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The Citizen, 1992-06-03, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3,1992. From the Minister's Study Is rural ministry different than other types? BY REV. STEVE WEBB KNOX PRESBYTERIAN, CRANBROOK I have been asked to do a seminar on Rural Ministry, to explain what I think makes it unique and special. It sounded easy enough, until I started to figure out how I was going to approach it and what I was going to say. I know that rural ministry is special, at least to myself, that it has rewards and benefits and a great many other things that you do not find in other forms of ministry, but to put them down on paper is something else. Where do you start? Is rural ministry different than other types of ministry? Not in the practical sense of ministry, no. It, like all others, involves the teaching and the sharing in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the loving of neighbours and our service to God, the sharing in the sacraments and the fellowship of a community of believers. Perhaps this is the difference, the community, the people. If rural ministry is different, special, unique or whatever you want to call it, it is because of the people. They are special. They make up the attitudes, the warmth and the friendliness of our rural communities. It is their lifestyle, their sense of community that makes ministry in this type of setting exciting. Exciting, not in a fast pace, rapidly growing and expanding sort of way, but in a stable, comforting and solid way. There is, in rural ministry, a setting that also makes it unique. It is expansive and yet very tight knit. There is room to move and breathe and walk and travel, yet you're always close to your neighbour. There is a sense of community that goes beyond the Church community to encompass the whole of the community at large. One is accepted for who they are if not always for the ideas that they bring. This is not to say that the ideas are not listened to, they are just very carefully checked over. Where else can one go and find people who are so down to earth in more than the literal sense? This is reflected in their humour and their seriousness, their willingness to help and their strong pride. They can be very accepting of a person and at the same time suspicious of their ideas and ideals. They flow with the changing of the seasons and accept most things in stride but try to change something close to their heart. Tradition is very strong and usually very positive or it wouldn't be held so strongly. Yet, when I stop and think about rural ministry, I always get a sense that it is not being given the recognition and concern that it deserves. I hear questions like, “what is the difference between rural ministry and regular ministry,” or comments like “rural ministry is an alternate form of ministry”. Alternate to what is what I want to know and what exactly is regular ministry. If the truth was known, I think we are what all other ministry should be compared to, but that is my bias. I like the warmth, the friendliness, the honesty and the strengths of the people. I like the setting and the pace of our ministry and I like experiencing and sharing in the ministry of our rural congregations and communities. By the way, guess where they want me to do the seminars - in Toronto. I know what will happen because it happens every lime I go there. I get as far as the airport and begin to wonder as I see the grey hanging over the city and watch cars go speeding past if I have lost my mind. But I’ll go, after all we need to do our part in educating others about the real experience of ministry. BRUSSELS MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP FOR AN All-Church at 10:30 a.m. at the Galbraith Conservation Area NO SERVICES AT CHURCH Pastor Tom Warner 887-6388 Elder John Bann 887-6967 THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA You are welcome this Sunday June 7 - Day of Pentecost at Trinity, Blyth St. John's, Brussels 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev'd E. Paul Acton, 887-9273 BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH Rev. Cameron McMillan Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313 11:00 a.m. - Morning Worship Service - "Building Towers" - Church School - Nursery ****** 9:30 a.m. - Ethel Morning Worship - Church School****** "God's Name Forever shall endure" District Annual The 90th District Annual meeting of the Huron East Women's Institute was held at Gorrie United Church on May 12. Executive members installed are, back row, from left: Margaret McMahon, RR2, Bluevale, past president; Ruth Bauer, Brussels, second vice; Marjorie Humphries, Walton, assistant secretary-treasurer: Clara Gibson, RR1, Fordwich, Tweedsmuir curator; Jean Clarkson, Fordwich, program co-ordinator; Leona McDonald, RR2, Blyth, resolution. Front row: Doris McCall, Brussels, auditor; Kathy Bridge, Brussels, secretary­ treasurer; Leone Foerter, RR2, Clifford president; Jean Wilson, Listowel, first vice; Irene Judge, RR1, Clifford, public relations officer and Marie McTaggart, Brussels, auditor. Huron East meets in Gorrie The theme for the District annual was “Blossom Where You Stand”. In keeping with this theme the guest speaker, Lavonne Ballagh, entertained delegates, visitors and members by reciting a poem which she had composed herself, entitled, “My Garden”, followed by singing “I'm a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch”. Later Lavonne spoke about comparing the onions and petunias in our society. She brought to our attention that for every one woman attacked on the streets there are 13 attacked in homes but we never hear about these in the media. In closing she encouraged all to spread sunshine and help our fellow persons as well try to forget the negative things. Let's be petunias and blossom where we stand. Board Director, Mrs. Wm. Humphries, in her remarks encouraged anyone who can, to attend Conference ’92 in Thunder Bay, Aug. 2-9. The Erland Lee (Museum) Home would appreciate if someone has a set of dishes of 1890 to 1920 style if they would sell these as well as cutlery. If anyone does have either of these items please contact Mrs. Wm. Humphries, Walton. Greetings were extended by Huron West, Huron South and Perth North Districts on this the 90th District annual for Huron East. Delegates to Guelph Area Convention at Marmosa Community Centre in October will be Mrs. L. Foerter and Mrs. J. Bridge and delegates to County Rally will be Mrs. J. Bridge and Mrs. J. Wilson. The election of officers for 1992- 93 was conducted by Mrs, Jas. McMahon. New business was then dealt with. Craft classes will be conducted by Mrs. Kathy Bridge and Mrs. M. Mclnroy in Brussels on November 2 and 3. Items you may leam to make will be your choice of a Christmas stocking, pillowcase doll or a covered swan which could be used to arrange flowers in. If you are a member or a past member of any branch in the Huron East District Women's Institute you are welcome to celebrate with us Sunday, June 7 at Howick Central School from 2-4 p.m. Guest speaker will be Mrs. Peggy Knapp. Entertainment will be provided by each branch as well as the history of each branch by the Tweedsmuir curators. Soloist performs at Auburn Missionary Roger Newcomb was soloist at Auburn Missionary Church on Sunday, May 31. Roger’s inspiring solo was “God Understands”. Pastor Came’s message taken from Psalm 38 was entitled, “Up from the grave”. In this scripture we see a condition; a description of a dying man. Some people would like to deny this condition yet it is there. You can be a walking dead man and not realize it; dead in trespasses and sins. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515 10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour 11 a.m. - Morning Service 8 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - 8 p.m. - Prayer & Bible Study Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth you are ‘Welcome at the BLYTH CHURCH OF GOD 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for Children and Adults 11 -12:15 - Morning Worship Bible Studies - Wednesday 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Phone 523-4590 McCONNELL ST., BLYTH MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service - Sunday School 9:30 a.m. -Belgrave Service We welcome you to come and worship with us. A BLYTH CHRISTIAN ZJk REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH GUEST SPEAKER: Mr. Robert Datema from Blyth Sunday at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. ******** The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20" Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V. All Visitors ‘Welcome ‘Wheelchair accessible