The Citizen, 1997-12-24, Page 35w=THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24,1997. PAGE 35.
The news from JK/SKs enjoy turkey lunch
Compiled by Patty Banks Phone 887-6156
Duff’s choir sings
seasonal favourites
JoAnn and Kelly McDonald were
greeters at Duff s United Church on
Dec. 21. The choirs sang the Introit
- 'Watch and Pray', then the
congregation, led by Rev. James
Murray read the Call to Worship on
the back of the bulletin.
Rev. Murray announced that the
Christmas Eve service will be at
7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to
attend.
Scott, Peter, Nathan and Rev.
Murray did the lighting of the
candles as well as the reading of
the liturgy. The fourth advent
candle was lit.
The junior choir, accompanied by
Sarah McDonald at the piano, sang
Little Drummer Boy.
Rev. Murray's sermon was
called, "Love Songs". He told of a
conversation that he had with
another minister who felt
uncomfortable with all the fuss
their congregation was making over
the Christmas Eve service. He
wanted a more simple and quiet
service not what he called, 'a big
show.'
This hit a raw note with Rev.
Murray who said that he didn't like
the idea of people downsizing God.
He invited the minister to take a
look at the first Christmas Eve. Did
God need a whole choir of angels?
No! One angel could have done the
job.
God loves a good spectacle, Rev.
Murray said.
He then went on to describe
Duffs service, how it was so full of
music that he wouldn't have to
preach a sermon (a sure fire draw
of people, he kidded).
The other minister wondered
how he could give up such a
chance to preach to so many
people. He also thought that it
would be too much entertainment
and not enough worship.
Rev. Murray replied that
worship service should
the
be
School bd.
elects chair
entertaining, because the audience
is God! "We aren't just doing this
for our own amusement. Worship is
the act of us focusing on God. Our
prayers and our music are offering
to God. You and I gain benefit
from them and we are entertained
by our act of worship, but
ultimately it is meant for God."
As for missing the chance to
preach Rev. Murray told him that
the music that they will be singing
will convey the message better than
any sermon that can be preached.
Mary could only respond to God
in song. And often, that’s the only
and best way to express faith. "We
know the Christmas message off by
heart, because we sing it. That is
why the message lives so deeply
and strongly in our hearts. With a
song in our heart, we are not afraid
to say, Joy to the World! The Lord
is Come." Rev. Murray said.
Communion was served by Heidi
and Darrell McClure and Helen
Craig.
And now speaking of the
Christmas Eve service being
entertaining I will let you in on a
few things. I am sure that you won't
want to miss seeing some of your
favourite characters like, Jeff
(camel herder) McGavi’n and his
life size pet camel (Jim Cook) or
Graeme (Inn keeper) Craig, or Jim
(father) McDonald, including Sarah
(Rebecca, who finds the real
message of giving) McDonald,
Shannon (Mary) Gibbons riding the
donkey being led by Chad (Joseph)
McCallum, or Nathan (bird-boy)
Murray, Karen (heavily burdened)
Hoegy.
There will be a band made up of
guitars, trumpet, saxophone, organ,
violin, piano music; choirs, quartet;
scripture being read; communion
served and Duff's traditional
candlelight singing of Silent Night.
An angel will visit (one visible
and some I'm sure not visible). A
silent night, a holy night welcomes
all that wish to attend.
That ends my news for 1997. I
want to wish everyone a very
happy Christmas and may 1998 be
one of the happiest years of your
lives.
A busy week at Walton Public
School started on Tuesday with the
annual turkey lunch. Each class
prepared their own desserts. The
Grade 3/4s made ice cream
sundaes, 2/3s made apple pie
tortillas and l/2s made fat teddys.
The Early Years students made
some red and green jello.
For the rest of the week
Christmas ornaments were made,
such as Star of David picture
frames, clothespin stars, candy cane
hearts.
Each morning began with carol
singing and practice for the concert.
Walton Down Home Family
Christmas concert was held
Thursday night at the hall. The
room was jam-packed with parents,
grandparents and people from the
community.
Mrs. Crocker welcomed
everyone and gave a brief overview
of the night's event. She also broke
the news she was leaving Walton
and coffee were made available to
everyone and the evening was a
great success.
the news she was leaving Walton
School and will be the new
principal at Grey Central beginning
in the New Year.
During the course of the evening
she did some reminiscing about her
three years in Walton. She noted
what a wonderful, hard-working
staff she has and the dedication and
support of the parents in the school.
She remembers the fun fair, bake
sales, new gym, playground
equipment and how she reached her
personal goal of getting new
computers in the school. She
thanked the sponsors in the room
for helping that to happen.
The strike was something she had
never experienced before in her 20
years of teaching.
She loves her Walton students
and will miss them very much, but
she also loves new challenges and
it is time to move on.
After the program Rita Bowes
presented Helen with an apron with
the Walton School logo and all the
teachers' and students' names on it.
A beautiful 'Helping Hands' plate
was one of the gifts as well.
Maggie Crane will be the new
principal beginning in the new
year.
Piano solos and Christmas songs
made up the program for the
evening. Guests artists Debbie and
Darlene sang a few numbers.
Then the sound of bells ringing
had every child's head turned as
Santa Claus came running in giving
every child a candy cane.
All kinds of delicious desserts
and coffee were made available to
School and will be the new
principal at Grey Central beginning
in the New Year.
During the course of the evening
she did some reminiscing about her
three years in Walton. She noted
what a wonderful, hard-working
staff she has and the dedication and
support of the parents in the school.
Here’s hoping
that the
joyful spirit of
Christmas
blooms 'in
your hearts
all year long!
For your friendship, loyalty and
kind patronage, we offer a
sincere "thank you”. Please
have a safe & happy holiday.
Luann, Ken, Taylor, Blake & Staff
a
She remembers the fun fair, bake
sales, new gym, playground
equipment and how she reached her
personal goal of getting new
computers in the school. She
thanked the sponsors in the room
for helping that to happen.
The strike was something she had
never experienced before in her 20
years of teaching.
She loves her Walton students
and will miss them very much, but
she also loves new challenges and
it is time to move on.
After the program Rita Bowes
presented Helen with an apron with
the Walton School logo and all the
teachers' and students' names on it.
A beautiful 'Helping Hands' plate
was one of the gifts as well.
Maggie Crane will be the new
principal beginning in the new
year.
Piano solos and Christmas songs
made up the program for the
evening. Guests artists Debbie and
Darlene sang a few numbers.
Then the sound of bells ringing
had every child's head turned as
Santa Claus came running in giving
every child a candy cane.
All kinds of delicious desserts
Luann's Country Flowers
Ax Queen St., Blyth 523-4440
1-800-610-7757
Blyth's trustee to the board of
education, Abby Armstrong, was
elected to the post of chair of the
board at the inaugural meeting,
Dec. 16.
Armstrong represents Huron
Central which includes Clinton,
Seaforth, Bly th, Bayfield and the
Townships of Hullett, McKillop,
Stanley and Tuckersmith.
With the official amalgamation
just days away, the newly-created,
combined school boards of Huron
and Perth, renamed Avon Maitland
District School Board (AMDSB),
filled executive roles at the inaugu
ral meeting.
The vice-chair will be Ray Ford,
Perth trustee for Stratford.
Atje Tuyten, who represents
Stratford, was elected member-at-
large and Colleen Schenk, trustee
for Huron Northwest was elected to
the position of Ontario Public
School Boards' Association dele
gate.
As we celebrate
the gladness and the glory
of this holy season, we'd like
to express our deepest feelings
of friendship and goodwill
to all of you.
Beattie-
FUNERAL HOMES LTD.
Clinton Blyth
Chapel Chapel
Robin Lapensee Christopher M. Smith Michael S. Falconer