Zurich Citizens News, 1975-12-22, Page 14Page 14 Citizens News, Dec. 22/75
Huron -Perth Presbytery
Intern relates experiences in South Korea
Huron -Perth Presbytery of the
United Church of Canada met at
St. John's, Stratford, on Tuesday,
November 25. The chairman,
Rev, Bert Daynard, presided.
Special guests were the President
of London Conference, Rev. Bur-
ton Crowe and Ms Marilyn Day,
of Straatford, who was Huron -
Perth's representative in the 50th
Anniversary Youth Exchange,
Rev. Crowe spoke of the need
for lay people to witness in con-
versation, in decisions at work,
and in attitudes. He stated that
`no professional clergy can hope
to do what the church is called to
to -it requires the whole body of
believers'. The role of the clergy
is to be 'enablers, script -writers,
encouragers'. All Christians,` are
called to be a Christ to others' -to
uncover and nurture the best in
all people.
Ms Day, an intern at Kitchen-
er -Waterloo Hospital, spent four
weeks in South Korea last sum-
mer. She showed slides and dis-
cussed her experiences with
Korean families and churches.
She stated that S. Korea is a
country in transition from a'C'ural
to a mixed economy. Only ten per
cent of the population is Christ-
ian. The devotion of ma.,y of
these people is impressive. One
Theological Seminary has a slit in
its flag until the Dean and all
students imprisoned for human
rights activities are released. The
military is everywhere and pass -
angers are regularly frisked on
boarding the Korean Airways.
Despite the tense political situa-
tion, however, she remembers
the experience with enthusiasm.
Next year the young people of
the six countries visited by United
Church youth this year will visit
in Canada. She summed up:
'When I think of Korea I think of
friends, not distance. The world
is smaller than I thought'.
Another young person, Jin
Beecrofft, reported on a Youth
Colloquim held at Cedar Glen.
He reported that the London Con-
ference representatives felt an
acute need for some sort of organ-
ization for the 18-24 yr. age
range. To that end a weekend
gathering is planned for May 14-
16, 1976.
. The Resource Centre, now in
Ontario Street Church, Clinton,
will be the site of a Preview Day
on January 6, 1976 from 2-5 and
7-10 p.m. (duplicate programs).
Available films, filmstrips, cas-
settes and publications will be on
view with the Leadership Devel-
opment Team to assist with any
particular needs.
Rev. Wesley Ball reported that
the Church in Society Committee
has begun plans for a Seminar on
Capital Punishment with M.P.P.
Murray Gaunt.
Rev. Bert Daynard reported on
the 'Wise Land Use' Seminar at
Brucefield. About 45 persons at-
tended each session. There was a
consensus on seeing land as
'precious'. Dr. Allan Churchill
took the position that it should be
used 'for God's sake' while
Mr. Wm. Heine, Editor of the
London Free Press, thought it
should be used 'with enlightened
self-interest' for man's sake. The
conclusion was reached that in
order to save themselves people
are going to have to save the
world's resources but no one
wants to make any sacrifices.
Dr. Ross Crosby pointed out to
the court that The World Council
of Churches is meeting in Nairobi
with official Roman Catholic re-
presentatives for the first time.
The major social issue to be dis-
cussed is funds to minorities.
Rev. Maurice Francis, report-
ing on World Outreach Board
meeting, reported that there is
still a need for missionaries al --
though some countries are try-
ing to become more self-sustain-
ing. Three fraternal delegates,
from Brazil, Kenya and North
India attended the meetings. A
list of resource people available
Christmas trees seen
as symbol of life
At one time trees were strongly
associated with pagan beliefs;
evergreens, especially, were
regarded as symbols of life. In
Scandinavian countries, people
worshipped trees. Many of our
Christmas traditions thus spring
from the old Yule celebrations,
including to some degree, a
tree at Christmas.
Today's Christmas tree owes
its origin largely to a combination
of two medieval religious sym-
bols, the Christmas light and
ur warmest wishes
for the holiday. It's a time to
be joyful and to say, "thank you".
LORI JUTZI and
AMD THE STAFF
BASE FACTORY OUTLET
V�ANASTPA
the Paradise tree. From early
Christian times, it was the
practice to represent the birth
of Christ with a burning candle.
A large candle, symbolizing
the Lord of Light, used to be set
up in homes on Christmas
Eve and kept burning through
the night. Thereafter it was lit
every night of the Christmas
season. In Germany the candle
was placed on top of a wooden
pole and decorated with ever-
greens, or many smaller candles
were distributed on the shelves
of a wooden structure made
in the form of a pyramid adorned
with fir twigs or laurel and draped
with glittering tinsel.
The Paradise Tree, which was
also a fir tree, was erected in
hones and churches in honor
of Adam and Eve whose feast
day was Dec. 24. In medieval
religious plays, the Garden of
Eden was represented by a fir
tree, on which, somewhat in-
congruously, red apples were
hung. The theme of some plays
was the creation of Man.
Somewhere about the 16th
century, people in West Germany
began to combine the two sym-
bols that had been honored
on Dec. 24, the Christmas light
and the Paradise Tree. Decor-
ations were transferred from
the wooden pyramid to the tree.
These included glass balls,
tinsel and candy - representing
the sweet fruits of Christian
redemption.
Arborvitaes - are evergreen
trees with scalelike foliage.
Arborvitae means "trees of
life" and refers to a preparation
once made from the Northern
White -cedar or Eastern Arbor-
vitae for treating scurvy. The
Western Red cedar or Giant
Arborvitae is an important
timber tree of the West Coast,
Christmas
holidays
Christmas is the time of year,
Everyone is full of cheer.
People playing in the snow,
Trying to find some mistletoe.
Getting nice green Christmas
trees.
In the windy winter breeze.
Bells are ringing through the
skies,
Brightening up the people's
eyes.Down the chimney Santa
comes,
Fills the stockings as he hums
Candies, gifts and chewing gum,
"Merry Christmas, Everyone!"
Darlene Steckle.
within the Presbytery, to talk
about missions, was distributed.
The Reverends Fred Faist of
St. John's Stratford and Leonard
Warr of Victoria Street, Goderich,
requested retirement as of June
30, 1976. Dr. Ross Crosby and
his congregation at St. Mary's
requested postponement of re-
tirement for one year. These
were all approved.
The Finance Committee re-
ported that new methods of re-
ceiving offerings, such as credit
cards or bank transfers were
'possible' but 'not recommended
because of what it does to wor-
ship'.
The Presbytery will meet next
in February in Centralia.
We're joining t hese carolers in their
heartfelt refrain: Peace on earth
... good will toward amen. Season's best
to all. To all, our special thanks.
FERGUSON APIARIES
"PRODUCERS OF CHOICE QUALITY HONEY"
BILL AND ROSEMARY FERGUSON
ZURICH
(May the seasons keep bringing
happy holidays to you. Our
wish is that they be merry and bright
... filled with love and peace.
Accept our thanks for your loyalty.
C. A. McDOWELL LTD.
CENTRALIA, ONTARIO
Plant: 235-0833 Office: 228-6961
�S.
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