The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, April 21, 1993 matter, even cared to hear it. she felt strangely comfortable Ira L. Johnson, B.Th (Pastor GOT TO BE THERE!” 2404 Columbia Ave. Castlegar BC VIN 2X tor 365-6762 ¢ 36 T KINNAIRD CHURCH OF GOD Se via S12. ll the safety of the building or the warmth of the singing that cause the stir in her he pastor said near the close of this message. on fa le TOXIC SHAME submitted by Pastor Rankin McGougan from New Life Assembly ind, beg or steal and searching for anything that-would offer her cold dirty little frame shelter from the bone chilling dampness of the.London winter nights. She was scorned passed her by and ridiculed and rejected by those she came Te: little girl wandered through the streets of London scrounging for any morsel of sustenance she could f and avoided by anyone who in contact with. No one knew her story or, for that Some years prior to this scene this precious little jewel was orphaned when both of her parents were killed in the, war. After being shuffled from relative to relative and from agency to agency she eventually fell through the proverbial cracks in the system and wound up on the streets of London. On this particularly cold and rainy wintry night a sought refuge in a place she had always avoided. A church! After all why would God want to have anything to do with something that no one else wanted. As she forced the cold drenched little body to creep quietly up the stone stairs and in through the massive doors, she found that the dimly lit building offered her a dark corner where no one would even detect he in a ball keeping absolutely motionless as the service progressed. In the and mich to her surprise found an inviting warmth in the singing but it was not art it was something that the r presence. She sat curled up midst of new and strange surroundings Terrified of being discovered and certain of being rejected, she sat motionless in the darkness of the corner, des- perately hoping that no one would see her as they left the service. Finally tor was putting out the lights, she mustered up enough courage to run to the front where the pastor was and began to yell with an excitement that she had long forgotten. “Mr.! - Mr.! I didn't know! - I didn’t know!” The pastor knelt down on the floor and said “didn’t know what honey?” “I didn't know that my name was in that book but I heard you say my name while you were talking to the people.” He did a quick mental review of his message and was perplexed because he could not remember mentioning any p So he very gently asked her what was her name. “May name is “EDITH” and J heard you Say it.” after everyone had gone and the pas- articular name in his message. Now the pastor was struggling with how to respond because he was quite certain that the name “Edith” was not in the bible but he was definitely sure that he had not made any reference to “Edith” in his message. As softly as he could be said to the little girl that perhaps she was mistaken but before he could even finish his sentence she burst into tears and said “But I know you said it! I know your said it! NO ONE HAS EVER ACCEPTED ME BUT YOU SAID THAT MAN JESUS WOULD, AND I KNOW THAT I HEARD IT, ITS JUST sumay: ¢ pee Heart broken by the pain in her face he asked her what it was that she heard. Her response would be MORNING WO WEDNESDAY: ADULT BIBLE S THURSDAY: CHILORENS “WITH FAITH ST. DAVID'S ANGLICAN CHURCH 614 Christina Place SUNDAY SERVICES 8:00 am Holy Communion, BA.S., Traditional 10:00 am Family Eucharist and Church Sct The Rev. Dorothy Barker - Phone: 365-2271 TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN. Calvary Baptist Church Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 am Evening Service 6:30 pm Pastor Bob Marsh 365-3430 - Church 809 Merry Creek Rd Castlegar RC ieee, GRACE PRESBYTERIAN 2605 Columbia Ave. | 11 rem worship | Tues. Bible Study { Visit our booth at the Trade Fair Rev. Murray Garvin 1-226-7540 365-2438 A Bible Besed, Nos SP FAVE OWSEIP 2329 6th Ave., Castlegar ¢ 365-5818 wommmamecmomrecew WATCH FAITH ALIVE oN SHAW CABLE Affiliated with Canadian Fellowship LIVING WATERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 61. 7" ; Indundualized Curriculum e* RAISING TOMORROW'S LEA DERS ++ s & Ministers humorous if it wasn’t such an accurate description of the isolation and loneliness that shame can cause in the depth of our being. He looked into the face of a desperate little girl. A face marred by the pain of loneliness outlined by channels thrdéugh the dirt on her cheeks as the tears flowed like a river. Between the gut-wrenching sobs he heard her say “you said that Jesus receiveth sinners and eateth (Edith) with them...” The pastorg heart broke as he held the little girl in his arms Here was a little girl who felt so much shame that she didn't even dare to think of herself as one of the sinners that Jesus would receive. But there was a glimmer of hope that may be, just may be Jesus would receive her too. Shame from our past can do horrendous things to us. It desperately distorts our thinking and we believe NOT THAT WE HAVE DONE SOMETHING BAD but that WE ARE “BADNESS”. And because of what we perceive ourselves to be we are convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that no one, but no one could ever accept us, not the people we know, not our selves and worst of all not God! This world is full of “Ediths” who are convinced that because of who and what they perceive themselves to be that they are outsiders, isolated and unacceptable. “Sure there may actually be such a thing-as love, and may be even such a thing as genuine forgiveness and real acceptance but if it does exist it’s not for me.” If your not one who struggles with the isolated prison of toxic shame from your past then the previ- 2224 - 6th Ave. * Ph. 365-8337 Minister. The Rev. Ann Pollock APRIL 9 10:00 am GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE APRIL 11 +7:00 am SUNRISE SERVICE IN THE COMPLEX FIELD APRIL 11° 10:00 am e INTERGENERATIONAL EASTER SERVICE INCLUDING COMMUNION CASTLEGAR x] UNITED CHURCH pee es CASTLEGAR FULL GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP 1801 Connors Rd. WEEKLY SCHEDULE Sunday Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 10:45 am Evening Fellowship 6:30 pm Wed. Bible Study & Prayer 7:00 pm Fri Youth Activities 7:00 pm A loving, caring church invites your participation. You ar welcome here! Pastor Stan Block 365-6317 ous quote will seem absurd. BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW FULL WELL THE PAIN OF “EDITH” AND WHO KNOW ONLY TOO GRAPHICAL- LY THE. DARKNESS OF THAT DUNGEON, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT JESUS RECEIVETH SINNERS AND ALL THE “EDITHS” OF THIS WORLD TOO! I won't promise you a quick and easy fix for years of isolation, loneliness and rejection but I can promise you a full and complete accep- If you're HURTING remember 1D CARES Join us at NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY (602 - 7th St. ¢ 365-5212 _ 4 * &16 Super Be lorship "| themse: MEN IN A WOMAN'S WORLD MIDWEEK ACTIVITIES + Wed. 6:30 pm - Support Groups Pioneer Club * Adult Bible Classes * Fri. 6:30 - Youth Explosion Pastoral Staff Rankin MeGougan & Rick Popoff “ Behool * 1030 am Morning W. tance by Jesus. He's the one who has the ability, strength and desire to bring mean- ing and fullness to } yeur_life.All you- have to do is ask Him. Wednesday, April 21, 1993 EROENCY P The Castlegar Sun # Page 11B PAREDNESS WEE pril 18 - 24 Disaster can strike anytime, anywhere but preparedness can significantly reduce human and financial loss. This is the message that emergency responders in the West Kootenay hope you will take home with you after visiting their display at the Waneta Mall ‘April 23 - 25. Greg Sabados, Provincial Emergency Program Area coordinator for Fruitvale/Montrose sees émergency preparedness as a shared responsibility, “Everyone has a rolé fo play,” commented Sabados.” In ensuring preparedness in their home, work place and community.” The emergency response groups hope that you will drop by their display. Information pamphlets will be available and the volunteers will be happy to answer your questions. Do you know what to do if the ground starts shaking? STOP, DUCK & HOLD. DO NOT run out of your house or classroom STOP - look for a sturdy’ table or doorway Safe Spots & Dangerous Spots Put an "X" on places that are not safe in an earthquake. Circle places that are safer. ind €@ Way Out Cy rae i Do you know quick and safe ways of getting out of your house and classroom DUCK - get under to pro- tect your head and body HOLD - the ground will be shaky so tou must hold on! Proud To Support Our Community Kootenay Computers Inc. 2313 - 6 Avenue, Castlegar, B.C, Phone: 365-2323 Sy if there is an emergency? PPR _ FLAS Fe Be prepared for emergencies BGhydro & VY | Fine Portraits & Cameras For All Your Photographic Needs & Cbgue qm ACE DISPOSALS 365-7007 Proud to keep Castlegar Clean Ae DISPOSALS LTD Fine portraits ¢ Custom framing » Cameras © Accessories Our photgraphic processing is ST. PETER LUTHERAN Reverend Glen Backus 713 - 4th St, Castlegar 365-3664 ALL WELCOME! Sunday School ¢10:15 am Worship ¢ 9:00 am Shvironmentally friendly, & we recycle. 1125 - 4th Street, Castlegar> 368-7515 | ee fir €h S PAINT bus WALLCOVERINGS ¢ WINDOW BLINDS We recommend General Paint Products 613 Columbia Ave., Castlegar * 365-6214 Emergencies can happen‘to anyone. BE PREPARED! BE PREPARED We have emergency medical kits FS PHARMASAVE 1128 - 3rd St. (Downtown) Castlegar 365-7813 Knowledge It can save you and your family BCTEL |