Fanning Anabaptist fame
A photograph I took dominated the cover of the first issue of Canadian Mennonite 25 years ago. I took it on a Sunday morning, with the camera propped on the ledge of an empty balcony, overlooking the backs of people standing in prayer in a small church in a farming community half an hour outside…
Celebrating a half-century of MCC Thrift
The first Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) thrift store opened in March 1972 in Altona, Man. In 2022, the thrift stores are celebrating the 50th anniversary of this first store in Canada. Celebrations are taking place at various times in different locations. There are 47 thrift stores in Canada, and 39 stores in United States. A…
175 years by faith
In 1844, just under a half-hectare of land near the east bank of the Conestoga River was purchased from John Brubacher for the sum of five shillings. A log schoolhouse was constructed there, on what was then part of the Haldimand Tract and the traditional lands of the Neutral, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The log…
Arnaud Mennonite Church celebrates 75 years
While many churches in rural Canada face closure, Arnaud Mennonite Church recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Located in the prairie town of Arnaud, Man., the church is home to a wide range of ages, from young families with children to seniors. Although about 40 people regularly attend Sunday morning worship, over 150 people gathered on…
Rural church celebrates 70 years of God’s presence
About 160 people gathered in Crystal City Mennonite Church, Man., on Nov. 4, 2018, to celebrate 70 years of God’s faithfulness and guidance.The theme “In God’s Hands” was reflected in the stories and memories that were shared of the church’s past and present experiences, says Pastor Erin Morash. “God’s presence is constant and eternal, even…
Steinbach Mennonite turns 75
Steinbach Mennonite Church celebrated its 75th anniversary over the Sept. 30-Oct. 1 weekend. Church Board Chair Karen Peters said the festivities began on the evening of Sept. 30 with a program called “Stories and songs” that highlighted various aspects of the church’s history. She noted that the next morning there was a thanksgiving anniversary worship…
Camp Koinonia 50th anniversary snapshots
Molly Schaeffer, standing rear, one of this summer’s resident managers, acts as emcee for Camp Koinonia’s 50th-anniversary celebration on Oct. 2, 2016. Close to 150 people gathered for the event, which included camp activities like wall climbing, ziplining, canoeing and pontoon boat rides that were supplemented by tours and cinnamon buns in the afternoon. (Mennonite…
Grace New Life Mennonite turns 25, looks to future
After a quarter-century of shepherding Grace New Life Mennonite Church, Pastor Sririsach Saythavy—now in his late 50s and working two full-time jobs—is hoping a younger leader will arise to take on the Hamilton, Ont., congregation. His day job is making custom doors for homes, and his evening and weekend job is pastoring the congregation. Already…
Bethany Mennonite reaches half-century milestone
The way Bill Goertz remembers it, every time it seemed that the building plan for Bethany Mennonite Church was settled, Victor Dyck would come to yet another caffeine-fuelled Founders Committee meeting and say, “Maybe we can do a little more.” Eventually, rather than building only the education wing with a gymnasium, the entire building was…
