft Show and Sale at Joseph Schneider Haus Museum on Saturday, Aug. 23. Approximately 30 skilled artisans will gather on the grounds of the museum to demonstrate their crafts and many will offer unique folk art items for sale. Among the artisans participating this year are folk artist-in-residence straw worker Daniel Kramer, blacksmith David Robertson, chair caner Jim Miller, fraktur artist Elizabeth Eby, tinsmith Ed Ries, basket maker Michael Albrich, scherenschnitte artist Nelly Hofer, potter Guin Moriz, costume maker Sarah Walker and chip carver Peter Findlay. Members of the Spinners and Weavers Guild, the Knitters Guild and the Embroiderers Guild will also be demonstrating their handcrafts. Joe and Gerry Hergott will be explaining the work of bee keepers and will have their always-popular "bee flyway" to demonstrate this unusual work. This is a unique opportunity for visitors, both young and old, to observe closely these timeless kills, to chat with the artisans and to purchase one-of-a-kind items. Under the tent, visitors will enjoy the "oom pah pah" entertainment of the Transylvania Hofbrau Band under the direction of Steve Schatz from 1:30 until 4 p.m. Refreshments will also be traditional, as Swiss-trained butcher Franz Kissling of Stratford will be cooking up his freshly-made sausage-on-a-bun. Visitors can try their hand at rope making, carving a wooden spoon, and a special children's area will give children of all ages an opportunity to try their hand at wheat weaving. This will also be one of the last opportunities to view the unbelievably detailed quilts of Japanese quilter Setsuko Obi. Tokyo Kaleidoscopes: The Quilts of Setsuko Obi closes on Sept. 1 and visitors will not want to miss this exhibit featuring the handwork of a very talented fabric artist. Handwerk takes place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 and admission to the grounds and to the exhibit galleries is FREE. The artisans will be demonstrating throughout the entire day and visitors may come and go to the craft show and sale with no admission fee. The event takes place rain or shine. The museum is located at 466 Queen Street South in downtown Kitchener. Free parking is located directly across the street. BOSMAN - HOELSCHER Tina Lorraine Bosman and Jeffery Bruce Hoelscher were unit­ ed in marriage on June 28, 1997 at Northside United Church in Seaforth by Rev. Bruce Cook of Blenheim. The bride is the daughter of Jim & Ann Bosman, Winthrop and the groom is the son of Bruce and Carol Hoelscher, Seaforth. Attending the bride as Matron of Honour was her sister Tracy McLennan of Woodstock. Bridesmaids were Tina Kovlaske, pen pal of the bride from Delta B.C., Diana Dolmage, Brussels, friend of the couple; Tanya Eckert, Seaforth, friend of the bride and Wendy Reid, Hensail, sister of the groom. The two little flowergirls were Amber Reid, Hensall, niece of the groom and Meagan Dolmage, Brussels, friend of the cou­ ple. The best man for the groom was his friend Chris Poland of Winthrop. Ushers were Stephen Dolmage, Brussels, friend of the couple; Paul Baker, Guelph; Rob Van Loon, Seaforth and Craig Douglas, Pickering, all friends of the groom. Soloist was Cheryl Ann St. Onge of Seaforth, and organist was Glenda Carter of St. Jacobs. Readers were Susan Carter of St. Jacobs and Dan Blake of Seaforth. After dinner and reception at the Seaforth and District Community Centres, the couple honeymooned in Vermont and New Hamphsire and they now reside in Brussels. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible We welcome you to come and worship with us. Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 Please join us for worship this Sunday Sunday Morning Communion Service -10 a.m. Evening Service - 7:30 p.m. Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest will lead both services Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as work­ ing for the £yrd not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Xgrd as a reward. Colossians 3:23 & 24 BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH A Rev. Adrian A. Van Geest Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible The Blyth United Church will be meeting with The Blyth Community Church of God for the month of August Please join us there at 11 a.m. each Sunday for our Morning Worship August 17 is Visitation Sunday THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA are weCcome this Sunday AUGUST 10 - PENTECOST 12 MORNING PRAYER AUGUST 17 - PENTECOST 13 MORNING PRAYER Rev. Nancy Beale Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. Wheelchair accessible St. John’s, Brussels 11:15 a.m. HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 ASSOCIATE PASTOR - YOUTH - JEREMY SHUART 523-9788 Sunday Monday Wednesday Friday Morning Worship Service Family Bible Hour Morning Worship Service Evening Service New Hope Support Group Prayer & Bible Study Youth BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Christine Johnson - Minister Church Office 887-6259 Home 887-6540 Sundays during August 11:00 a.m. Joint Service at Melville Presbyterian Church ***** Brussels and Ethel are both closed for the month of August. Rev. Chris Johnson is on holidays until Sept 2. In case of any pastoral emeigencies, please contact the Rev. Cathrine Campbell at 887-9831. Our regular services begin again Sunday, Sept. 7. YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED TO ATTEND.