HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-04-28, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2005. PAGE 19
From the Minister’s Study
Following the example Jesus gave us
By Rev. Ethel Miner Clare,
Knox United Church, Belgrave
One day a woman went to Francis
of Assisi and confessed that she had
been guilty of malicious gossip. She
asked him what she could do to be
forgiven.
Francis told her to pluck a goose
and lay one feather on the doorstep
of each person about whom she had
said malicious things. The woman
rushed away and did as she was told.
Then she returned to Francis to ask
what she needed to do next.
He sent her back to gather each
feather she had placed on the
doorsteps. She discovered that the
feathers had blown all over town.
When she returned to Francis the
second time, he said, “you may wish
to repent, and that is good. But you
can never recall the words that you
have spoken. They have gone on
their way doing harm.”
The writer of the epistle of James
comments: Our tongues get out of
control. From the same mouth come
blessing and cursing. (James 3:8,10).
Although relatively small, we
know that the tongue can and does
have a large impact. On the positive
side we can use it to encourage,
guide, direct, and praise.
But there are also negative effects
for it can poison relationships, and
ruin lives.
No doubt you have heard it said
that gossip is part and parcel of
living in a small community. I
disagree.
Gossip has been around for a very
long time, but it should have no
place in any community, and
certainly not in Christian
community. Genuine concern and
caring are an essential part of
community but gossip is not. What is
the difference? How do we
distinguish one from the other?
Sometimes that is difficult. When
there is genuine concern, we find
ways to be helpful - sending an
encouraging note, holding people in
our prayers, offering to help out. On
the other hand, gossip comes from
the desire to be in the know, to be the
first to tell and followup is not part
of the formula.
How, then, are we to respond
when someone comes to up with a
juicy piece of gossip? The answer to
that question can be found in the
gospel story of the woman, who was
been caught in bed with a man who
was not her husband. She was
brought to Jesus.
Can you imagine the talk, gossip,
that was being shared among those
who were in the crowd that day.
But what did Jesus do? He was
silent! He asked no questions, made
no comments.
The men who condemned this
woman pushed for an answer. They
quoted scripture and asked if she
should be stoned.
Cfmtiaii Tdlumiup
Saturday, April 30
Jesus occupied himself by writing
in the sand. Finally he stood up. He
told the accusers that those among
them who had not sinned could go
ahead and stone the woman.
The men crept away until only
Jesus and the woman remain. Jesus
doesn’t ask for details or berate the
woman. He quietly tells her that she
is free to go and that she should sin
no more. Respect, caring, silence,
not gossip, are Jesus' response.
When someone comes to us with
the latest story, we need to follow the
example of Jesus and stop the gossip
before it starts. . We have the
responsibility to catch ourselves and
not spread the story.
This is not easy, and we all have
failed at one time or another.
We must also challenge the person
telling us the story - “Are you
certain of your facts?” “Sharing that
story is not helping anyone, so don’t
repeat it again.”
“Have I heard correctly?”
Sometimes rumours start when
someone has not heard what was
actually said. When there is a story
that we feel needs to be told, we
need to ask ourselves three
questions: Why we are sharing this
particular story? Will telling it
help anyone or will telling do
damage?
And most importantly, are we
following the example Jesus gave
us?
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Cool treat
The weather may not have indicated it, but it was time for
Melville Presbyterian Church’s springtime supper on
Sunday night. And no spring meal would be complete
without ice-cream. Graham Work scoops up the treat for
one young diner. (Vicky Bremner photo)
fowl 06 <wi6&cfz
Sunday, May 1
Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m.
Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Christ-centred, Bible believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
Sunday
zrnesi uow - odo-wwo >,
getlivingwater.org
Tuesday
Wednesday
Promise
Keepers
Men's
Breakfast
8 am at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church,
Wingham RSVP 523-4848 by Apr. 27
10:30 a.m. - Contemporary Worship
& Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 523-4848
www.t
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233
Wheelchair accessible
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Sunday, May 1
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
HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL
MISSIONARY CHURCH
SINGASON^OF Auburn - 526-1131
PASTOR DAVE WOOD
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
cj&cc to cwte
SUNDAY, MAY 1
Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels
9:30 a.m. Il:l5a.m.
The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Joan Golden - Diaconal Minister
Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca
Sunday, May 1
Ethel United Church
9:30 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Brussels United Church
11:00 a.m.
Worship Service & Sunday School
Celebrating Who We are as We Reflect on the Good News Together!
Church
"The Church is not a
Building,
It is People Touching
People"
Sunday 9:15 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
- Prayer Meeting
- Sunday School
- Worship Service
Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. - Pastor Les Cook 523-4590
Blyth United Church
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Sunday, May 1
Worship Service & Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Rural Life Sunday
A Tribute to Dr. Ken Jackson
'JrVetauM
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.
Sanctuary
Ladies Day Apart "
Saturday, April 30
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Seaforth Golf BL Country Club
Keynote Speaker:
Janine Schultz
Clinical Director BL Therapist
Special Music by Stephen Wall
Tickets: $22.00 includes lunch & refreshments
For more information & ticket reservation
Call - Les Cook at (519) 523-4590