50th Anniversary Issue - Rockway Mennonite Church

Transcription

Number 13, October 2010
50th Anniversary Issue
These eight current members of Rockway Mennonite Church are founding members. They were present
when 51 adults and children attended the first Rockway church service on October 2, 1960.
Front row, from left: Pauline Bast, Gloria Musselman, Norma Rudy
Back row, from left: Howard Bast, Iva Taves, Gerry Musselman, David Rudy, John Weber.
See pages 16-18 for brief biographies of these eight individuals.
Pastor’s column — What are 50 years in God’s eyes?
This summer following the
Mennonite Church Canada
Assembly in Calgary I took a day
to explore the Royal Tyrrell
Palaeontological Museum in
Drumheller. From suburban
Calgary it feels like a trip to
another world, both in terms of
the landscape and in terms of
geological time. Drumheller is located in the badlands of
Alberta, a moon-like terrain, dramatically shaped by the
forces of erosion. Pillar-like hoodoos stand on guard over
land containing fossils of ancient flora and fauna dating
from millions of years ago.
It may defy rational
explanation, yet we
know in our bones
that our lives and
our history have
meaning. Our God is
both radically
transcendent and
intimately
immanent. God‘s
Dinosaur skeleton at the Tyrrell
Spirit witnesses to
Museum of Palaeontology,
our spirits that we
Drumheller, Alberta
are dearly beloved
children and that our lives and community have purpose.
The most dramatic fossils are the petrified bones of ancient
dinosaurs that roamed this part of Canada some 200
million years ago. That‘s a very long time ago, but not
really, when you consider the age of the earth to be
4.5 billion years. The dinosaurs are a relatively recent
phenomenon; newcomers on the scene. What does that say
about us, I wondered? As I meandered through the
galleries, contemplating the vast expanses of time, space
and history I became much more aware of questions than
answers. What a mysterious world and universe we live in!
In the eternal scope of time, human history exists as only
the smallest of blips. How will it continue to unfold, I
wondered; how long will we last?
Over these past 50 years God has truly been present among
us, touching many lives through the ministries of this
congregation. And I believe that God has many good
things in store for us in the years to come, however many
we may be granted.
By Scott Brubaker-Zehr
As a congregation we‘re celebrating 50 years of life
together. In terms of the history of Mennonites in Canada
it‘s a fairly short story — shorter still if we think in terms
of the Anabaptist movement in general. Were the whole
history of Christianity our frame, then it would really be
quite tiny. And in terms of Tyrannosaurus rex…almost
non-existent. Nevertheless, in the eyes of God, our history
is incredibly rich and meaningful.
A hoodoo in the
badlands of Alberta
Perhaps the most amazing
claim of our Christian faith is
that the God who created the
universe in all its incredible
breadth, values the identity and
history of each living thing.
―Are not five sparrows sold for
two pennies?‖ asks Jesus. ―Yet
not one of them is forgotten in
God‘s sight. But even the hairs
of your head are all counted.
Do not be afraid; you are of
more value than many
sparrows.‖ (Luke 12:6-7)
2 October 2010/Rockway News
News from the library
The past few months have been fairly quiet at church and
so has been the library. Energized by a wonderful summer
we are again ready to work and read. There are interesting
old and new books on the shelves as well as books useful
for worship. We can use a few more contemporary
resources related to leading worship. If you have any you
are willing to lend, or if you know of some, let us know.
By Maria Meyer and Margaret Lehman, librarians
Rockway News is published triannually by Rockway
Mennonite Church, 32 Weber Street West, Kitchener,
Ontario, N2H 3Z2. Back issues are stored in the member
area of the church website, www.RockwayMC.ca., and a few
hard copies are available from Lewis Brubacher.
Managing editor: Lewis J. Brubacher [LJB]
Advisory group, feature writers:
Mary Burkholder
Betti Erb
Brian Hunsberger
Margaret Loewen Reimer
David Willms (overseas correspondent)
Proofreaders: Lois Brubacher, Betti Erb,
Brian Hunsberger and Sam Steiner
We welcome letters to the editor and
suggestions for articles. Contact Lewis at:
519-884-3072; [email protected]
Allen James (Jim) Reimer
Born: August 10, 1942
Died: August 28, 2010
The funeral service was held at First United
Church, Waterloo, on September 2, Scott BrubakerZehr officiating.
Life Story:
Memories:
Music:
Read by Hildi Froese Tiessen
Christina, Thomas and Micah Reimer
Choir conducted by Howard Dyck;
Five on the Floor, joined by Doug
and Jess, and Rudy (brothers and
niece)
Scripture: Romans 8:22-39, read by Eric Friesen
Meditation: Tom Yoder Neufeld
Benediction: Müde bin ich, geh’ zur Ruh, by the choir
Committal: Detweiler Meetinghouse cemetery,
under threatening skies
Early on Saturday, August 28, long-time Rockway
member, Conrad Grebel University College professor
and prominent Mennonite theologian Allen James
(Jim) Reimer died after a six-year battle with cancer.
A brilliant man with a self-deprecating sense of
humour, Reimer preached many inspirational and
profound sermons at Rockway. His passing is a great
loss, not only to his wife Margaret and their children
Christina, Thomas and Micah and their families, but
also to the congregation and the wider church and
community.
Reimer died a little over a day after participating in an
emotional farewell concert on August 26 with his
good friends and fellow Rockway members in the
bluegrass gospel quartet, Five on the Floor. Bob
Janzen, Henry Schmidt and Ron Harder are the other
members. Many of the gospel tunes the group sang
have to do with death, dying and preparing to meet
your maker. The farewell concert was thus an
emotional time for Jim as he struggled to maintain his
strength to get through the evening. There was a clear
sense that Jim was determined to live long enough to
participate, and he did!
The singing of the classic ―Precious Lord, take my
hand‖ was a grand farewell for Jim, who seemed overcome that he was able to sing it with so many of his
family and close friends present. ―When the darkness
appears and the night draws near, and the day is past
and gone, at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my
hand. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.‖
Jim, our friend and brother, is home. However young
we may be or feel, the rest of us are not far behind.
Meanwhile, to paraphrase the hymn, ―My life flows
on‖, our lives flow on ―in endless song, above earth‘s
lamentation. We catch the sweet, though far off
hymn, how can we keep from singing?‖
-By Brian Hunsberger
Rockway News/October 2010 3
Happy events
By Mary Burkholder
Births
On June 21, 2010, Darren Brunk and Sally Garden
became the proud parents of their first child, a daughter,
Tui Charlotte Garden Brunk. Sal is enjoying nine
months of leave from her work at Environment Canada to
get to know Tui, during which time they will be travelling
to the United Kingdom and New Zealand to introduce Tui
to her Garden family. Darren will follow with a break of
three months leave. Tui is the third grandchild of Conrad
and Christiane Brunk, and of Dawn Brunk.
On the morning of July 22, 2010, Christopher Tiessen
and Katy Saffery welcomed Oliver Christopher Tiessen
Saffery, who weighed in at eight pounds one ounce (3.7
kg). Little Oliver was born with help from Guelph
Midwives in a birthing tub in Chris and Katy‘s living room
on Oliver Street, making 10-year-old Dylan a proud big
brother! At just seven weeks Oliver is already well over 12
pounds, a healthy, happy, smiling little guy! Also smiling
happily are grandparents Hildi and Paul Tiessen.
Transitions
On July 30, 2010, Robert McNair retired from the job he
loved — assisting students and faculty with photography
and media resources at the University of Waterloo‘s
School of Architecture. He plans to pursue his many
interests including travel, photography, kayaking and
hiking in the wild recesses of Canada, especially Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Marriages
On July 10, 2010,
Elizabeth and
Robert McNair’s
daughter Erin
Elizabeth was
married to
Geordie Pickard
at Tantalus View
Retreat,
Brackendale, British Columbia, in the presence of a small
group of family and friends. They continue to live in New
Westminster, British Columbia.
Michael Yantzi, son of Mark and Glennis Yantzi, was
married to Marsha Taylor of Toronto on August 28, in the
Yantzis‘ backyard in Kitchener. About 40 guests had been
invited to a ―welcome home BBQ‖ for Mike and Marsha.
Partway through the afternoon, Mike began singing a
serenade to Marsha, and Brice Balmer announced that
this was a wedding, to the surprise of many of the guests.
Mike and Marsha have returned to Korea to resume their
duties there.
80th Birthday
When Maria Meyer turned 80 on August 11, she felt
privileged to be able to celebrate it both here and in the
land of her birth. Her daughters Hanneke and Marieke
hosted a reception for her at the club house in her housing
complex in Waterloo. She then spent several weeks of
reunion and reminiscing with family in the Netherlands.
Fiftieth Wedding Anniversaries
Mary Thiessen and Vic
Reimer were married on
June 4, 1960, at First
Mennonite Church in
Saskatoon. Their
honeymoon of almost a
month to Niagara Falls
cost the immense sum of
$317.00. For their 50th
anniversary, celebrated on
June 13, 2010, they hosted
an open house for friends
in the church and community. They value the many
good wishes they received.
Lois and Lewis
Brubacher celebrated
their 50th wedding
anniversary (August 20,
1960 was the date) in
several stages this summer.
Their children and
grandchildren spent a
week with them early in
July. A highlight was a
return for several days to
the Bruce Peninsula where
they used to camp as a
family. The second stage
took place in late August
when all of their siblings from far and near attended a
Waterlot brunch with them. The third event, on Sunday,
August 29, at Rockway church, saw anniversary cake
served to about forty attendees. The final event was shared
with their next door neighbours who hosted them at their
cottage near Burk‘s Falls the last two days of August.
Mary Karen and Bob
Gosselink celebrated their
50th wedding anniversary
with over 50 friends and
family in their home on
Saturday, September 4, at
4 pm, exactly 50 years
from their wedding at the
Methodist Church of
Delphos, Kansas. Rain
prevented the plan of a
stroll through the garden
before dinner, so besides a
slide show of the wedding, guests had a virtual tour
through the garden. Fifty of the guests live in the Golden
Triangle. Mary Karen and Bob felt particularly honoured
to have five guests from afar: Mary Karen‘s maid of
honour, Sarah Lowry, came from Kansas City; Jim and
Penny Peters, who have farmed Mary Karen‘s family‘s
land in Kansas and who now own it came, in a busy
farming season, to spend four days with them; and Larry
Paetkau and Lyne Courtemanche, with whom they served
with China Educational Exchange 22 years ago and who
have remained close friends since, came from Winnipeg.
Larry gave an amusing poetic toast, and granddaughter
Roxana gave a touching toast celebrating them as
grandparents. Another special treat was granddaughter
Cristina modeling the actual wedding dress Mary Karen
had made 50 years ago. The presence of their entire family
was also a special gift. Ω
Sunday school teaching – fall 2010
Walls to celebrate 60th
Jack and Ann Wall will celebrate their
60th wedding anniversary
with an open house
on Sunday, October 24, 2010
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
at Luther Village, Great Hall
139 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo
If you plan to attend, please inform Alexis
(so she can gauge the food required),
at 519-588-0152
or [email protected]
Biblical sudoku
As in a regular sudoku, each character listed at the top of
the grid is to appear once in each row, once in each
column and once in each 3x3 subgroup. A scripture
reference is on one of the horizontal rows, not necessarily
the first row. Abbreviations for the books of the Bible can
vary from issue to issue. Likewise, abbreviations for
―chapter‖ and ―verse‖, if used, will not always be the
same. Roman numerals might be used, in order to deal
with a repeated number. Solution is on page 23. LJB
018CHPRSV
By Jill Sauer, Sunday school superintendent
It‘s a pleasure to recognize the people who have agreed to
teach our youngsters for the September–January term. As a
congregation we thank them for the work they will do on
our behalf.
C
R
1
Early Childhood: Jen McTavish
Katryn de Salaberry
Ali Langwieder (assistant)
Primary:
Kelly Kraeker
Jo Pauls
Junior Youth:
Jill Sauer
Andrea Charette
Youth:
C
H
8
0
R
0
H
0
S
0
P
8
1
H
P
V
1
1
Lisa Shantz
Sheri Wideman
Rebecca & Rachel Harder (assistants)
Middler:
H
H
1
R
R
C
0
Marlene Epp Ω
Heart with loving heart united:
Rockway celebrates 50 years of ―Being the Church‖
By Brian Hunsberger
The 50th Anniversary Committee asked Brian to write this
history of Rockway church. They thank him for the time
and care he has devoted to the project.
On April 18, 2010 the Sunday morning worship service at
Rockway Mennonite Church was led by Jack Dueck. The
theme was ―Hymns Encountering People‖. Four members
shared reflections on a hymn that was especially
meaningful to them.
Gerry Musselman, one of the founding members of the
church who are still currently active, spoke about ―Heart
with loving heart united‖ (#420 in the hymnal). His research
revealed that this hymn was the one most frequently sung at
the church after it appeared in the late 1960s. A second
significance of this hymn is that it was translated from its
original German by Walter Klaassen, a former professor at
Conrad Grebel University College and a participant at
Rockway for several years.
Gerry pointed out that this hymn is a meaningful connecting link for current members to the early days of the congregation on the Rockway Mennonite Collegiate campus.
Still active today are eight people who were founding
members in 1960. They are Gerry and Gloria Musselman,
Howard and Pauline Bast, David and Norma Rudy, Iva
Taves and John Weber (who later married Elaine). It is
important to acknowledge that all have played significant
leadership roles in the church throughout its history. For
their dedicated service, we thank them.
John W. Snyder, long-serving pastor and now married to
Iva Taves, is also still an active member. His leadership
was most significant in shaping the congregation‘s
identity.
A comprehensive narrative of the first 30 years of the
congregation‘s life, written by the late Eleanor High Good
and Peter Erb and titled ―Thirty Years at Rockway‖, can be
found in On Being the Church: Essays in Honour of John
W. Snyder. It was edited by Erb and published in 1992 to
mark Snyder‘s 25 years of service as pastor/coordinator.
Readers are referred to that piece for a more detailed
retrospective of the early years of the congregation. There
is no attempt to replicate that level of detail here, but it is
referenced frequently to identify themes and highlights
from the first 30 years of the church‘s life.
The 40th anniversary edition of The Rock, the church‘s
newsletter edited by Jane Colwell in November 2000, was
another source of valuable information. Articles by
founding pastor Ed Metzler and founding member Gerry
Musselman provided insights and reflections. Notes from
Howard Bast also helped document timelines on the early
history. The editorial assistance of Lewis Brubacher and
Sam Steiner is also gratefully acknowledged.
For the sake of convenience this article has been organized
by decades, recognizing that the terms of pastors and the
various ebbs and flows of the church‘s life are not so
clearly demarcated. There are, however, unique aspects of
each decade that generally lend themselves to
chronological organization.
In the final section an attempt is made to identify and summarize the character and personality of the congregation
over its half-century of existence. It is hoped that this
recounting of people and events sparks fond memories and
stimulates conversation among those many people who
have experienced meaningful Christian community as
Rockway has striven to ―be the church‖ for 50 years.
Rockway Mennonite School: At left is the renovated barn,
at right the classroom building that was constructed in
two stages, in 1954 and 1960. At first the church met in
the assembly room on the second floor of the barn. The
library, where the church started meeting in 1961, is in
the 1960 classroom addition.
The 1960s: Laying the foundation
Good and Erb noted that the founding of Rockway
Mennonite Church (hereafter, the church) was preceded by
at least five years of planning by members of First
Mennonite Church in Kitchener. In the late 1950s First
Mennonite‘s Mennonite Youth Fellowship conducted a
Vacation Bible School at what was then called Rockway
Mennonite School (now Rockway Mennonite Collegiate)
in order to establish a presence in what was then a new
neighbourhood of the city.
The 51 people (including children) attending the first
service of Rockway Mennonite Church in the assembly
area of the school (the converted barn) on October 2, 1960
undoubtedly had many different visions of what this new
congregation could become and what its character might
be half a century later.
Clifford Schott was the first Church Council Chair and
Sunday school superintendent, and was a significant
congregational leader for several decades.
The founding pastor, Edgar Metzler, who served for one
year while also serving as pastor at First Mennonite
Church, shared the following reflections in The Rock,
November, 2000, on the occasion of the church‘s 40th
anniversary.
The impetus of the early discussions among a group at
First Mennonite Church was not dissatisfaction with
that church or its new pastor (there were others in the
congregation, I‘m sure, had those questions). At the
time the area east of Rockway School was largely
undeveloped. When plans were announced for major
development of the area, the opportunity emerged of
relating to a new residential area, and Rockway School
provided a base. Not long afterward plans were announced for major road construction, which effectively
isolated the school from the new housing area.
There are undoubtedly other factors also that changed
the focus of Rockway‘s mission. In one of my last
sermons at Rockway, I proposed that ―a mission field
can be found not only in geographic space, but also in
the demographics of culture, the mind and the spirit.‖
In November 1961 Howard Good took over from Metzler as
part-time pastor. Reynold Kipfer preached during a couple
of summers while Good was away studying. During this
time the congregation was still relatively small and finding
its identity. In May, 1962 the church applied for membership in the Mennonite Conference of Ontario (MCO).
That same year the church purchased two building lots
fronting on Doon Road from MCO, then the owner of the
school property. This was done partly to assist the school,
which was struggling financially, and also to provide a site
for a church building. A separate building that could
perhaps be also used by the school was part of the early
vision of many within the congregation.
Concept plans were prepared by Gerry Musselman, a
partner in a Brantford architectural firm. A building fund
was established that has grown significantly over the years
to almost $500,000 today. While the decision was taken
not to build at that time the concept of shared facilities was
starting to become entrenched as a hallmark of the
Rockway congregation.
Good and Erb indicate in the church‘s first years (p 156):
Activities were also coordinated with those of First
Mennonite. Sunday evening worship, Boys Club, Girls
Club, Mennonite Youth Fellowship, and Couples Club
were all fully integrated with the First Mennonite
Church program. Activities that were independently
organised by Rockway were Sunday morning worship,
Sunday school, Mid-week Meeting, Vacation Bible
School, Gleaners (club for girls 14 years and older),
and Women‘s Missionary and Service Auxiliary.
By 1964 there were 52 members; by 1967 this had
increased to 72. Good and Erb noted (p 157) that ―In spite
of the aspirations of the sponsoring group for community
outreach, these members, with few exceptions, were
persons with established Old Mennonite background.
Though in succeeding years some transferred in from other
churches and later from other conferences, others moved
back to First Mennonite or to out-of-town locations and
this membership total did not change radically for the next
15 years.‖
Howard Good resigned as pastor in February, 1966 and
John Snyder was appointed pastor/coordinator in
November of that year. John and his first wife Lois had
been part of the congregation since 1964.
At the time of this transition, a Rockway tradition of
strong lay leadership began to be established. The Worship
and Service Committee planned the church services in the
period between Good‘s resignation in February 1966 and
Snyder‘s appointment in November of that year. In an
interesting continuation of the link to the mother church,
First Mennonite Church pastor Bob Johnson preached
frequently during this interim period.
During the summer of 1966, regular worship services were
abandoned and Wednesday evening services were held
featuring worship and a presentation followed by
discussion and refreshments.
In 1969, the practice of holding summer services at
people‘s homes followed by a potluck lunch was begun.
Since attendance was lighter during July and August, this
provided a more informal setting for fellowship. Weather
permitting, this happened outdoors. This practice has
continued to the present time. This past summer (2010)
was the first time in over 40 years that not a single summer
service was held in a member‘s home.
Two key leaders in the early years were Norman and
Eleanor High. When Norman moved from the University
of Guelph to become Dean of Arts at the University of
Waterloo in the early 1960s, Norman and Eleanor
purchased a house on Carwood Crescent, which backed
onto the school property. Norman was a key leader in the
congregation until his premature death in 1974.
High‘s death was a great loss, not only to his family but
also to the church and university communities. Eleanor
continued to be a strong presence in the church for many
years. Their oldest daughter Margaret and her husband
David Butt continue to be active members, maintaining the
linkage of the High family to the congregation.
The founding group of members mentioned earlier, with
Cliff Schott, all provided key leadership during this time,
along with others such as J.C. Hallman who chaired a
building committee during the 1960s.
Harvey Taves, Executive Director of Mennonite Central
Committee Canada and later MCC Ontario was another
early leader. His premature death in 1965 at the age of 39
was a blow to the congregation and the wider Mennonite
community that he served so ably. Taves‘s wife Iva later
married John Snyder and remains an active member of the
congregation.
Snyder‘s style was to encourage lay leadership, both from
the point of view of his personal theology and also in
recognition of the fact that there were numerous gifted
leaders within the congregation. It was also necessitated by
the fact that he worked only half-time for the church. His
less traditional leadership style also provided greater
flexibility, as well as more uncertainty, in the direction of
the congregation.
One of Snyder‘s early actions as pastor/coordinator was to
initiate the Church and Word lecture series where
prominent speakers from the wider Mennonite Church and
broader Christian community were invited to give lectures
on a variety of cutting-edge topics. In the 40th anniversary
edition of The Rock, Gerry Musselman fondly recalled
these ―stimulating speakers‖ who ―set a whole new level
of thought for the congregation.‖ These lectures set the
tone for Rockway as a place where those with spiritual
questions were welcome.
In the late fall of 1961, the congregation began to worship
in the library. The barn continued to be used for Sunday
school and other activities. For 17 years the library was
home to some of the most creative and tumultuous times in
the church‘s life. Many remember the library fondly. In
1968 the school constructed a new gymnasium/auditorium
and the barn was torn down.
The 1970s: Openness, flexibility and freedom
The movement of great social change that began in the
United States in the 1960s took root in the wider church in
the form of the social gospel. This was influenced
particularly by the civil rights struggle in the southern
United States, and resistance to the Vietnam War. Vestiges
of the social gospel movement drifted north to Canada and
found a home at Rockway. As a peace church, acceptance
of American draft resisters was supported and put into
action as a peace witness. Later in the decade the social
gospel at Rockway took the form of refugee sponsorship
as the congregation sponsored two families from Laos.
In the early 1970s Eleanor High (Good) provided
leadership in developing a statement of faith that was
adopted by the congregation. It remained a significant
Snyder described this in an article in the KitchenerWaterloo Record on August 17, 1968, quoted by Good and
Erb (p 158): ―We‘re living by faith. We‘re wandering into
the unknown. Too many churches program ahead to know
exactly where they are going. We‘re searching for some
kind of commitment and faith, but we will do and plan for
the next month what we think is relevant to our situation.‖
This kind of ―situational leadership‖ became a hallmark of
Snyder‘s style. It allowed for great creativity and
innovation but also led to occasional frustration among
some members seeking a more traditional style.
Church in the library, about 1975.
guiding force in official documents for
several decades. (The statement of faith
is printed on page 15.)
As John Snyder‘s open style of
leadership became entrenched in the
1970s, Rockway became a welcoming
place for those disaffected with
traditional church practices but still
wanting to maintain a Mennonite church
connection. At the same time, some
Welcoming the 32 members in October 1975 are, from left, Pauline Bast,
members became concerned about the
David Rudy, Norma Rudy, Cliff Schott and Gerry Musselman.
unconventional and unpredictable
nature of the worship services and adult Sunday school
establishment of the Mennonite Reporter, which later
program and left Rockway for more traditional
became Canadian Mennonite.
congregations. (Already in 1968, Rockway had stopped
using the adult Sunday school curriculum. In its place the
David Kroeker, then Church Council chair, provided
adults discussed the sermon that had been delivered in the
leadership in successful applications to join the
first hour.)
Conference of Mennonites in Canada in 1975 and the
Conference of United Mennonite Churches in Ontario in
Good and Erb summarized these divergent visions as
1976. This inter-Mennonite aspect made Rockway
follows (p 165):
unusual, if not unique at that time, well in advance of the
establishment of Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada
While the diversity of topics, questions and discussions
(MCEC) in 1987.
were troubling to some, this was the very program
which others found intensely exciting. But the special
In 1976 following the completion of his third three-year
makeup and direction of Rockway in these years
term as pastor/coordinator, John Snyder was granted a
prompted the question, ―Is Rockway a way out of the
sabbatical leave to study at Oxford University in England.
Mennonite Church?‖ In 1973 the question was taken up
A Worship Resource Committee, chaired by the pastor,
by Sam Steiner, who had begun
was formed shortly before the sabbatical to plan the
attending a year or two earlier, and was answered in the
worship services. In Snyder‘s absence Cliff Schott chaired
negative. Even those members who may have been
the committee and Sue Steiner coordinated the logistical
considered the ―new breed‖ in the congregation saw
work related to Sunday morning worship. The committee
Rockway ―more as pathway back toward true
continued in this function following Snyder‘s return and
Mennonitism or Anabaptism rather than the route out.‖
remains an integral part of the church structure to this day.
A way out? — of unquestioning acceptance of earlier
experiences, perhaps. But it was at the same time a way
By the mid-1970s facilities again came back on the agenda
into challenging explorations of faith.
of the congregation. The Mennonite Conference of Ontario
Membership at Rockway at this time was
also undergoing significant change.
Several persons of Russian Mennonite
background began attending. At the 15th
anniversary service in October, 1975, 32
new members representing three
Mennonite conferences joined the
congregation.
During this decade Rockway became
involved in several inter-Mennonite
endeavours. John Snyder served as
secretary of a committee of Ontario
Mennonites interested in starting a
Canadian Mennonite publication. These
efforts eventually resulted in the
Youth Group late 1980s: from left, Christina Reimer, Amanda Brunk, Scott
Tribby, Jeremy Dyck, Zoe Janzen, Joel Schmidt, ??, Marielle Baer, John
Brubacher, Alexander Bergen, John Butt, Matt Tiessen, Jim and Lorna Blair.
convened a committee in January 1976 to explore ways in
which a multi-use building project on the school site might
meet the needs of the conference, the school and the
church. The church was part of this process and committed
$70,000 to the project, which resulted in the construction
of a chapel/dining area, church office and nursery and
Sunday school classrooms adjacent to the existing
gymnasium. The first church services in the new building
were held in January 1980.
The 1980s: New setting, new initiatives
The 1980s began not only with the transition to a new
place of worship at the school but also with changing
expectations. The congregation had grown and now
included more children. The free-flowing patterns
established in the 1970s were not working as well.
In 1982 Church Council appointed a church study committee to address the renewal of the pastor/coordinator‘s
contract, review the fiscal base of the congregation,
consider the appointment of deacons or elders, and review
church membership records and the Sunday school
program.
A number of changes resulted from this review. A
newsletter was started, the constitution was updated and a
student aid fund was established to provide financial
assistance for students attending church schools. Perhaps
most significantly, a Ministry Council was created. It
consisted of three lay members appointed to three-year
rotating terms. It met monthly with the pastor/coordinator.
Good and Erb record (p 173) that its role was ―to function
broadly as a continuing review council of the
congregation, charged with the responsibility of ensuring
that the resources available to the congregation are
effectively used in the service of the Kingdom of God —
by means of ministering to the needs of our own
congregation and to the community beyond.‖ The Ministry
Council structure still functions today.
A celebration of Rockway‘s 25th anniversary was held on
October 5, 1985, with founding pastor Ed Metzler
speaking. The following month J. Lawrence Burkholder
spoke as part of the Church and Word series and in
December Howard Dyck directed a Bach cantata. These
cantatas became a treasured tradition at Rockway Advent
services for many years.
On January 19, 1986, an organ recital by John and Lois
Snyder‘s daughter Patricia was followed by a dinner
honouring John and Lois for 20 years of service to the
congregation in a leadership capacity. Many remember this
event fondly.
A week later the congregation met again, but this time in
mourning as Frank Epp had died. Epp had a special bond
with the congregation dating back to the late 1960s when
he served as pastor of Ottawa Mennonite Church, a
congregation with whom Rockway had some lively
exchanges. Epp and his wife Helen became key members
at Rockway when Epp moved to Waterloo to become a
history professor at Conrad Grebel College. Two years
later he became president of the college. Helen and
daughters Marianne and Marlene remain active members.
In the late 1980s the congregation was turning its
collective mind to the prospect of the retirement of John
Snyder as pastor/coordinator. Such transitions can be
difficult and require a good deal of thought and due
process. Eventually it was agreed that John‘s final year of
service would take the form of a sabbatical in 1990-1991,
his 25th year as pastor/coordinator.
In the fall of 1989 the congregation faced another
challenge when it was learned that John‘s wife Lois had a
brain tumour. Lois showed her usual optimistic spirit
during this difficult time but succumbed to cancer in
August 1990. It was a sad time for the congregation but
drew people together to support John in his last year as
pastor/coordinator. His leadership, more than anyone
else‘s, has shaped the character of the congregation.
The 1990s: Edging back to the mainstream
From left: Lois Snyder, Harriet and J. Lawrence
Burkholder, John Snyder
Glenn Brubacher was hired as a half-time interim pastor to
allow time for the congregation to adjust to the transition
to a new pastor. Brubacher was initially hired for one year
but ended up serving for two. Gloria Musselman worked
with Brubacher as the church‘s part-time administrative
assistant. Brubacher‘s experience as a pastor with strong
administrative skills, combined with founding member
Gloria Musselman‘s sense of the congregation, served
Rockway well during this transitional time. Brubacher and
his wife Anna Mary provided a steadying influence.
Having dealt with the transition following 25 years of John
Snyder‘s unique leadership style, there was a desire by
some members of the congregation to return to a more
traditional pastoral role. Although lay leadership remained
highly valued, some lay leaders expressed feelings of
―burnout‖.
things a try. Council Chair Bob Janzen ably led this
process. (Those who usually attended only the worship
service welcomed the change as they didn‘t have to come
to church until 11 am.) This practice was reviewed a few
years later but the decision to stick with Sunday school
during the first hour was reaffirmed.
During Brubacher‘s interim pastorate a pastoral search
committee chaired by Margaret Loewen Reimer
recommended calling Allan Rudy-Froese as the
congregation‘s first full-time pastor. Rudy-Froese, a native
of Saskatchewan, had served as pastor of Thompson
Mennonite Church in Thompson, Manitoba, prior to
coming to Rockway. His wife Marilyn, a native of
Waterloo Region and also a seminary graduate, worked for
several years as chaplain at Fairview Mennonite Home
during the time Allan pastored at Rockway.
In 1994, long-time member John Bergen, who was a potter
at that time, made small ceramic cups to be used for
communion. Bergen organized an afternoon at his shop
where members of all ages gathered to paint the cups before
they were glazed. These colourful cups are still serving the
congregation well. This event was significant in bringing
the congregation together in a very hands-on way.
Allan and Marilyn brought youthful enthusiasm and fresh
energy to their roles. Allan‘s extroverted personality and
storytelling style of preaching led the congregation into a
new chapter of its existence. His ability to relate to youth
and young adults was highly valued.
Rudy-Froese was not comfortable with the long-standing
Rockway tradition of discussing the sermon during the
second-hour, adult Sunday school time. In fact, the shift
away from sermon discussion began during Glenn
Brubacher‘s interim in 1990, though some sermon
discussion still took place. In Rudy-Froese‘s early years
there was often no second hour, or there were hymn-sings
or guest speakers. Sometimes there was still discussion of
the sermon. Finally, this practice was reviewed and
following a congregational survey and consultation,
Sunday school was changed to the first hour in January
1996. There was not unanimity about this decision, but
consensus was reached to give the new way of doing
Over the years Rockway has been home to numerous
Conrad Grebel University College faculty and staff,
including three presidents — Frank Epp, Rod Sawatsky
and John Toews — and three interim presidents —
Norman High, Ernie Regehr and Hildi Froese Tiessen. In
1994, then-president Rod Sawatsky accepted a position as
President of Messiah College in Grantham Pennsylvania.
Rod and his wife Lorna, a gifted musician, were
significant leaders in the congregation and were missed
greatly when they moved.
In 1996, former pastor and long-time member Howard
Good died. At the time of writing he is the only person of
the eight pastors at Rockway to have passed away.
Early in the 1990s the school was again planning a major
expansion. The initial concept plans located part of the
proposed expanded building on the lots acquired by the
church in 1962. This led to tension between the church and
the conference. Eventually, following negotiations with
MCEC the lots were bought back from the church (at
market value) to allow the expansion to proceed.
Thanksgiving service at the Detweiler Meetinghouse in Roseville, about 2000.
The result of the school building project, completed in
1992, left the assembly area used by the church buried
more deeply in the middle of the building thus further
reducing street visibility and access. Some members began
to wonder openly whether the time had come for the
church to look for a new home.
In September, 1998 the Church Council authorized a
congregational visioning process that was facilitated by
Jeff Steckley. While many issues were identified and
discussed in several visioning sessions, the most
significant was facilities. There was a clear consensus that
the school‘s facilities no longer met the church‘s needs.
A commitment to the concept of shared facilities, however,
remained strong. (Around the same time Allan RudyFroese announced his intention to resign as pastor in the
coming year.)
In 1999 Allan Rudy-Froese left Rockway and became one
of the pastors of Erb Street Mennonite Church in
Waterloo. Congregational members Mary Burkholder and
Christina Reimer were called to serve as interim co-pastors
for one year. Burkholder, a retired pastor and MCEC
Executive Secretary, handled the administrative and
pastoral matters, while Reimer, a young adult with a gift
for preaching, handled more of those duties.
During this time Burkholder provided leadership in
reviewing and updating church membership records. This
was a significant undertaking since membership had
always been a contentious issue at Rockway. This shift
represented a return to a more traditional view of this
matter with members now more clearly identified. Care
has always been taken at Rockway to accord nearmembership status to adherents who participate regularly
but are not members in a formal sense.
The 1990s came to a close with new leadership and
facilities at the top of the church‘s agenda.
Knitters and Knotters: from left, Vera Snider, Betty Erb,
Masoumeh Daneshvar, Maria Meyer, Pauline Bast,
Margaret Lehman
The 2000s: Marching to Zion
A pastoral search committee chaired by Carolyn
Musselman recommended calling Scott Brubaker-Zehr as
pastor. In August 2000, Brubaker-Zehr came to Rockway
from Steinmann Mennonite Church where he served on the
pastoral team. His wife Mary is the Director of Student
Services at Conrad Grebel University College and they
came to Rockway well acquainted with many members
who work at the college. Scott and Mary had served with
the Mennonite Church in Colombia for several years in the
1990s and both are fluent in Spanish. Scott has now served
a full decade as pastor at Rockway. He is well-liked by the
congregation and is appreciated for his sincere, thoughtful
approach and sensitive care.
On the facilities front, the church entered into discussions
with CGUC about the possibility of a partnership around
the construction of a new college chapel that could also
serve as a new home for the Rockway congregation. Given
the church‘s many ties to the college and its long
experience with shared facilities at the school, this initially
looked to be good fit, but also signalled possible
difficulties.
A committee comprised of Church Council chair Brian
Hunsberger, treasurer Ruby Weber and businessmen Jim
Blair and John Weber negotiated with the college on the
project. Leading the college team was CGUC President
John Toews, who considered Rockway his home
congregation, but was not formally a member.
The architectural firm MMMC, of which Gerry
Musselman was a partner, was hired by the College to
design the building expansion. The church agreed to
contribute capital funds of up to $1 million in exchange for
indefinite free rent.
As planning proceeded, CGUC became increasingly
concerned about costs. In an effort to reduce them, CGUC
parted company with MMMC and pursued a design-build
option with another firm. This change of direction led to
conflict within the congregation about whether to continue
as a partner in the project. Finally, the church opted out of
the project early in 2002. CGUC then revised their plans,
and the modified project, without the chapel, was
completed a couple of years later without the church‘s
involvement.
Following a period of contemplation and healing, the
church struck a new Facilities Search Committee, chaired
by Ella Pauls, to explore other options, including buying
an existing church building. On the advice of Marcus
Shantz the committee entered into discussions with Zion
United Church in downtown Kitchener about the use of a
large Sunday school assembly area that was no longer used
by Zion for its original purpose. Seeing the potential, the
committee came to a lease agreement with Zion. Ken Frey,
who served on the Facilities Search Committee while
Church Chair, provided important leadership to the
congregation during the transition to Zion.
The leased areas — round room (Zion‘s name for the
sanctuary) and Sunday school rooms — required
considerable cleaning, painting and upgrading during the
summer of 2005. Some of this work was contracted out,
but a majority of church members volunteered at one time
or another. On moving day alone (July 25), 41 people
helped out. Handymen Howie Bast and Vic Reimer were
heavily involved, along with Linda Janzen who was on call
almost daily. All in all, it was a good community-building
project. After undertaking over $100,000 worth of
leasehold improvements, the church began worshiping in
this space in September, 2005. At the beginning of its 46th
year, a new era at Rockway had begun.
While building location had never been a concern for the
church — which has members from across KitchenerWaterloo as well as from Cambridge, Ayr, New Hamburg,
Elora, Fergus and Guelph — the downtown Kitchener
location is taking root as a congregational centre. The
number of young families attending the church has
increased dramatically since the move to Zion. Many of
these families live in the downtown area of Kitchener.
Several others living in close proximity to the church have
also begun to attend. Location now matters at Rockway.
Esther Etchells with Ethiopian refugee
family: counterclockwise from Esther,
Alemnesh Aboye, and children Nequi,
Sam and Nienkel Gatliak.
Increasingly, its vision is one of a downtown church. (See
the map on the next page.)
Under Ken Frey‘s leadership, the church decided to
incorporate. Although this decision was controversial in
some congregations, that was not the case at Rockway.
The process was completed in 2004.
Along with Breslau Mennonite Church, Rockway cosponsored an Ethiopian/Sudanese refugee family living in
Kenya in the mid-2000s. (Wanner Mennonite Church provided financial assistance.) The husband of the family,
unfortunately, died soon after they arrived. Esther Etchells
has dedicated herself to providing care and support to the
rest of the family. This is one of several past and pending
refugee sponsorships undertaken by Rockway over the years.
In 2009 the church adopted a policy statement on homosexuality that is welcoming to gay and lesbian persons.
The policy was adopted after many years of discussion. It
was shepherded through the process by current Church
Council Chair Margaret Janzen. An assistant crown
attorney in her day job, Janzen possesses the requisite
skills to lead the congregation through difficult issues. The
adoption of this policy again nudged Rockway toward the
cutting edge in Mennonite church circles.
Scott Brubaker-Zehr is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree while continuing in his pastoral role. He has been
given several short sabbatical leaves to pursue his studies.
The past decade has been a time of positive change as the
move to Zion has fostered new growth and excitement in
the church. What the next decade holds, only God knows.
Eighteen of the 41 volunteers who helped with the move to Zion, July 25, 2005.
The Rockway character and personality
How can Rockway Mennonite Church best be described,
50 years after its founding? What is its character? What is
its personality? Each member might answer these
questions somewhat differently, but several themes can be
identified. A few are suggested here, in no particular order
of importance.
a) Facilities: What is this place?
From its beginning Rockway has always met in facilities
shared with another institution. While this has caused some
conflict, the church has always maintained a preference for
the concept of shared facilities and the sense of stewardship that represents. The church has prospered as a renter.
Renting brings some uncertainty. Tenants can be evicted
or leases not renewed. While the Zion location very nicely
meets the church‘s current needs and there is growing
loyalty to the building, its long term future is unknown.
When all is said and done, although facilities are very
important, what draws us here is primarily the people, as
Gerry Musselman noted in The Rock, November 2000, p 3.
with respect to members‘ racial origins, the church was
one of the first to foster and welcome inter-Mennonitism.
Similarly, the church has also welcomed diversity of
opinion. Its openness to questioners and seekers has led to a
wider ranging dialogue than has occurred in many sister
churches, at least in its earlier years. Perhaps Rockway is no
longer unique in this regard, but in the late 1960s and
through the 1970s Rockway had a reputation as being more
open to questions than most other Mennonite churches.
This open spirit was clearly influenced by the number of
academics and other professional people who have held
leadership positions at Rockway throughout its history.
This is the environment they worked in during the rest of
the week so why should Sunday be any different? With
such a stance it‘s not surprising that Rockway has had a
―skeptical‖ relationship with church institutions.
Nevertheless, despite this ambivalence, over the years
Rockway has been a strong supporter of these institutions,
at which many of its members have worked, studied and
served on boards.
Hymn #1 aptly concludes, ―This is the place where we can
receive what we need to increase: God‘s justice and God‘s
peace.‖
The common bond of those entering Rockway‘s doors for
50 years has been the quest for truth and Christian
fellowship. ―All Christly souls are one in him throughout
the whole wide earth.‖ (Hymn #306)
b) Diversity: In Christ there is no east or west
c) Music: How can I keep from singing?
Rockway has always been a diverse congregation within
the Mennonite context. While that has not been the case
Rockway‘s life has always ―flowed on in endless song.‖
While a love of music is something that is shared among
most Mennonite churches, Rockway has been
especially blessed in this regard. From its
beginning the congregation has had many music
professors, choir directors, professional musicians
and music teachers, as well as very many top
quality amateur musicians among its members.
About 30 Rockway family units live within this map area, centred on
Rockway church, i.e., within a 15-minute walk or less.
Five on the Floor. From left, Bob Janzen,
Henry Schmidt, Jim Reimer, Ron Harder.
From Howard Dyck‘s Bach cantatas, to the Thirteen Voices
women‘s choir, to the bluegrass gospel songs of Five on the
Floor, to outstanding solos and energetic congregational
singing, Rockway members for 50 years have felt the
refrain, ―No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that
Rock I‘m clinging. Since love is Lord of heav‘n and earth,
how can I keep from singing.‖ (Hymn #580)
d) Social gospel: Brothers and sisters of mine
Rockway has maintained a strong ethic of social outreach.
People such as Donovan Smucker preached and practised
the social gospel and led the Peace and Social Concerns
Committee for a time. Whether through refugee
sponsorships, the production of comforters (more than 140
as of June 2010) for MCC and other agencies by the
women‘s Knitters and Knotters group, the packing of
schoolkits for MCC, the support of the Courtland-Shelley
community through House of Friendship in the early
2000s, or the more recent support of the YWCA‘s Mary‘s
Place (a shelter for homeless women) and of Marillac
Place (a shelter for young, homeless mothers on nearby
Young Street), reaching out to those in need has always
been a priority at Rockway. The church has been home to
many members who have worked in social outreach
programs of the wider church.
―Lord of all loving renew our compassion, and open our
hearts while we reach out our hands.‖ (Hymn #142)
e) Lay leadership: Heart with loving heart united
Partly out of necessity and partly out of principle,
Rockway has demonstrated unusually strong lay leadership
throughout its history. John Snyder certainly encouraged
this.
There has been an attempt to put the models of the early
Christian church and the early Anabaptist church into
practice. Such capability has served the church well at
times of transition as well as easing the burden on pastors
at some times and perhaps increasing the burden at others!
Pastors are not placed on a pedestal at Rockway and
deference to authority is not granted easily.
Rockway has never been a shy, retiring congregation,
easily led in a direction it didn‘t want to go. At the same
time the church has a good record of resolving most
conflicts constructively and coming out stronger and more
unified in the end.
The final refrain of hymn #420, ―Heart with loving heart
united‖ provides an appropriate prayer for Rockway
Mennonite Church as it celebrates 50 years of Christian
community. ―Kindle in us love‘s compassion so that
everyone may see, in our fellowship the promise of a new
humanity.‖ By God‘s grace, future generations of
Rockway Mennonite Church members will still be singing
50 years from now. Ω
A Statement of Faith
for Rockway Mennonite Church,
(from the 1970s)
To follow Christ daily in life, I must try to think, talk
and act in the spirit that moved his acts and teachings.
I must aim to do this day-in, day-out, in family,
business and social life. I recognize the Sermon on the
Mount as Christ’s guide for the Christian life.
I commit myself to the way of reconciliation in
conflict — whether personal or political — for Christ
calls us to non-defensive love to bring understanding
and forgiveness wherever possible, and to suffer
nonresistantly where it is not.
I commit myself to the belief that a living church is a
voluntary fellowship — a fellowship of people
transformed by faith in God and joined in loyalty and
love; a people who belong to each other, stand
together, contend together, worship together, witness
together, give aid to each other. I believe that Christ
saves us personally but unites us together communally
into a family of faith.
This statement was prepared in the early 1970s on the primary
initiative of Eleanor High (Good). It is based on a statement in
the 1971 Mennonite Hour calendar and readings of Elton
Trueblood, with amendments and additions appropriate to the
Rockway congregation of the time. (From On Being the
Church: Essays in Honour of John W. Snyder, pages
163-164)
Who we are
In this issue we feature Rockway’s eight founding members
who are still involved in the congregation, plus two
spouses who came to Rockway soon after. The eight
founding members are pictured on the cover. Pictures of
the Snyder/Taves and Weber couples are included here so
that the two additional spouses are also pictured.
Pauline and Howard Bast
Pauline: In 1934 I was born in my maternal grandparents‘
home, in the village of Strasburg, now the Pioneer Park
area of Kitchener. Since it was the depression, my father
Elum Martin had stayed in Rainy River where he was
working on building the Trans-Canada highway in the
Kenora area.
Six months later my family, including my brother Don,
moved to Emo, Ontario, where we had a restaurant. When
I was four we moved back to this area, to Parkway, a
village on the outskirts of Kitchener, where I attended a
one-room school.
Howard and I learned to know each other at First Mennonite Church and Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate (KCI).
Howard was my prime chauffeur when I attended Stratford
Teachers‘ College, graduating in 1954. I taught for eight
years at the elementary level before our children, Paul,
Valerie and Michael arrived. When Michael started grade
one I resumed my career as a supply teacher, experiencing
a vast array of different grades, classrooms and schools.
After my retirement in 1998, I worked in our daughter‘s
surplus store for several enjoyable years. At present I‘m
enjoying our seven grandchildren, ages 19 to two, our
cottage, my gardens, fewer building projects and the
possibility of future travel.
Howard: My beginning was December 22, 1934, at the
family home in Baden, Ontario, supported by my parents
and three siblings. In 1947 our family moved to Kitchener,
where I attended Suddaby Public School and then
graduated from KCI in 1953. I worked in construction and
manufacturing until 1980. In 1998 I retired as Manager of
Purchasing at the Waterloo Region District School Board.
In 1956 Pauline joined me, ―hands-on‖, in building our
home. In 1957 we were married by Ed Metzler and moved
into our new home, where we still live today. In 1968 we
built our cottage at Chesley Lake, where I served on the
Board of Directors for 18 years.
As a charter member of Rockway Mennonite Church, I
remember the early years of planning that culminated in a
new church on October 2, 1960. I have many memories of
the initial years at Rockway where weekly set-up duties
were required until 2005, when Rockway moved to our
present location. I was pleased to be involved in the
renovations at Zion that resulted in a beautiful worship and
Sunday school space.
Pauline and I have enjoyed travelling and hiking in
Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain, and a
cruise to Alaska.
Gloria and Gerry Musselman
Gloria: Born at home, just east of the village of Tavistock,
I was the first child of Laura and Ervin (Jake) Ruby. At the
age of four, when I was fluent in Pennsylvania Dutch but
lacking in English, we moved to Kitchener where my three
siblings were born. I graduated from Rockway Mennonite
School in its third graduating class, followed by graduation
from Teachers‘ College. Five years of teaching grade one
tots at Kitchener‘s King Edward School followed.
In the summer of 1957, I married Gerry Musselman and we
moved to Toronto. I taught for two years with the North
York Board of Education, when our daughter Karey was
born. Shortly after, we moved to Cambridge, lived in an
apartment until we bought the house we still live in, and
completed our family with two children, Carolyn and Mark.
As our children grew up, my taxi duties declined and I
volunteered in a myriad of community and church-related
organizations. For nine years I worked at Fairview
Mennonite Home as Coordinator of Volunteers. Since
retirement we participate in a range of interests and are
enjoying family times with our children, their spouses and
our five grandchildren.
Gerry: My claim to Pennsylvania Dutch fame(!) is that
my Grandma Bowman‘s maiden name was Sarah Bricker,
descended directly from Sam Bricker of The Trail of the
Conestoga. I was born in Preston on February 10, 1931.
I grew up in Sunday school and became a member of
Bishop Derstine‘s First Mennonite Church in Kitchener.
I learned to know Gloria when we both worked in the
church‘s Mennonite Youth Fellowship. We were married
on July 13, 1957.
My elementary school years were spent at Preston Central
School, the oldest surviving stone elementary school in the
province. It became a cause célèbre some years later when
it was saved from demolition by the Waterloo County
Board of Education while I was president of the
architectural conservancy, Heritage Cambridge. [Gerry is
understating his significant role in this important
Iva Taves and John Snyder
Iva (Sherk) Taves
and John Snyder
were part of a
friends foursome
dating back to
1951. Their
deceased partners
were Harvey
Taves and Lois
(Buckwalter)
Snyder, both
Goshen College graduates. Harvey was director of MCC in
Canada from 1953 to 1964, when various provincial
offices were established. Harvey died in 1965. Lois, a
graduate of Goshen‘s Music and English program, was a
vocalist and music teacher who also had her ARCT
(certification as an Associate of the Royal Conservatory)
from Toronto. She died in August 1990.
Norma and David Rudy
Norma: I was born to Dan R. and Nancy Albrecht Erb on
a farm near Wellesley. I helped with farm chores and at the
Kitchener Farmers‘ Market where we sold eggs, homebaked goods and cook cheese. With my dog I explored the
woods, gravel pit and a nearby stream, developing a
lifelong love of nature and the Creator. At fourteen I was
baptized at Maple View Amish Mennonite Church.
I graduated from Rockway Mennonite School, Stratford
Teachers‘ College and the University of Western Ontario.
I loved teaching — two years in Brantford, then five years
in Kitchener after my marriage.
achievement. It was his creative work that transformed the
school building into a seniors‘ retirement building, part of
Fairview Mennonite Home. The editor]
From 1950-1955 I attended the School of Architecture,
University of Toronto, and, after serving a two-year
apprenticeship with Professor James A. Murray, founded
an architectural practice with a fellow graduate. In March
1998 I was elected Fellow of the Royal Architectural
Institute of Canada.
In 2004, Gloria was seriously injured and a year later I
retired from my 24-person architectural practice, Mark
Musselman McIntyre Combe, (MMMC Inc. Architects) in
Brantford.
The Taveses, with children Mila and Mary, were part of
Rockway‘s original congregation. John and Lois, with
children Jed, Patricia and Julia, joined Rockway in 1964.
John became Rockway‘s minister in 1967, retiring in 1991.
John graduated from Goshen College and Goshen Biblical
Seminary, and after an eleven-year term as minister at
Bloomingdale Mennonite Church, took a sabbatical at
Yale Divinity School, earning a Master of Sacred
Theology degree (STM).
Iva graduated from medicine at the University of Toronto
in 1952. Post-graduate work included 50 years studying
and working in pathology. She retired in the fall of 1993 as
head of laboratories at what is now Grand River Hospital.
Since retirement, Iva has had the luxury of being a
homebody. John and Iva are enjoying each other‘s
company and support in their senior years. John turned 85
on September 20, Iva turned 82 on May 6.
In 1961 we were called to Fairview Mennonite Home
where I soon got to love the seniors and initiated activities,
volunteer services and a newsletter — the first in any
home for the aged in Ontario. For 13 years I edited the
Quarterly for the Ontario Association of Homes for the
Aged. In 1983 I received a citation from the Ministry of
Community and Social Services for my writing.
Responding to requests, I wrote pageants, a Bible school
curriculum, historical dramas, a History of Chesley Lake
Camp, a history of homes for the aged in Ontario, and a
Seniors‘ Ministry Manual. The latter two are used in
university courses.
I have coordinated the Cambridge Stroke Recovery
Association for 25 years on a volunteer basis and I
appreciate David‘s help and support in that endeavour.
I enjoy working in a wild flower sanctuary at Chesley
Lake Camp and treasure our children Duane (Kim), Lynne
Martin and Gayle (Andrew) Lounsbury and seven
grandchildren.
David: My life began during the depression on a farm
near Bloomingdale. I attended Bloomingdale Mennonite
Church where I was baptized. I graduated from Ontario
Mennonite Bible School in 1950 and spent a year at
Hesston College in 1952/53.
In 1949 I attended Youth Camp at Chesley Lake where I
met Norma Erb. We were married in 1955 at First
Mennonite Church. We both served as Sunday school
superintendents there and later at Rockway, where I also
served on various committees through the years, was
treasurer for a time, and later served as chair of Ministry
Council.
I worked at Hallman Manufacturing for five years
installing and servicing Hallman organs (my passion) in
churches across Canada. In 1961 Norma and I were asked
to go to Fairview Mennonite Home where I was
administrator for 27 years. I served on the board of the
Ontario Association of Homes for the Aged for nine years
and was president in 1972. In 1994 I was presented with a
lifetime membership and a leadership award.
A few of many highlights in my life include: travelling by
train to Carstairs, Alberta, in 1951 to help with the harvest,
combining only 70 acres of 700 acres, leaving the rest
covered in snow; building a boat, and later a cottage at
Chesley Lake; taking a Faith and Arts Tour to Europe,
including Oberammergau‘s passion play; and ―tent-trailering‖ with our family across Canada and the United States.
John and Elaine Weber
John: I was
born in Kitchener
and grew up on a
corn and poultry
farm on Bleams
Road in
Kitchener. I
attended
Williamsburg
Elementary
School, having
the same teacher for eight years, then to Rockway
Mennonite School where I graduated in 1958. As a young
child I enjoyed working on the farm so I enrolled in the
diploma course at the Ontario Agriculture College
(Guelph) and graduated in 1960. As a volunteer with
Mennonite Central Committee I worked in India from
1961 to 1964. On my return, I worked in our farm business
and purchased it from my brothers and parents by 1969.
Elaine and I married in 1965.
Our property on Bleams Road was sold in 1969 and I
purchased land in the Mannheim area. The operation
evolved from raising capons to raising light roasting
chickens. At its peak production I was cropping 700 acres
and shipping 60,000 roasting chickens every nine weeks. I
retired from farming in 1997.
I was a director on the Ontario Chicken Marketing Board
for eight years. At Rockway Mennonite Church I served
on the Stewardship Committee and was church treasurer
for nine years. Currently I am volunteering with Meals on
Wheels.
Elaine: I am the oldest of four children. We lived on a
dairy farm near Bridgeport. Although I attended
Bridgeport Public School, my main social community was
my Sunday school peers at Breslau Mennonite Church.
I loved being able to attend Rockway Mennonite School,
where I graduated in 1959.
Growing up, my summer chores included driving a tractor
for some harvesting but mainly helping with the garden
maintenance and preservation of food. My first summer
away from farm work was spent in The Pas, Manitoba,
where I volunteered with MCC, working as a nurse‘s aid
in a tuberculosis sanatorium.
After attending Stratford Teacher‘s College, I taught
elementary school in Bridgeport and Waterloo. John and I
were married at Breslau Mennonite Church in April 1965.
Our daughters Emily and Jill were born in Kitchener, and
we moved to our present home in Mannheim in 1973. I
volunteered in the community and enjoyed being a stay-athome mom while being able to assist with farm business
when needed.
In retirement, we spend summers with friends, family and
three grandchildren at Chesley Lake, and part of the winter
in Arizona. Ω
A chat with Tony Snider
By Betti Erb
Tony Snider, 42, is the youngest of seven adult children in
the Snider family: after eldest brother Ross, then Dan,
Steven, Phil, Tim and Patti, the sole female. Tony has 12
nieces and nephews, ranging from 34 years to age eight.
As a child, Tony was a student in the special education
program at Smithson Elementary. At that time some
hearing loss was diagnosed. He attended Breslau Public
School for his senior elementary grades. Then, for grades
nine through twelve he attended Laurel Vocational School
(later called University Heights Secondary School, before
being closed by the school board) at Weber and University
Avenue in Waterloo. He studied woodworking, welding,
science, food services, history and English.
Tony‘s first job was washing dishes at Rafters Restaurant
in Kitchener (which later became Moose Winooski).
Sadly, that was the first situation in which he was taken
advantage of, he said. After that he worked at GoodLife
Fitness in Kitchener. Over the years he has been employed
on his parents‘ farm, helping with the pigs and beef cattle,
as well as driving the tractors and cleaning stables.
When Tony was a teenager his kidneys began to
malfunction. He also began to feel soreness in his joints,
legs and feet. A rheumatologist found high levels of
creatine, an organic acid that helps supply energy to
muscles. A nephrologist examined him, and Tony was put
on a diet with strict portion sizes. As his kidney function
deteriorated, Tony was put on a dialysis program at Grand
River Hospital.
In 1996, when Tony was 28 and working at GoodLife
Fitness in Waterloo, he was notified that a kidney was
available. He was told he needed to get a few hours of
dialysis and then go directly to St. Joseph‘s Hospital in
Hamilton. He underwent a kidney transplant at St.
Joseph‘s; the date was January 2, 1996. Tony will be on
anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life. He has a
drug program that helps with costs.
Tony and his parents, John and Vera Snider, moved to a
condominium in Ayr 11 years ago, in 1999. Prior to that
they had lived in a farmhouse on a hill across from Faith
Missionary Church in Kitchener. Their condo has a spacious
living room and a loft, and a finished downstairs with lots of
space when other family members pile in to visit.
The Sniders own a farm eight kilometres away, on
Roseville Road, where they keep pigs, some cattle and
three horses (a brown one,
Barny, a white one, Queen,
and a third, unnamed horse, a
colt). It‘s Tony‘s job to give
the livestock water and feed
daily. The farm was put up
for sale earlier this year.
At present Tony works two
days a week at Grand Valley
Golf Course on Roseville
Road. He collects garbage left
on the course, sweeps the
patio, does the recycling, washes the golf carts and puts
gas into them. He plays in a men‘s golfing league
Thursday evenings. In the winter he helps the equipment
manager for the Centennials, a hockey team in Ayr. Tony
is the go-to guy for the ordinary but indispensable things:
filling players‘ water bottles, opening and closing the
penalty box. Tony enjoys being part of the team and is
always disappointed when there is a loss.
Tony‘s father, John, enjoys good health. John grew up on
his family‘s farm — his parents were Clifford (Sr) and Ella
Snider — but he has driven a truck for 45 years, both on
local and long distance runs, with an excellent driving
record. Tony‘s mother, Vera Wismer, grew up at Pioneer
Park congregation, then called Weber Mennonite Church.
Her dad, Clarence Wismer, was a chorister (song leader) in
the church. Clarence‘s father, Tony‘s great-grandfather,
was a minister in the 1920s.
John and Vera came to the Rockway congregation in its
early years, from Weber Mennonite Church. Tony was
always involved in Rockway‘s youth group. Among his
contemporaries were Emily Weber, Paul and Valerie Bast
and Kevin Kroeker. Tony was baptized at age 20.
Tony is an avid baseball fan and enjoys excursions to
Rogers Centre. The last time he went to a game, he loved
his seat, eight rows from the infield. (The tickets come
from the family pharmacist, who has known Tony a long
time.) Tony also follows the Toronto Maple Leafs, and
enjoys an occasional game at the Air Canada Centre.
Tony is pleased that a new arena and community centre are
being built on the outskirts of Ayr, its completion slated
for sometime in 2012. Ayr is growing steadily, with
increasing traffic, he said. Tony loves his dog, Murphy, a
seven-month-old cross between a shiatsu and a York
terrier. When asked what he most enjoys about the
Rockway congregation, he said: singing in church! Ω
Notes from near and far
The late A. James Reimer (Jim) was one of four people
to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from Canadian
Mennonite University at a Homecoming Weekend dinner
on September 25. (His spouse, Margaret, was there to
receive the award on his behalf.) The citation noted Jim‘s
long career in teaching: as a Religious Studies professor at
the University of Waterloo (he began as a sessional
lecturer at Conrad Grebel College in 1978), and at the
Toronto School of Theology, where he was founding
director of the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre, a
graduate teaching and research centre. ―He had a central
role in establishing Conrad Grebel‘s graduate program in
theology and was an important figure in establishing
Mennonite theology as a study field in the discipline of
Theology. Reimer‘s contributions in teaching, writing, and
research have been outstanding and recognized in many
ways, including the establishment of two endowed awards
in his name....‖ Reimer is the author or editor of nine
books and hundreds of scholarly articles and presentations.
The citation noted that he is a member of Rockway
Mennonite Church. (See page 3 for reports on Jim‘s final
appearance with Five on the Floor, and his funeral.
Rebecca Waltner-Toews graduated with an MD from the
University of Pittsburgh on May 24. She has accepted
residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University
of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where
she now resides, with her husband Steve Clemens and their
son Ira David.
On August 19, 2010, in London, England, David
Waltner-Toews received the inaugural award for
―Outstanding Contributions to the Field of EcoHealth‖
from the International Association for Ecology & Health.
According to their letter, the selection committee ―was
especially impressed by the quality and diversity of [his]
contributions, including outstanding success in research,
teaching, communications and policy-influence, combined
with international recognition and commitment to fieldbuilding in this emerging area of scholarship.‖ (See
http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func
=display&sid=3026.)
David has also been invited by Canada‘s International
Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa to speak
later this fall as part of its ―Speakers of Renown‖ public
lecture series, celebrating the 40th anniversary of IDRC.
According to IDRC‘s website, these speakers, which include
Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus (who started the
Grameen Bank in Bangladesh) and award-winning historian
Margaret MacMillan, are ―brilliant. They‘re changing the
world. And they‘re giving free lectures.‖ David is now
struggling with how to reconcile these recognitions with his
natural Mennonite Brethren humility.
Dan Lichti writes: I‘ll be singing the role of Bartolo in
Opera Hamilton‘s production of Mozart‘s Le Nozze di
Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) on October 21 and 23 at
Hamilton Place. A new CD has just been released, Hugo
Wolf‘s ―Italienisches Liederbuch‖ on the ANALEKTA
label. There will be a CD release concert and reception at
Tribute Communities Recital Hall at York University,
Toronto, October 5 at 7:30 pm with my colleagues, mezzo
soprano Catherine Robbin and pianist Leslie De‘Ath.
Rebecca Lichti writes: I‘ll be on my final work term at
the University of Waterloo in the fall. I‘ve been given the
position of Artistic Director at my gymnastics club. My
cheerleading team will be very active this year,
participating in a number of demonstrations and
competitions. The main competitions will be Cheer for the
Cure at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga on November
13, and the University and Open National Cheerleading
Championship at the Powerade Centre in Brampton on
December 4.
Congratulations to Emily Brubaker-Zehr who received
the first annual Peace in Action Essay Award from
Mennonite Savings and Credit Union. Her winning essay
was selected by a panel of judges from MSCU, MCC
Ontario, Project Ploughshares and members of the peace
faculties at Conrad Grebel University College and
Canadian Mennonite University. It is called ―The Power of
Education‖ and is posted on the MSCU website under
―Our Community‖,
https://www.mscu.com/Personal/InOurCommunity/Peacei
nAction2010Submissions.
Paul Born writes: ―Lucas just started at the University of
Waterloo in the Science and Business program. Although
he is living on the UW campus, he will be an associate at
Grebel. Michael is starting at Rockway Collegiate and is
excited to be part of the theatre and sports teams. Marlene
is back in the Dean‘s chair filling in a six-month sabbatical
at Grebel this year while working on a new book about
food history. I am in my ninth year with the Tamarack
Institute, where I am finishing a new book and website
entitled Seeking Community – Finding Belonging in
Chaotic Times (www.seekingcommunity.ca), and
wrapping up a ten-year research project that has reduced
poverty for more than 172,000 people in Canada. Many
changes in the Epp Born household this fall.‖
Mark Epp-Tiessen, grandson of Helen Epp and son of
Esther and Dan Epp-Tiessen, was married to Melissa Dyck
on July 17, 2010 at the Home Street Mennonite Church in
Winnipeg. The bride was lovely in a white dress purchased
at the MCC Thrift Shop. She carried a bouquet of zinnias
grown by her father and edged with garden kale. After the
ceremony the bridal couple rode to the reception at
Canadian Mennonite University on a tandem bike. Their
attendants followed, also on bikes. The 30 delicious pies
consumed at the reception were baked by the bride and her
friends. Mark and Melissa will be attending Associated
Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in Elkhart, Indiana in the
coming year. Marianne Coleman, Marlene Epp and
Paul Born, Lucas and Michael also attended the
wedding.
John Brubacher successfully defended his thesis in
August and will receive his PhD in cell biology from the
University of Manitoba at convocation on October 20. He
has started his third year teaching biology at Canadian
Mennonite University in September and is delighted to
have a newly constructed laboratory wing for his students
to work in. The wing was officially opened in the presence
of Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger on September 3. John
gave a short speech, which made a big impression on the
reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press, as you can read at
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/blogs/welch/
Why-press-conferences-dont-always-suck102179119.html.
Matthew Tiessen successfully defended his PhD
dissertation in Social Theory and Art, Design & Visual
Culture at the University of Alberta on September 17 —
feel free to call him ―Dr‖! This winter term Matt will
resume teaching courses in Digital Culture, Technology
and Society, and Visual Culture in the Communication
Studies Department at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Matthew‘s partner Petra Hroch is spending this fall
studying with internationally renowned feminist theorist
Rosi Braidotti at the Centre for the Humanities at Utrecht
University in the Netherlands. This winter Petra will be
defending her dissertation proposal. Matthew has joined
her in Utrecht.
sleeping on the floor. Neighbours have helped out, however,
and we now have the basics covered with borrowed table,
chairs, TV, pots and pans, and a mattress or two. Two days
after our arrival Dave started work and has been enjoying
the challenges and quirks of working for the same company,
but in another country and language. Andrew has been in
German school for a week and seems to be enjoying it while
Naomi begins on Monday, September 20. This weekend
there is a special ecumenical service to start the school year.
Naomi and all the first graders will participate with their
‗Schultüte‘, a decorated paper cone filled with school
supplies and goodies, to celebrate the official start. (See
picture below and on page 24.)
―We live in the quaint village of Markelfingen, in sight of
the Bodensee, just outside Radolfzell where Dave works.
Bike paths crisscross all over the place; Dave‘s ride is even
closer than in Waterloo. In our town we have a little
grocery store, doctor, drug store, church, bank, train stop
and bakery (very important!) — what else do we need?
I feel fortunate that my German is good enough to be able
to negotiate the furniture purchases, bank accounts,
insurance and school registrations!
―We‘re thinking of you and wishing we could parachute in
every Sunday. We have yet to attempt the intimidating
task of finding a church. We look forward to hearing how
the 50th anniversary celebrations go. Keep in touch and be
sure to drop in when you‘re in the area … after we get
some furniture!
―Our address is: Zum Lerchental 51
Radolfzell-Markelfingen
78315, Germany
Our email address is unchanged: [email protected];
tel: +49 7732 802 1910; skype: anitadave, Markelfingen.‖
Katryn de Salaberry announces that she has moved to 52
Irvin Street, Kitchener, N2H 1K8. She welcomes folks to
come by for a hello.
Anita Fieguth writes, on behalf of the family, including
David Willms, Andrew and Naomi: ―Greetings, Rockway
friends. As I write this (September 17) we have reached
week three in Germany and are starting to feel a little more
settled, although we‘re still living out of suitcases and
The Willms/Fieguth family in front of their house in
Germany. From left, Dave, Andrew, Naomi and
Anita. Naomi is holding her Schultüte.
Congratulations to Sheri Wideman, who has completed
her Master of Education program in Second Language
Education at the University of Toronto. At the beginning
of September Mark Weber started a new job. He has
joined SIG, the Social Innovation Group at the University
of Waterloo. He is cross-appointed to SEED (School of
Environment, Enterprise and Development) and to SAF
(School of Accounting and Finance).
Mark Musselman, Vice-President of Serendipity Point
Films, is the Executive Producer of Barney’s Version, the
film based on Mordecai Richler‘s novel of the same title. It
premiered to great acclaim at the Venice Film Festival on
September 4, and at the Toronto International Film
Festival a week later. In its September 11 issue, The Globe
and Mail described the movie and the reception it received
in Venice in a front page article at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/italiansloved-barneys-version-the-book-and-now-the-movietoo/article1703646/. A report of the screening at TIFF is at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/tiff/tiff-mobblog/sharing-the-barney-spotlight/article1704827/
Serendipity Point Films has produced a number of
important films over its 12-year history, including Fugitive
Pieces, which opened the 2007 TIFF, and Eastern
Promises. Mark joined Serendipity 11 years ago and
became a partner three years ago.
Arlene Groh is the author of ―A Community Responds to
Elder Abuse‖, a chapter in the just-released book, The
Promise of Restorative Justice: New Approaches for
Criminal Justice and Beyond, edited by John PJ Dussich
and Jill Schellenberg, and published by Lynne Rienner
Publishers, ISBN 978-1-58826-723. For more information
go to http://www.rienner.com/ and enter the ISBN. To read
the introduction, go to
http://www.rienner.com/uploads/4c52ff0821ac2.pdf.
Earlier this year Arlene and Steve Hibbard, retired
superintendent with Waterloo Regional Police Service,
formed a partnership called RPR Associates, which ―seeks
to Recognize, Prevent and Resolve workplace violence.‖
They offer a values-based approach for consultation
services, training and educational workshops. For more
information go to their website, http://rprassociates.com/.
Katherine Sawatsky writes: ―A quick update on my recent
adventures: This past August, my boyfriend Matthew
Walker and I switched coasts, moving from Vancouver to
Halifax. Matthew‘s family is from the east coast (Fredericton, New Brunswick) so this move brings us closer to
family, while giving us the opportunity to explore a new
city. We were welcomed to Halifax in a dramatic way with
Hurricane Earl. Otherwise, we have been settling in nicely.
Matthew is practicing corporate law at Stewart McKelvey
and I‘m working as a nurse in the emergency department
of Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. We have
already enjoyed some sailing and look forward to
exploring more of the city and surfing in this cold Atlantic
water. I hope this update finds you all well.‖
Sarah Brubacher celebrated her 93rd birthday with friends
and family on September 17, 2010, at Village Manor in St.
Jacobs. Sarah is the mother of Mary Kaiser, grandmother
to Mary‘s three children, Barb (Gavin), Derek (Caitlin)
and Andrew (Liz), and a great-grandmother to Elim (9)
and Sita (5), who live on the Island of Haida Gwaii in
British Columbia, and Lilli (1) who lives in Toronto.
Matt Waltner-Toews writes: ―We were in Bali on
vacation the second week of September. South Australia is
still in winter, which means 14oC during the day and
raining — unlike Bali, which was 32oC and sunny. Lydia
will next be doing two weeks of rural placement in a place
called ‗Crystal Brook‘, north of us, learning about small
town medicine in Australia. While she‘s away I‘ll be home
minding the farm, as it were.‖
Betsy Wall is one of five people that CBC‘s Fifth Estate
television personnel have been following in Haiti, to see
what they are doing there in the aftermath of the
earthquake on January 12, 2010. Betsy writes: ―I have
been told that I am a bit of the centre story. They have
taken volumes of footage since May of my parents, me,
our golf tournament, donors, partners, and now Haiti. I am
quite astounded by it all. As they finished in midSeptember, they thanked me personally for what they have
seen and experienced. I was very touched by this. The
Fifth Estate program is scheduled to air on January 7,
2011, five days before the one-year anniversary of the
earthquake.‖
Ali and Doug Blair are enjoying living in Toronto. Ali
finished her Master‘s degree in Child Studies and
Education at the University of Toronto. She is now
working as a behavioral therapist at a private practice.
Doug continues his employment as an auditor at
Scotiabank. He enjoys travelling across Canada, Latin
America and the Caribbean in the course of his work. Ali
and Doug recently purchased their first home and are
settling in nicely! The address is 502-194 Merton Street,
Toronto, ON, M4S 1A1; tel, 416-887-3341. Ω
Faced with the choice between changing one's mind
and proving that there is no need to do so, almost
everyone gets busy on the proof. (John Kenneth
Galbraith (1908–2006), Canadian-American economist.
Artwork to be unveiled
Artists within our congregation have created works of art
that were unveiled at the anniversary event on Saturday
evening, October 2.
Jo-Anne Harder — ―Three in One‖ is a welded steel and
brass sculpture. Symbolism of the trinity is central to the
work, but it also explores the themes of unity and
connectedness.
Mary Karen Gosselink — ―In the Beauty of the Lilies‖
— She writes: ―In my project I have replicated the lovely
leaded, stained glass windows in our sanctuary. The
windows‘ lily-like design is in fabric, to create an
altar/communion cloth.‖
Margaret Butt — ―The Crystals‖ are identical, quilted
panels made using a reverse appliquéd technique in a
stained glass pattern and are reminiscent of sparkling
snowflakes and special night stars. Metallic silver thread
was used to machine quilt around all of the shapes and the
extra shine was added with fabric paint.
―Memories of My Mother's Garden‖ used a ―quilt as you
go‖ technique in these non-identical wall quilts. They were
finished with a combination of hand and machine quilting
and remind us of new life and glorious colour in the spring
and summer seasons.
Marianne Coleman — ―Rockway Windows Then,
Rockway Windows Now‖ — She writes: ―I attended
Rockway Mennonite Church as a young adult during the
1970s. The view of the spruce trees outside the windows
of the classroom where we met is my clearest memory of
that time. Thirty years later I returned to Canada from the
United States and found myself at Rockway again, this
time at the Zion sanctuary. The new space enveloped the
congregation in the warm tones of old wood and soft
lighting. The reddish flower buds in the stained glass
windows caught my eye. The two fabric panels that I have
created for Rockway‘s 50th anniversary celebrate these
window images. They are constructed of cotton and silk
that I painted with dyes on my living room floor. Ω
Solution to the biblical sudoku on page 5
C
0
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1
8
P
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P
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V
H
0
8
1
1
H
8
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S
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R
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V
8
C
0
V
H
S
1
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P
H
1
P
8
R
C
V
0
S
R
V
S
0
P
1
8
H
C
0
8
1
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0
The scripture reference is in the bottom row, Proverbs 8:10:
―Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge
rather than choice gold.‖ NRSV Ω
Pictured here is the 50th Anniversary Committee, the group that has worked hard for a year to plan the October 2/3,
2010 weekend. Enjoy the result of their hard work and thank them for it. From left, Sam Steiner (secretary), David Rudy,
David Butt, Margaret Butt, (absent, Gloria Musselman), Howard Bast (chair), Pauline Bast, Gerry Musselman, Norma
Rudy.
Free illustrated lecture
―Woldemar, his sister Kate,
Dietrich, and Victor‖
by Hildi Froese Tiessen
Sunday, October 31, 2010, 2:30 pm
Great Hall, Conrad Grebel University College
In this illustrated lecture, sponsored by Grebel’s
Institute of Anabaptist Mennonite Studies, Hildi will
review the life and art of Woldemar Neufeld,
with special reference to his circle of
Mennonite artists and friends.
Anita Fieguth and Naomi Willms walking past the
Rathaus in their new home town, Markelfingen, Germany.
A reception will follow, accompanied by a launch of a
beautiful new art-book, Woldemar Neufeld’s Canada: A
Mennonite Artist in the Canadian Landscape 1925-1995
(Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2010).
First day of school for Naomi Willms (front row, second
from right) in Germany. The sign says “WILKOMMEN”.
―Railway Bridge at St. Jacobs‖
(Woldemar Neufeld, watercolour, c 1942)
Our commission
Lord, you give the great commission: ―Heal the sick and
preach the word.‖ Lest the church neglect its mission and
the gospel go unheard, help us witness to your purpose
with renewed integrity.
Lord, you show us love‘s true measure: ―Father, what they
do, forgive.‖ Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you
so freely give. May your care and mercy lead us to a just
society.
Refrain: With the Spirit‘s gifts empow‘r us for the work
of ministry.
(From Sing the Journey, #63, sung September 26, 2010.)
At our potluck, September 19, 2010.

50th Anniversary Issue - Rockway Mennonite Church

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