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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-06-15, Page 5Head of Anglican Church visits Seaforth for St. Thomas anniversary By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Last weekend, St. Thomas Anglican Church in Seaforth continued to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a visit from the head of Anglican Church in Canada. Archbishop and Primate Andrew Hutchison attended. St. Thomas' anniversary service and afterwards talked about issues facing the Anglican Church and smaller rural churches. "I'm frankly amazed to see that it continues to be lively in a very small community that is so overbuilt with churches," Hutchison said. "I think everybody in Seaforth could be in church at the same time and there would still be lots of room for visitors." As for the future of the rural church, Hutchison said that with many people moving from the country to the city, it puts a big stress on the rural church. "There will be fewer churches because communities will not be able to support them as they used to," Hutchison said. He suggested that the problem in the Anglican Church isn't recruiting clergy to the area, it is keeping the funds in place to keep churches open. "I think we have to have the courage to amalgamate a number of our churches and a certain amount of that happened in the diocese of Sharron Walter, procession of service. Huron," Hutchison said. the rising costs of keeping a "The laity will have to take church building going. more responsibility for the When it comes to the issue life of the local church of same-sex marriage, because there isn't a resident Hutchison said that it is a priest in every place," he said. "very difficult conversation." adding that there will not be a "Canada is a wonderfully clergyperson at every church tolerant, inclusive society and like in Seaforth. has moved way ahead of the In order to help keep a church in that seven denomination alive, provinces and one territory Hutchison suggested that now authorize same-sex churches should come marriages," Hutchison said. together and have two or With the parliament of three churches share a Canada deciding on whether building which will eliminate or not to pass same-sex Tennis court renovation costs lobbed back and forth at Huron East council of Seaforth, sings and marches in the St. Thomas Anglican's anniversary marriage legislation, Hutchison said that has left the church in a bad position. "That puts a lot of pressure on the church," Hutchison said, adding the church still has to minister to its members who may be gay or straight. Hutchison said that the Anglican Church is not currently in a conversation about same-sex marriage, but they are talking about whether they will bless a same-sex union between a couple who have made their life together and are regular members of the church. "We're in the middle of that discussion and we haven't come to a resolution on it whether it's a good thing to do or not," he said. Because of the worldwide reaction to the issue of same- sex marriage, Hutchison said that the Anglican Church has issued a moratorium on the issue until 2007 when the church's leaders meet again. Hutchison said that he's not sure where the Anglican Church will go with a ruling on same-sex marriage. "It's hard to look that far down the road," Hutchison said. "I don't know. I guess that's is a possibility, but as I said were not yet into that discussion." Hutchison explained that the Anglican Church is a church that has a long tradition of being inclusive. "I hope is that through this issue it will continues to be so," said Hutchison. By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Who should pay for renovations to the Seaforth public tennis courts was lobbed back and forth at Huron East council last Tuesday. Tennis instructor Hank Binnendyk attended council to ask for close to $7,000 to resurface the tennis courts next to Seaforth Public School on Chalk Street. He said the cost of replacing the courts, if they were left to deteriorate, would be close to $150,000, adding that the courts will only be playable for one more year. "To entice retirees to live and play here, we must keep up the facilities that he have," he said, adding that Seaforth is an ideal location for Toronto retirees to live. Binnendyk also suggested that the courts, which were free to use up until last year, could be earning the town more money. He said he convinced Seaforth arena manager Dale Lamont to lock the courts last year and charge $35 for a key for the season to combat the vandalism that kept happening in the tennis courts. "We've been wrestling with the problem for some time. The courts were so abused that I had to bring a broom to sweep off the glass and other debris and a tool box to fix the gates and mend the nets," he said. "It's not the tennis people who wreck the courts - it's the kids with their skateboards and bikes," said Binnendyk. He said that public tennis courts throughout Huron County, including Clinton. Brussels, Bayfield, Goderich and Exeter are unplayahle, also because of vandalism. But, tennis clubs in Mitchell, Goderich, Stratford and London are all in good shape because they charge a fee and control the courts. in Mitchell. the cost is $100 a season and in Goderich, it is $6 per use. "If we keep it closed and under control our court should last much longer." he said. He said 22 keys were sold last year. translating to about 60-70 players. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure said the fee in Seaforth should he raised if Bylaw bans skateboards in downtown Seaforth A bylaw banning skateboarding anywhere downtown from the public library to the main intersection received first and second readings at Huron East council last Tuesday. The idea for the bylaw came from the Seaforth recreation board where members wanted some reassurance that skateboarders would use the park and not continue to practise their sport on Main Street where they had originally asked to have the skate park located. "There was nothing in place to force kids off of Main Street because while the Highway Traffic Act says there's to he no bicycles on the sidewalk, it says nothing about skateboards and scooters," said Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath in a phone interview after council. "That way (with a bylaw). at least we can charge them if they get caught on Main Street with a skateboard." he said. While council had been disputing the need for a $5.500 chainlink fence around the skate park, which is being planned for the Seaforth arena parking lot, McGrath said minds changed with the idea of a bylaw banning skateboards downtown. McGrath added that other stipulations that will he met by council are paved parking spaces along the side of the arena by the entrance to Rob's Gym and a budget line in the arena budget for skate park expenses. There is no date set for when the new skate park at the arena will he open, the courts are fixed. "Thirty-five dollars is a joke as far as I'm concerned. I think there's something wrong with our system," she said. Grey Coun. Mark Beaven agreed that the facility is being used at a very low cost. Mayor Joe Seili pointed to the fundraising efforts at Vanastra Recreation .Centre and in Grey ward and suggested that the Seaforth recreation board be asked to fundraise for the tennis court renovations. "It's time your community is going to have to fundraise. Your rec hoard should get together and work for it," he said. Tuckersmith Coun. Larry McGrath disagreed, saying the Seaforth recreation board gets too many surprise costs to meet its budget. "Not one line in our budget last year said tennis courts Huron United Way ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday, June 20 7:00 p.m. The Bayfield Town Hall. Bayfield EVERYONE WELCOME For more information, Please call Huron United Was at 524-7900 or email I:uronunitedway@tcc.on.ca THE HURON EXPOSITOR, June 15. 2005-5 FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH 527-0120 EXETER 235-2121 www.teamvincent.com CASE HI Qfl ANNUAL MUNICIPAL WIDE YARD SALE FRIDAY, JULY 1 & SATURDAY, JULY 2 To have your name included on the list for distribution, please register before June 24, 2005 at the Municipal office, 23 Albert St., Clinton or call 482-3997. The yard sale fee is waived for this event. The complete List of Yard Sales will be available for pick up at the Municipal office, Thursday, June 30; 2005. but we had a $1,200 hydro bill from them. Things keep coming at us," he said. Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler suggested that Trillium Foundation funding could cover the costs. "I would hate tb see it gone. There's probably money available if you approached the service clubs," he added. Binnendyk also suggested that the school board be asked to contribute financially to the tennis courts. Brussels Coun. Frank Stretton replied that the school board is already contributing through a reciprocal agreement that allows the board and the municipality to use each other's facilities for free. Steffler, Deputy -Clerk Brad Knight and Binnendyk will meet to discuss applying for Trillium Foundation funding for the necessary funds. Weft My IP ltobywNalts at 28 Centennial Drive Seaforth - (Irwin Physiotherapy) To book an appointment or for free consultation caN «NfYH9f1 r /1\: / %vNSF dliir/V3 GREENHOUSE • Annuals • Bedding Plants • Patio Pots • Hanging Baskets • Perennials • Professional Landscape Designer Special Feature Big Daddy Hosta "the blue one., Open Thurs. 1 pm -8 pm Fri. & Sat. 9 am-5pm or by appointment Bert & Carol Reinink & family 43079 Hullett Mct(Hlop Rd. 4 km. W. of Family Paradise Campground 527-0761 • Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Cagegation dthe Parish ogle Hay Spry Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 527-1522 Saturday, June 19 Worship at 9:30 a.m. EVERYONE WELCOME Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Sunday, June 19 - Mass 10 a.m. FINAL MASS Sunday, June 26 - Mass 1 p.m Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Egmondville United Church Sunday, June 19 11 a.m. Worship Steve Hildebrand - Lay Pastoral Minister in Training No Sunday School until September EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Sun., June 19, 2005 Sunday School Adult 8 Youth 9:30 a.m. Junior 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Sermon: 'Buried in Baptism" Rev. John Gould First Presbyterian Church Goderich Si. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Service at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, June 19 Miracle Sunday Special Music "Maire Flynn & the Huron Strings" Ice Cream Sundaes after church. 4 4 OS MI Visit Seaforth Manor Residence for OPEN DOORS Saturday, June 18, 2005 1 :OOpm - 4:OOpm Featured Event: "TREASURED MEMORIES OF WEDDINGS" A Fashion Show of wedding dresses from over the decades' •Fashion Show at 2:30pm •Tours available from I pm-4pm •Refreshments provided *For more information on how to showcase your dress in. the Fashion Show contact Cathie Schalk, at 527-003h act orth CD aim)/ n > 100 James Si. Seaforth 527-0030