The foyer of Eigenheim Mennonite Church, filled with bedding plants on a garden bench and trickling water from several fountains, visually and audibly depicted the theme of this year’s Saskatchewan Women in Mission (SWM) Enrichment Day theme: “Like a watered garden.”
Related to the theme, Melita Hildebrand gave participants a mental workout with a gardening quiz, and Marian Hooge Jones offered a physical workout with a series of gardening-related stretches and exercises.
Kaytee Edwards, representing Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan’s gardening project, described her work of teaching inner-city children to grow their own food. SWM designated a portion of the afternoon’s offering for this project.
Keynote speaker Lavonne Dyck of Glenbush eloquently shared what gardening has taught her about faith in Christ. Then four women—Verna Olfert, Kristen Fehr, Renata Klassen and Rosalind Epp—shared their “100-word stories” about meeting God in their gardens. This was followed by conversation in the pews around the question, “What have you learned about God through gardening?”
Hosted by Eigenheim Women’s Fellowship on April 27, the event began with morning refreshments and a time of visiting. Worship included hearty singing led by Gwen Ens and a devotional by Lois Siemens.
The afternoon session began with a devotional by Naomi Unger and special music by the Eigenheim women.
A memorial service, led by the women of Zoar Mennonite Church, Langham, honoured Saskatchewan women who passed away in 2012.
Provincial executive officers were commissioned for another year of service during the annual business meeting. They are:
- Myrna Sawatzky, president
- Marilyn Neufeld, vice-president
- Ruth Quiring Heppner, treasurer
- Verna Olfert, secretary
Naomi Unger and Lois Siemens continue on the program committee, with a third position left vacant. Kathy Friesen, Glennis Koop, and Denise Epp form the nominating committee.
Bedding plants on a garden bench help participants get into the spirit of this year’s Saskatchewan Women in Mission Enrichment Day theme: ‘Like a watered garden.’
Water trickled through several water fountains in the foyer of Eigenheim Mennonite Church, Rosthern, on April 27 as a visual and audible depiction of this year’s Saskatchewan Women in Mission Enrichment Day theme: ‘Like a watered garden.’
Add new comment
Canadian Mennonite invites comments and encourages constructive discussion about our content. Actual full names (first and last) are required. Comments are moderated and may be edited. They will not appear online until approved and will be posted during business hours. Some comments may be reproduced in print.