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United News Canada
VOLUME 9, NUMBER 5 •
A Time To Shine
2
Take A Listening Heart
3
The Last Generation
4
Grande Prairie Group
5
Montreal Open House
6
If God Were Not Truth
7
Fear Factor
8
Under Eagle’s Wings
10
Glen White Transfers
12
It’s Not Fair
13
2004 Graduate
15
World News Watch
16
U
C
N I T E D
H U R C H
O F
C
G
O D
A N A D A
P. O. Box 144, Station D
Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X1
www.ucg.ca
T
AR
(905) 876-9966
O R O N T O
E A
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SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 2004
A Time To
Shine
FACSIMILE
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INTERNET
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“...You are the light of the world ...”
(Matthew 5:14)
United News
Canada
A TIME TO SHINE
B
Y
R
A I N E R
S
A L O M A A
United News Canada
(Pastor of Prince George, Kelowna, Penticton congregations)
2
IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, JESUS
Christ tells us, "You are the light of the
world…" (Matthew 5:14). It sounds
simple, doesn't it, but hold on! Light is not
quite as simple as it appears!
I was reading an article about the sun in
the July 2004 issue of National
Geographic. When we think of light, we
often think of the sun - that massive
thermonuclear reactor millions of times
larger than the earth which sends us light
across 150 million kilometres in eight
minutes.
The sun has been called the Rosetta
Stone of astrophysics. Only recently have
scientists figured out a lot of what is
happening in that gaseous sphere,
composed of 70 percent hydrogen, 28
percent helium, and 2 percent heavier
elements. It has taken decades to
comprehend the physics of what goes on in
the sun. The fusion model was only
verified in the 1950's.
The sun has no surface. It is a
madhouse of electro-magnetic activity.
Electrons are popping off atoms, creating a
gaseous mix called plasma. Hydrogen is
crushed at the centre by gigantic pressure,
sparking a fusion reaction in which
hydrogen nuclei through various steps
create helium, with energy being produced.
Much of that energy is carried away as
light in the form of gamma rays, but it
takes hundreds of thousands of years for a
photon (the fundamental unit of light) to
ricochet its way to the sun's surface. By
this time, most of its energy has been spent,
emerging as radiation we call visible light.
Do you think perhaps the light that
Christ was talking about in Christians is a
bit more complex than it appears? How
does the light get created? What produces
it? Who sees it? What sustains it? What
energy levels are we talking about? What
are the complexities of conversion and
enlightenment? There is no space here to
explore all of those questions, but suffice it
to say the process is not as simple as it
appears, especially to the world at large.
Good works are a by-product of spiritual
enlightenment. God is glorified.
In the passage on this topic, Christ goes
on to show that the light that shines should
not be hidden. It should be like a city on a
hill, like a light on a lamp stand. He said,
"Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works and glorify
your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
The Church of God has a chance to be
"a city that is set on a hill" during the Feast
of Tabernacles. How so, you might ask?
Well consider this: In our respective home
areas, we individually might be a 100 watt
bulb, shining brightly, but not being able to
light a very large area. If we have, say, two
hundred of these bulbs shining all together,
S
E P T E M B E R
V
O L U M E
- OCTOBER 2004
9 • NUMBER 5
United News Canada
is published by the
United Church of God - Canada
P. O. Box 144, Station D, Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X1
The United Church of God - Canada is affiliated with
the United Church of God, an International
Association, a U.S. based non-profit religious
organization having its Home Office near
Cincinnati, Ohio
for a period of eight days, we would have
20,000 watts of light radiating. That much
light is more visible to the community at
large.
In places like Penticton, Squaw Valley
and Big Sandy, virtually everyone living in
those towns have been aware of the Church
and have been influenced by the
membership. We have had lots of positive
comments. One year, the city of Penticton
put on a special barbeque for us. City
officials have attended our meetings and
welcomed us.
How about at this year's Feast? No
matter where we attend, let’s make a
concerted effort to practise what we
preach? How about if we strive to live by
the "Golden Rule"-"And just as you want
men to do to you, you also do to them
likewise" (Luke 6:31). In Matthew’s
account Christ said, "Therefore, whatever
you want men to do to you, do also to
them, for this is the Law and the Prophets"
(Matthew 7:12). It's the way of love.
Following are a few practical
suggestions, taken from Reader's Digest
(Field Newspaper Syndicate) on the
application of the Golden Rule:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it.
If you break it, repair it.
If you can't fix it,
call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you use it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to somebody
else and you want to use it
get permission.
If you don't know how to
operate it, leave it alone.
If it doesn't concern you,
don't mess with it.
Let's walk as children of light. Let's
allow our light to shine. Let's allow God to
be glorified as we observe His Feast.
UNC
EDITOR
Rainer Salomaa
A
ED
Jean Jantzen
S S I S TA N T
I T O R
PROOF READERS
Angie Erickson, Kevin Ford, Ed van Pelt
D
REVIEWER
George Carter,
Graemme Marshall, Glen White
O C T R I N A L
O
N
-LINE VERS
Paul Wasilkoff
S
I O N
UNITED CHURCH OF GOD - CANADA
N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L M E M B E R S
Robert Berendt, David Campbell,
Larry DeLong, Graemme Marshall, David Palmer,
Rainer Salomaa, Joe Sheperd, Ian Simons,
Glen White
CHAIRMAN
Rainer Salomaa
D
O F O P E R
Anthony Wasilkoff
I R E C T O R
AT I O N S
Subscriptions: United News Canada is sent
automatically to members of the United Church
of God - Canada and is free to all who request it. Your
subscription is provided by the generous, voluntary
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The address www.ucg.ca gives you access
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© 2004 United Church of God - Canada.
Printed in Canada. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any form without permission is prohibited.
Canada Post Publications Agreement # 1487159.
TAKE A LISTENING HEART TO THE FEAST
BY DAVID PALMER
WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR THE WORD
“feast”, what comes to mind? To
members of God's Church, the word
relates to a wonderful festival, the
biblical observance of the Feast of
Tabernacles.
But let's consider for a moment the
word "feast" itself.
Most modern dictionaries will
describe “feast” as a "joyful religious
anniversary, an annual village festival, a
sumptuous meal, especially in public."
The biblical expression in Leviticus
chapter 23, "feasts of the Lord,"
emphasizes the importance of the feast
as a festival observed as a fixed time or
season, an assembly convened for a
definite purpose.
The Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897
fellowship with other brethren who
have made the same trek, but we also
recognize that the invitation is from
God. Not only does He want us to
rejoice at the physical blessings that
have been bestowed on us over the
past year, (Deuteronomy 14:22-26),
but He wants us to commune
spiritually with Him, and with each
other. What exactly does that mean?
How do we commune spiritually?
Let's look at a biblical example.
When Solomon replaced his father
David on the throne, God appeared
to Solomon in a dream and said,
"…ask what I shall give you"
(1Kings 3:5). Solomon asked for an
understanding heart, better translated as
a hearing or listening heart, that he
edition) describes the word “feast” as
"…a mark of hospitality (Genesis 19:3;
2 Samuel 3:20; 2 Kings 6:23);
occasions of domestic joy (Luke 15:23;
Genesis 21:8); and the occasion of a
marriage (Judges 14:10; Genesis
29:22). Feasting was a part of the
observances connected with the
offering up of sacrifices (Deuteronomy
12:6, 7; 1 Samuel 9:19; 16:3, 5), and
with the annual festivals (Deuteronomy
16:11). It was one of the designs of the
greater solemnities, which required the
attendance of the people at the sacred
tent, that the oneness of the nation might
be maintained and cemented together,
by statedly congregating in one place,
and with one accord taking part in the
same observance."
The dictionary then goes on to state:
"To keep the people's consciousness
alive to God's way, to revive,
strengthen, and perpetuate it, nothing
could be so well adapted as these annual
feasts" (Source: Easton's 1897 Bible
Dictionary).
The phrase "keep the feast" also
encourages us to commune spiritually.
In other words, as we travel each year to
one of the various festival sites to keep
this "anniversary," we recognize that we
are invited guests, not only to a banquet
of good food, fine drink and wonderful
might better judge God's people, that he
might be a better king. "And the speech
pleased the Lord, that Solomon had
asked this thing" (1Kings 3:10).
Solomon was blessed not only with the
wisdom of a listening heart, but great
physical blessings as well.
The lesson we learn is this. Not only
do we participate in the Feast of
Tabernacles for the physical meat, but
for meat which will not perish, but leads
to everlasting life. (John 6:27)
When we travel to the Feast this year
let’s ask God for a listening heart, a
heart willing to hear God's instruction.
Remember what the apostle Paul wrote
- "That it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them
that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21).
If we develop a determination to
attend the Feast with a listening heart,
we will not only be in spiritual
communication, drawing closer to God
and Jesus Christ, but like Solomon, we
will find the physical blessings are
much more enjoyable as we also draw
closer to each other.
The Feast is a wonderful opportunity
to rehearse the Kingdom of God. It is a
great occasion for us to commune with
fellow brethren. The word “commune”
merely means fellowship, and
fellowship gives us the marvelous
opportunity to apply some of Solomon's
wisdom such as, “A man has joy by the
answer of his mouth: and a word spoken
in due season, how good is it!”
(Proverbs 15:23) and “Pleasant words
are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul,
and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:
24).
We will meet many personalities at
the Feast, some who are quiet and shy,
and some who have a hard time
communicating. If we put warm
friendly encouraging conversation on
our to-do list for the Feast this year, we
can contribute to someone's festival just
by striking up friendly conversation,
applying the proverb, "A word fitly
spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver"(Proverbs 25:11).
This year at the feast tune in your
listening heart, and then tune in to
someone else's. What better way to get
to know God than by getting to know
someone else God has called? After all,
you and that new person you commune
with may well be in the Kingdom of
God forever. So why not take the
opportunity while at the Feast to get
acquainted? UNC
United News Canada
“This year at the Feast tune in your listening heart and then tune
in to someone else’s. What better way to get to know God than by
getting to know someone else God has called?”
3
THE LAST GENERATION?
BY DALE CRANIFORD
"….THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS,
all these things be fulfilled." (Matthew
24:34)
Christ's prophetic statement refers to the
final generation living on earth prior to His
return. Could we be that generation? Is
modern history a sign of things to come?
To begin to look at modern history, it is
important to look at the period around 1945.
After the terrible death and destruction that
ocurred during World War II, a generation
of fighting men came home, married their
sweethearts and began families. Thus began
a period of great prosperity for the
prophesied seed of Abraham. America and
the Israelite Western World were
beneficiaries of God's promise of material
blessings. (Genesis 27:28)
Both the US and Canada enjoyed peace,
security, and abundance. Post war America
featured urban sprawl, job growth and mass
production of goods and services. American
prosperity was leading the world, a modern
fulfillment of Israelite blessings God had
promised to Abraham. God said, "Seeing
that Abraham shall surely become a great
and mighty nation, and all the nations of the
earth shall be blessed in him" (Genesis
18:18).
Commercialism became a false god.
TILL
feminism and the crusade against traditional
women's roles as mother and caregiver.
We saw a philosophical movement
against the business and political
establishment. This was the generation that
witnessed
President
Kennedy's
assassination and the Vietnam War, a
counter culture generation told to tune in,
turn on, and drop out. The movie The
Graduate challenged the divine covenant of
marriage, as a youthful college graduate
was seduced by an older married woman,
named Mrs. Robinson. God was no longer
in the picture.
America drifted away from all types of
traditional symbols of authority, including
churches. According to John N. Ingham in
Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll, American
Popular Culture since 1945, young people
left in droves, and then when things like
hootenanny masses were offered to get
them to return, it offended older people.
Ingham notes, "…there was an obsession
with self, and the Me generation saw a
rebirth of religion." Cults emerged such as
the Hare Krishna, Reverend Moon's
Unification Church, as well as television
evangelists like Rex Humbard, and Jerry
Falwell with his Moral Majority. We saw
the soap opera theatrics of Jim and Tammy
boom generation that once rejected
consumerism, now supported everything
material, leaving a strong impact on
vulnerable young minds, their own children.
In the classroom of the eighties, under the
guise of allowing greater self-expression
and self-esteem, student-centered learning
usurped the authority of the teacher. Social
changes of the sixties were now reshaping
the education system. Schools removed the
Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments.
Biblical creationism was again challenged
by the theory of evolution ( a challenge that
has been ongoing for a least a century).
The Nineties
Short-term marriages and broken homes
prevailed. Divorce was rampant. Single
mothers were now a major factor in the
workforce. A strong fatherly presence that
went missing in the eighties went even more
AWOL in the nineties. The end result
produced some powerful statistics. Eightyfive percent of all children who exhibit
behavioural disorders come from a
fatherless home. Ninety-five percent of all
homeless and runaway children are from
fatherless homes. Seventy-five percent of
all adolescent patients in chemical abuse
centers come from fatherless homes.
"If my people... shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
United News Canada
This generation saw Alan Ginsberg and
other so-called beat poets write in defiance
of middle class conventions while
protesting the treatment of America's
underprivileged.
Ginsberg, and poets like him, expounded
life's meaning by way of eastern mysticism,
jazz music and marijuana/drug use. John N.
Ingham, author of Sex, Drugs and Rock and
Roll, American Popular Culture since 1945,
was a predecessor of so-called "antiestablishment" poets like entertainer Bob
Dylan. The anti establishment movement
was building a mindset for a coming
generation. "Don't trust anyone over 30."
4
The Sixties
As post-war babies became young
adults, the sixties generation challenged
traditions of family and authority. The
sixties were a time of social upheaval, race
riots, hallucinogenic drug experimentation,
long haired hippie lifestyles, Vietnam war
protests, black militancy, and the Los
Angeles riots. This generation founded
Faye Bakker. But these movements did little
to create a new moral centre. The scene was
set for the next decade.
The Seventies
This was the decade baby boom children
of post World War II moved into the
workforce. Feminism taught that being
mothers at home somehow confined
women, and encouraged them to find their
own careers. Self-indulgence, gaudy dress,
and the beginning of gay rights challenged
the family unit. It was a generation in moral
decline. The seventies saw the outbreak of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,
(AIDS) a disease most often attributed to
the practice of homosexuality.
The Eighties
As the eighties dawned, a lost generation
was trying to find its moral compass.
Ronald Reagan, ironically an exHollywood actor, became president and
inspired Reaganomics, free-spending and
borrowing to fuel the economy. A baby-
Eighty-five percent of all youths in prison
are from fatherless homes. Seventy-one
percent of all high school dropouts are from
fatherless homes. (The National Fatherhood
Institute).
The Last Generation?
Whether or not this is the last generation
before the return of Christ, it behooves us to
heed God’s warnings. Prophetic curses
given to ancient Israel are still relevant for
us today. Almighty God has the final word:
"If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). UNC
GRANDE PRAIRIE: UCG’S NEWEST CHURCH AREA
BY DOUGLAS LESH
A DREAM CAME TRUE FOR EIGHT PEOPLE
in Northern Alberta on June 12, when the
United Church of God rented facilities
for Sabbath services in the bustling
northern community of Grande Prairie,
Alberta.
With the members being scattered from
Hythe, 45 minutes to the west, Sexsmith
an hour to the north, McLennan, two
hours to the northeast and Valleyview, an
hour to the east, Grande Prairie seemed
to be an obvious choice to centralize
services. Prior to having facilities in
Grande Prairie, worship would take
place at members' homes.
Rainer and Claudia Salomaa from
Prince George, BC visited the area on
July 17 to conduct open house Sabbath
services. It was followed by a Church
luncheon at a local restaurant. There were
thirteen in attendance.
Although few in number, the group is
passing through to
look them up and join
them for services!
Meeting Place:
Stanford Inn
Grande Prairie,
Alberta
(B to F) Cliff, Tracy, Adam, Ardele, Garret, Lisa, Ann,
Douglas, Beth
photo by Douglas Lesh
dedicated to keeping the Sabbath together
and they invite anyone who may be
Time: 11 a.m.
Saturday
Everybody
Welcome!
COOKIES BY ALEX
LYNNE BROSCHAK
a Game Cube, a bike and even
private swimming lessons. He
hopes to eventually buy a digital
camera, a laptop computer and a
cell phone.
Alex is a responsible young man
who buys his own ingredients and
pays part of the table rent at the
Farmer's Market. He does all the
baking himself but he says he
needs help with the stove because
he is not allowed to use it yet. He
even lists the ingredients on the
bags of the cookies.
His mom says she has seen a big
change in Alex. He has become
much more self confident because
of his cookie business. He speaks
up and talks to people and has
learned to deal with different kinds
of people.
Alex is a very special young man.
He, his mother, Karen and
grandparents, Geisla and Harold
Hanson have attended Sabbath
services at UCG, Edmonton.
Alex is a quiet unassuming lad
and a deep thinker. He's polite,
interested in many things and has a
genuine warmth about him. He
enjoys sharing his time, experience
and toys with people. Alex is setting
a wonderful example of what can
be achieved if one is willing to work
hard and be responsible
Alex's business card says - A.K.
Square Cookies Man - Fresh
Homemade Squares & Cookies
- A. Kusch (780) 785-4131. Very
Impressive! UNC
.
United News Canada
ON MAY 4TH, 2004, IN A LITTLE
newspaper called The Barrhead
Leader, there was an article by
Charity
Borg
about
a
remarkable10-year-old boy, Alex
Kusch, who has started his own
business.
The article stated Alex would be
up at three a.m. to prepare his work
so he would be ready for the
Farmer's Market, where he sells his
wares. Alex makes cookies,
squares and healthy dog treats.
He says he has three different
batches of cookies to make for the
Market.
Alex shares a table with his
mother, Karen, who is a
Chocolatier. Alex has done very
well for himself. Since he started
selling his cookies at the Farmer's
Market, a year ago, he has bought
5
Montreal Hosts Open House Sabbath
By Edwin van Pelt
THE SABBATH OF JUNE 26 WAS A VERY
special one for the Montreal congregation
of the United Church of God - Canada.
Guest speaker, and director of the French
work, Joel Meeker, visited Montreal with
his family. Mr. Meeker was accompanied
by his wife Marjolaine, a native of
Montreal, and their two daughters.
On the morning of June 26, thirty-three
people heard Mr. Meeker's sermon in
French. Most of the Montreal
congregation is bilingual, and it was
interesting to hear the hymns being sung
in both English and French. Montreal
member, Beve Hebert, commented
afterward, "We sang hymns in French
which sounded beautiful. We are very
fortunate to have inherited some French
hymnals from that presentation. I'm
looking forward to having a Sabbath of
bilingual singing." As an added bonus for
the day, Kevin Ford, who works in the
UCG-Canada National Office in Halton
Hills, Ontario, played the piano for the
song service since the Montreal
congregation does not have a resident
pianist. They usually use the hymnal CDs
for accompaniment.
congregations, were in attendance. Mr.
Meeker's presentation was in English and
was accompanied by a PowerPoint
a few hours after the presentation was
over for everyone to vacate the meeting
hall. The messages were spiritually
Kevin Ford talking with Lynn Marshall
photo by Walter Hehle.
presentation. Mr. Meeker recounted
several stories about his travels to
uplifting and the fellowship was a boost
for those who were there.
Montreal pastor, Graemme Marshall,
commented afterward, "I'm very pleased
with the whole day and it is our hope that
it can be repeated again before too long."
All in all, it was a very special Sabbath in
Montreal. UNC.
The Meeker Family
United News Canada
photo by Walter Hehle.
6
Mr. Ford met Mr. Meeker for the first
time. He has been communicating with
Mr. Meeker in French for some time,
though he admits his French is very
limited by comparison. He mentioned
afterward that Mr. Meeker seems to speak
faster in person than he does on audio
tape.
Almost everyone stayed for finger foods
after the morning service and then in the
afternoon heard Mr. Meeker speak on the
French work around the world. A total of
35 people, including members from the
Ottawa
and
Toronto,
Ontario
different African countries. He also gave
some 'survival' tips for anyone who wants
to travel to Africa. While the Western
World takes so many things for granted,
there are those in other parts of the world
who have much less than we do and yet
seem to be happier in many ways and
more solid in the Faith.
A total of five new people from
Montreal came to Sabbath services and
the PowerPoint presentation. One of the
new people wanted to be baptized the
same day, and if that was not possible he
wanted to be baptized the next day. It took
Joel Meeker delivering
sermon in French
photo by Walter Hehle.
WHAT IF GOD WERE NOT TRUTH?
BY MICHAEL CAPUTO
NO SINCERE CHRISTIAN DOUBTS THE
truthfulness of God. All believing
Christians know that, though humans
may not be totally trusted, their
Father in Heaven will never lie, and
that His Word can be totally relied
upon. God is truth, He delights in
truth, and those who follow Him must
be totally trustworthy like their
Father in Heaven.
But what if God did not delight in
truth but in falsehood? What if He
were a deceitful being who take s
pleasure in creating grand illusions so
as to deceive human beings? What if
His Word was, consequently, not
true?
Needless to say, if this were the
case, we humans would be in a most
horrible predicament. Our lord and
master could not be relied upon; his
word would not be truth; his promises
would be nothing more than cunningly
crafted deceptions. If this god were to be
the true god, our future would be framed
with anxiety and uncertainty, as there
would be no certain promise of an eternal
(Deuteronomy 32: 4). Similarly, David
recognized that the Great God is a "God
of Truth" (Psalms 31:5), whose "word is
right," and whose "works are done in
truth" (Psalms 33:4).
Like His Father, Jesus Christ was "full
of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Christ
that rebellious generation they would
not enter Canaan, and that the same
fate would befall Moses - and so it
was. (Deuteronomy 34:5-6)
In Deuteronomy, God promised
Israel blessings, if they obeyed His
commandments and curses if they
transgressed them. Generation after
generation of Israelites witnessed the
fulfillment of His promises.
Consistently, God blessed them
greatly when they obeyed and
punished them greatly when they
transgressed. God promised a
Messiah who would come of a virgin
(Isaiah 7:14), from the line of David
(Isaiah 11:1), to be born in
Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), whose
coming would be announced by a
prophet in the wilderness (Isaiah
40:3), who would be "rejected of
men" (Isaiah 53: 3); who was to bear "our
griefs" and who would carry "our
sorrows" (V. 5); who "would be brought
like a lamb to the slaughter" (V. 7), and
who would give his life as an "offering for
sin" (V. 10), so as to bear the sins of many
future awaiting us, even if he assured us
of it.
Christians base their faith not only on
the fact that God is, and that He is love,
but also on the fact that God is truth, and
that His word and promises are totally
true. This is a critical pillar on which the
doctrines of God are built, and on which
our faith rests.
But is there any way of knowing - of
being totally sure? The answer is entirely
affirmative, and the evidence is plentiful
and undeniable.
From the beginning through to the end,
the Bible testifies to the fact that God is
Truth. When God revealed Himself to
Moses, He was introduced as "The Lord,
the Lord God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering, and abundant in goodness
and
truth"
(Exodus
34:6).
In
Deuteronomy, we are told that He is a
"God of truth and without iniquity"
Himself put special emphasis on the fact
that only the truth would make us free
(John 8:32), and that He was "the way, the
truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The Holy
Spirit is called "The Spirit of Truth,"
which would guide Christians "into all
truth" (John 16:13). We are also to be
sanctified through truth, and have been
blessed with a special gift from God: His
Word, which is "Truth" (John 17:17).
God is a totally reliable, truthful Being.
This becomes evident in His word from
the very beginning. He warned Adam and
Eve that death would follow, if they
would eat of the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil - and He kept His word.
He also kept His word about the certainty
of the Great Flood and about Noah and
his family being spared. He promised
Israel deliverance from the Egyptian
bondage, and at the appointed time, He
brought Israel out of Egypt with powerful
signs. While in the desert He promised
(V. 11).
Amazingly, the God of truth went a step
further and declared the time of the
Messiah's death (Daniel 9:25-27). He also
foretold that Christ would be buried in a
rich man's tomb, and that He would rise
out of his tomb before His body would
experience decay (Psalm 16:10) - and so
it all was.
At all times, God has shown Himself to
be totally reliable and trustworthy.
He has also shown Himself to be the
antithesis of the father of lies, Satan,
(John 8:44), who continually deceives the
whole world (Revelation 12:9).
Our faith, therefore, rests on a very
strong and unbreakable pillar: The Great
God is truth; He is worthy of our total
trust, and all His promises for this life,
and for the one to come, can be totally
relied upon. UNC
United News Canada
“ From the beginning through to the end, the Bible testifies to the fact
that God is Truth.”
7
FEAR FACTOR
BY HECTOR M. EARLE
IT SEEMS THAT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE
today are suffering from some sort of
mental strain. Millions worry about
family problems, business pressures,
the economy and the state of our
nation. Others experience anxiety and
nervous strain over health problems
and financial woes. Someone once
said that this is no longer the nuclear
age, but rather the age of fear of the
unknown and the unexpected.
Certainly since 9/11, this age of fear
seems to be more prevalent.
Needless to say, fear robs us of
contentment,
injects
negative
emotions into our personality, and
creates a toxic
effect
on
our
individual
and
collective health.
In extreme cases it
can even ruin our
entire lives.
Not all fears,
however,
are
harmful. Without
normal
healthy
fears none of us
would be alive.
Proper fear is
merely the drive
for self-protection.
Without this kind
of fear, we would not exercise proper
caution against accidents, disease and
When we're assailed by threats from
the outside, we sometimes disable
ourselves with fears from within that
can turn obsessive. This sabotaging
fear distorts our perception of
ourselves and the reality of the
dangers we face. It erodes confidence
that we can handle a particular
threatening relationship or situation
and come out of it intact. This form of
anxiety undermines even the best of
plans with insecurity, inadequacy, and
self-doubt, which leads to a loss of
heart that is crippling, and increases
our
vulnerability
to
danger.
Consequently, numerous phobias
torment us and rob us of happiness
and well being.
lives. Life is never risk free, but
freedom from overwhelming fear
empowers us to enjoy all that God
offers us in a fallen world.
God's Word defines fear in 1 John
4:18 as torment or punishment.
Indeed fear is torment, especially if it
consumes us with worry and despair.
That is why our Creator, in other
places in scripture, gives us direction
as to what to do when unhealthy fears
overwhelm us.
Speaking through the prophet Isaiah,
God tells us not to fear, for He will
always be there for us in time of
trouble. "Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I
am your God. I will
strengthen you, yes, I
will help you, I will
uphold you with My
righteous right hand."
(Isaiah 41:10).
Jesus tells us not to
allow fear to overcome
us. When speaking to
His disciples in the
book of John He tells
them, "Let not your
heart be troubled, you
believe in God, believe
also in me" (John 14:1).
On another occasion He
said, "Come to Me, all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give
United News Canada
“...fear robs us of contentment, injects negative emotions into our
personality, and creates a toxic effect on our individual and collective
health.”
8
injuries. Helpful fears, when properly
managed, protect us from a host of
potential hazards and dangers.
However, when the mind is plagued
with unhealthy fear, the natural fear
for self-protection is turned into the
unnatural fear for protection of self.
As a foe, fear works against us
internally to sabotage healthy living.
When destructive fear is entrenched
in our lives, we must remember that
the eternal God is greater than all our
fears. He desires to empower us to
dismantle and demolish fear's
strongholds in our lives. (2
Corinthians 10:4) Fear must be
uprooted and the truth which makes
us free needs to be implanted in our
you rest. Take My yoke upon you and
learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart and you will find rest
for your souls. For My yoke is easy
and My burden is light" (Matthew
11:28-30).
The Psalmist David also promises us
God's Divine deliverance from
troubles and fear. He writes: "The
eyes of the Lord are upon the
righteous, and His ears are open to
their cry… The righteous cry out and
the Lord hears, and delivers them out
of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:15,
17).
Another area in which to deal with
fear, according to scriptures, is love.
The apostle John writes, "There is no
of fears and phobias of this world.
Our Creator has set dynamic spiritual
laws in motion. If we choose to
violate these laws, we will eventually
pay the consequences.
We should choose rather to develop
the healthy fear of God. Fear in this
sense means a healthy respect and
adoration for our bountiful Father in
As we strap on our spiritual armour
and prepare for war (Ephesians 6:1018), we must not pretend that fear of
the enemy doesn't exist. But we must
move forward with conviction and
resolve in spite of the genuine threat
posed by the flaming arrows of the
evil one or the opposition we face
from the adversaries in this world. We
fear in love; but perfect love casts out
fear, because fear involves torment.
But he who fears has not been
made perfect in love" (1 John
4:18).
Love is the perfection of
God's law according to
the spirit and intent. By
loving and obeying
God's commandments,
we avoid the dangers
and pitfalls of unhealthy
fears. God has promised
us that instead of being
plagued by fear, He will
fill us with love, power and
a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
This kind of mind enables us to
put our trust in God in time of
trouble instead of being consumed
with the fears and cares of this world.
Allowing God's spirit to dwell in us
can indeed give us the kind of faith
that brings a soundness of mind to
confidently deal with the storms of
life. The early Church of God had
peace and contentment, "…walking in
the fear of the Lord and in the comfort
of the Holy Spirit…" (Acts 9:31).
There is no better life than living
according to and safely within the
laws of God. Living outside of God's
divine laws, one runs enormous risks
of becoming victim to the multitudes
heaven
who
supplies our every need. How
different this kind of fear is from the
fears and torments of this world!
Instead of allowing Satan to fill our
minds with doubts and fears, let us
focus on all that which is good, true,
noble, right, pure, lovely and
honourable. (Philippians 4:8) With
this kind of mind set, God enables us
to follow Him into battle against the
forces of evil in the midst of our fears.
must preoccupy our thoughts
with the reassuring words of
our Creator as He spoke
to Moses, "Be strong
and of good courage,
do not fear, nor be
afraid of them; for
the LORD your
God, He is the
One who goes
with you. He will
not leave you nor
forsake
you"
(Deuteronomy
31:6).
David's words must
become the expression
of our hearts when
cultivating healthy fear:
"When I am afraid I will trust in
you. In God, whose word I praise, in
God I trust; I will not be afraid. What
can mortal man do to me?" (Psalm
56:3-4 NIV).
When we are faced with difficulty,
anxiety, and sorrow, let us lay
everything out before the very Son of
God, and listen to Him say, "…Let not
your heart be troubled . . ." John
14:27). For in doing so, we will allow
God's soothing Spirit to keep our
hearts and minds safe in union with
Christ Jesus and eliminate fear as a
factor in our lives. UNC
United News Canada
“...we must not pretend that fear of the enemy doesn't exist.
But we must move forward with conviction and resolve in
spite of the genuine threat posed by the flaming arrows of the
evil one or the opposition we face from the adversaries in this
world.”
9
UNDER EAGLES’ WINGS
United News Canada
BY JEAN JANTZEN
THE BALD EAGLE HAS BEEN THE
national bird of the United States
since 1782, when it was placed with
outspread wings on the Great Seal of
the country. It appears in many
government institutions and on
official documents, making it the
most pictured bird in America. The
eagle appears on the president's flag,
military insignia, and billions of onedollar bills.
Like other eagles worldwide, they
have been symbols of strength,
courage, freedom and immortality for
generations.
heads almost 270 degrees.
They are called the lions of the sky.
Bald eagles carry some 7,000 feathers
from head to tail. Their feathers are
lightweight, hollow, flexible and yet,
very strong. It is the eagle's feathers
that protect the bird from inclement
weather, including excessive heat,
cold winds and snow. Due to their
sophisticated feather system, this bird
is able to regulate its body
temperature simply by changing the
position of its feathers.
There are many instances in His
Word when God uses the image of an
same word that is translated as
"flutter". This possibly allows that the
very first image in the Bible is of God
as a mother eagle hovering, fluttering
over the waters as she prepares the
nest (earth) for the birth of mankind.
Eagles are noted in the Bible for
their swiftness, endurance and power
and for their loving care of the young.
Think in terms of how God cares for
us, and how much we need Him.
When a pair of eagles builds a nest,
it is high in a tree or cliff and away
from danger. You could say it is built
upon a rock. King David recognized
The bald eagle can have a wingspan
of up to 2.4 meters (eight feet) and
can weigh up to 7 kilograms (15
pounds). It inhabits areas near large
bodies of water where there are plenty
of fish to eat and tall trees in which to
nest. Bald eagles remain faithful to
their mate until death.
The eagle eye is probably the
sharpest of any animals, with four to
eight times the resolving power of a
human eye. It can spot a rabbit nearly
a mile away, from an altitude of 300
meters (1000 feet). It can also sight
fish swimming below the surface of
the water.
When attacking prey, a bald eagle
can reach speeds close to 300
kilometers per hour (190 miles per
hour). And because they can only
move their eyes slightly within the
sockets, they are able to rotate their
eagle as an example of His care and
concern and protection of His people.
Notice Psalm 91:1, 4 where it says,
"He that dwells in the secret place of
the most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty… He shall
cover you with his feathers, and under
his wings shall you trust."
Deuteronomy 32:11-13 also mentions
"as an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters
over her young, spreads abroad her
wings, takes them, bears them on her
wings." (KJV)
The Hebrew verb, translated in
Deuteronomy as "flutters," appears
only three times in the Bible, and only
twice in reference to the action of
God: in this passage, and in Genesis 1.
When God created the world, the
Spirit of God moved across the
waters, and hovered over the deep.
That verb "hover" is rachaph, the
the safety of building one's foundation
upon a rock. "For in the time of
trouble he shall hide me in his
pavilion: in the secret of his
tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall
set me up upon a rock. And now shall
mine head be lifted up above mine
enemies round about me: therefore
will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices
of joy; …I will sing praises unto the
LORD" (Psalm 27: 5, 6).
We learn from the Psalms that David
throughout his life knew how
vulnerable and weak he was; how
much he needed and relied on God.
The eagles start their nest with a lot
of large sticks, thorns and odds-andends to build the base. Next they get
smaller sticks, twigs and grasses.
Finally, just before they lay their eggs,
they pull down and feathers from their
10
own bodies to line the nest and
provide a comfort to the newly
hatched chicks. What a wonderful
analogy! It reminds one of a down
comforter! The Holy Spirit is taken
from God Himself and described as
our Comforter - and given to his
newly baptized sons and daughters.
When the eggs hatch, the babies
look nothing like their parents. They
are small, featherless and ugly.
Golden eagles weigh only 85 grams
(three ounces at birth ). That is how
we should see ourselves as we begin
our journey as a babe in Christ small, featherless and ugly - and in
our vulnerability, looking to the
mother eagle (Jesus Christ, Church,
Holy Spirit) for sustenance and
comfort.
We should continue in this humble,
teachable attitude throughout our
walk with God, as the Apostle Paul
bodies are changed.
The babies gain strength and begin
to move about the nest. Food brought
into the nest is cut into very small
pieces and gently fed into hungry
little mouths. When we come into the
Church, God looks after us like an
eagle looking after its young. We too
are fed God's word, the truth given in
small amounts, first milk and then
meat.
Soon, the eaglets will climb out to
the top of the nest, stand upon the
edge and look out over their parents'
domain. We too look over our Father's
domain, His heavens, the work of His
fingers, the moon and the stars, which
He ordained.
We recognize we are nothing in
comparison. But we also realize God
has made us a little lower than the
angels, for a time. We know we are of
little strength, that our weakness is
"The Eagle"
He clasps the crag with crooked hands,
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls,
he watches from his mountain walls,
by Tennyson
Spirit to comfort and guide us.
The nest gets smaller as the young
learned well in his earthly sojourn.
"My grace is sufficient for you: for
my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore I will
rather glory in my infirmities…for
when I am weak then I am strong" (2
Corinthians 12:9-10).
It doesn't take long until baby eagles
weigh forty times their birth weight,
only forty-five days later. During this
time the eaglets require that their
parents feed and care for them. They
are safe and comfortable in the
bottom of their nest. It is their comfort
zone. As they grow, they develop the
majestic appearance of their parents.
We, too, have the hope we will look
like the majestic Christ when our
temporary and one day we will grow
strong and our bodies will be changed
and we will fly like the eagles.
Since their nest is up high, the baby
eagles are exposed to severe winds
and the eaglets quickly roll back into
their nest where it is safe and
comfortable. As the eaglets grow,
their parents start throwing out the
soft grasses and down lining of the
nest, exposing the thorns and larger
sticks. By doing this the parents are
taking away their comfort zone.
We find as we grow in Christ, we,
too, are exposed to more and more
trials and sufferings of everyday life
so we will grow in Godly character,
but we, too, can fall back on God's
grow to become more like their
parents. They find themselves out on
the edge, surveying the landscape and
they dream of soaring with their
parents. When the winds blow now,
they don't have the nice soft place in
which to hide. They stand with the
wind in their faces and their wings
spread, becoming stronger. They are
ready to take that leap, yet they don't
have enough confidence.
We, too, learn to trust in God. The
Psalmist wrote, "I will set him on
high, because he has known my name.
He shall call upon me and I will
answer him" (Psalm 91:14-15).
Continued on page 14
United News Canada
“That is how we should see ourselves as we
begin our journey as a babe in Christ small, featherless and ugly - and in our
vulnerability, looking to the mother
(Jesus Christ, Church, Holy Spirit)”
11
GLEN AND CONNIE WHITE TRANSFER
NEARLY FOUR AND A HALF YEARS
come and gone since Glen and
Connie White moved to Calgary,
Alberta from Post Falls, Idaho. They
sold their home in December of 1999
and moved north during the winter
season when packing and moving and
unpacking again are not greatly
advantaged by the weather.
We
greatly appreciate them being part of
the Canadian ministry for almost half
a decade during this second
experience for Glen White living
within the borders of brother
Ephraim.
In August of this year Glen and
Connie White are transferring back to
the United States where they will live
in the Missoula, Montana area and
pastor congregations in that part of
the country.
Mr. White has
graciously consented to continue to
pastor the Lethbridge, Alberta and
HAVE
Regina, Saskatchewan congregations
for the next year.
He will also
continue to co-ordinate the
Regina Feast of Tabernacles
site.
For the next year, the
UCG
Calgary
congregation will be
pastored by Robert
Berendt, pastor of the
Edmonton, Red Deer,
North Battleford and
S a s k a t o o n
congregations.
Mr.
Berendt is pleased to be
able to reach out and
serve additionally in this
manner.
His pastoring of
the Calgary congregation will
be augmented by regular visits to
the area by Rainer Salomaa, pastor of
the Prince George, Kelowna, and
Penticton congregations. (By Tony
Wasilkoff ) UNC
Glen and Connie White
photos by Rainer Salomaa
United News Canada
This Momentous Day
12
Each smallest act of
kindness reverberates across
great distances and spans of
time, affecting lives
unknown to the one whose
generous spirit was the
source of this good echo,
because kindness is passed
on and grows each time it’s
passed, until a simple
courtesy becomes an act of
selfless courage years later
and far away. Likewise,
each small meanness, each
expression of hatred, each
act of evil.
H. R. White
Doing what Glen White likes to do best fellowshipping!
IT'S NOT FAIR -
TO
COMPARE
BY GRAEMME MARSHALL
THE ISRAELITES FELL INTO A TRAP
when they began to compare their
circumstances of life with 'back
home.'
friends checking into a hotel room
and I said, 'Oh, just checking in, eh?'
Their reply was. 'No, we are
checking out into another
room!' I could smell the stale
tobacco smoke wafting from
their room even to the
outside. They were only
able
to
obtain
a
marginally better one.
The problem is often
that
management
cannot always satisfy
genuine requests at
short notice. And
thousands of guests
have been in those
rooms ahead of us at
Feast time. So it is easy to
begin to compare leaking
taps, cramped closet space,
stained bed linen and
noise…with the quiet and
privacy of back home.
In the wilderness they began
to crave their 'back home' diet:
'We remember the fish, leeks,
melons, cucumbers, onions,
garlic, meat and bread to the
full', (Numbers 11:4-6 with
Exodus
16:3).
In
comparing their nomadic
lifestyle to 'back home' in
Egypt, they lost sight of
true life-giving principles.
It wasn't fair to God's
Plan
He was taking them out of
Egypt.
It wasn't fair to God's
provision of manna
The anorexic had enough to eat. The
overweight had enough. Being 'dried
up' probably was thinning them down
to a trim and toned body. They failed
to 'see' that manna was a divinely
structured
nutritional
supplement,
100% perfect
for mind and
body. Their
'intense
craving' was likely a withdrawal from
years of a diet that was just a figment
of their imaginations: heavy, rich
sugar-laden foods.
reflect
their
wilderness-wandering
experience (Leviticus 23:39-44). At
It helps if you recall: It's not fair
to compare
God's purpose for us at the Feast is
to reflect on our temporary, aging,
They failed 'to see' that a leaner
nutritional diet would also save them
physically from some of the 'diseases
of Egypt' (Exodus 15:26).
The Feast
For the Israelites were to build
temporary structures (leafy booths) to
our Feast, we live in temporary
lodgings to reflect a fleeting sojourn
on earth after a call out of spiritual
Sodom and Egypt. But we humans are
prone to compare this divinely
ordained brief 10 days (2 travel days)
with how is isn't always quite like
'back home.'
It is fair to make genuine
complaints
Several years ago I walked by some
largely unsatisfactory fleshly life. We
need to see God's plan for us to be at
His Feast (Deuteronomy 16:13-15):
We attend in obedience to Him; we
are to learn to more properly fear
God; we go to rejoice; and to look
forward to the coming Kingdom - not
back to a mundane, routine world.
The Feast is our annual spiritual
renewal. To get the most out of it, it
helps to remember that it isn't always
fair to compare. UNC
United News Canada
“...we go to rejoice; and to look forward to the Kingdom to
come - not back to a mundane, routine world.”
13
UNDER
HIS
WINGS
Continued from page 11
From its high perch, the young eagle
can see the animals of the field and
the fish in the stream. He becomes
hungry and determined; he climbs to
the edge of the nest, faces into the
wind and spreads his wings. Waiting
for the proper moment, he leans
forward. The winds lift him. His heart
pounds.
At first, our young eagle tumbles
into the air, falling towards the
ground. He sees the green of the earth
and the blue of the sky passing with
each rotation.
"Because you have made the Lord
which is my refuge, even the most
High, your habitation; He has put his
angels in charge of you to watch over
you wherever you go. They will catch
you in their hands so that you will not
hit your foot on a rock" (Psalm
91:10).
Sometimes it is necessary for the
parent eagle to rescue its young in
flight. Maybe it does not spread its
wings enough, but the mother is
always watching, always aware of her
young, just as God protecting,
lovingly watches over us, sends his
angels to preserve and minister to us.
When it’s time, the mother eagle
takes the eaglets on her wings and
swoops downward suddenly to force
them into solo flight. They flap their
wings but it takes awhile to get the
hang of it, and they get tired. They go
fluttering down, but mother stays
close to swoop under them again
whenever they grow too weary to
continue on their own.
What a beautiful metaphor for a
loving God, caring for us when we are
weak, yet always aiming at the goal of
our maturity and internalized strength,
rather than keeping the babies in the
nest forever. The next morning as the
sun rises, we see three young eagles
standing on the edge of the nest with
their wings out-stretched, their faces
into the wind. One by one they step
off into the wind to begin their
intended journey through life.
It takes courage to leave your nest.
It
takes
determination
and
commitment to make a difference in
our life and in the lives of others. God
says, "But those who wait on the
LORD shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah
40:31). UNC
Words to Live By
When the going gets too easy, you may be going downhill.
You can bank on any friendship where interest is paid.
Step on your stumbling blocks instead of falling on them.
The importance isn't in doing great things, but doing small things in a great way.
From the seeds of your mistakes grow the fruits of wisdom and good judgment.
Growing older can be a wonderful adventure if you remember that the important word is
"growing."
The wisest are the ones with most life in their years.
Volunteers are caring friends.
The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.
United News Canada
Nobody likes hard work more than the person who pays for it.
14
If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.
Today, life is a game of robbing Peter to pay Paul to stand Pat.
Compiled by Ernie McBratney
2004 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
Continued from page 16
saxophone quartet in the world. She
was also accepted and given a
scholarship to attend Boston
University's Tanglewood Institute, a
summer music training
program for university
students.
Andrea is an extremely
intelligent
and
enthusiastic
young
student. Her analytical
abilities combined with
her excellent work ethic
have allowed her to
become an advanced
saxophonist at the young
age of 17. The repertoire
she commonly works on
is that of a university
post graduate
level.
An active participant at
the Conservatory, she
plays lead soprano
saxophone in the high
school
quartet,
in
recitals,
master
classes
and
community performances. UNC
Choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain.
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?
From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray.
How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.
If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:
America the Beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.
We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges
who throw reason out the door,
Then God will hear from Heaven
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.
Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty
your house is on the sand.
Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.
But, America the Beautiful,
if you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.
Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine,
You think that God's not angry,
that our land's a moral slum?
Judge Roy Moore
Compiled by David Palmer
THE FOLLOWING IS A POEM WRITTEN BY
Judge Roy Moore from Alabama.
Judge Moore was recently sued by
the ACLU for displaying the
Ten Commandments in his courtroom.
He has been stripped of his judgeship
and now they are trying to strip his rights
to practice law in Alabama.
United News Canada
ANDREA ELSA BERENDT,
graduated from Harry Ainlay
Composite High School in
Edmonton, Alberta.
Andrea was awarded
International Baccalaureate
certificates in history, biology,
math, and French; honours
with distinction; played in the
Symphonic Band and "A"
Stage Band, going on tours to
British Columbia, Washington,
and California ; won Harry
Ainlay's Fred A. Merrett
Award
for
musical
achievement.
Andrea will be attending the
prestigious
Academie
Habanera at the Conservatoire
National de Région de Poitiers
in Poitiers,
France this
August. Andrea will receive advanced
training from several European artists
including all the members of the
Quautuor Habanera, the top classical
15
World News Watch
RETURN OF PAGANISM
As
Christianity
Declines,
Superstitions Gain Force
LONDON.- Like European
politicians who continue to block
any mention of Christianity in the
draft
of
the
continent's
Constitution, public officials
around the globe increasingly are
adopting measures that favor a
return to pre-Christian paganism.
Denmark has announced it will
allow a group that worships Thor,
Odin and other Norse gods to
conduct legally-valid marriages,
the Associated Press reported. "It
would be wrong if the indigenous
religion of this country wasn't
recognized," said Tove Fergo, the
government
Minister
for
Ecclesiastic Affairs and a Lutheran
priest. About 1,000 people worship
the ancient gods in Denmark.
Across the ocean, a U.S. federal
judge in the state of Virginia ruled
in favor of a Wiccan who was
barred from saying a prayer in
public. At a County board meeting
U.S. District Court Judge Dennis
Dohnal
said
the
board
discriminated against Cyndi
Simpson when it prohibited her
from joining a list of clergy who
deliver the invocations, the
Associated Press reported.
Wiccans consider themselves
witches, pagans or neo-pagans,
and say their religion is based on
respect for the earth, nature and the
cycle of the seasons, according to
the Associated Press. The
American Civil Liberties Union of
Virginia and the Americans United
for Separation of Church and State
filed the lawsuit on behalf of
Simpson after she was turned
United News Canada
THE
16
down by the board.
Wiccans are also active in
Canada, where each year they
celebrate the winter solstice, the
Vancouver Sun reported in
December 2003. Heather Botting,
a pagan chaplain at the University
of Victoria, told the newspaper that
the solstice, marking the shortest
day of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere, is a sacred day.
An ex-Jehovah's Witness, Botting
was appointed five years ago by
university authorities. She is also
authorized to perform marriages.
At the university interfaith chapel,
members of the 30,000-strong
student body were able to mark the
solstice with dances that paid
reverence to stag antlers as
symbols of the cycle of life.
Revelers dipped a ceremonial
knife into a cast-iron cauldron of
wine, to symbolize the unity of
male and female divinity.
In the Greater Victoria area,
population 280,000, more than
1,000 people officially told
Canadian census-takers they were
pagans. The Vancouver Sun
newspaper reports that paganism is
Canada's fastest-growing religion.
There are 21,080 declared pagans
in Canada according to Statistics
Canada, an offical government
source.
On January 26 and 27 this year
(2004) the Guardian newspaper in
Britain published ample extracts
from Francis Wheen's new book,
"How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered
the World: A Short History of
Modern Delusions." Wheen
recounts the rise of gurus,
spiritualists and assorted pagan
beliefs. One of the most successful
modern gurus is Deepak Chopra,
who earns around $20 million a
year. Since his 1993 appearance on
the Oprah Winfrey television show
-- which led to sales of 400,000
copies of his book within a week - Chopra has authored 25 books.
He heads the Chopra Center for
Well-Being in La Jolla, California.
His admirers run a wide gamut,
from Michael Jackson to Mikhail
Gorbachev and Hillary Clinton.
Wheen also recounts that Cherie
Blair, wife of the British Prime
Minister, is keen on alternative
forms of spirituality. Her
adventures include inviting a fengshui expert to rearrange the
furniture at 10 Downing Street,
and wearing a "magic pendant"
known as the BioElectric Shield,
which has "a matrix of specially
cut quartz crystals" that surround
the wearer with "a cocoon of
energy" to ward off evil forces.
Both Cherie and Tony Blair
underwent a Mayan rebirthing
experience while on holidays in
Mexico in 2001.
"For
many
westerners,
particularly women, it has become
the norm to master Buddhist
chanting in a meditation class,
learn about ancient Hindu
philosophies during a yoga class,
light a (aromatherapy) candle and
say a prayer (to a nameless god)
back at home," commented the
article. A further sign of the
triumph of alternative spiritualities
came with the recent appointment
of a spirituality editor by the
British
women’s
magazine
Cosmopolitan. (zenit.org)
CONTINUED ON PAGE
15