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The Times Advocate, 2005-03-09, Page 2424 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, March 9, 2005 Bethel Reform Church in Exeter hosted the World Day of Prayer on March 4. This year the service was pre- pared by the women of Poland. Seven other churches participated including: Precious Blood,Trivitt Memorial, Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle, Exeter United, Caven Presbyterian, Christian Reform and Thames Road United. (photo/Stephanie Mandziuk) Impressive World Day of Prayer service By Muriel Lewis GRANTON CORRESPONDENT GRANTON — The annual Oyster and Roast Beef supper sponsored by the Granton Masonic Hall Board at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre Sat., March 5 was well attended and very successful. The Lucan and area Lenten Luncheon scheduled at St. Patrick's Church hall near Lucan at noon was cancelled Wed., March 2 because of the stormy weather conditions. The World Day of Prayer service for the Lucan and area churches was held on Friday evening, March 4 at the Granton -Wesley United Church. The guest speaker was Elaine Olsen. The impressive service was written by the women of Poland with the theme Let Our Light Shine. Woodham United Church hosted the service this year for Kirkton United Church and St. Paul's Anglican Church at 11 a.m. Pastor Irene Richardson gave reflections on the theme. A smorgasbord luncheon followed at noon. At the Granton -Wesley United Church on Sun., March 6, Lay Pastor Val Hodgins led the service and the message was entitled "The Beautiful Heart." The lessons were from 1 Samuel 16 and John 9. Michelle McBurney lit the Christ candle and Blake Foran lit the four Lenten can- dles from the Christ candle. Unit 4 hosted the muffins and coffee social before the service. This week's Lenten Luncheon will be held Wed., March 9 at noon at the Community Bible Church when Rev. Sue McCullough of Holy Trinity and St. James will be the speaker. There will not be a luncheon on March 16. U.C.W. Granton -Wesley Unit 1 met for a luncheon at noon at Edith Eaton's home in Lucan Thurs., March 3 with Hilda Grose and Val Hodgins assist- ing. Cathie Westman opened the meeting, reading "A Sweet Reprieve" and "A New Arrival." Business discussion included the World Day of Prayer, the General U.C.W. meeting on April 12 and the Stewards Breakfast on March 27. Westman presented the program, reading stories Eastertime Generosity give Family a Fresh Start and Garden of Promise. Madeline Hardie did not attend, but sent one of her mind boggling games. The April 7 meeting is to be held at Norah Wissel's home. Granton -Wesley U.C.W. Unit 3 meeting was held on Tuesday evening, March 1 at Marion Thomson's home with 14 members in attendance. Verna Mills and Thomson presented the program with the theme of spring. Thomson read a story about God's Friday, about the Crucifixion and that it was part of God's plan and the promise of everlasting life. Mills read two poems "A little seed here, a little water there" and "Plant a Garden." Both were reminders to plant seeds of faith and tend with diligence and care, and to tend the garden of one's heart with the help of God. She then gave out seeds from her garden to plant on May 24. Elizabeth Garrett and Donna Westman then shared highlights of their trip to New Zealand which included experiences and sights they had seen. President Irene Richardson con- ducted the business when some upcoming events were planned. Richardson then closed the meeting with the benediction and grace prior to the enjoyment of food and fellow- ship. St. Paul's Anglican At St. Paul's Anglican Church in Kirkton Sund., March 6 (Lent IV), Rev. Dalice Sim celebrated the Holy Eucharist. The message was about sharing one's faith in Jesus with oth- ers. Mary Blackler read the lessons. Blue Water Rest Home: moving forward at forty By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — This year marks a turning point for Blue Water Rest Home in Zurich. Residents, families volunteers and staff are celebrating the long term care facility's 40th anniversary. There is going to be an outdoor party on June 12 open to the public with entertainment, activities, guid- ed tours and an open house. Visitors can also expect a barbeque, refreshments and cake. Plans for the big day, and a review of 2004, were discussed at the rest home's annual meeting March 2. Blue Water Rest Home has an annual operating budget of $3 -mil- lion. One of its biggest challenges is redevelopment. Given its age, the facility needs to be upgraded to provincial standards but there's a catch. Blue Water is still waiting to receive a reply from the Ministry of Health regarding its request for funding as a charitable long term care home. A response is expected in April or May. In mid February the facility finally reached a new collective agreement with its 66 employees. The workers, members of CAW local 2458, will get an average wage increase of nine per cent over the three-year term of the contract. It brings them in line with long term care workers, province -wide, as a whole. There's an added bonus for employees, a brand new RSP plan. Last fall the facility faced problems with its septic system. The Ministry of the Environment got involved. Now a plan is in place to install a pipeline from the home to the sewage treatment facility in Zurich. The Municipality of Bluewater will pay the initial cost with the rest home repaying the amount over a number of years. Staff at the rest home will continue to implement new care standards, introduced by the province, includ- ing policies on abuse, dietary pro- grams and the use of restraints. And finally, Blue Water Rest Home has established a Family Council. Its purpose is to bring together relatives and friends of residents who will dis- cuss common concerns and take action to initiate positive changes. The council's goal is to enhance the environment and quality of life for residents at the Blue Water Rest Home. Service award South Huron Coun. Ken Oke, right, was awarded a Long Service Award at the Ontario Good Roads Convention in Toronto Feb. 22 for his 35 years with the Middlesex County roads department. Presenting the award to Oke is Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar. (photo/submitted) St. Patrick's Day otluck dinnerThurs., Mar.17 By Joan Beierling VARNA CORRESPONDENT VARNA — The Stan Lee Club met on Tues., March 1 with a delicious potluck lunch at noon with 18 members present on a rather snowy afternoon. The guest speaker was Graham Keys whom spoke on the trip the took to Spain in January. He joined a tour with about 40 other young people who came from other countries. A larger num- ber of them came from Australia. He saw acres of olive trees that do well on poor- er soil. They produce for many years but it takes five years for them to start to produce. He also saw the Castle of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand where Christopher Columbus went to borrow money to go on his explorations. Keys saw monasteries and spoke of the hard life the monks lived. Keys enjoyed the Rock of Gibraltar and seeing the boats pass through to the Mediterranean. Keys was thanked for his interesting presentation. President Charles Reid conducted the business. Anna Keys read the min- utes. Plans were made to entertain for the April birthday party April 20 at Huronview and also for the Zone 8 Rally to be held in the Varna Complex April 21. Members were reminded to bring items for draws for the rally. Euchre winners were Anna Keys and Bill Taylor and consolation winners were Bruce Keys and Graham Keys. The next meeting will be Tues., April 5 at 2 p.m. The shufllers met March 3 and the top four shuf- flers were Anne Drew 233 points, Eleanor McAsh and Margaret Hayter tied with 215, and Edna Owens with 207. They will meet Thurs., March 10 once again at the complex. Church service Church service was in Varna Sun., March 6 with Pastor Elly Van Bergen with the Welcome, Announcements and the Call to Worship. Pastor Van Bergen spoke to the children on "Enough for Me." The gift of music by the choir was "They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love." The Gospel was on the Feeding of the Five Thousand—that was Gordon Hill's choice. Pastor Van Bergen's mes- sage was "Who Does God Think We Are." Mildred McAsh was the organist for Sunday. Worship will be in Varna Church Sun., March 13. Thurs., March 17 the Varna community will be having their second annu- al St. Patrick's Day potluck dinner at the Varna Church at 6 p.m. Come on out and bring your favourite dish, wear green and visit with your neigh- bour. March 21 there will be a Presbytery Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee visit with a potluck supper to begin at 6 p.m. Varna and Goshen members invited with a board meet- ing to follow. There will be a Maundy Thursday Service at Goshen Church March 24 at 8 p.m. April 9 Five Alive will be once again hosting their Guess Who is Coming to Dinner. Please sign in— which would you rather be a guest or a host. Congregational prayers One of Varna-Goshen's former ministers, Rev. George Philips passed away Feb 22. Congregational prayers go out to his family.