the complete newsletter.

Life
Together
Summer 2012
St. Jacobs Mennonite Church
www.sjmc.on.ca
~ The Dogwood bush in bloom at the south side of SJMC at Annual Church Cleaning Bee; June 2011. ~
Stories of Faithfulness
Esteemed 80s and 90s Celebration!
~ Sunday, April 29, 2012 ~
- Please refer to the Sunday morning bulletin for the complete listing of all 50 Esteemed 80s and 90s. Pew 1 (L-R): Verna Girard, Katie Kuepher, Florence Wideman, Alice D. Martin, Norine Snyder, Myrtle Horst, Alice S. Brubacher, Anna Shantz
Pew 2 (L-R): Pat Weber, Doris Kramer, Frieda Klassen, Eral Shantz, Emma Brubacher, Luella Sauder, Barbara Horst, Dorothy Boshart
Pew 3 (L-R): Ada Valenta, Edna Shantz, Mabel Sauder, Leeta Horst, Mary Musselman, Grace Shantz, Beatrice Sauder, Ada Bauman
Pew 4 (L-R): Art Martin, Lewis Sauder, Marshall Musselman, Merv Shantz, Floyd Buehler, Elmer Sauder, Leonard Gingrich
Pew 5 (L-R): Peter Klassen, John Weber, Orvie Martin, Henry Shantz, Mel Horst, Wesley Sauder
Esteemed Guests: Please accept this front cover Life Together photo as your remembrance of a very special morning together as a congregation.
Contributing Writers
Pastor’s Pen - Page 3
Mental Health: Be Part of the Change
By: Mark Diller Harder
Life Together
... our newsletter since 1979.
(Formerly The Beacon est. 1967 &
Keystone Literary Society newspaper, prior).
Living Stones
Written By: Marcia Shantz, LT Content Coordinator
Vision View - Page 4
Let’s Keep Talking About Money
and Faith
By: Brent Horst
Christian Formation Page 5
By: Daniel Bigham
Reflections - Page 5
By: Nicole Neufeld
Getting To Know ... - Page 6
A Visit With Michelle Mehring
By: Doris Kramer
Reader’s Review - Page 7
Audio Visual Materials and
Periodicals in SJMC Library
By: Alice Brubacher
Reflections - Pages 10-11
Voluntary Service with Mennonite
Central Committee: 1963, Atlanta,
Georgia, USA
By: Janice Cressman
Children’s Challenge Page 12
- And Life and Times Page 13
Thankfulness - Pages 14-15
Grace and Gratitude
By: Sue Shantz
Expressions - Page 16
Prayer Shawls: Christine
Shantz Knits Love
By: Marcia Shantz and
Pat Weber
Thank-You To:
St. Jacobs Printery
- and Karen Sauder (SJMC) - Distribution
SJMC - 2
Church Camping Worship Service “Living Stones” at Riverstone Retreat Centre (June 2008).
L
ife Together tells just a snapshot
of the many “living stones” stories of SJMC that keep building
on the firm foundation of Christ.
This edition is no exception as we
highlight *voluntary service stories
from long ago to recent; from far away
to right here at home. And the Fall
edition is already underway with more!
Here’s where you come in...
h Collectng Your Stories:
hAbsolutely!
*Voluntary Service at SJMC counts too!
Our congregation is enriched by many
dedicated and needed volunteers!
nWhy do you do what you do?
h What’s Expected For Writing?
n It can be a longer article or,
n a short paragraph.
n Don’t worry! We can work it out. J
h Straightforward Talk:
What are your *VS stories? We are
collecting them ‘now’ for future LT
publications in 2012-13. (*Voluntary
service in the broadest sense of the word.)
n Who?
n What?
n Where?
n When?
n Why?
n How? ... How have you been changed
“from the inside out?”, referencing
Wendy’s sermon from April 22nd. (You
can find her whole sermon on-line.)
n Please don’t be too humble to think
that your experience doesn’t qualify.
Life Together (literally and figuritively)
is SJMC’s collective story of God’s
faithfulness in our 'life together.’
h Questions/Contact Information:
n Talk to Marcia Shantz
h Early Reminder:
Hearing from you ‘now’ already is
‘not’ too early for the advance layout
work that goes into each Life Together.
h Thank You In Advance!
It’s been another fruitful season (84 pages!) of Life Together.
A hearty LT handshake to all who have contributed!
Enjoy summer’s pace and we’ll see you in October.
Editorial Team
Vaughn Bender - Editor
Marcia Shantz - Coordinator & Design Layout
Larry Shantz - Layout & Photography
Visit the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church Website - www.sjmc.on.ca
Pastor’s Pen
... in the Latin language,
the word pastor means a shepherd.
Mental Health: Be Part of the Change
Written By: Mark Diller Harder, Pastor
bring in the GST). Wilson is passionate
and has worked tirelessly on mental
health issues for many professional and
community organizations. This stems
from personal experience. In 1995 his
son Cameron died from suicide at the
age of 29-years-old. This was a painful
experience for their whole family.
Wilson recounted waking up at 3:00
in the morning after Cameron died
and resolving to himself that he would
become a public and vocal advocate for
mental health issues.
Mr. Wilson began his talk with many
The Honourable Michael H. Wilson (R), introduced by
statistics on mental health in Canada
The Honourable Rev. Walter McLean (L),
with Shalom Counselling Services Executive Director, and around the world. What struck
me was the comment that 1 in 5 people
Wanda Wagler-Martin (M).
(Shalom Photo)
O
n Saturday May 5th I attended
the Shalom Counselling Services
annual fundraising breakfast,
hosted here at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church.
The food (prepared by our SJMC Social
Committee) and conversation around
tables was wonderful! The event was sold
out with over 225 in attendance!
The guest speaker for the morning was
The Honourable Michael H. Wilson, former
Federal Minister of Finance (1984-1991)
and former Canadian Ambassador to the
United States (2006-2009). He was here
to speak on the topic “Mental Illness: The
Cost of Doing Nothing”.
Michael Wilson had an excellent talk,
followed by a captivating question and
answer period. (The comment was made
that Michael has had lots of ‘question period’
experience, especially when he helped
n Prayer of Blessing n
May God’s grace be upon this shawl,
Warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven ...
a sacred place of security and well-being,
Sustaining and embracing in good times
as well as in difficult ones.
will suffer from mental health issues
at some point in their life. Compound that
with the reality that only 1 in 5 people
seek and receive the health care they need
to deal with their mental health issues. If
this were any other medical issue (cancer,
heart disease, etc.) there would be outrage
and demands for reform. He did make
reference to some recent large donations to
mental health research and to the national
strategy for mental health “Changing
Directions, Changing Lives: the first mental
health strategy of Canada unveiled” being
released later that week (May 8, 2012,
Ottawa) by the Mental Health Commission
of Canada. These are signs of hope. These
are issues that need to be talked about and
continually brought to public attention.
I was moved by Mr. Wilson’s more
personal comments and storytelling,
particularly in the question-answer time.
He told some stories about Cameron and
his growing up. Early detection of mental
illness is so important. Cameron suffered
from depression for many years, and
yet almost no one outside of family was
aware of his struggles: this was Cameron’s
personal request. At Cameron’s funeral,
so many people wished they would
have known his struggles and could
have offered their help. Stigma is a huge
problem! There continues to be so much
discomfort and mis-information in general
society. Families have a hard time talking
openly with friends and their communities.
The medical system can be difficult to
access and navigate. That is why Mr.
Wilson continues to speak so publically in
support of mental health research and open
conversation.
I was also moved by the glimpses
of stories that came from many of the
people asking questions, as they shared
some of their own pain of mental illness,
either personally, within their families,
or in a classroom or workplace setting. It
reminded me of the many stories within
our midst. I was left with the challenge of
how we can continue to talk openly about
these issues within our congregation.
Various SJMC people have courageously
shared parts of their stories with us here in
worship, sharing time, memorial services,
study, or Life Together. Let us keep talking
and offering safe places as we support each
other within the body of Christ.
Website Links:
Shalom Counselling Services
www.shalomcounselling.org
Mental Health Commission of Canada
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
May the one who receives this shawl be
cradled in hope, kept in joy,
graced with peace, and
wrapped in love.
- Amen -
See “Expressions” (page 16) and Christine Shantz’s story of Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry. The “Prayer of Blessing” (above) accompanies her story.
Photo caption: “As I Went Down to the River to ... Knit” - Chris knitting a prayer shawl at Church Camping (2009) by the river at Riverstone Retreat.
Life Together - Summer 2012
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 3
Vision View
... demonstrating God’s love in our
neighbourhoods and the world.
Let’s Keep Talking About Money and Faith:
Sharing, Saving and Spending
Written By: Brent Horst, Leadership Council Vice-Chair
S
JMC has been talking a fair bit about
money lately and I think that’s a
good thing. Last fall I attended
the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada
(MCEC) fall workshop on “Money Sanity”
led by Nathan Dungan. He explained that
his main purpose is to get families and
congregations talking about money. He’s
concerned that we’re raising a generation
that aren’t prepared for the money decisions
that need to be made in life, particularly
from a Christian perspective.
He talked about Sharing, Saving and
Spending and how all three need to be
considered for every dollar that passes
through our hands. He also points out the
order is important:
• that we should think about how we
share with those in need of an extra
helping hand first,
• then we should think about our
savings for larger purchases or for
future needs, and finally,
• we decide how to spend the rest.
We need to be conscious about our decisions
in all three of these important areas of our
financial lives.
Then earlier this year we found that we
had a surplus in our 2011 SJMC Spending
Plan and needed to put these concepts
into action. We didn’t consciously consider
Nathan’s three S’s of Money Sanity but the
Spirit did direct us to think about sharing
a good portion of this surplus. In the end,
SJMC Leadership Council left this up
to the congregation in the Sharing Our
“Leftovers” exercise on March 4 (photo
left), where families and individuals made
their own decision on how they would
share the surplus and if they would “save”
a portion of it by reducing our debts. I hope
there were some good family discussions
and individual reflections about money
and how it can be shared while making
these decisions.
Almost half our surplus did go to
reduce our capital fund debt and added
to our reserve fund. The other half went
to support various ministries connected
to SJMC. We helped Som Phanpha of
Grace Lao Mennonite Church travel
to Laos where he and others helped to
establish the Lao Mennonite Church in the
homeland they had to leave over 30 years
ago. We supported Shalom Counselling
Services, Benin Bible Institute, Mennonite
Church Canada, MCEC, Mennonite
Central Committee, Rockway Mennonite
Collegiate, House of Friendship, The
Mennonite Story Inc., and five other local
ministries.
At our congregational annual meeting on
February 26, we saw a skit about Zacchaeus
(SNAPS pg. 8, #3) as he and his household
were released from the power of money
and were saved.
n Were these two things coincidental or
intricately connected?
n Is our money and how we use our
money connected to our Spiritual health?
Some of us read and discussed the book,
“We seek to celebrate and listen to the Living God;
empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a welcoming, caring
community of faith centered in Jesus Christ;
and to demonstrate God’s love in
our neighbourhoods and the world.”
- SJMC Vision Statement -
SJMC - 4
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate: A New
Vision for Financial Stewardship and we
also discussed this book’s concepts at the
SJMC Men’s Breakfast in May. The author,
J. Clif Christopher definitely believes there
is a connection between our money and
our spiritual health. At the breakfast we
also talked about the importance of tithing,
however realizing that how we use our
other 90% is also crucial to our financial
and spiritual well being.
Our SJMC vision statement talks about
being “empowered by the Holy Spirit to
be a welcoming caring community” and
that we “demonstrate God’s love in our
neighbourhoods and in the world.”
n Do we make the decisions about money
“empowered by the Holy Spirit” or do we
keep our wallet and our faith well apart?
Let’s keep talking about both our money
and our faith so that the Holy Spirit can
guide us in God’s will.
Photo Credit: “David L. Hunsberger/
Mennonite Archives of Ontario.”
(c.1964) SJMC pastor Glenn Brubacher, with
Willis Martin (L) and Peter Metzger (R).
(August 1964; Offering for Mission Board use.)
***
LT Note: The same day this Vision View article
was received from Brent, a ‘by chance’ find of
this same topic’s vintage SJMC photograph
(from on-line archives photos) was too good to
pass up not to include here. Interesting timing!
Life Together - Summer 2012
In that light,
Christian Formation seems a
little less scary, and more of an honour.
Christian Formation
Passing the Torch
Written By: Daniel Bigham, Christian Formation Ministry Member
Photo Caption: Daniel Bigham “resting” after his year-long
Bible reading ... well, actually he is taking a break from the
hockey game during the SJMC Winter Retreat at Silver Lake.
towards accomplishing something
on my “life list” / “bucket list”,
which was to read through the
Bible in a year. It was an enjoyable
process and I learned more than I
ever wanted to know about the
specifications of the Ark of the
Covenant! More seriously, one
of the things that hit me was that
generation after generation, God’s
people “passed the torch”. One of
the most notable examples is the
think a common thought for Christian
death of Moses. God’s people have
parents and teachers to have is that
come out of Egypt, they have wandered in
passing on our Christian faith to the
the desert for many years, and during all of
next generation is an uncertain thing. that, Moses is a pivotal figure in his meeting
Times are changing. Values are shifting. with God and establishing the Jewish faith,
Science is redefining the way many people
in its many customs and understandings.
understand the universe. Will the things
When one reads of his death, it is tempting
that were meaningful to us ring true for our
to think, “show’s over”.
kids? What lies ahead for the church?
But amazingly, that is not the case. Nor is
A few years ago now I got busy working
it the case when Abraham passes, nor Issac,
I
Reflections
nor Jacob, nor David. Most of the tribes of
Israel get wiped off of the map and carried
into exile. Surely that must be the end of
the story, but no. My reaction reading
through the Biblical story was that I found
it breathtaking how God has worked
through each and every generation.
This is not to say that we should be
complacent, but I find it very reassuring
to be reminded that God is at work, that
God has a plan, and that we should not be
surprised when the next generation shines
in their own way, listening for God’s voice,
carrying the torch. If we could live to see
the next generation pass on, and the next,
and next, I think we’d have tears in our eyes
watching the process continue, empowered
by the Holy Spirit. In that light, Christian
Formation seems a little less scary, and
more of an honor. How lucky we are to be
able to participate in this incredible story!
Amen.
... pausing to reflect on where God meets us in
our daily lives, including Voluntary Service.
My Outtatown Experience
Written By: Nicole Neufeld
L
ast June I decided I wasn’t quite
ready for conventional university
so I decided to enroll in Canadian
Mennonite
University’s
(Winnipeg)
Outtatown program. Through this I
travelled all across Western Canada and
then spent three months in South Africa.
During our time in Western Canada
we had theology classes with various
instructors, as well as participated in
different types of volunteer work. This
consisted of opportunities such as: urban
plunges, both in the North End of Winnipeg
and in Vancouver, as well as maintenance
work at summer camps. During our urban
plunges we served at homeless shelters,
soup kitchens, urban outreach centres,
and talked to many people about issues of
poverty, social justice and homelessness.
In South Africa we had many diverse
volunteer opportunities, which ranged
Life Together - Summer 2012
from: volunteering at youth centres, HIV/
AIDS outreach centres, retirement homes
and daycares, to homeless shelters, prisons,
agricultural projects, and many other
NGOs. During our time in South Africa we
also spent time having great adventures!
A few were: hiking the Drakensberg
Mountains, sky diving, living with three
different host families (Afrikaans, Indian
and Coloured), visiting the Apartheid
Museum in Johannesburg, sleeping in a
cave, and travelling to the countries of
Swaziland and Lesotho!
Outtatown has been an incredible time
of personal growth, as well as experiential
education for me. Constantly pushing
myself out of my comfort zone and turning
every day into a learning experience is not
only an attitude this program encompasses
but also an attitude I am now integrating
into my everyday life. I’m coming out of this
year with a fully fuelled passion for social
justice, a matured, diverse understanding
of the world, its beauty and its brokenness,
as well as a better handle on who I am as
an individual and what my potential role
in this world might be.
Visit: www.outtatown.com
“Outtatown: Knowing God,
Knowing Yourself, Knowing the World.”
FYI: Nicole recently participated in the
SJMC TOOLS service weekend (May 18-20)
in Toronto.
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 5
Getting To Know ...
“... Kindle in us love’s compassion
so that everyone may see in our fellowship
the promise of a new humanity.“ (HWB #420)
A Visit With Michelle Mehring
Written By: Doris Kramer
I
t’s difficult for me to find my way
around Cambridge, so it was with joy
that I saw Michelle Mehring waiting
outside her residence of the last five
years. Her map and directions got me
there with only one little glitch. I was very
soon introduced to her cat, Ella. After a
bit of ‘show and tell’ she served tea and
Bienenstich, translated as ‘bee sting’, a
delicious pastry with custard filling.
Michelle is full of stories of faith,
family, friends, Germany, and more!
she prayed after a service, “Lord, be my
Saviour, come into my heart, and help me
to serve you.” During her teen years she
experienced doubts and turmoil so when it
came time to go to university she felt a need
to get away. Her life had seemed to consist
of home/school/church. Her prayer was
answered when she was accepted at Trent
University in Peterborough rather than at
Michelle is very involved in
music. In grade school she played
the clarinet, in high school had
one year of guitar lessons and in
her early teens two years of violin
lessons. She has taught herself to
play trumpet, tin flute and recorder
and has Grade 3 in piano with the
Royal Conservatory of Music.
Michelle was born to Doris and
Bodo Mehring on May 5, 1973, the
year the cities of Galt, Hespeler
and Preston merged to become
Cambridge. She has a brother eleven
years her senior who lives in New
Dundee with his wife and three
sons. Both her parents were born in
Germany and emigrated to Canada
on the same boat where they first
met, landing in Old Quebec Harbour,
Quebec City. Both families settled in
Cambridge where Michelle’s parents
worked at Cambridge Textiles.
Michelle attended the Dickie
Settlement School for Kindergarten
to Grade 2, Highland Public School
for Grades 3 to 5, St. Andrews Senior
Public School for Grades 6 to 8
and Southwood Secondary School
for Grades 9 to 13. She earned an
Honours B.A. in English and German
at Trent University in Peterborough. After
graduation she worked in a factory for
five years followed by one year at OISE
Teachers’ College in Toronto. For two years
she did supply teaching with the Waterloo
Region District School Board (WRDSB). She
has been under contract with the WRDSB
for eight years, the last two at Chalmers
Street Public School in Cambridge as a
Kindergarten teacher. In the next school
year Michelle will teach Grade 4 there.
Michelle has a strong faith in Christ
and the work of the Holy Spirit. She
was baptized as an infant at St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church in Cambridge. In her
childhood and years following she was
nurtured at Bethel Tabernacle in Preston.
She participated in their active and full
program. When she was eight-years-old
SJMC - 6
person of many talents and interests. She
taught herself to knit while in university,
using a book of step-by-step instructions.
(Her mother had tried to teach her but
was too fast for her). On the back of her
bedroom door were seven or eight bags,
each with a different project: a dress, socks,
sweaters, a backpack, and more. She also
does beading, showing me a beautiful bag
she had created, and woodcarving
and she likes to read.
Because she was to take her school
class ice-skating she decided to brush
up on her own skills at a local rink.
There she met Kristen Shoemaker
who is a skating coach/Registered
Massage Therapist and they have
become kindred spirits. “We are like
sisters,” she says. Michelle has now
been skating for four years, currently
twice weekly in Brantford and has
passed three preliminary ice dancing
tests.
a local university. She said, “The Lord led
in so many ways.” During a March Break
she went on a Haitian mission trip where
she did medical checks at a mission school,
giving out medical kits and rice in various
rural villages. Her favourite Bible verse is:
“I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). When
I asked why she left her former church to
come here to SJMC she said she wasn’t
“being fed” at the church she had been
attending. Kristen Shoemaker introduced
her to Pastor Mark Diller Harder in 2008,
to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
and to our SJMC congregation where she
became a member on May 20, 2011.
In addition to teaching, Michelle is
currently studying Homeopathic Medicine
in a four-year on-line course, including
an annual clinic week in Toronto. She’s a
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Family and friends are very
important to Michelle. She’s sentimental
about family ties in Germany and the
inherited objects from her maternal
grandmother. Her paternal grandparents
died before she was born. She speaks
German and seven or eight times has
visited extended family in Germany. Until
she purchased her condo she lived with her
parents and now keeps in touch with them
daily. She leads an active social life with her
friends.
Michelle’s faith and enthusiasm for
life are good examples for us and make a
positive contribution to our congregation.
We’re glad you’ve chosen to be part of the
SJMC family. Welcome and God’s blessings
be with you!
Life Together - Summer 2012
Reader’s Review
... for the joy of reading!
Audio Visual Materials and Periodicals in SJMC Library
Written By: Alice Brubacher, Librarian
for editorial and leadership voices in the U.S.A. There’s very
interesting reading in this monthly periodical! Again, back copies
are on file.
Courier is published quarterly by the Mennonite World
Conference office in Strasbourg, France to provide a link for the
worldwide community of Anabaptist-Related Churches.
Adult Bible Study Teacher is published quarterly by Mennonite
Publishing Network (MPN) for the study of Scriptures from an
Anabaptist perspective. Based on the International Bible Lessons,
the ideas are particularly helpful for teachers of the adult Uniform
Lesson series.
B
(L-R): Floyd Buehler, Carolyn and Ernie Nullmeyer
relaxing and reading some periodicals in the SJMC library.
ooks, of course, make up the major portion of our SJMC
Library. But, we also have small collections of audio visual
materials and periodicals.
Waging Peace: Muslim and Christian Alternatives is the newest
DVD in our audio visual collection. Just before sitting down
at my computer I watched this hour-long documentary about
overcoming mistrust, hatred and violence. I recommend it highly
as an opportunity to learn about many efforts to build bridges of
respect and understanding.
Canadian Mennonite in our periodical collection offers news
and inspirational articles from Canadian Mennonite churches. As
you know, it’s mailed directly to our home addresses. If you’ve
recycled a specific copy and would like to re-read an article, look
in the library for back copies.
The Mennonite USA provides a forum for voices within the
denomination, for promotion of ministries and institutions and
Did You Know?
The Marketplace is published bi-monthly by Mennonite
Economic Development Associates (MEDA) “whose dual thrust
is to encourage a Christian witness in business and to operate
business-oriented programs of assistance to the poor.” In spite
of being a ‘non-business’ person, I thoroughly enjoy reading the
articles about MEDA’s activities around the world.
Intotemak translates as “my friends” or “my clan” and are
people who walk together as friends. This is a quarterly newsletter
featuring news items and reflections of interest to friends of Native
Ministry, published by Mennonite Church Canada. These issues
may offer insights to consider as we read the daily news media.
The Hymn: A Journal of Congregational Song publishes
research and opinion pieces containing practical and scholarly
articles for church musicians, clergy, etc. (Please note: This
periodical is on loan in our library courtesy of Pastor Mark.)
Life Together is our own congregational newsletter prepared
and published by SJMC volunteers, placed in our mailboxes and,
I’m sure, read with eagerness by every SJMC participant. Back
copies are filed in a 3-ring binder in the library.
What a wealth of information and inspiration!
... snippets and tidbits from our lives not
usually found in our weekly church papers.
Zachary Cressman (9) was a contest winner in a recent edition of the
children’s magazine chickaDEE. Contestants were asked to build a
“Snowless Snowman”. Here is what Zachary designed (photo right).
Madeline Weber (16) was awarded The Myrtle Wilfong Memorial Trophy
and $200 Scholarship for Senior Piano in the recent Elmira Kiwanis Music
Festival in May. She also played at the K-W Kiwanis Music Festival in May,
won a $50 scholarship and it was here that she qualified to advance to the
Provincials (June 12) in Peterborough.
Life Together - Summer 2012
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 7
SJMC S
1
5
2
6
3
7
4
1) Welcome Lucy Derksen. 2) Celebrating Mariya Aboukhousa’s first
birthday. 3-4) Annual Meeting Sunday: Zacchaeus (Chip Bender)
and Mark DH skit and Melissa Koehler serves up soup for the MYF
luncheon that followed. 5-8) SJMC Winter Retreat at Silver Lake (Cal
Cressman photos). The entire lake froze “like glass” and many were
able to enjoy a skate or walk across the lake or hang out by the fire!
8
Snaps
5
1
6
2
7
3
8
4
1) Hymnal recovering night: All four pew sections of hymnals were
recovered in one hour! 2) Kai Bender enjoys his pancakes at the
Community Pancake Supper at SJMC on Shrove Tuesday (Feb 21). 3)
The Shepherds’ Ministry blessing during church service. 4) Ryan Martin
and Elaine Hershberger at the 4-week Bible Study series “How Did Jesus
Read the Bible?”, led by Derek Suderman. 5-8) Easter Sunday: starting
with Community Easter Sunrise Service in our upper and lower foyers,
Easter choir, signing our names, and beautifully-coloured Easter eggs!
Reflections
... pausing to reflect on where God meets us in
our daily lives, including Voluntary Service.
Voluntary Service with Mennonite Central Committee:
1963 - Atlanta, Georgia USA
Written By: Janice Cressman (Note: For this article, I will be using the “politically correct” terminology of 1963.)
people could live as they worked in the
community. Because the people who lived
in our house were black and white, we had
to live in a black neighborhood. We would
not have been allowed to live anywhere
else.
Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was a
pastor and listened as this man, who was
not much taller then me, preach from the
book of Amos about “justice that shall roll
down like a mighty torrent.”
Janice Martin (1963) typing a PhD dissertation
while on VS with MCC in Atlanta, Georgia.
The year was 1963:
•• Lester B. Pearson was Canada’s PM;
•• John F. Kennedy was U.S. President;
•• N. Khrushchev was Russian Premier;
•• ‘Beatlemania’ hit United Kingdom;
•• the sedative, Valium was developed;
•• first-class postage stamp was 5 cents;
•• and I was Janice Martin from Yatton,
Ontario. I was 21-years-old, single,
no romantic attachments, working in
an insurance agency, and I had a few
thousand dollars in the bank. What
could I do for excitement and a chance
to travel that was not too costly? The
perfect answer: one year of Voluntary
Service (VS) with Mennonite Central
Committee (MCC). I know some
people go into this program for noble
and lofty reasons, but I must admit,
although I did want to serve God and
people, my primary reasons for going
were just a bit selfish. However, God
doesn’t use perfect people for His work
– just willing ones.
I submitted my application to MCC,
was approved and assigned to one year
of Voluntary Service in Atlanta, Georgia:
the “New York of the South”. The name
of the place where I was to live, believe it
or not, was called “Mennonite House”. It
was started in 1961 as a house where young
SJMC - 10
“Mennonite House” where Janice stayed
for her Voluntary Service year.
My job was to be the secretary to Vincent
Harding, the Director of the Peace Section
of MCC. I would also be the bookkeeper
and hostess for “Mennonite House”. My
boss was a black man from New York, very
caring, articulate and intelligent. As part
of my work for him I typed (with 5 carbon
copies!) his “next-to-final” copy of his PhD
dissertation.
And so began my year for this naïve,
rather sheltered Mennonite girl from rural
Ontario. I had no idea upon my arrival
in October 1963 what I was in for! Within
a short time I learned to sing “freedom
songs”: “We Shall Overcome”, “Ain’t
Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round”, and
many more. I wondered if anyone had ever
heard of singing in four-part harmony?
I learned about a young black man who,
with his family, lived on the street just
behind us. His name was Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. He was telling the black people in
the south that they should be allowed to sit
at the front of the bus, that their children
should be allowed to go to whatever
school they wished and that they should
be allowed to vote. Segregation, he said,
should be a thing of the past. I attended the
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Ebenezer Baptist Church,
where Janice attended during VS and where
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the pastor.
Like many of my generation, I remember
where I was and what I was doing the
day President John F. Kennedy was
assassinated. At the time of his death
there was an interracial group of people
marching across the south carrying signs
promoting peace and equality. Over the
time of President Kennedy’s funeral,
they thought it would be expedient for
them to not march. Our house was one of
the very few places where they felt safe
staying as an interracial group. Suddenly
our numbers grew from about eight to 30
persons. I remember that there were people
everywhere. One person even decided to
use my toothbrush! Because of their stay at
our house and their controversial activities,
from then on our telephone was tapped
and the FBI regularly did surveillance of
our house.
Late one evening I had gone to the
airport to pick up my boss. Dr. King’s
secretary was also waiting for her boss, so
we sat together and talked to make the time
pass faster. Well, we waited and waited and
finally we were told that the plane that both
of our bosses were on had been delayed
because of a bomb scare. Thankfully this
proved to be a hoax.
Life Together - Summer 2012
Reflections
As an extra to my job, myself and a
friend babysat Dr. and Mrs. King’s four
children. I remember one day after taking
the children to visit Stone Mountain, we
stopped at a drive-in restaurant for a bite
to eat. We waited for service, but it never
materialized. Dr. King’s eight-year-old
son, Martin, told us quite matter-of-factly
that we were not getting served because
he and his brother and sisters were black.
They learn young! We also were not given
the keys to the Ladies and Men’s restrooms
and so we used the unlocked “colored”
restroom.
There were also humorous things
that happened. I remember one night a
group of us went to the “black Y” to play
volleyball. One of the young men at the “Y”
kept watching and studying us girls with
interest. About a week later, on a Saturday
night, he showed up at our door all dressed
up. Some of us girls were sitting on the
front porch and he continued to look us
over. Finally he went up to one of the guys
and told him his “choice”. He was told in
no uncertain terms that this was NOT that
kind of house!
A little fun time to show her ‘wild side’ at
Koinonia Farm, Americus, GA (1963).
I also visited Koinonia Farm in
Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm began
in 1942, when Clarence and Florence
Jordan and Mabel and Martin England
came to Georgia to live out the teachings
of Jesus amidst the poverty and racism of
the rural South. They envisioned forming
an interracial community where blacks
and whites could live and work together.
I remember while we were there, we sat
in a circle and listened to Dr. Jordan read
the Cotton Patch Gospel version of the Good
Samaritan. He translated many Bible
Life Together - Summer 2012
(Continued from Page 10 - Janice Cressman)
stories into a language that illiterate people
of the South could better understand. It
was also at Americus in 1976 that Millard
Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity,
internationally patterned after Dr. Jordan’s
partnership program at Koinonia Farm.
A civil rights rally in Atlanta, GA (1963).
I visited Birmingham, Alabama and
saw the 16th Street Baptist Church where
in September 1963, four little black girls
were killed by a bomb as they prepared to
participate in their Sunday School service.
That was the weekend I had gone along with
my boss to a conference in Birmingham,
and it was one of the few times I felt a bit
uneasy. I remember feeling a lot better the
closer we drove home to Atlanta. I did not
want to see the Klu Klux Klan close up: at a
distance was close enough!
King, Jr. The world has recognized him as
a great man: he received the Noble Peace
Prize (1964), Presidential Medal of Freedom
(1977, posthumous), Congressional Gold
Medal (2004, posthumous), Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S.
federal holiday in 1986. Perhaps to most
of us he is remembered best for the lines
of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech to
the thousands of people in 1963 at Lincoln
Memorial in Washington D.C. when he said
with great conviction: “I have a dream that
my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the
color of their skin but by the content of their
character.” Dr. King was assinated on April
4, 1968 (age 39) in Memphis, Tennessee.
So, why did I come back when I had
such an interesting time and met so many
wonderful people? Well, I made another trip
in August 1964. I had not planned to come
home for my two weeks of holidays, but
there was a U.S./Canada Mennonite Youth
Convention in Kitchener that summer, and
I decided I would like to attend. During that
two-week period I had my first date with
Cal. I went back to Atlanta to serve until
my year was up in October and, despite the
urgings of my friends in Atlanta to “stay
down”, I decided that, just maybe, there
was a more attractive future in Ontario for
me …and the rest is history.
Perhaps some of the most exciting
aspects of my year were the people I met.
One of these persons was Andrew Young
who would frequently visit our house.
He later served three terms in the U.S.
Congress, received the Presidential Medal
of Freedom, served two terms as Mayor
of Atlanta and was Co-Chairman of the
Centennial Olympic Games in 1996. He
was also a top aide to Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. during the civil rights movement
and was involved in its inception.
Another famous person of Mennonite
“who’s who” was meeting and listening to
John Howard Yoder, a well known author,
best known for his book The Politics of Jesus
(1972). Also I met Rev. Ralph Abernathy,
Dr. King’s close aide and friend, as well
Rev. Jesse Jackson.
However, the most famous person I met
that year was, of course, Dr. Martin Luther
Janice Martin and Calvin Cressman
were married on September 18, 1965.
Editor’s Note: For copyright reasons, LT has
chosen not to publish any King family photos.
Janice’s amazing scrapbook tells more of
her VS story, as does her binder collection of
letters received, categorized by month no less!
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 11
Children’s Challenge: Who Are We Now?
We were once children like you! Can you guess who we are?
Our collective first names’ “sugar-coated” adjective has made two of us “Canadian classics”
and the third one of us is “well-grounded”; always ready for a “blooming” good time!
One Rambling Riddle: “I walked two miles to an all-Mennonite one-room school, and later I
went to class by cable car.”
Three Thinking Thoughts: 1) Never let a day go by without being grateful. 2) “Life is not a
having and a getting, but a being and a becoming.” (- Matthew Arnold). 3) Try putting yourself in
the other person’s shoes.
Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Telemarketing. Half-front pages of newspapers or magazines.
Unsportspersonship behaviour in contact sports. Unkept promises. Snakes. Spiders.
Ten Telling Tales: Enjoy reading and crossword puzzles. Like 19th Century British novels,
mysteries and films. Classical and folk music. Privileged to experience travel in many countries.
Spent many hours at St. Mary’s Hospital. Part-time bulletin bender. Volunteer at The Mennonite
Story Inc. and Lancaster Street MCC Thrift Shop. Provided TLC to 100 black boys. Shook hands with Eleanor Roosevelt. Grateful for
family and friends.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (Micah 6:8)“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God.”
One Rambling Riddle: “I come from a family of 10 children. I had five brothers, but I have
only four sisters.”
Three Thinking Thoughts: 1) Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left
open. 2) Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. 3) Never put both
feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don’t have a leg to stand on.
Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Being late. Tailgaters. Alarm clocks. Seeing food wasted. An abundance of
unnecessary things.
Ten Telling Tales: Played ringette. MYF sponsor. Home Support Worker. Country music. Square
dance caller. SWAP (Serving With Appalachian People) West Virginia. MYF mission to Montreal.
Travelling. Storytelling. Watching grandchildren’s sports.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (Proverbs 3:4, 5) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
One Rambling Riddle: “Because I’m so charming and I can bake a cherry pie, they even wrote
a song about me using my name!”
Three Thinking Thoughts: 1) I’m always ready to lend a hand to help others. 2) While I don’t
have young children, I like to make young children smile! 3) “How do you like me now?” is a phrase
you often hear me say.
Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Liver. Cauliflower. Snakes. A dirty vehicle. Tangled fishing line.
Ten Telling Tales: Antique clocks. Boating. Fishing. A tinkerer. Restore antique cars. Farmer
(retired). Fire fighter (retired). MYF sponsor (retired). Waterskiier. Grandfather.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (John 3:3 from The Message) Jesus said, “You’re absolutely
right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to - to God’s kingdom.”
Spring 2012 Answers: Martin Siblings: Mabel (Martin) Sauder. Curtis Martin. Willis Martin.
SJMC - 12
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - Summer 2012
Life and Times
Amanda Poole (21) – 1st Childhood Home: Kitchener, ON. Now: Elmira, ON.
Doreen (Martin) Martin (72) – 1st Childhood Home: St. Jacobs, ON. Now: Elmira, ON.
Hermann Ens (48) – 1st Childhood Home: Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Now: Waterloo, ON.
Lily Roth (15) – 1st Childhood Home: Waterloo, ON. Now: Waterloo, ON.
What are some of your favourite smells/sounds/tastes?
Amanda: Freshly baked bread. Fall air. Wood fireplace. Silence. Thunder and lightning storms. Hot apple cider. Christmas dinner.
Doreen: Coffee perking. Apple pie baking. Onions frying. Children’s laughter. Gospel music. Lilacs. Birds singing. Chocolate. BBQ.
Hermann: Fresh baked zwieback. BBQ’d steak. Loon on lake@dusk. Coffee. Children’s giggles. Chocolate. Lilac flowers. Quiet morning.
Lily: Night rain on roof. Mom’s singing. Tastes: Curry, jalapeno/cheddar Doritas. Smells: New books, Lucy’s fur (cat), cherry Chapstick.
Things you might not know about me?
Amanda: Played ringette since age 4. Extremely picky eater. Never broke a bone. Had a job testing fish.
Doreen: Enjoy china dishes (have too many). Great-grandma to Grayson B. Enjoy Bible study w/ friends. Used to make pork sausage.
Hermann: Born in Brazil. Speak German and Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German). Worked in Germany one summer.
Lily: I write stories/novels. Read Manga (Japanese comics). I know 32 digits of pi, Roman numerals & Greek alphabet. I’m a huge nerd.
What are some notable personality traits that others would say you have?
Amanda: Independent. Humourous. Lazy. Flexible. OCD about having items in their proper place.
Doreen: Likes talking. Very emotional. Strong family ties.
Hermann: Affectionate. Impatient. Funny. Responsible. Perfectionist. Problem solver.
Lily: Quiet/reserved. Kind. Creative. Confident. Mature. Weird (in a good way). Responsible.
[Tastes con’t: anything sweet or sour.]
What are some of your interests?
Amanda: Ringette. Playing pool. Getting together with friends. Biking. Science.
Doreen: Reading. Coffee with friends. Long, fast walks. Going to the pool.
Hermann: Gardening. Sports (hockey, soccer). Watching our children’s activities (dance, hockey, soccer). Cars. Cooking. Reading.
Lily: Playing viola. Writing. Drawing/doodling/art. Reading. Computer/video games. Listening to music.
What are some of your favourite lifetime memories?
Amanda: MDS Mississippi trip with MYF March 2008. Florida with family. Seeing Cirque du Soliel. Cottage/trailer vacations. Beach.
Doreen: Taking grandkids to the French River for a week of fishing. Going on a boat cruise to Carribean with friends.
Hermann: Europe. Moraine Lake, Alberta. Myrtle Beach trips. Sunday roast chicken dinners. Children’s births. Family hikes/bike trips.
Lily: Ohio (summers). Clubhouse at Christmas. 2011 Youth Convention. Family time. Montreal (Gr. 8). Basketball tourn. in Walkerton.
What are you presently doing? / And what other vocation(s) might you have chosen (or still would choose)?
Amanda: In a co-op work term, while studying Biochemistry at University of Waterloo. / Research, develop pharmaceutical drugs.
Doreen: I’m retired from pork farming. I enjoyed working at the Stone Crock Restaurant (31 years). / Family counselling profession.
Hermann: Hardware Project Manager at Research in Motion. / Automotive industry. Horticultural, farming.
Lily: Grade 10 at Rockway. / University. A writer or artist and a high school teacher.
What are some places where you like to play and/or ponder?
Amanda: Car rides. Bike rides. Walks. In the middle of nowhere. Backyard. On the trampoline.
Doreen: Up north boating with Floyd: fishing, eating peanuts in boat, but mostly eating peanuts and reading (but ‘not’ about fishing).
Hermann: Long walks. Hockey rink. Gardening in my yard. While driving.
[To Do List con’t: Volunteer MCC, disaster service, etc.)]
Lily: My room. My spot on the couch. In the woods. Outside.
What are some items on your … “To Do In My Lifetime” list?
Amanda: Skydiving. Backpack around Europe. Learn to surf.
Doreen: More travel in Canada.
Hermann: Watch World Cup live (soccer). Travel Europe, South America, Australia. Drive exotic car. Catch BIG fish!
Lily: Graduate university. Travel around Europe/the world. Be a bestselling author. To get married and have a family.
Life Together - Summer 2012
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 13
Thankfulness
... a four-seasons perspective
on being thankful.
Gratitude and Grace
Written By: Sue Shantz
“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,
those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~
were no falls to be found but as we were
heading out of town we happened upon
a park where there must have been about
a hundred egrets nesting in several trees
(photo below) on a little island in the midst
of a small lake. Breathtaking!
I
t was just over a year ago, May 5, 2011
in the early hours of the morning (5 a.m.
to be precise) that Doreen Janzen and I
loaded up my Honda Civic and began our
driving adventure to the West Coast. For
those of you that don’t know, I grew up in
British Columbia and lived there until age
20. I also have a married daughter (Heather)
and a large extended family living there. I
am the youngest of 12 children and with
my siblings getting older (well, me too) J,
I wanted time to become more immersed
in their lives and also connect with some
old friends and mentors that I don’t always
have a chance to visit when my time there
is limited. And of course, spend time with
my daughter and son-in-law! Since I was
planning on staying for four months I also
wanted my vehicle there. I didn’t really
want to drive alone and so Doreen very
graciously agreed to join me for the drive
out.
As we set out that morning we weren’t
sure what our journey would all hold. Our
prayers were not only for safe travels but
to also open us to noticing and receiving
the blessings and gifts of each day. We
were going to enjoy every minute of our
journey! A surprise encounter in Minnesota
illustrates that beautifully. We had decided
to stop for a picnic lunch in Fergus Falls,
which had been highlighted as a scenic
spot in our travel guide. We pictured some
lovely falls. To our disappointment, there
SJMC - 14
The miles flew by in the midst of many
good conversations, times of comfortable
silence and lots of laughter. On the way
we took time to explore the splendour of
Saskatchewan and Alberta through the eyes
and life experiences of Doreen. I marvelled
at the beauty and expansiveness of the
Saskatchewan sky and the countryside,
driving dirt roads in the midst of large
sections of land, farmers beginning to work
in the fields with their massive machinery,
crossing a river on a four-car ferry, majestic
old grain elevators that are disappearing,
hiking trails on ridges overlooking the
Saskatchewan River, and discovering wild
crocuses. How special to visit the seed farm
and home where Larry, Doreen, daughter
Wendy (our pastor) J, and son Paul lived
just outside of Rosthern, SK. As we were
leaving Rosthern we were saluted by
waves upon waves of snow geese flying
overhead! One of my highlights in Alberta
was visiting Doreen’s home farm in the
Carstairs area. We decided to drive onto
the yard and the young couple living there
invited us in. It had been many years since
Doreen had been inside the house, so it was
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
a special moment! After arriving in BC, I
reciprocated and shared some of the beauty
of BC and my life experiences there with
Doreen before she flew back home. It was
hard for us to part ways after having shared
so many special experiences together over
the course of two weeks.
I was in BC for barely a week before
my next adventure began. To share this
part of the story you need to know some
of my family history. My roots are in
the Russian Mennonite tradition and
my ancestors would have been part of
the first group to leave the Ukraine and
migrate to the Canadian prairies around
1874. My father’s family settled close to
Plum Coulee, Manitoba and my mother’s
family eventually settled close to Swift
Current, SK. Even though the Canadian
government had promised the Mennonites
the right to establish their colonies as they
had in Russia, less than 50 years later the
government tried to force integration
through a public school system. Many
resisted and it was only in recent years that I
discovered how the Canadian government
treated these families. Parents were fined
to the point of bankruptcy, livestock were
taken and some people were imprisoned.
In 1922, 5,000 or so people loaded their
livestock, belongings, horses and buggies
onto trains and left for Mexico. My parents
would have been children, ages 10 and 11,
at the time of the move to Mexico. They
arrived in Mexico with the same promise
of religious freedoms and established
colonies or “campos” which consisted of
a main road with houses on either side
surrounded by farmland.
Then in 1952, after numerous years of
crop failures and the challenges of farming
in that environment, my parents made
the decision to move back to Canada, this
time to BC. My Dad’s uncle had visited
from BC and encouraged us to make
the move. This was a courageous act
and we faced opposition from extended
family and the church. My parents
Life Together - Summer 2012
Thankfulness
(Continued from Page 14 - Sue Shantz)
risked excommunication and were told
they would lose their salvation if they
moved. After a visit to BC on his own,
my determined father returned having
made arrangements and secured housing.
With a hired Mexican driver and a truck,
we loaded up our personal belongings
together with three other families. Benches
were set up in the back of the truck for
seating and thus began the journey for
people who were used to horse and buggy
as a mode of transportation. Needless to
say, the “barf bags” were much in demand!
I was only 6-months-old at the time and so
I got to ride in the cab of the truck with my
mother. Thanks be to God! J
Back to 2011: Most of my extended
family remains in Mexico. We had begun
to reconnect with some of the relatives on
my Dad’s side of the family. So with some
trepidation (due to the drug cartel problems
in the country), three of my siblings, two
spouses and I flew to Chihuahua, Mexico,
back to our roots and to reconnect with
family. My one brother had not been back
since 1970.
They were so pleased to welcome us and
bestowed such warm hospitality. I always
missed not having extended family around
me when I was growing up, so this felt
good. They’re so “up” on the “*frintschoft”
and seemed to know all the *family
connections. They fed us all our favourite
Russian Mennonite dishes and of course
some of their favourite Mexican foods.
A cousin, who after looking us Canadian
relatives over commented in Low German
(making one of my favourite quotes of my
trip) , “They must not have enough food to
eat in Canada.” J They rented a big park
and planned a picnic (photo below) for us
inviting all the extended family. About 225
attended and that wasn’t everyone! It was
very special to go to the village and to the
home where I was born (photo above). It
was an emotional moment, which was
especially meaningful to share with some
of my siblings. We also visited the cemetery
where my paternal grandparents are
buried. In fact, most of the people buried
there were relatives since the village was
comprised of mostly Loewens (Loewen
being my maiden name). In the earlier
years the graves were unmarked so we
were glad to have a cousin along who is a
family historian and could tell us where my
grandparents were buried. Since then we
have arranged to have gravestones erected.
It so happened that the elementary
school we attended as children was hosting
a reunion weekend during my time there.
It was being torn down to make way for
a new school. Talk about memory lane!
Together with three other siblings we
enjoyed a wonderful weekend. During the
school open house one of my sisters sat in
the classroom where five of my siblings
(ages 8-12) would have been placed on
their first day in a school in Canada (all
five were placed in Grade 1). They began
to share the memories of that day. We did a
lot of reminiscing as siblings that weekend,
sharing stories that brought both laughter
and tears.
My remaining time in BC was spent
nurturing and enjoying three generations
of family relationships. One is reminded of
the idiosyncrasies and unique habits that
are all part of family dynamics – especially
sibling relationships when we spend more
time together. But that’s all part of “being
family” and extending grace allows us to
embrace all that we are to each other. What
a gift to have this time together!
In the midst of my comings and goings I
was able to develop a rhythm that was life
giving (most of the time). J I revelled in the
beauty around me and went on hikes, long
walks, time at the ocean, times of retreat,
cycling, picking raspberries, enjoyed all the
fresh produce of the season, and cooking a
special meal for my siblings.
We all have a story to share. Our lives
are filled with ordinary day-to-day living.
We all experience events that bring both
joy and pain into our life that impact and
give shape to who we are and deepen our
capacity to embrace life more fully if we
open ourselves to that possibility and take
that risk. This time away has encouraged
me to adjust the lens through which I live
my life, with a focus on the miracle and
blessings of each day.
“I empty to become full.
Full of grace…to fully live.”
~ Ann Voskamp ~
Life Together - Summer 2012
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 15
Expressions
... inspired creativity.
Prayer Shawls: Christine Shantz Knits Love and Compassion
Written By: Marcia Shantz and Pat Weber
n Preamble: The Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry was introduced to SJMC (June 2005) by Tamara Shantz. Since then close to 600 prayer
shawls have been completed, along with Linus blankets (for hospitalized infants) and hats, scarves and mittens for the SJMC Christmas
“Socks and Mittens Tree” have loving been knit by many SJMCers and shared well beyond the walls of SJMC’s red bricks.
Left: Chris Shantz wrapped in the very first prayer shawl she knit in 2005. Middle: The cross-stitched quilt donated to New Hamburg Mennonite Relief
Sale (story below). Right: Needlepoint picture - Team of horses, farmer with turnip planter: A long time ago Pat Weber started this surprise needlepoint
picture for John. “Starting at the plain sky was fine, but the horses’ ears were too complicated. Chris came to my rescue and finished the whole thing. PW”
I
n the Prayer Shawl knitting group,
Christine Shantz is fondly known as
the “knitting machine”, with one big
difference! Chris’ heart is not machineoperated. Her heart is guided by God’s
use of her knitting skills to love others
unconditionally and to extend compassion
“in good times as well as in difficult ones.”
Since 2005 (see preamble above), she has
knit over 42 prayer shawls of all shapes and
sizes, for many sorrows and for joys too.
On Friday, May 4 Chris met with us at
Pat’s kitchen table for this Life Together
interview. And she came well prepared.
She read to us what she had written:
Why I Like to Knit Prayer Shawls
“My Grade 9 high school teacher (at
Laurel Vocational School, Waterloo; 1970s)
taught me how to knit. If it wasn’t for Mrs.
Struthers teaching me to knit I wouldn’t
now be doing what I love to be doing. But
then again, I think I would be doing some
sort of craft. I am glad I can knit. I would
be bored at home otherwise. When I knit
shawls I do different patterns--straight
knitting would be ‘too boring!’
(At this point Pat and Marcia laughed
uproariously! After 7 years all we can
(happily) manage to do is ‘straight
knitting.’)
SJMC - 16
I like knitting and giving the shawls
away to people. I gave some to my aunts
and uncle, other family, friends and coworkers. I also gave one to my Dad when
he went to the hospital. I like to see how
people feel when I give them a shawl and
read the prayer. Sometimes they cry, and
then I get tears in my eyes. I gave a shawl
to a man that I know who has cancer, and
he said to me that “people have given me
flowers and cards, but nobody has given
me anything like this!”
I like being with the ladies (knitting
group). It gets me out of the house at night.”
***
auction. When it went up on the auction
block I said to my aunt Florence, “Why am
I crying?” And she said, “Because you’re
happy!” My Dad bought the quilt that day.
I sure wasn’t expecting that to happen!
It is on my parents’ guestroom bed.”
Chris is glad that the quilt auction money
helps people through Mennonite Central
Committee.
The knitting group really appreciates
Chris’ cheerfulness, her eye-to-ear smile,
hearty laugh and accepting nature. These
are wonderful attributes that she brings to
the group. We are thankful to Karen Sauder
for her dedicated leadership, knitting help
and vision for this knitting ministry.
Our interview goes on to find out that
Chris researches complex knitting patterns
on the Internet. Not stopping at knitting,
she also does cross-stitch, crochet and
needlepoint. She once cross-stitched a large
dollhouse, and then completely furnished
it with miniature furniture.
Chris would also like to encourage more
knitters to help with the prayer shawls.
“We can teach you how to knit! Even if you
can’t come out all the time to the group,
you can knit at home. You can even knit
shawls that the pastors can give to people
who need them. People are welcome.”
She has also contributed to the New
Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale several
years ago by cross-stitching 20 purple Iris
stamped blocks. “I was asked to do one
block, but I said I could do all 20!” Her aunt,
Florence Wideman, then pieced the top
together and the SJMC WMCEC quilted it.
“I was there in the stands watching the quilt
The prayer shawl that Chris is presently
working on is “a tough one”. It’s for her
cousin whose husband recently died.
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
For Chris, a favourite time of each
gathering is at the close of the prayer shawl
blessing (see page 3). “We ‘say’ Amen, and
then we ‘sing’ “Amen” (twice). I love it!”
Life Together - Summer 2012