Niagara Falls Review from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada • 14

B6 SATURDAY July 29 2000 The Review Niagara alls Ontario Religion You say not fair? what happened I got into an accident for the first time in years This was definitely not fair in my books As I was telling Bruce a sympa thetic smile spread across his face 1 he said going to just not Several weeks ago I had an inci dent as an adult that I think was fair I ran into a man called Bruce for the first time in my life Literally I ran into his car with mine There were no injuries Just my pride and my bank account were bihty makes me cringe Hesitantly I got out of my car I apologized pro fusely for causing him such trouble Bruce deserved an award He was very kind He shook it off as one of those things We made the typi cal comments can you do? At least no one was hurt affected Bruce missed a golf game Immediately after our cars connected I looked through1 my windshield at him He was sitting in his car looking at me I panicked the type of woman' who hates it when someone is angry withme The possi mention it But now that brought the topic up I want you to know that I just bought this car last I help it I laughed right out loud His story sure beat out mine And he even the one whining about unfairness It made me stop talking and think for a bit What was I thinking? The circumstance of the accident pleasant But Bruce was Maybe when not fair God change the things that happen to us But He can be there for us Or maybe God sends someone pleasant who helps us thrpugh them It have to be a car accident It could be a frightening diagnosis facing unem ployement or a child who breaks your heart Do you know someone whose life fair? Why not try to even the score? Be there for them not fair not sure what made any of us think it would or should be Maybe from watching too many episodes of ather Knows Best or Leave it to Beaver I think our age has any bear ing on whether we find lite fair or not Canadian chil songwriter Eric Nagler has a song titled Just Not air Here are some of the lyrics: and candy pop and chips Let me do the shopping trips just not fair Teachers should take the tests and let the kids have more recess just not fair They make me brush my teeth and comb my hair they even Stuff make me wear clean underwear Waiting for the police we contin ued to chat 1 couldn hold it in any more I just had to be honest and complain to Bruce how unfair this whole thing was to me! Why? About a month ago I had com pletely changed my driving habits to those that Elmer the Safety Elephant would be proud of And now look Mamy Atkinson St United Temple to house Hindu museum Construction set to begin in Toronto on largest Hindu temple ByRONCSILLAG The Canadian Press TORONTO being called a labour of love albeit a $20 million one Organizers hope that when completed largest Hindu temple almost 9300 square metres and among the five biggest in North America will serve not only the Toronto burgeoning Hindu population but the general public as well Public service through good works was one of the themes sounded on a fecent Sunday when thousands of Hindus joined their spiritual leader to ly the foundation stone of the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir To be situated on about one hectare of land in northwestern Toronto the massive complex will Combine an elaborate temple with four other buildings including a veg etarian restaurant and a cultural cen tre that will offer day care crisis sup port for women a residence and a gymnasium all open to the public complex will also house first permanent museum of Hinduism featuring 1000 square metres of space i But the enormous temple that isgenerating the most excitement It is modelled on a mandir or temple of the same name in London England described as the largest Hindu temple outside India The London mandir is also a huge tourist attraction drawing one mil lion visitors a year including mem bers of the Royal amily It is an engineering marvel because it is built entirely without steel in accordance with ancient Hindu architecture The Toronto temple will feature five pinnacles 10 domes and 108 stone pillars Although construction was expected to take up to five years organizers were asked to finish the project in two years by His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj the worldwide leader of the Swaminarayan movement a revival ist Hindu mission that stresses clean living prayer and good works ini iliiiiii 1 1 lii'WiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiBi His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj gives thanks during a foundation stone laying ceremony at the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Toronto Sunday July 23 2000 Organizers hope that when itfs completed Canadals largest Hindu temple almost 9300 square metres and among the five biggest in North America will serve not only the Toronto areals burgeoning Hindu population but the general public as well Photo: Tannls Toohey CP and runs more than 3500 schools medical clinics humanitarian pro grams and disaster relief agencies around the world you are hungry and I have food I must share it with you a basic principle of our says project spokesman Chandrakant Sachdev give service before 1991 census counted 157000 Hindus but officials believe the figure today approaches 300000 two thirds of those in the greater Toronto area Earlier this year the first crematori um in North America designed for Hindus and Sikhs was begun The $6 million facility will feature strategi cally placed windows through which up to 2000 people can watch a body burn to ashes It is scheduled to open later this year near the raser River in Delta BC Perched atop a settee draped in silk and surrounded by a dozen saffron robed disciples the diminutive 79 year old holy man blessed several stones which were then lowered into a pit dug as part of the foun dation He also asked forgiveness from birds insects and other animals displaced by the construction and prayed they find new homes Treated with the kind of reverence reserved for a pope the swami speaking Gujarati told an adoring cowd that Hindus in this country should combine their faith with the best Canada has to offer He draped federal provincial and municipal officials on hand for the dedication ceremony with shawls of friendship aind garlands signifying warm greet ings Mayor Mel Lastman presented the swami with the key to the city iThe temple is one of five being built in North America the others in Los Angeles Houston Chicago and Atlanta They were all inspired by the swami the fifth spiritual successor to the founder Lord Swaminarayan and leader of a glob al institution called BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) which promotes better hy ing through five Vedic principles: no stealing no adultery no alcohol no meat and no impurity of body and mind BAPS claims one million followers NIAGARA WORSHIP CENTRE! Summer Sermons Services Sunday July 30th am Pastor Myles Holmes and the City Sin and the i i ex Pastor Myles Valerie E2 6:00 pm Pastor Myles Holmes to Turn When You eel Like a Survivor Series 905 356 0635 Dorchester at rederica St Niagara alls On L2G 1 Learning from criticism oversights of which you were unaware' or to conse quences of decisions that you had not fully consid ered If the criticism comes via letter fax or mail acknowledge its receipt and thank the writer for taking the time to communicate and for caring enough about the integrity of the organi zation to be frank Then give an indication of when you can "Hey you offended my family with evidence for the criticism is valid then your comments It took us 12 years to get your critic has done you a great favour my brother in law to church but now This is true even if the manner in which he'll probably never come back!" the message has been delivered is less The look on her face told me that my than helpful The person may have critic might not be back either If you are called your attention to a weakness that a leader you certainly will experience you knew nothing about to a mistake criticism By virtue of your position you that you did not realize had occurred to will make decisions and say things that affect or even offend other people Some people will not like those decisions and they will let you know it Some will be gracious Others won't I was privileged to serve God as a local church pastor for more than 15 years and most of that time we had a fruitful satisfying ministry But I learned to expect criticism especially from certain people in the Garth Leno Purse 'I congregation and I was not disappoint ed There seemed to be enough disap proval to go around! Receiving a negative critique is not pleasant for anyone but I discovered that you can survive the experience and benefit from it if you must assume the person making the criticism has your best interests at heart Not always true of course but it helps to make that assumption anyway The goal is to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received Be completely humble and gentle be patient bearing with one another in love Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph 4: 1 3) A key characteristic of effective lead make a more complete response Remember letters don't smile so if you have the opportunity a face to face meeting or phone call is preferable Next try to determine the real prob lem Does the expressed criticism indi cate the basic problem or is it only a sur face issue that points to a more impor tant issue that needs to be dealt with? Look for hidden factors and help the critic see the larger issues that may be involved Criticism has a debilitating effect on the energy of the person being criticized so don't hesitate to reach out to God and a trusted mentor or friend for help and support Last but not least let the criticism be ers is teachability Therefore one extreme to avoid is ignoring criticism At the other extreme is the supersensitive response of paying too much attention to criticism We must be open to criti cism and respond positively as we foster an atmosphere of grace So how can we receive criticism and grow from it? John Alexander and Stephen Hayner offer some great tips in their booklet titled Criticism: Giving It and Taking It irst of all pray Ask God to make you sensitive to hear what should be heard strong to disregard what is a source of learning Ask yourself "What is the Lord trying to communi cate to me via this confrontation?" Instead of spending your time rational izing or excusing the criticism look to the core of the critique for valuable information Receiving a negative critique is not pleasant for anyone but you can survive the experience and benefit from it if you approach it with the right motive! God bless you! Dr Garth Leno is a Regional Director with Samaritan's Purse Canada inappropriate and able to control your temper and anger Recognize that in every criticism there is at least a kernel of truth and pray for the wisdom to dis cern that kernel Let the critic finish Listen giving your critic your undivided attention Don't interrupt When the critic appears to be through encourage him or her to go on Ask "Is there more?" Indicate your desire to hear everything If there is time give a response then and there Otherwise ask to meet again to discuss the problem Then give careful consideration to the evidence You may discover that the CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE Glengate Alliance Church 6271 Glengate Street Tel 354 9073 Speaker: Rev Bob Willoughby Tell the Truth" 10:00 am Morning Worship 10:00 am Nursery Ages 0 to 3 years 6:30 pm No Evening Service ANGLICAN CHURCH CANADA XV (EPISCOPAL) A HOLY TRINITY 7820 Portage Road Chlppawa 295 3212 10:00 am Holy Eucharist St Stephen's Church Minister: The Rev Canon David Thomas 4th Ave at McRae St 358 3111 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 10:00 am Choral Eucharist Sunday School Wed 10:00 am Holy Eucharist ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST 3428 PORTAGE ROAD NIAGARA ALLS 354 1227 Interim Pastors: Rev Robin Graves Rev Nissa Basbaum Youth Worker Peggy Pickett Music Director Matthew Adams 8:00 am Holy Eucharist (BCR) 10:30 am Holy Eucharist (BAS) Vacation Bible School Aug 21 Aug 25 Register Now! Children's Summer Program CHRIST CHURCH River Road at Zimmerman Tele 358 9712 The Revd Duncan Lyon BA ThD Rector Organlst Harold Revlll Sunday Services: 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 1 0:00 am Parish Eucharist Sunday School Year Round Mid Week Services: Wed 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist Thurs 10:00 am Holy Eucharist Coming up 'Vacation Bible Mon July 31 ti Aug 4 9 am 12:00 noon Register at 358 9712 (ng charge for attending) All Children Welcome NON DENOMINATIONAL Pastors: Howard and Sheila Smith "A Church that Prays together Stays Together" Sundays at 2 pm WEiS Welcome or Information on our church Please caW 356 6879 7 5165 Palmer Ave THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CANADA Moderator of the 126th General Assembly Rev Glen Davis A DRUMMOND HILL 6136 Lane (near Drummond) 358 9624 Minister: Rev Dr Hugh Jones Summen WatafUp 20C0 Vacation Bible School August 7 11 8:45 11:45 am NON DENOMINATIONAL a Life wjy Abundant ellowship 10:30 am Worship and the Word last Sunday evening of each month is ellowship Everyone Welcome Lili' bu lula nl lilloosliip 3S4 Concession 7 iayara on tln' lakc ASSQCIATED GOSPEL CHURCHES 'I' Grace Gospel Church 5855 ValleyWay Niagara alls 354 2811 Sunday Services Morning Worship Services 10:00 am Rev David Adams Sr Pastor Mr Curtis Bausmer Youth MinistryWheel Chair Accessible BAPTISTCHURCHES JStreet QHjurrlj Minister: Rev Evan Craig 61 51 MAIN STREET at DELAWARE 354 9057 "Your Visit will Encourage Our ellowship" i 9:45 am Bible School for all ages Wed 7:00 pm Prayer Wisdom Search 11 am THEY All Welcome Equipped for the hearing Irnpalred Elevator accessible lili bu niki nl illoosliip 3S4 Concession 7 iiyu a on tlic 1 ake St Stephen's Church Minister: The Rev Canon David Thomas 4th Ave at McRae St 358 3111 A.