HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-09-13, Page 26Ministry is mid-life choice
Brucefield-Kippen gets pastor
BRUCEFIELD - Don Robinson,
newly appointed minister to Bruce -
field and Kippen United Churches,
is one of a growing number of peo-
ple who are entering the ministry
after careers in the secular world.
The 53 -year-old Hamilton na-
tive, who "grew up in the United
Church", had been on the staff of
the University of Toronto's zoolo-
gy department, done fisheries re-
search with the ministry of natural
resources, and managed the Sault
Ste. Marie Humane Society for six
years before stepping out in faith
in answer to an ever -stronger call
to begin the process that would put
"Rev." in front of his name.
"I had considered it twice before,
but was hesitant. This time was
right," Robinson explained.
Encouraged by wife Bev, rela-
tives and friends, Robinson ap-
plied and was accepted as a candi-
date for ministry from his home
church, Central United in Algoma
Presbytery, to London Conference,
He enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier Uni-
versity in the fall of '85 to pick up
the five humanities credits he need-
ed to be eligible for seminary. For
the next three years, he studied at
Emmanuel College in Toronto.
During these four years, Robin-
son was also student minister for
the two-point Sebringville-Rostock
charge. The Robinsons sold their
home in The Soo, and moved into
a manse provided in Mitchell.
"It was a great risk. Many limes
I was scared and frightened, espe-
cially before exams, but the sup-
port I received from my congrega-
tion gave me the oomph not to
give up. And I believed God would
not let me fail," Robinson re-
called.
Robinson was ordained May 27,
1989, at an impressive ceremony
held at the Aylmer Police Academy
to accommodate all the candidates
and their guests. He noted that the
majority of new ministers were in
their thirties.
Don and Bev and children Jennie,
18, Brent, 16 and Wayne, 14, are
now settled in at the manse in
Brucefield. Robinson preached his
first sermon in Brucefield on Au-
gust 6.
He is anxious to get to know the
people in his pastorate. He ex-
pressed his hopes as helping people
to live their lives abundantly in
tune with creation, and facing the
Fall suits - Milvi Iskauskas and: Jackie Silverthorn mode! elegant suits from Harry Israel's Red
Pump. Boutique in Bayfield, in the fashion show presented by the Ladies Guild of the Huron Country
Playhouse. Israel emceed the show.
Holiday activities in Granton
By Muriel Lewis
GRANTON - Grietsje Boucher
and son Jason of Kapuskasing were
guests with Mr. and Mrs. Joe
French and family from Wednesday
until Sunday while Jason was hav-
ing tests at the hospital in London.
Mr. and Mrs. George Wcstman
entertained at a corn roast and picnic
for family and friends on Sunday af-
ternoon.
Allan and Carol Wissel and Fred
Allan were Sunday evening guests
with Nora Wissel in honor of Al-
lan's birthday.
Several from the Granton area at-
tended the pork and beef barbecue at
.the Lucan Community centre on
Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. David Roloson and
family have taken up residence in
Strathroy.
Anglican Church
At the St. Thomas' Anglican
Church on Sunday, September 10,
Rev. Beverley Wheeler celebrated
the Eucharist. The homily was
about the high cost of discipleship
and being prepared to pay the price.
The lessons were read by Muriel
Lewis and the minister.
United Church
At the Granton United Church on
Sunday, Rev. Bruce Pierce entitled
his sermon. A banquet prepared by
God'sGrace based on the best from
Psalm 23: You prepare a table be-
fore me in the presence of my ene-
mies; you anoint my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Jean Bryan was the bulletin stew-
ard
On Sunday at 4:30, the U.C. con-
gregation and Sunday School met at
the park for games, an evening ves-
per service and a pot luck supper.
Michael Pierce was the guest speak -
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor.
The closure and privatization of
post offices affects every person in
Canada, especially in small towns
and villages.
VIA cutbacks and closures will
hit great numbers of people at one
time, while closures and privatiza-
tion of post offices adversely affects
great numbers,of people at different
times and in small isolated groups.
Every school child learns that
communication and transportation
are vital components that hold eve-
ry country together. Without good
systems a country loses its identity
very quickly. Every organization in
existence needs, readily available
communication and transportation
services to keep in touch with its
constituents - be it R.C.M.P.,
Highway supervisors, Armed Forc-
es, forest fire fighters, avalanche
control personnel, ambulance ser-
vice, car parts supplies, bills -to -
pay, etc., ctc. Every organization
knows that the supply lines and
communication links are of vital
importance. Indeed, if broken, their
eral government members attended
elementary school? Surely they
know what they are doing to rural
Canadians?
The Rural Canadian Refugee
problem has already appeared in our
big cities. These Canadian refugees
obviously need all the service (jobs,
housing, schools, health services)
that the present government so as-
siduously destroyed in the country-
side.
Rural post offices are an everyday
necessity for the growing number
of seniors, a million of whom live
in small town and villages in rural
areas across Canada
The cartoonist, Mary Otto Grie-
shaber, is a retired farmer and has
made this cartoon available freely
for publication in any newspaper or
periodical. The Agassiz Advance
will be publishing this cartoon in
the week of September 10, 1989.
Please join me in this dialogue.
Please let me know your re-
sponse in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Joan Inkman, Editor
-:<,�:�•�sta�t���:�.�:.?..�,� x� �� � British Columbia
er on the theme "The holiday is
over". A.C.W.
The St. Thomas' A.C.W. met at
the church on Thursday evening,
September 7. Co-ordinator Irene
Roloson led the meditation on the
theme The Motherlove of God and
the Bible reading from Luke on was
given by Rev. Wheeler.
The bazaar was discussed and
Mrs. Roloson demonstrated a craft.
Visitor Grietsje Boucher of Kapus-
kasing displayed a pair of beaded
moccasins she had made. Lunch
was served by Mrs. Roloson.
U.0 .W.
Unit one met at Audrey West -
man's home on Thursday afternoon,
September 7 for a picnic on the
lawn.
President Doreen McRobert gave
the meditation on the theme "Me a
do-gooder".
The lesson was read from Psalm
37 and a prayer by Helen Steiner
Rice brought the devotional to a
close.
Business included arrangements
for the next meeting and discussion
on the bazaar in October, and a
presentation by the Thespians in
November.
Program included guessing the
number of articles on a tray which
was won by Rev. Bruce Pierce who
also won the slingshot game
Shooting for Heaven. Doreen
McRobert won the hand field day
game.
The hostess Mrs. Westman served
a picnic lunch and Jacqueline Pierce
provided the cake in honor of the
birthdays of Rev. Pierce and George
Wcstman.
Unit three met on Tuesday even-
ing, September 5 at the home of
Ruth Cook. Elizabeth Garrett and
Mrs. Cook were in charge of the
program. Ellen Funnel!, formerly
of Edgewood, was a guest and dem-
onstrated the making of some
crafts. President Margaret Bryan led
the business discussion when plans
were made for the annual bazaar and
a luncheon on October 21.
Marion Thomson and Jean Cook
�� rnrh-lal�P�*.-t.hr+ cru time:_
which followed.
1
MVPs - These players were given Most Valuable Player Awards at the Exeter Minor Soccer awards
banquet Sunday at the Rec Centre. Front row, (left to right), Brianne Crypyha, Chad Monteith, An-
drew Freiter, Doug Berard. Back row (I -r), Luke Sims, Carrie Cleave, Sivichay Sengkhounmany, Marty
DeBruyn, Jeff MacLean.
Don and Bev Robinson
realities of life, coping in the
downs and ups.
"I hope the two congregations be-
come one big family, sharing and
caring," he added.
Touching briefly on some of the
divisive issues currently facing the
United Church in Canada, Robin-
son said "We are here to struggle
and care for one another, and hurt
together. It's like a family. You
don't agree with everything that
happens within a family, but you
don't desert them. I have to keep
going back to ask 'What is God
telling us?' I want people to feel
free to discuss these matters. If
they don't agree, I'm open to that
two-way street."
"You don't go anywhere if the di-
alogue stops," his wife added.
Bev, who has been staff associate
at Exeter United Church since Feb-
ruary 1985, is also very happy with
the move to Brucefield. She is
much closer to her job, and the
three Robinson children will all be
attending the same school,
SHDHS, instead of each going to a
different one as was the case in
Mitchell. •
She intends to "support Don as a
resource person as much as possi-
ble, work with the UCW, and wor-
ship in her husband's charge one
Sunday out of four".
Rev. Robinson considers his lat-
est post an exciting challenge. He
.believes coming as a mature per-
son, drawing on a lifetime's experi-
ences, will be a benefit.
"I'm glad I waited. For me, this
is a rewarding mix," he said.
Coming Events
GOODWILL FALL SALE -
Wednesday, October 4, Progress
Building London Western Fair. Free
Admission. Free Babysitting. Mark
your calendar NOW! 37c
FINAL WEEK OF PLAYS AT
BLYTH FESTIVAL - The Mail
Order Bride: September 13 (matinee,
13,14 (matinee), 14, 15, 16 (mati-
nee), 16. Unless otherwise indicated
all performances are at 8:30 p.m.,
matinees are at 2 p.m. Reservations
call 523-9300/9225.
Don't miss Blyth Festival of Fash-
ion at Memorial Hall - "Leather and
Lace" on Saturday, October. 7, 2
p.m. & 8 p.m. Tickets $10 each.
37c
CAVEN P.C.W.- Noon smorgas-
bord on Thursday, October 5, 1989
from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tickets from
members or call Ben at 235-0394.
37*
FIRST HURON PARK BROW-
NIE & GUIDE REGISTRATION
- September 21, 7-8 p.m. at JAD
McCurdy School. 37c
SUBWAY'S
GRAND OPENING SALE!
Buy anyfootiongsub
and get your second
Subway has opened new
doors and we're celebrat-
ing. vvr.t ri yi tiUUytrruut-
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FREE*
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Sat, Sept. 16 •_.
32 Ontario St. N.
Grand Bend 238-8880
• Second footlong sub must be of equal or lesser price. Lima: One coupon per customer per visit
Not good in combination with any other offer. Offer expires