Tuesdays at Faith
Like at many Mennonite churches, the back of any given pew at Faith Mennonite in Leamington includes a blue hymnal, an offering envelope, and, for the lucky few, a small, colourful, hand-made encouragement card. These one-of-a-kind cards are something new and they point to a wily group of seniors who are helping to bring new…
Two centuries of worship, a century of service
For more than a century, the women of Rainham Mennonite Church—a tiny congregation just off of Highway 3 near the north shore of Lake Erie in southwestern Ontario—have continued a sewing circle, one that is now augmented by women from the community. The group still quilts regularly during the fall and winter. But the congregation,…
Mennonite organizations help Montreal church with renovations
Every night, from November to April, volunteers from Hochma Mennonite Church in Montreal open its doors as a warming centre for some 40 people who are experiencing homelessness. The church wants to become a licenced shelter operating year-round, but its building needs roughly $200,000 worth of renovations to bring it up to code. Brian Bauman,…
‘A place to belong’
Food may be what draws people to the basement of Sherbrooke Mennonite Church every Thursday morning, but it’s not what keeps them coming. It’s a feeling of family, a place to call home. Thirty years ago, Sherbrooke began partnering with Mennonite Central Committee’s food bank to distribute food to refugees. Food ministry is still the…
Going solar
Wildwood Mennonite Church recently became the first Mennonite Church Saskatchewan congregation to go solar. But, as with all major spending decisions, this one wasn’t made overnight. Two-and-a-half years ago, Wildwood joined the Mennonite Creation Care Network. Brenda MacDonald volunteered to be the congregation’s liaison. She receives regular bulletins from the network, which she shares with…
‘How can I help?’
Driving to the cottage while listening to a recording of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Justin Martin had an idea. Could Breslau Mennonite Church stage it? More than a year-and-a-half later, that dream came true. Enthusiastic visioning from a group in their 30s and 40s was matched by wholehearted support from others in the…
Church steps up to help local food bank
In December, Essex County was preparing to rest. The land had done its work, providing crops for farmers to harvest and get to market. The temperature dropped and the workload followed suit. Tractors were in the sheds and off the roads. Farmers and rural folk became shoppers and headed to urban centres to hunt down…
‘Much is expected’
After more than three years and with a budget of $1.4 million, Hagerman Mennonite Church in Markham, Ont., has completed a significant building renovation. But more than efficient space and a sleek exterior, the project represents the power of this church, a diverse partnership of different congregations, to work together as the body of Christ…
Eigenheim Mennonite fills MCC Buckets of Thanks
When Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Saskatchewan put out the call for churches and other groups to participate in its Buckets of Thanks challenge, Eigenheim Mennonite Church, near Rosthern, answered the call. Buckets of Thanks is an opportunity for young and old alike to assemble relief kits for MCC. When Eigenheim Mennonite decided to participate, it…
