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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2005-07-07, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2005. PAGE 19. From the Minister’s Study Concerts a plea to help African countries Rev. Ethel Miner Clare, Knox United Church, Belgrave This past weekend was one of celebrations - Canada Day, family reunions, picnics, and on Saturday, the Live 8 concerts. Celebration is not an accurate description for the concert as it was a plea for the wealthy countries to forgive the debts of African countries, countries where there are untold hungry people. A year ago last February. I visited Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of a Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Study Tour. In Zambia, we visited Macha. At the hospital there, we met a doctor who had returned to the area New minister in Blyth United welcome Rev. Robin McGauley is the new minister at Blyth United ChurchfSonn/e Gropp photo) By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Blyth United Church welcomed its new minister this past Sunday. Rev. Robin McGauley arrived in Blyth June 27, fresh from her ordination in London, May 29. Since reaching her decision to become a minister the journey has taken her many places. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, McGauley, 26, spent one year studying in England, then got her BA in religious studies from Queens in Kingston. After attending the Vancouver School of Theology, she completed an eight-month internship in Nova Scotia. She says the ministry has been a long-time goal. “I actually grew up saying 1 wanted to be a minister. I was 17 when I started the process.” McGauley's arrival in Blyth is the result of the United Church’s settlement placement. “A church decides it will take a minister and the newly-ordained are up for what is called a settlement. They decide where we will go and we must agree to stay there at least three years.” Having never even heard of Blyth before. McGauley spent her first week getting well acquainted with the community, visiting local coffee shops and touring the area. She got a tour of Blyth Festival theatre and said the grace at the opening night dinner on Thursday. She afSo attended the season opening play. The Ginkgo Tree.- following the dinner What she brings to the United congregation she said are strengths in preaching and teaching. “I like doing education things, such as Bible studies and like to plan events.” As one of a rare group of ministers who like to write most of their own prayers, McGauley says that she feels the Sunday morning worship is one of her biggest strengths. She adds with a smile, however, “I guess we’ll see on Sunday if others agree.” after an absence of a few years in the United States for his children to receive their education. He arrived during the famine With tears in his eyes, he told how difficult it had been to watch his African Iricnds starve. He commented that the CFGB maize (corn) and beans had arrived just in time to save the lives of people in that area. On a beautiful, warm morning we travelled a couple of hours north from the city of Bulawayo. Zimbabwe. The weather was ideal for tourists, but we were not there as tourists. And the picture was all wrong this was the rainy season but the rains had not come to that particular part of the country. In fact, there had been insufficient rains for three years so there had been no crops. It was doubtful there would be a crop this year. We were there to witness a food distribution. The CFGB shipment had arrived the previous evening. Young men had guarded the food overnight to prevent theft Earlier. area workers determined who was to receive food aid: those suffering from a chronic illness, the elderly, nursing mothers, and single parent or child-headed families. There would be four distributions that day. The first was a nine a.m. We arrived late for the ten o'clock distribution. People had patiently waited for us. anxious to meet us and to thank us. No food was distributed until after we were welcomed with ceremony. Prayers were offered in thanksgiving for our safe arrival; with petitions for the much needed rainfall: and thanksgiving for the food that had come from Canada. Song filled the air. speeches made and translated; and gifts presented. Hungry people brought us gifts! I was humbled by the generosity. A beautiful wooden container with a lid is iny reminder of these hungry but nonetheless generous people I learned much on that trip - about generosity, welcoming the stranger. living joyfully with tew worldly possessions, trusting in the generosity of our Creator God. There is enough food to feed everyone in the world. We, in the wealthy nations, need to live with hands open and sharing so that others might have life. May God give us the will to do so. MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS tAe mc-ntll o-f. ‘futy Knox Belgrave is worshiping with their friends at Knox United Church, Belgrave Melville Brussels is worshiping with their friends at Brussels United Church Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ‘TVetctwieA t/otc to etwee tUtfC CWtA/tifo CCA SUNDAY, JULY 10 Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. Il:l5a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 C,ot»Iftun^t5r Church "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" a.m. a.m. 'PCea&e fast fat Sunday, July 10 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 BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca 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 523-4590 Brussels Mennonite N Fellowship Sunday, July 10 \ Outdoor Worship Service 10:00 am at Howard & Alice Martin's 99 McDonald Drive, Brussels / featuring the Teen Challenge Music Team Noon potluck meal Pastor Brent Kipfer 887-6388 . (No service at the churcn) / Sunday, July 10 Ethel United Church 9:30 a m. Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. July 10 Chuck & Shannon Talbot, New Tribes Missionaries 10:30 am July Location: Blyth Community Centre, Upstairs Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848 http://geflivingwafer.org Vacation Bible School July 18-22 at CRC kVe welcome our neighbours from Melville Presbyterian Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship IF HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL // Donation-based N.[pastoral counselling • Marriage • Family • Budgeting Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, July 10 Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Minister: Rev. Robin McGauley ^4it 74tetca*ne 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. SINGASON^OFG&S5 MISSIONARY CHURCH Auburn -526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD Sunday 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service For the month of August there will be special guest speakers tiO Sunday School for July or August 7’30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service Wednesday 7:00 p.m. - Adult Bible Study 7:15 p.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Study Vacation Bible School ~ July 11 th-15th from 9:00 to 12 noon For children in J.K. to Grade 6 For more information about V.B.S. caH Erin Baan (887-8568) or Huron Chapel (526-1131)