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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-30, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2003. PAGE 15. From the Minister’s Study Minister says to practise good stewardship By Rev. Cathrine Campbell Melville Brussels, Knox Belgrave Presbyterian Churches When I received my call to Brussels the news went out far and wide and one of those who heard my good news was the church secretary. “Brussels,” she said. “I know that place. It is a lovely village and it has the most beautiful street - gorgeous houses and a lovely church and wonderful trees”. It seems that her husband travelled in the area and she would accompany him and their visit to Brussels had been a delightful experience one fall day. Well I found that she did not exaggerate. When I moved to Brussels I soon found that one of the beautiful vistas in a beautiful village was William Street (as it was - now Dunedin Drive) with the lovely homes and church and the magnificent maples in all their autumnal glory. The morning walk with Hector was a boon to the eye and balm to the soul. So it was with sadness on a spring day this week that I saw one of the trees was being taken down and it is now gone. The tree at the corner of the parking lot has come down - it was diseased I was told by the work crew and could be a hazard to people or property. Intellectually, I understood, but it still makes me sad to know that that beautiful tree is not there any more. It was also ironic I thought that this happened during the time of Earth Day/Week. Shouldn’t we be planting trees not taking them down? Well, it appears that that is happening; 1 was told that 40 trees have been planted, so far, this spring. My concern is not just an Earth Day/Week concern. From the beginning of creation we have been called upon by our Creator to cherish what was given to us. This is from a God who saw that what had been created was good - not so-so, or mediocre, or would do - but good and our response is to be the same. We are to be vigilant in our care for our planet so that we may give our children and future generations a home that is healthy, harmonious and habitable for all creatures. We are to practise good stewardship of the land, air and seas so that the future will enjoy what we of the past have enjoyed. There will be change. With the removal of the tree the little garden at the side of the church which has roses and trees that have been planted to honour cherished members will also change; there will be more light and this will have an effect on growth and soil conditions. When change is positive it is to be embraced when it is negative it is to be confronted and the wrongs righted. I will miss that tree but I do take delight in knowing that in this area there are other trees, much smaller now, that will in time delight the eye of those who walk or drive around Brussels with their delicate green spring foliage and their blazing autumn colours. These are the trees that have grown from the seeds scattered by the big tree and so the cycle of life continues. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Schades greet at church On Sunday morning, greeters at Melville Presbyterian Church were Neil and Ruth Schade. Being the first Sunday after the Easter celebration, and feeling springlike and full of the joy of new beginnings, Rev. Cathrine Campbell opened the service with a most intriguing announcement. If congregants can raise the total amount of monies (plus GST) needed to repair the church tower to last for many more generations, she has committed herself to preach the Good Friday sermon next year from the top of this tower. After the children’s hymn, Jesus Bids Us Shine, Rev. Campbell talked to about Earth Day and recycling and finished with a picture book story that related the things of earth to God’s love and caring, and the earth as home. Matthew Cardiff assisted Rev. Campbell as the reader for scripture reading of Acts: 32-35; 1 John 1: 1- 2-2:2, and John 20: 19-31. In beginning the sermon, Light and Life to All, the congregation was asked to read in unison the Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and reflected on how these words follow the whole story of Christ through to his resurrection as God of Light and Life. Easter’s joyous news is well illustrated in the contrast between light that brings life, truth, knowledge, peace, love and all good things, as opposed to darkness - the total absence of light. The collection was taken up by Jeff Cardiff, Bill Aitchison, Maurice Douma and Doug McArter. Crystal McLellan served as organist throughout the service. The annual Melville springtime supper was well attended and a great success. The food was delicious and the pie lasted through many a second and third helping. This event is sponsored by the Melville Women’s Guild and the Women’s Missionary Society. The Sunday school annual fundraising sale of frozen food orders must be handed in to Julia Mitchell or Elaine Armstrong by the May 4 deadline. A special word of appreciation for the junior choir which has been formed under the leadership of Mary Douma. The enthusiastic members of this choir are: Colleen Aitchison, Kieran Blaney, Eliza Dodds, Tori Kellington, Elli Schimanski, Ami Schimanski, Marissa Pipe, Kasey King, Jodi McIntosh, Nicki McIntosh and Sadie Ten Pas. On May 3 at 7:30 p.m. this choir will be part of the Anthemfest, a mass-choir event of five choirs to be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Listowel. The flowers in the church were in remembrance of Lyla Goll, placed there by her family. There were also lilies from the Gibson family. St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church 254 Drummond St. E., Blyth Saturday Night Mass 7:15 p.m. Father Lance Magdziak, Pastor 519-527-0142 email: stjames@rcec.london.on.ca HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL^ MISSIONARY CHURCH sngason<;Of Auburn - 526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-4941 Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Wednesday 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.- Crusaders & Youth 7:15 p.m. - Adult Bible Study £ MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS to cmic and awtd/itfL ivctA Sunday, May 4 St. John's 143rd Anniversary -11:15 am HOLY EUCHARIST - Feast of St. John the Evangelist No Service at Trinity, Blyth, please join us in worship at St. John's The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca May 4 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, May 4 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Rural Life Sunday Lectionary Readings Bible Study Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the parlour Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" Sunday - 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. - Bible Studies Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd E. Pastor Les Cook 523-4590 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831liming Water Olnstiaii TdlaiisAip 3 3 3 3 3 3 May 4 - Eph. l:3ff YW "Plugging To God's Purpose, Plan & Power” In Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Ethel Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Family Bible Hour and Sunday School ~ 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study ~ Tuesday 8 p.m. Ladies' Time Out - The last Thursday of each month 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Christ-centred, Bible-believing, Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared£_■.......... .........- 10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School § E i Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848 S www.tcc.on.ca/~dowfam at Blyth Public School, comer of King & Mill 3 3 John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me.“ ' a Everyone Welcome Call Pastor Andrew Thursdays or Fridays at 887-6123 Sunday, May 4 Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Luke 24 ~ "Jesus is Alive" Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. Isaiah 61 ~ "What is wrong with the world?" BLYTH CHRISHAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible