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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-02-03, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005. PAGE 15. From the Minister’s Study Minister reflects on time in Guatamela By Joan Golden Brussels United Church This past November, as part of my training for ministry, I travelled with my classmates to Guatemala to see and listen to the stories of a people who have suffered oppression and continue to be oppressed by the power of governments and armed forces. I wrote this reflection from my journal....“The lights of Guatemala City appeared in a mixture of colours of green, off-white and yellow as we approached the airport to land. This first glimpse of diversity of lights would begin a journey in which I would see constant diversity in landscapes, people, experiences and hopes. As we left the airport it was difficult at first to believe our group had landed in Guatemala. It seemed oddly familiar with McDonald signs. Taco Bell, Chuckie Cheese, Toyota, to mention a few. As we travelled further into the city I noticed a pharmacy and someone was behind a barred doorway. It appeared that someone was serving a customer from behind the bars. I thought at first perhaps it was past closing time and one last customer was asking to come in. I then realized that the store was open and service was from a barred Brussels hosts Presbytery in May SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6 doorway with a armed guard standing beside it. The familiar was now feeling dangerous to me. During our time we met many people who are working in the struggle for justice for the people and the earth. Jose Manuel Chacon, who works with the Colective Napre Salvac (Mother Jungle), explained that Guatemala is an example of bio diversity of north and south. There is a huge richness of flora and fauna that has not yet been discovered. The environment is endangered as oil drilling is allowed, mining is being allowed in agreed ‘protected’ areas, clear cutting of forests is happening. Jose showed a map marked by many coloured pins where mineral exploration was taking place—whole ranges of mountains were covered with pins. The picture of-a beautiful lake was shown and I realized that I never had known Kirkland Lake in Northern Ontario as a ‘live’ lake. I saw it only after the mining industry had used most of its water and the tailings had destroyed the rest of it. This will be the destiny of the lakes and mountains in the regions marked on the map in front of us. The reality is that we were seeing only this year’s map - next year there will be even more. In the preparation for this trip, I heard some of the stories of massacres and horrible injustices and had also read some accounts of them. That still did not prepare me for the feeling of being in the place where these horrible events happened. We were walking on the ground and the places were screams were heard and blood and tears were shed in the horrors. The words from Jeremiah echoed within me “A voice was heard in Ramah. wailing and loud lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Yet I heard Jesus Tecu Osorio - survivor of a village massacre - speak of reconciliation and that being the hope for the future. I saw this hope reflected in the students at the New Hope School that was founded by the foundation he started. They spoke with confidence about the privilege they felt in attending this school. They are the hope of the present and future of their families and of Guatemala. As I look through my journal there are so many images and phrases that still overwhelm but also recorded are the faces of people who continue in the ongoing work in Guatemala for justice and change. In looking through photos I am reminded of the beauty of the land and the reality of the extreme poverty that exists. In my mind and heart there arc the memories of women who invited us to harvest their first crop of radishes from their community garden, women weaving and laughter shared as we tried our hand at making tortillas, community members who told of (heir hope of having water pumped from a well up to their homes. I heard in their hopes and visions a challenge for myself — as a person who possesses both privilege and power in this world. What I need to remember daily is that my voice and my words have the power to bring awareness to history, injustices and current conditions of oppression in Guatemala that has not been heard by many in this land.” (end of reflection) This was my reflection at that time in December. On Jan. 11, we received the news that two men who were protesting the mining equipment being moved into the area of San Marcos were killed by THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA y&cc to come Guatemalan authorities. Through urgent action networks appeal messages were sent to the mining company, the World Bank, and leaders of governments. Within a week, the World Bank agreed to send in an investigation team to see if the Peace Accord agreement had been broken. This agreement stated that mining in an area could not happen unless the people of that region had agreed that mining could happen after there had been an open consultation process with the people. It seems that this was not the case, when 2,000 people in that region were protesting the mining equipment being moved in. God calls us to work towards God’s vision of justice and harmony for all of creation. This work involves reflecting on situations that happen around us in our communities and in other places in the world. Micah 6:8 “‘What does God require of us? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.”' Continued from page 2 Brussels May 25. Guild was asked to serve dinner. The Springtime supper was discussed. It will be held the last Sunday in April. The date for cleaning the kitchen was put off until the next meeting. Members decided that a thank you should be sent to Cliff Coultes for providing the ice-cream for all the events at the church. The February meeting will be convened by Mary Huether and Mary Carr with Joan Golden telling of her sojourn in Guatemala. Rev. Campbell and Mrs. Armstrong conducted the worship. Mrs. Armstrong gave the Call to Worship which was followed by singing Standing at the Portal. Rev. Campbell read the scripture Psalm 15. This was followed by prayer. Mrs. Armstrong gave the topic of commentaries on the following headings: Look Up; Stand Up; Smarten Up; Lighten Up; Hurry Up. She ended with the quote, “There is no hopeless situation.” The meeting closed with a new hymn Forward in Faith which was written by Rona Reaper for the Hamilton Presbyterial. Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels 11:15a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 The War Amps PLAYSAFE/ DRIVESAFE Chi£d amputees know that accidents can happen anywhere. That’s why they say to children "Spot the danger before you play. PLAYSAFE!" And to adults, "DRIVESAFE!" To order your 2004 key tags, a Spot the Danger! video or the PLAYSAFE Interactive CD-ROM. contact The War Amps. E-ZEE ACCESS. TEL: 1-800-250-3030 FAX: 1-800-219-8988 Or visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca Charitable Registration No. 13196 9626 RR0001 'PCe-a&c foot cca, fat awid/ti/i Sunday, February 6 Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible JF HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH singaso^of Auburn - 526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD Sunday MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Sunday, February 6 11:00 a.m. - Sunday Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Belgrave Service Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca Feb. 6:1 Thess. 4 The Sell-Out of Sexual Sin FAITH IN SONG H3 Friday 8 p.m. - Blyth Memorial Hall 10:30 a.m. ~ Contemporary Worship & Sunday School at Blyth Public School, corner of King & Mill & Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848 / www.getlivingwater.org Tuesday Wednesday 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. - Family Bible Hour - Morning Worship Service - Evening Worship Service - Youth Bible Study Crusaders for grades JK-6 - Adult Bible Study Sunday, February 6 Ethel United Church 9:30 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School Remembering, Celebrating and Visioning as we gather to Worship and Praise God "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" Sunday 9:15 9:45 11:00 a.m. - Prayer Meeting - Sunday School - Worship Service Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 523-459Q a.m. a.m. Blyth United Church Comer of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, February 6 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Why we keep personal treasures 'WdutHt Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 Blyth United Church is a welcoming community of faith. We celebrate God's presence through worship and study, and through responding to the needs and gifts of each other.