The Citizen, 2008-03-13, Page 12Hope and Healing Associates from
Chatham-Kent Ontario has been
funded an additional $60,000 by the
Diocese of London, for the Silence
to Hope project (STH).
In 2007 the Diocese funded STH
$30,000 to assist men in their
healing journeys.
The STH project will continue
assisting male sexual abuse
survivors in an area that includes
nine counties: Essex, Kent,
Lambton, Huron, Perth, Middlesex,
Elgin, Oxford, and Norfolk, which
encompasses Windsor to Wingham
and Sarnia to Simcoe.
Tom Wilken is the project co-
ordinator for the STH project, and
Author of Rebuilding Your House of
Self Respect: Men recovering in
group from childhood sexual abuse.
He has also written material for
Health Canada and the National
Clearinghouse on Family Violence.
STH is working in partnership
with the Canadian Centre for Abuse
Awareness, the National
Clearinghouse on Family Violence,
Family Services Thames Valley
(London), and the United Way of
London.
Wilken is thankful that the
Diocese views the STH project as a
responsible use of their resources,
and appreciates how the church is
taking a key role in helping people in
our communities heal from the
wounds of the past.
This funding not only provides
services to help victims abused by
clergy, but all male victims of sexual
abuse.
The STH project provides sexual
abuse support groups for men at no
cost to the participant. It also acts as
a referral service linking survivors to
caregivers and professional help.
Building partnerships with other
community agencies is another key
role of the STH project. Many
agencies become frustrated when
they cannot find services for male
victims, and in many cases, there are
none.
Contact Wilken at Hope and
Healing Associates 519-676-7613,
toll free 1-877-676-7613 or
silencetohope@hotmail.com
The World Day of Prayer held onFriday, March 7 was observed inmore than 170 countries around theworld. It is a special feeling torecognize that participatingChristians are all worshipping withthe same ecumenical service.
The theme of this year’s service,
prepared by the women of Guyana,
was “God’s wisdom provides new
understanding.”
Always an interesting part of the
afternoon gathering at
Londesborough United is an insight
into the country from which the
service originates through the use of
the material that accompanies the
order of service. Formerly under the
control of Great Britain, Guyana was
known as British Guiana until the
country gained its independence in
1966.The Republic of Guyana is locatedon the northern coast of SouthAmerica and is the only English-speaking country of the continent.Guyana means “land of livingwaters”. The country is home to the
highest single-drop waterfall in the
world. Kaieteur Falls is five times
higher than Niagara Falls. Most of
Guyana is lush tropical forest and
remains the last undisturbed rain
forest in the world alive with
wildlife.
The country’s flag, the golden
arrowhead, points to the future with
hope for this young nation despite
the fact that it is one of the poorest
countries in the world. The country’s
motto is “One people, one nation,
one destiny.”
Sugar cane and rice are majoragricultural crops planted andharvested manually still. The countryis rich in mineral deposits of bauxite,diamonds and gold. However thewaterways are clogged with silt andcontaminated with mercury deposits
from the mining of gold. Rivers are
the roads of the country used even by
the children to travel to school.
Sometimes called the Caribbean
gateway to South America, music in
the country has the spirit that comes
with steel drums and reggae.
It is also sobering to learn each
year that countries all over the world
are dealing with familiar problems.
Unemployment forces Guyanians
out of the country in search of work;
domestic violence is a problem and
the number of cases of HIV/AIDS is
the second highest among theCaribbean nations.Job states that “the fear of the Lordis wisdom”. To support their beliefthat God’s wisdom brings newunderstanding, the women ofGuyana included scripture readings,
Luke 10: 38-42, John 15: 9-17 and
Job 28: 20-28 in the service. The
service is a plea to God to give
Christians the wisdom that leads to
understanding and to be
peacemakers sharing love and
happiness.
Leading the service at
Londesborough United were Jane
Hoggart, Karen Whyte, Lena Nesbitt
and Rena Kolkman. Gail Lear played
for the hymns. For lunch the women
had a type of sugar cookie made
from a Guyanian recipe.
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008.
The March character attribute
being given emphasis at Hullett
Central Public School is optimism.
Children are being encouraged to be
positive in their actions and
thinking. This particular trait should
have a marked effect on team play
and studies.
A wacky hair day, sponsored by
the student council, was recently
held at the school. This unique spirit
day had 75 pupils twisting, turning,
colouring and adorning their hair.
Three persons from each classroom
were given acknowledgement for
their efforts.
The major fundraiser for the year,
the Annual Community Fun Night
and Silent Auction, will be held on
Friday, April 4. Proceeds from this
night are used for the extras for
academics, athletics, French and
music. Mark the date on your
calendar now. Sponsored by the
SAC, the committee would welcome
items for the auction. The theme for
this year is Welcome to Hullett’s
Jungle.
In spite of weather vagaries, one
of the annual extracurricular
activities was enjoyed on Feb. 21.
Shelby Radford fills us in on this
event: “On Feb. 21, Grades 4-8 were
up very early and headed off to the
Talisman Ski Resort (near
Collingwood) for the day.
It was a great day for all skiers and
snowboarders on the hills. Some
students had an extra twist to their
day when the lift they were riding
stopped. They sat on the ski lift until
someone was able to get them on
the move again. Everyone got off
safely.
Unlike last year when a storm had
the pupils and teacher staying in
Hanover overnight, everyone made
it home that night.”
Communion will be a part of the
morning service at Londesborough
United Church next Sunday, March
16, Palm Sunday.
The senior choir will meet to
practise at 9:45 a.m.
Londesborough United will hold
its 28th annual Songfest on Sunday,
April 6. Keep that evening free for
this popular evening of song. This
year’s entertainment will be supplied
by The Journeymen, The Elvis
Gospel Tribute, Maegan deJaeger,
Ken Scott and friends and the
Londesborough United’s choirs.
There was an item on the news
from A-Channel one evening last
week about a gentleman from Exeter
who was practising hard for an
upcoming tournament. This man is a
three-time Ontario champion in
crokinole.
He currently has his sights on the
world championship.
Who can tell, perhaps a future
champion will get his start on the
road to a championship at the
crokinole party at Londesborough
United on March 13. Bring your
own board (if you have one) and
munchies.
The noise begins at 7 p.m.
Anyone wishing to place
memorial flowers in the sanctuary
for Easter Sunday should contact
Jane Hoggart.
Students stay optimistic
Guyanese women prepare service
The population of Londesborough
increased by one on Sunday, March
2. Congratulations to Nathan and
Jennifer (Jackson) Hubbard on the
arrival of Benjamin James and
welcome to Benjamin.
It’s a chinch that Dad won’t be
answering too many nighttime calls
for Nathan is still on crutches having
suffered a nasty leg break as a result
of a broomball mishap about a
month ago.
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NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO
Church celebrates communion
Hope and Healing Associates
receive funding from diocese
It’s like shopping with the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s dietitians, who
evaluate every participating product based on Canada’s Food Guide.
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