Canadian Mennonite
Volume 10, No. 16
August 21, 2006
After 50 years, congregation still looking to Jesus
Calgary
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A spirit of joy and enthusiasm characterized the 50th anniversary celebrations at Foothills Mennonite Church on the weekend of June 3 and 4.
The theme of the gathering was based on Psalm 31:3-5: “You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me...O Lord, faithful God.” This passage was chosen because it focused on looking back and giving thanks, and also on looking toward the future.
A group of more than 350 people attended a banquet celebration on June 3 at Menno Simons Christian School. Charter members and former pastors were acknowledged and there were moments of singing and reflection, and plenty of laughter.
The June 4 worship service was memorable. A special musical arrangement of “Psalm 150,” including choir, orchestra and interpretive dancers was composed for this occasion by Foothills member Andrew Sawatzky. Menno Epp, Foothill’s longest serving pastor, delivered the morning message, while all former pastors in attendance led the communion service.
To close the worship service, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on the front lawn by the first pastor of Foothills, Peter Unger, and the first person baptized at Foothills, Val Peters.
An outdoor lunch after the service kept people visiting and reconnecting long after the formal celebrations ended.
While the weekend was a celebration and reflection on years past, it was also a moment to pause and look ahead. In pastor Doug Klassen’s written reflection, he reminded the congregation of the letter to the Hebrews: “To keep going and continue to be inspired, first by Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, and then also by the cloud of witnesses that God has called to serve this congregation.”
Although the main celebration took place on the weekend, numerous smaller events and projects had taken place in previous months leading up to this event—a St. Patrick’s Day festivities and a musical celebration of the congregation’s Top 10 favourite songs (“Great is Thy Faithfulness” topped the chart) combined with a fundraiser for Mennonite Central Committee.
As well, a history book was prepared and a cookbook was printed, both of which are available for sale from the church. To order these books, e-mail the church office at foothillsmennonite@nucleus.com.
Dwindling congregation holds closing service
Thompson, Man.
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The July 2 service at Thompson United Mennonite Church proved the truthfulness of the writings of Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season…a time to scatter…and a time to gather….” For the more than 60 people whose life journey had taken them through Thompson United Mennonite Church (TUMC) at one time or another who came back on July 2, it was a time to gather for one last time to celebrate God’s faithfulness in a closing service.
The church is about as old as the city itself. In 1956, when the Inco nickel mine officially opened, Mennonites began coming to this remote northern community to work. They represented an assortment of Mennonite conference backgrounds, but in true frontier fashion they found each other and, by 1959, were gathering together for worship and fellowship.
The former General Conference (GC) of Mennonites in Manitoba’s Mennonite Pioneer Mission supported this group and, in 1961, John Wiebe, a mission worker, built a house with provisions for a chapel. Two years later they built the present church building.
Bea Schantz, a church member since 1982, said, “This celebration was like a family reunion. When you are isolated from family and relatives, the church becomes your family. We developed a tradition of doing things together as a group.”
One of the projects was sponsoring a Laotian refugee family in the late 1970s. The Laotian family has kept in touch with the church and was amongst those who returned for the closing celebration.
“A mandate of our church has always been that we don’t run a lot of programs…but that our mission is through our jobs and lifestyle,” said Schantz. “Over the years we have always worked very hard to do things with the community in mind.”
The church has played a significant role in the lives of many of its former members. Don Friesen came to Thompson to work for Inco. “It was where I returned to the faith, thanks to the congregation’s hospitable spirit and the debating skills of Reg Toews,” he said. It was where I decided to study theology, thanks to the mentorship of Ernie Sawatzky, our minister. And…it was also where I met my lovely wife, Dorothy Deckert.” Friesen has been pastor of the Ottawa Mennonite Church for more than 25 years.
The church has been the launching pad for others. George and Agnes Epp and John and Betty Peters left the Thompson church to serve with Mennonite Central Committee overseas, while Larry Petkau and Lynn Courtemanche went to teach in China.
While the city’s population has remained relatively stable, Schantz noted that, “at TUMC we are down to four families and it’s no longer feasible to maintain a congregation. We don’t see as many Mennonites coming to Thompson.”
The church has been without a pastor for close to 10 years. “Finding pastors to come to Thompson has been a difficult fit at times,” Schantz said.
The weekend activities included a fellowship meal and Sunday morning worship service involving former pastors John Harder and Alan Rudy Froese, and layperson George Epp. A choir led by Marilyn Redekop was formed for the occasion.