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The Sylvania Times
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Page 11
Editorials & More ...
Just because someone’s opinion is dfferent than your own, it DOES NOT mean they are wrong.
From the
Editor’s
Desk
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
thesylvaniatimes@gmail.com
So, last week I attended services at the Millen Church
of God! Actually, cousin B.L. and Karen bribed me with
chicken and dumplings. Y’all don’t think I got fat by
eating carrot sticks and kale did you? Yes, I can be lured
by food.
Now, the service left me in culture shock, but then
remember I’m Anglican. Y’all know I have often said
in this column how we are all headed to the same place,
we just get their along different routes. One thing I
will say about these good folks at Millen COG, y’all
can cook! I mean better than Episcopalians! I just got
excommunicated I’m sure.
Actually, I was reminded of the passage in a cook
book I have. In one of the chapters the book speaks
of the difference of cooking amongst churches. For
instance, the Baptist’s created fried foods. If you can fry
it, chances are you will see it on the buffet table in the
church social hall. Fried chicken? Hello!
The Methodists created the casserole, give the
Methodists a can of cream of something and you will see
a casserole on the buffet table! Now, the Episcopalians?
Well, we took the fried foods and the casseroles but you
can always tell you’re eating in the parrish hall by the
number of silver trays on the table.
Which also reminds me, the Episcopalians use the
common cup at communion. Now, the excuse for not
passing the common cold around to everyone in the
church is because of the silver and the alcohol. Yes,
we use the real stuff. Well, when covid came around,
what was the first thing we dumped? You guessed it, the
common cup!
After my stint on the Altar Guild, which are the ones
who prepare the church every Sunday for worship
I realized one very important thing. The cup is silver
plate not sterling. And the wine is watered down. I ain’t
putting my lips on that cup again!
But I will leave you this last week of Advent with
one thought. Branch out and visit other churches,
denominations, and alternative methods of worship. The
church down the road you think is all wrong, is doing
the same thing you are, just in different ways. Thank
you to Josh Farthing for welcoming me last Sunday
and the chicken and dumplings were delicious. Oh,
did I mention Barbara Jackson’s ice box fruitcake? Oh
my God, heaven on a plate! That’s all for now, Merry
Christmas and Happy Holidays to our readers!
| Letter To The Editor |
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GRITS gathers in comfy
competition with Danes
By Annora Mallard, Special Contributor
for
The Times
The French believe they have the market cornered on
cuisine while the Italians beg to differ. The Italians also
claim the greatest artist, da Vinci, while the Dutch argue
(Van Gogh) and the Spanish refute (Picasso) the assertion.
Denmark’s claim to fame is they are the kings of “hygge”
(pronounced hoo-ga), the art of a cozy, comfortable, content
well-being. Apparently, the Happiness Research Institute
of Copenhagen has concluded this is true and are promoting
the Dane way of life. Their CEO, Meik Wiking, wrote a
book titled “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to
Happy Living” and the GRITS Book Club plundered the
pages for the November meeting.
Sharon Blank chose the book and led the discussion with
a cloth covered, candle-laden table, flanked by a fireplace
video, all key cozy ingredients. Readers brought or wore
other hyggelig (adjective) items like coffee, chocolate,
sweets and pastries, scarves, and sweaters. Three GRITS
Book Club rituals, 1) a gathering of friends, 2) sharing food,
and, of course, 3) curling up with BOOKS, put the group
in comfy competition with the Danes. Discussion tended
toward the Danes intentional lifestyle, Denmark’s climate,
and the simplistic design of homes, lights and furniture.
Readers agreed that statistically they may be the happiest
people on the planet, but their months of freezing snow and
ice, sends Georgia to the top of the warm and cozy list!
Rating: GRI
December’s Book: “Christmas with Anne” by L.M.
Montgomery
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Pastor Bill Kent,
Memorial Baptist Church
Sylvania, GA
The Wise Men’s Journey
We don't know the names of the Wise Men who came to Bethlehem to see Baby Jesus. Also, we don't know exactly
where they came from to see Jesus or how far they traveled. However, it's good to focus on what we do know. We're
certain that Baby Jesus was there when the Wise Men arrived. Therefore, we have a testimony to the whole world that
the Wise Men came to worship the Lord Jesus Christ as God in the flesh. So we know enough about this true story to
inspire us to bow before Jesus like them.
As we read the Scriptures, we get the idea that the Wise Men probably traveled many days and perhaps a few months
along the path following the star to where Jesus was. In the Old Testament, we see Balaam getting a vision of this great
event thousands of years before it happened. "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out
of Jacob; A Sceptre shall rise out of Israel..." (Numbers 24:17). Then the psalmist speaks about several kings bowing
before Christ. "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him," (Psalm 72:10-11).
Since Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, the Wise Men came there first and asked questions of King Herod and the
religious leaders, but students of the Old Testament know that God predicted Jesus would be bom in the little town of
Bethlehem. "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall
come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting," (Micah 5:2). This
verse describes Jesus as fully God and fully man.
When the Wise Men visited Jesus, they showed some of the main ingredients of worship including dedication to the
Lord, reverence for God, presenting offerings to our God and departing the house of the Lord with an intention to obey
God daily. "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down
and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and
myrrh," (Matthew 2:11).
A WORD FROM JON BURNS,
Ga Speaker of the House of Representatives
Last Thursday, we adjourned the 2023 Special Session
after adopting new state House, Senate and Congressional
district maps in compliance with the federal court order.
Governor Brian Kemp signed these new maps into law
shortly thereafter.
The maps now go to the federal court for its review. A
further hearing is scheduled for December 20th, so we
should have some guidance on the court’s further orders in
the near future.
During special session, we also ratified the Governor’s
suspension of motor fuel taxes over the last three months
as required by law. This suspension saved Georgia families
and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars and kept our
gas prices among the lowest in the nation. Despite crippling
inflation brought on by Washington’s inaction, Georgia has
kept our people and our economy moving.
The Georgia House of Representatives also adopted
two resolutions - one in support of Israel against Hamas
terrorists, the other in support of law enforcement and
the long overdue construction of a new public safety
training center in Atlanta. While supporting Israel and law
enforcement may seem like fundamental American values,
several Democratic party members either abstained or voted
against these measures. While members are free to vote
their conscience, I find it unfortunate that we find ourselves
having to debate such common-sense measures.
Unless otherwise ordered by the federal court in the
redistricting case, the General Assembly will next convene
for the 2024 regular session in January.
Fanning the Flames of Hope at the State Capitol
Last week, I had the honor of attending the first annual
Flame of Hope awards ceremony sponsored by the Georgia
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
Disabilities. During the ceremony, 15 honorees were
recognized from a nomination pool totaling more than
150. Of the 15, 7 were given
the Flame of Hope award
- recognizing the highest
commitment to selfless service
and belief in DBHDD’s mission
to serve those with mental health
or behavioral issues. Eight
more were awarded Champion
of Hope certificates.
Effingham County’s own Miss Ella Marchese was the
inspiration for the award and was personally nominated as
a Flame of Hope Award winner by DBHDD Commissioner
and former House member Kevin Tanner. For those who
have not met Ella, she is a remarkable young lady with Down
Syndrome who passionately advocates for individuals like
herself. My heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Ella and
her family for representing our community so well at the
State Capitol.
Continuing Georgia’s Work to Cut Taxes
Last week, I was proud to join Governor Brian Kemp, Lt.
Governor Burt Jones, and many Republican state legislators
in announcing our collective commitment to further
lowering Georgia’s income tax rate. While we already have
a plan in place to reduce our state income tax to below 5%
by the end of the decade, we will accelerate that plan to
reduce it to 5.39% through legislation in January.
While Georgia has one of the nation’s lowest total per
capita tax rates, we remain committed to doing all we can to
reduce the tax burden on Georgia businesses and families.
Tax dollars belong to tax payers - not the government.
Through conservative budgeting and long-term planning,
Georgia remains one of the most fiscally sound states in the
country. And we plan to pass the savings on to Georgians
next session.
KEEPING CARE
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I MEIK WIKING
Merry Christmas
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