Life
Together
St. Jacobs Mennonite Church
December 2010
www.sjmc.on.ca
Upcoming Christmas Worship Services
“An Unexpected Hour”
Sunday, December 12
Children’s Christmas Worship Service
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve Happenings
(Note the early service start time.)
We begin with 2 informal opportunities to sing
Christmas carols - all ages welcome.
10:30am - Children & Youth Music and
Junior Sunday School Children’s Drama
“Make Room” (Written by Rebecca Seiling)
Sunday, December 19
Handel’s Messiah Worship Service
(*see sign-up sheet, or just show up.)
*5:50pm - Christmas Carolling
at St. Jacobs Place Retirement Residence
(10 Water Street; across from St. Jacobs Firehall.)
*6:30pm - Christmas Carolling
at SJMC - Foyer Step Carollers
Christmas Prelude Music
10:45am - SJMC Christmas Choir sings selections
from G. F. Handel’s Messiah, with small orchestra
7:00pm - Christmas Eve Worship Service”
Sunday, December 26
Boxing Day Worship Service
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
(No separate study hour.)
(No separate study hour.)
Christmas Prelude Music
10:45am - “Weep and Rejoice!”
Christmas Prelude Music
Christmas Prelude Music
10:45am “Be the Sign”
Contributing Writers
Pastor’s Pen - Page 3
The Gift of Time: In a Shoe?
By: Sue Shantz
Getting to Know ... - Pages 4 & 5
Ernie and Carolyn Nullmeyer
By: Doris Kramer
Reflections - Page 6 & 7
Nicaragua 2010 - A Medical Mission
Trip
By: Sue & Maynard Wideman
Peacemaking Ponderings - Page 8
House of Friendship Christmas
Hamper Program
By: Trevor Bauman
Reader’s Review-Page 9
By: Alice Brubacher (L)
Vision View - Page 19
By: Brent Horst (R)
Reflections - Pages 12-13
By: Ruth Martin (L)
Christmas Memories
Reflections - Page 14
By: Orvie Martin (R)
Reflections - Page 16
By: Kevin Derksen (L)
Thankfulness - Page 17
By: Nelson Scheifele
Life and Times - Page 18
A glimpse into the hearts and minds
of Amber Bauman, Anita Schroeder
Kipfer, Diane Cressman and Meredith
Bigham.
Children’s Challenge - Page 20
We were once children like you.
Can you guess who we are now?
Page coordinated by: Marcia Shantz
Thank-You To:
St. Jacobs Printery
- and Karen Sauder (SJMC) - Distribution
SJMC - 2
The Down Side
of Traditions
Editorial
Written By: Vaughn Bender
A
catchy but, perhaps, odd title for a Christmas
editorial?
An on-line business publication
recently had a link to an article, which reflected on
the fierce pace of global competition and the need, in
our fast paced world, to distance us from the status quo and
‘traditional’ way of doing things, to focus on innovating for the future. And yet at
this Christmas season many of our fondest memories reach to the traditions and
customs of our parents and grandparents …and we long for simpler times when
we seemed to have ‘more time’ for the time-honoured customs.
How do we combine and balance the innovative, critical thinking and fast pace
of our worldly lives and the traditional and faith-based thinking of our family and
Christian lives? Thank goodness it’s possible and happening! This edition of Life
Together contains a tapestry of responses, if you will, to the above.
One of our articles includes an invitation to get involved in delivering Christmas
hampers…one small but significant way to reach beyond. Our front cover photo
of knitted ear flap hats (by many SJMC knitters) and other socks, gloves, scarves,
mitts, hats for our annual Socks and Mittens Christmas Tree (pg. 13) at SJMC,
as well as School Kit supplies for MCC school kits – all things being collected
and gifted “across the street and around the world” this Christmas season as
expressions of God’s love. The story of ‘the quilt that keeps on giving’ symbolizes
the rich interweaving of one of our longest standing customs with the innovative
and rewarding relationship with the Grace Lao congregation. It is a wonderful
symbol and reminder that each varied piece of fabric brings a richness and
brightness to our lives and when “quilted” together makes a whole much greater
than the individual parts. And what an interesting journey this quilt has been on!
In the recent ‘Biblical Resources for Healing’ October study weekend, with
CMU Professor Dan Epp-Tiessen, we heard about journeys of suffering, of healing
and of hope. Kevin’s summary article of this weekend encourages that it’s ok
to embrace these conditions. The Advent season is like that too, as sometimes
remembrances of loss or loneliness can be overwhelming. Opportunities for hope
and rejuvenation also abound and we want to remember to take time to share
these experiences with all those whom we encounter.
Enjoy taking the time to get to know Carolyn and Ernie Nullmeyer during this
Christmas season - featured in our long-standing and popular ‘Getting to Know’
column. Read about the ‘gift of time’ and what can you fit in a shoe! Intrigued?
Good! Vision View challenges us to share stories of our vision in action. Sounds
like good future reading! As we embark into the hustle and bustle of Christmas
2010 we have the opportunity to take time to reflect and savour some of our
simple traditions as in the eyes of “Christmas Memories” throughout, as well
as the ability to embrace new customs, to reach out to neighbours of multifaith
backgrounds here in our community and beyond, to reach out to those who need a
hand up at this time of year. And it’s great to know that no matter how innovative
or inventive the future becomes – the simple precepts remain as true now today
as ever.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Editorial Team
Vaughn Bender - Editor
Marcia Shantz - Coordination & Editing
Larry Shantz - Layout & Photography
Visit the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church website - www.sjmc.on.ca
... in the Latin language,
the word pastor means a shepherd.
Pastor’s Pen
The Gift of Time: In a Shoe?
Written By: Sue Shantz, Pastor
A
s I am writing this I am immersed in helping to plan our
Advent/Christmas worship series, “An Unexpected
Hour”. Outside there are huge, fluffy snowflakes falling.
Does the Christmas season evoke feelings of stress, anticipation,
anxiety, joy; perhaps a combination?
Some years back we had a German student, Sanna, living with
us for five months which also happened to fall over the Christmas
season. She was used to celebrating St. Nicolas Day on December
6th so we wanted to recognize and celebrate that day with her.
St. Nicolas lived during the 3rd Century and his wealthy parents
who raised him to be a devout Christian died during an epidemic.
Taking Jesus’ words seriously, Nicolas used his inheritance to care
for the sick, the poor and those in need. He dedicated his life to
serving God and became known for his generosity and also his
love of children. The anniversary of his death (December 6) became
a day of celebration. Typically shoes are set out the night before
and filled with fruit and candy which is meant to be shared and not
hoarded. So we invited Sanna to set her shoes outside her bedroom
door and we saw that they were filled come morning.
It’s interesting how days set aside to honour people and the
values they represent can, through the years, become distorted
with little resemblance to the original intent. It seems to me
that the celebration of Christmas falls under that category. The
celebration of the birth of Jesus has become enmeshed in crass
commercialism and the expectations that have been placed on us
through advertising and the media need to be challenged. Don’t
get me wrong. I love celebrations and I love giving and receiving
gifts but I think we’ve been swept up into a frenzy of shopping and
activities that have become excessive.
Back to the shoe – it’s small and one is limited to what one can
fit into a shoe, which seems to be an invitation to “keep it simple”
- simple enough to fit into a shoe! One gift that could fit in a shoe
could be a note that speaks to one of the most precious gifts we
have to give – the gift of time: a gift that we can give to ourselves
and share with each other. A gift that has the potential to nourish us
W
Did You Know?
illiam Johnson (17) was one of 4 members of the 1st
Elmira Venturer Scouts having attained the highest
award of the Scouting program earning the Queen’s
Venturer Award (QVA), and was honoured in a special ceremony
on October 24 at Queen’s Park. The QVA signifies that a Venturer
has both the character and the ability to be of significant service
to other people. QVA is a multi-year journey that requires these
young men to demonstrate skills and knowledge in the areas of
fitness, personal interest, vocation and exploration; hold a current
Standard Level First Aid Certificate, the World Conservation Award
Life Together - December 2010
as individuals and nurture relationships; i.e. a note that says: My
gift to you is time spent in conversation and a walk after supper.”
The possibilities are as endless as our imaginations.
Another possibility is to give each other permission to do less
rather then more during this season of Advent/Christmas. We live
in a society that has all the latest gadgets to “save” us time and yet
we seem to be the most time deprived. Our Leader guide suggests
that: “perhaps we need a different awareness of time. We are living
in the midst of God’s abundance: the time-drought is a human
creation, and Christ frees us to drink from other wells.”
What are the gifts of time you can give to yourself this Christmas
that will free you to drink from the wells that renew?
“Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy
preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient
Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes
and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, and be awake to
the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet
is wondrously present.” – Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Alman
... snippets and tidbits from our lives not
usually found in our weekly church papers.
and be certified in a service skill (e.g. Bronze Medallion, Lifesaving
Certificate, Ski Patrol, Search and Rescue or Power Squadron); 50
hours of volunteer service; acting as Activity Leader or Scouter
in Training at other section meetings or youth clubs; demonstrate
leadership in a peer environment by being actively involved with
a decision making body (e.g. student council); finally, demonstrate
commitment to the aspect of the Venturer Promise of Duty to God
by actively demonstrating their continuing spirituality. (Source,
Elmira Independent.)
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 3
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)
Ernie and Carolyn Nullmeyer
Written By: Doris Kramer
E
rnie and Carolyn Nullmeyer are
enthusiastic Christians who have
been worshiping with us since April.
They moved to St. Jacobs Meadows in the
spring and began checking out churches
where they felt they could participate and
feel at home. They sought the Lord’s will
and felt led to our congregation. When
asked why they chose St. Jacobs Mennonite
Church they said they like the four-part
harmony singing and appreciate the wellprepared and well-presented sermons.
We welcome you, Carolyn and Ernie, and
hope you will be spiritually blessed as you
worship with us.
five percent of the graduates went to the
mission field, but he was unable to go
because of his wife’s health.
At his 17th birthday party, planned by
a church friend, he met Marion Slight
whom he began dating. Because she was
Pentecostal, they had some theological
differences to work out, but with the
Lord’s help, they worked them out and in
May 1950 they were married. She was a
secretary at General Electric, and he was a
student pastor in Hamilton during college.
During these years, Marion took evening
Ernie’s wife, Marion, suffered from
Lupus and was unable to carry out a
Pastor’s wife’s responsibilities, so in 1972
he discontinued pastoring to give time to
her and their family. Marian died in 1976,
never learning about Barry’s return.
For two years he was Director of
Keswick Bible Conference in
Muskoka, Ontario. A variety
of employment followed, in
construction
remodeling
a house, managing an
aluminum company for
two years, and then
establishing his own
business,
Nullmeyer
Decorating Co. for 18
years, retiring at 68.
Throughout these years he
continued his first “love” of
preaching in many churches
and denominations.
Ernest Nullmeyer was born in
Toronto on September 11, 1928. He
was one of 10 children: 8 girls
and 2 boys. His mother was
from England and his father
from Norway. Although
his father was a skilled
tool and die maker, it was
difficult to find work in
his line during the Great
Depression. This created
quite a hardship for the
family. So his dad worked
at many jobs, but at times
the family had to resort to
Social Assistance.
Ernie loved school and attended
elementary and high school in north
Toronto. While growing up he was very
active in most sports in school and at
church. Much like his father, he had a gift
for design in machinery and woodworking.
His mother was a devout Baptist, and
when Ernie was 6 weeks old, she dedicated
him to the Lord and to the “calling” of
preaching. His father attended church on
special occasions. Early in life the church
became central to Ernie’s life, and at age
15 he was teaching Sunday School. By 17,
with the help of two sisters, he was asked
to take over a program called Happy Hour,
attracting over 100 children every week.
courses to equip her to be a pastor’s wife.
After graduation, the church he had served
as “Student-Pastor”, called him to become
their full-time Pastor. After three years at
that church, he received a call in 1954 to
become the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist
Church in Barrie, Ontario. There were about
50 in the congregation at that time, but in six
months the congregation had outgrown the
little building, and they began worshiping
in rented facilities until their new edifice,
with seating for 400, was built. For nine
years he also had a radio ministry.
At 18, he preached his first sermon
at a Sunday evening youth service.
Understanding that he required training to
fulfill his “Call”, he enrolled at what is now
Tyndale College University and Seminary
in Toronto, and graduated in 1950. Seventy-
After being married for four years and
not having children they decided to adopt.
Born in 1954, Barry was six-days-old when
he became part of their family. After that,
two sons, Kevin in 1957 and Bradley in
1960, were born to them. This couple had
SJMC - 4
some difficult years as Barry had multiple
issues. He left home at 19, and they didn’t
hear from him for five years. There was a
happy ending, as Barry returned home.
He has a lovely wife and two daughters
and gave his life to Christ, becoming a
changed man. He lives in Alberta and is a
commercial security specialist.
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Ernie’s son, Kevin and wife Vicki
have two sons, now ages 13 and 16.
They worked in marketing until Kevin
contracted a virus that destroyed his
immune system. Kevin died at age 52 in
August 2010. His son Brad is a chartered
accountant and is a business executive. He
and his wife, Cathy, have three daughters
and a son, ages 12 to 22 years.
On the scene comes Carolyn Cameron!
She was born April 1, 1942 at Royal Victoria
Hospital in Barrie. She has two older
sisters and a younger brother. Carolyn was
raised on a farm outside Barrie where her
father did mixed farming – dairy, chickens,
potatoes and other crops. Her brother and
his son have taken over the family farm.
Her sisters live in North Bay and Toronto.
Her elementary schooling was at S.S. #5
Vespra, Ontario in a one-room school.
She attended high school through Grade
13 at Barrie Collegiate Institute: Barrie’s
Life Together - December 2010
Getting To Know ... (continued from page 4)
only high school at the time. She was an
alto saxophonist in the high school band,
a very active band that became famous,
winning many Kiwanis band competitions.
Carolyn recalls the band playing Handel’s
Water Music in Gravenhurst, Ontario for
Queen Elizabeth II. Their band traveled
on the ship, Empress of France, to Holland
for a marching band competition where
they won first prize and then flew back
to Canada. That was Carolyn’s first plane
ride.
In high school, Carolyn was interested in
Latin and French, so decided to study these
languages at the University of Toronto,
graduating with an Hon. B.A. Attracted
to the teaching profession, she attended
Ontario College of Education for one
year. In 1965, with opportunities to teach
at many schools, she accepted a position
in Kitchener, teaching French and Latin
at Forest Heights Collegiate from 1965 to
1976. Thinking it was time for a change, she
applied for a position in Australia. But then
she met Ernie and things changed radically
for her.
A go-between person who knew both of
them did a little matchmaking. In June 1976
Ernie called Carolyn with an invitation to
dinner and a concert. It must have been
“love at first sight” as the relationship
progressed quickly. They became engaged
in August and married in January 1977
at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in
Toronto. She became an instant mother to
Ernie’s sons. In May 1979 their son Eric was
born in Barrie. After being a stay-at-home
mother for five years, Carolyn went back
to teaching, this time in Elmvale, Ontario.
And now, their son Eric is also a teacher,
locally, at Waterloo Collegiate Institute in
the business and computers program and
lives in Elmira where he and his wife are
parents to twin daughters born January 27,
2010.
Carolyn was brought up in the Plymouth
Brethren Assembly. Occasionally, as a
teenager she had gone to hear Ernie preach
when there were special services, but
didn’t know that some day she would be
married to that pastor. While in Kitchener,
she attended the Waterloo Mennonite
Brethren Church on Lexington Road. This
is the church where their son Eric met his
future wife Leanne. Carolyn enjoys bird
watching, crossword puzzles, reading,
bowling, table tennis and Scrabble.
Ernie enjoys golf, bowling, table tennis,
loyd and Doreen Martin’s granddaughter, and Sharon
Bauman and Sue Brubacher’s niece, Kristin Leis (16) of
Elmwood, ON (near Owen Sound) has been selected to be
part of Team Canada for the World Dance Championships in Poland
(Dec. 5-12) competing on the ballet, modern and jazz Canadian
dance teams. Kristin’s parents are Paul and Marilyn (Martin) Leis.
S
Ernie and Carolyn, it was a pleasure to be
in your beautiful home to fellowship with
you and hear your stories! May you enjoy
many more good years together at the St.
Jacobs Meadows and St. Jacobs Mennonite
Church, and may you find comfort for your
sorrow.
Sometime after their marriage, Carolyn’s
parents gave them a plot of land from
the family farm where they built a house
and lived for 33 years. When care of their
acreage became too demanding, Carolyn
and Ernie moved to a condo in Barrie. Two
years later, desiring to be closer to Eric and
Leanne and their granddaughters, they
moved to St. Jacobs Meadows Residential
Community in April, 2010.
Did You Know?
F
woodworking, Scrabble and retirementpreaching. He loves to preach, and thanks
God he is able to do so even in his eighties.
... snippets and tidbits from our lives not
usually found in our weekly church papers.
E
lmer and Beatrice Sauder had four grandchildren graduate
from university/college this year: Joya – Royal Roads
(Victoria, BC); Paul – Wilfrid Laurier (Waterloo, ON); Ben
– Waterloo (Waterloo, ON); Carly – Fanshawe (London, ON); and
two more presently in university: Joanna (5th year) – McMaster
(Hamilton, ON); and Janel (3rd year) - Laurentian (Sudbury, ON).
eee
unday, January 9, 2011 is the next due date for DYK?s to be included for the LT January/February
2011. Please submit to LT box on foyer table, or email at: marciabshantz@gmail.com, or contact
Marcia by phone. Prior consent is required if DYK is submitted on behalf of someone else.
Life Together - December 2010
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 5
Reflections
... pausing to reflect on where God meets us in our
daily lives, including a medical mission trip.
Nicaragua 2010
Written By: Sue & Maynard Wideman
•• Getting stuck in mud (see photo next page);
•• Taking off socks and shoes and wading through a
stream flowing over the road, so the vans could make
it through;
•• Visiting a volcano – where parking lot markers
indicated that you needed to park facing the exit, in
case you needed to leave quickly, and had to wear a
gas mask so as not to breathe in too much of the gas;
•• Zip-lining through the canopy of trees;
•• Boat tour of Lake Managua that was 2.5 meters higher
than normal due to all more rain than in 30 years –
with lake water covering the swimming pools of the
wealthy’s island homes. Visiting Monkey Island.
Team
M
aynard and I had the fortune to once again participate
in a CarePartners medical mission trip, this time to
Nicaragua.
Preparation
•• Months ahead – copying travel documents and
nursing registration, to go to consulate in Washington
for approval as a medical team;
•• Packing medications, with detailed lists for
government approval to bring into country;
•• Packing supplies – 37 hockey bags of supplies.
Location
•• Nicaragua – country in Central America between
Honduras to the north, and Costa Rico to the south;
•• Somoto – city of 20,000 – where we spent the first
week, and visited 5 neighbouring villages to provide
medical clinics;
•• Granada – city near Managua – spent second week –
with some touring, and an additional 2 days of clinic
in Laguna de Poyo.
Travel
•• Airplane from Toronto to Managua, Nicaragua via
Miami;
•• 26 people, 44 hockey bags, and personal belongings
loaded in 2 x 15 passenger vans and one pickup truck,
on a winding, hilly road through the rain in the dark
to Somoto;
•• Travel to clinics – on “bush lane” like roads.
Adventure
•• Flat tires;
SJMC - 6
•• Two Canadian doctors, one pharmacist, 14 nurses, 5
additional team members, plus…..;
•• Two doctors from Nicaragua (brother and father of
one of our nurses), an optometrist, and a dentist;
•• 8 local young adults who speak English and Spanish –
valuable interpreters, as well as 4 additional American
interpreters – in Somoto area with the Peace Corps;
•• Members of the local Rotary club in Somoto;
•• 2 skilled drivers who negotiated the muddy roads
leading to the villages around Somoto;
•• Mark and Brenda – young family from Brussels,
pastors of a Church in Laguna de Poyo, plus other
American friends of theirs from other area Churches –
interpreters in Granada area.
Clinics
•• Assessed and/or treated over 2000 patients in 7 days
of clinics – patients choose to see either nurse and/or
doctor, dentist, or optometrist;
•• Many medications given out for infections, rashes,
scabies, etc.;
•• Each patient also gets worm medication as well as
vitamins for 30 days;
•• Provided fluoride for children, after a class on
brushing their teeth;
•• Nicaraguan ministry staff immunized and gathered
census data.
Memorable Moments
•• Making a home visit to infuse intravenous fluid for
an elderly lady – seeing the clean and tidy home with
minimal furniture or “things”;
•• Traveling through the mud and rocks to get to the
villages;
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010
Reflections - Nicaragua 2010 (continued from page 10)
•• Jungle growth – difference between visiting a tropical
area in rainy and dry seasons;
•• Visiting the local hospital in Somoto – open air
hallways – oxygen tanks instead of piped in, cribs like
we’d have seen here in the 50’s;
•• Giving out soccer balls – and in one case replacing one
that was well worn and was completely devoid of air;
•• Being able to give out simple medication instructions
in Spanish.
Take Home Thoughts/Feelings
•• $1.23 for 2 bars of soap isn’t expensive, is it? What if
your job only pays $8 per month?;
•• Healthcare that provides hospital care in public
hospital at no cost, but then patients who can’t afford
to fill prescriptions once they leave. Gratitude for
the health coverage we have, and ability to purchase
medications needed;
•• Gratitude of people and frequently asked: “When are
you going to come back?”;
•• Awareness of water conservation – no running water
in most of schools and clinics buildings we visited –
taps turned off in rainy season and rely on the rain
water collection for all water needs;
•• Happy to feel like you are able to contribute a little bit
for people who have so little;
•• Desire to study the language before going on another
similar trip;
•• Gratitude for safe traveling, remaining healthy and
good team dynamics and ability to work well together;
•• Thankfulness for the opportunity to participate in
another medical mission trip – for the resources and
ability to be part of a team that is able to provide a
service, and to be able to work along side some of
the people from the local country, and helping others
from that same country.
Christmas Memories from SJMC Folk
A Christmas Remembrance
Written By: Pat Weber (a.k.a. Patricia “Patsy” King in 1952)
I
n 1952 (age 20) during my nurse’s training at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener, we spent three
months at the Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital. When the holiday schedule was posted, I was
very disappointed to see that I would be working nights over Christmas. Then, a few days before
Christmas, I was surprised and pleased to receive an invitation for a Christmas dinner from a young
doctor. I had met her during the summer when I affiliated at Homewood Hospital in Guelph.
Since I was on nights, she said they would plan their dinner at noon and gave me instructions on
how to take the College Street streetcar to the far east-end of Toronto. I was warmly greeted by her
family! After having enjoyed a great traditional Christmas dinner, followed by a carol sing around
the piano, slides and stories of missionary experiences of my doctor-friend’s fiancée , it was time for
gift openings. I too received a beautifully wrapped present – another surprise!
Since this was my first time to be away from my family Christmas (in Tavistock, Ontario), I had
been feeling quite sorry for myself. However, I must say that I felt very included in this loving
family’s celebration of God’s special gift of love to us all on that first Christmas Day. For me, the
Christmas of 1952 was an unwrapped and unforgettable cherished gift of genuine love and hospitality!
Life Together - December 2010
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 7
... in our daily lives,
far and near.
Peacemaking Ponderings
House of Friendship Christmas Hamper Program
Written By: Trevor Bauman
A
s Christmas
approaches
we all have
annual
activities
that let us know the
season is upon us.
One of mine started
in 1982 when I was
16, helping with the
House of Friendship
Christmas Hamper Program. This program
delivers food hampers, grocery vouchers,
and recently turkey vouchers, to families
and individuals living on low income
in Kitchener-Waterloo who need extra
assistance at Christmas time.
My involvement started with my youth
group at Elmira Mennonite Church. Our
youth sponsors, Bruce and Marj Weber,
were heavily involved with the work
of House of Friendship and I’m sure
encouraged our youth group to participate.
Never underestimate the positive impact
an adult (other than a parent) can have on
youth. I took my parents’ big green station
wagon (1973 Pontiac Catalina) and loaded
it up with food boxes and started delivering
food hampers with several other MYFers in
tow. Sixteen-years-old and your parents let
you take the car and tear around the city –
talk about a hook!
And so it went year after year – often the
Saturday before Christmas. I can remember
one delivery early on. The organizer, Tony
Bender, asked my brother and me to take
a food hamper to a single man. Another
volunteer had taken the hamper to him,
but refused to leave it with him as he was
obviously an alcoholic. Would we be willing
to take him his food hamper? Yes we did. In
doing so we two teens were unknowingly
emulating two of the House of Friendship’s
core values: that “each person is unique
and of value” and “there is always hope,
even in situations of adversity.”
In recent years as the Region of
Waterloo has seen exponential growth
in subdivisions, so too have these areas
become home to situations of need. When
you deliver a food hamper to a grizzled
old man living in a one-room apartment
above a store, accessible only from a gritty
SJMC - 8
back alley, well…that screams poverty
and need. Contrast that with a new house
in a new subdivision and people often
ask, where’s the poverty here? What we
forget is that housing in Waterloo Region
is an expensive and limited commodity.
People will do whatever is necessary to
hold onto it. In the face of sudden job loss,
the mortgage obligations will immediately
take precedent over all other expenses –
even food.
It’s easy for me to judge those in
poverty and need. Yet I do so from a
position of immense privilege, wealth and
opportunity. How would I react to sudden
job loss, chronic unemployment, mental
illness, abuse, alcoholism, or generational
poverty? Often it is these things that
House of Friendship clients struggle with
daily. Would I so easily rise above such
challenges? I think all of us would be
surprised at just how hard being without
can be.
is no one home and you can leave it with
a neighbour or apartment superintendent,
then do that, but leave one of these green
slips in their door so they know where
you left the hamper. And if you have to
bring the hamper back, leave a green slip
anyways so they know we tried to deliver
the hamper to them.”
By the early 1990’s I was enough of a
regular that on the busy Saturday delivery
day I would help load up boxes during
the morning rush. At one point in the day
Tony wasn’t around to give out the routes
to drivers. I had observed him doing that
so I stepped in for the moment, but Tony
never stepped back in. And since then I’ve
been dispatching the drivers during the full
week of deliveries. My employer at Elmira
Pet Products has graciously allowed me to
take vacation time in what is our busiest
time of year.
The deliveries start:
Friday, December 10 through
Friday, December 17
(excluding Sunday)
Volunteer info below.
Maybe I’ll see you there!
My speech to new drivers is well
memorized:
“I’m going to give you a route: say Route
160. There will be Box A, Box B, Box C,
etc. You go to the first address here on the
delivery card. You give them the box that’s
says 160 A. You give them the gift certificate
that matches the name and address on the
delivery card and you give them a bag of
potatoes. This is the number of people in
the family: 1-4 gets a small bag of potatoes,
and 5 or more gets a large bag. If there are
5 or more people there will be two boxes,
but they will be marked 1 of 2, and 2 of 2.
Try to leave the hamper if you can. If there
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
And with that consider yourself trained
as a delivery driver for the House of
Friendship Christmas food hamper project.
(Also see SJMC announcement
sheet for Saturday, December 11.)
House of Friendship
Contact Information:
www.houseoffriendship.org
Telephone: 519.742.8327
volunteering@houseoffriendship.org
Life Together - December 2010
Reader’s Review
... for the joy of reading!
Books that offer help in understanding our multifaith neighbours
Written By: Alice Brubacher, Librarian
O
ur SJMC church family anticipates joining several
congregations in welcoming homeless Palestinians to a
new home in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. So, as I scrolled
through the September 2010 Resource Update from Mennonite
Church Canada, a title in their book list caught my attention:
e
Claiming Abraham: Reading the Bible and the Qur’an
Side by Side (c.2010). The author, Michael Lodahl, has studied
extensively in Israel and Jordan, is an ordained pastor in the
Church of the Nazarene, and a professor of theology at Point Loma
Nazarene University, California.
Although reading the book was a rewarding experience, I’m
using the publisher’s words to introduce it here:
“Many of the Bible’s characters and stories are also found in
the Qur’an but there are often differing details or new twists in
the Qur’an’s retelling of the Biblical narrative. In this compelling
book, seasoned theologian, Michael Lodahl, explores these
fascinating divergences to discover the theological differences
they make. Writing from a Christian perspective that is respectful
of the Islamic tradition, Lodahl offers an accessible introduction
to Muslim theology and the Qur’an’s leading themes to help
readers better understand Islam. Lodahl compares and contrasts
how the Bible and the Qur’an depict and treat certain characters
in common to both religions, including Noah, Abraham, Moses
and Jesus. He offers theological reflection on doctrines held in
common by Christians and Muslims, such as creation, revelation
and the resurrection of the body. Lodahl also explores the Jewish
tradition as an important source for understanding the Qur’an.”
In his introduction, Lodahl quotes Leviticus 19:18, “love your
neighbor as yourself” and notes that later in the same chapter the
Israelites are commanded to “love the aliens (religious aliens?) as
yourself” (19:34). May God go with us as we give and receive the
gift of friendship.”
Two other books offer help in understanding the Islamic (and
other) religions:
e Meeting our Multifaith Neighbors (by Brice Balmer;
Herald Press). “Balmer uses personal stories of the ecumenical
experiences in the multifaith community in which he works.
He cites biblical injunctions to build bridges to our neighbors of
multifaith backgrounds.”
e A Thousand and One Egyptian Nights – An American
Christian’s Life Among Muslims (by Jennifer Drago; Herald Press).
The author, her husband Brad and three children fought “terror”
with tea and friendship in Egypt for three years, as they navigated
a confusing maze of cultures, classes and religions with amazing
grace and pluck.
More SNAPS: (L) Thanksgiving food drive offering (Alvin, Buehler family); (M) Farewell to Les & Ruth (to Oregon); (R) Margaret
& Peter celebrate 50 years of marriage!
Life Together - December 2010
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 9
SJMC S
1
5
2
6
3
7
4
Sept.’s Chicken & Sausage BBQ: 1) Greeter Ella; 2-3) BBQers Laverne,
Ron, Peter, Willie; 4) Servers Ken, Doris. 5) The ‘crowd!’ and the 3
‘crowd control bouncers’: Karen, Sue, Brent. Happily fed: 6) Linda and
friends, 7) Schroeder Kipfer family, Pam & Charlie. 8) Ruby (left) says
to Margaret (right): “HOW many people did you say we fed!?” “We fed
441, and only 2 pieces of pie left over!” Capital Fund proceeds $4,903.02.
8
Snaps
5
1
6
2
7
3
8
4
Sept.’s Youth & Mentors BBQ: 1) pair Sharon & Madeline; 2) the hungry
crowd; 3) pairs Lori & Hannah, Micah & Maynard playing Cubes; 4)
friends Lydia & Laura Joy. “Healing & Wholeness” series: 5) Men’s
Chorus sings “O Healing River”; 6) Weekend speaker Dan Epp-Tiessen;
7) Sue Schwartzentruber (Shalom Counselling Services) speaks at adult
Study Hour. 8) May Membership Sunday: (Front L-R) Johann & Lydia
Unruh, Peter & Frieda Klassen, Susanne & Abram Ens. (Back L-R) Gina
& Hermann Ens, Walli Fritz, Doris Bean, Wolfgang & Karin Koehler.
Christmas Memories from SJMC Folk
A Child’s Christmas in Toronto
Written By: Ruth (Graham) Martin
T
he Christmas memories I have
chosen to recall are those of
my childhood. I was raised by
a single mother in a modest, but cozy
home (pictured below) in what was
considered, then, as the “outskirts”
of Toronto – the area now of East
York; Scarborough was just being
developed then.
Our family consisted of five girls
and one boy, with quite a large age
span between the eldest four and
the youngest two. Since my older
siblings were married when I was
very young, many
of my childhood
memories are with
my sister Evelyn
who is 5-½ years
older than me.
Christmas (in the
early 1940’s) seemed
like a magical time
to me. There was
the Christmas plays
at Sunday School,
“White Christmas
Gift Sunday” when
we brought nonperishable
food
items
wrapped
in
white
tissue
paper for the food
hampers. And we
always wrote a
letter to Santa with
our requests, with a
reminder from Mom that we should only ask for one special thing
because Santa had so many requests to fill! Our trip to see the
wonderful displays in the windows at Simpson-Sears and Eatons,
the Santa Claus Parade (in downtown Toronto on Yonge Street),
followed by a visit to Santa, were all such exciting times.
About 10 days before Christmas, Evelyn and I would go to the
Christmas tree lot and choose the perfect tree for our home. I recall
gleefully giggling as we dragged our tree home and setting it in a
pail which was filled with coal to hold it in place. It was always so
much fun decorating the tree. I especially liked the pretty birds that
were placed on the “perfect” branch. On Christmas Eve we would
hang up our beige-ribbed stockings, which actually held quite a
bit, although a couple of colouring books filled quite a bit of space!
SJMC - 12
Cookies and milk for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer were set
out on the table and off to the dreamland we would go.
Christmas morning we awoke to see presents under the tree.
First we emptied our stockings and there usually was a piece of
coal or an onion in the toe, just to remind us that we hadn’t behaved
perfectly all year! Breakfast had to be eaten before gift opening; an
exercise I felt was totally unnecessary! Then it was time for gift
opening. Mom always made a fuss over the gift that Evelyn and
I had chosen for her – usually an apron. The family gathered for
an early dinner: chicken and dressing with all the trimmings with
carrot pudding for dessert. Throughout the day we enjoyed the
gifts we had received.
Late in the afternoon mother would go to the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Pye where she cleaned every week. She helped with their
Christmas supper, refilling bowls, etc. and doing the dishes.
Sometimes I begged to go along. I loved to see all their pretty
decorations and marvel at the big supper they served. Mrs. Pye
would let me serve a plate of fancy Christmas cookies. I felt so
special and pleased to do this. I remember one year when Mom
had finished the dishes and it was time to go home. The snow
was storming, so they called a taxi to take us home – what a treat!
Otherwise we would have taken public transportation, which was
very common at that time, as many people like us, did not own a
car.
One particular Christmas stands out in my mind. I was sevenyears-old. Some of my friends had dolls that could open and close
their eyes. I thought I would love to have a doll like that. I noticed
that their dolls all had blue eyes, but since I had brown eyes I
thought I would prefer a doll with brown eyes. When I wrote my
letter to Santa that year I said I would love to have a doll with
brown eyes that opened and closed and I told him I had tried very
hard to be a good girl all year! When Christmas morning finally
arrived, there under the Christmas tree among all the wrapped
gifts was a beautiful doll in a white dress and bonnet. Sure enough
the little tag pinned on her dress read “to Ruthie from Santa” and
to my delight she had brown eyes that opened and closed! I will
never forget the joy I felt as I hugged and rocked my beautiful doll.
I named her Jeanette and she was always my very special doll.
Years later when I was told that Santa didn’t actually bring the
gifts and that my beautiful doll was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Pye,
I wasn’t disappointed about Santa, but felt that these kind people
were Santa’s helpers and I hoped they would realize the shear joy
that their gift had given me.
Each year at Christmas I love to hear the story of Virginia’s letter
to the editor of The New York Sun newspaper, written in 1897. I
quote: “Dear Editor: I am 8-years-old. Some of my little friends say
there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth, ‘Is there a Santa Claus?’, signed Virginia
O’Hanlon.”
I now quote excerpts from the reply. “Virginia, your little friends
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010
A Christmas Memory
(continued from page 12)
are wrong. They do not believe
except (what) they see. Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa Claus. He exists as
certainly as love and generosity and
devotion exist, and you know that
they abound and give to your life its
highest beauty and joy. Nobody sees
Santa Claus, but that is no sign that
there is no Santa Claus. The most
real things in the world are those
that neither children nor men can
see. No Santa Claus! Thank God!
he lives, and he lives forever. A
thousand years from now, Virginia,
nay, ten times ten thousand years
from now, he will continue to make
glad the heart of childhood.”
I (“Ruthie”) will always be
grateful for the wonderful people
who gave anonymously to bring
such joy to our childhood.
Christmas Memories from SJMC Folk
e It was Christmas 1976. Travelling with our three
children (ages *10, 9, **6) from our home in Calling Lake, Alberta
to Alvin’s parents in Kansas City, Kansas, a snowstorm stranded
us in North Battleford, SK. Our family Christmas Day was
enjoyed in a motel with Kentucky Fried Chicken as our Christmas
Dinner. Today our children still recall this Christmas as a good
one. Lesson learned: “Make the best of what you have.” ~Alvin
and Elaine Hershberger, parents of SJMC’s *Cynthia Brubacher
and **Monica Cressman
e I remember the excitement of going to see the coloured
Christmas lights at the “old” Kitchener City Hall. Gordon
Hollinger, my dad’s employer, would give my dad one Saturday
night off in December as a clerk at Hollinger’s Hardware store
in downtown St. Jacobs (the present site of the original Home Hardware years later) so he could take “the girls” to see the
lights, with my sister Lorraine (Trevor Bauman’s mother). Sixty-five years ago a trip from St. Jacobs to Kitchener was very
special! ~Ruth Bauman (76), St. Jacobs
e Christmas 2003 was our first Christmas without my husband Bob who had died in March. What eased the pain
of his absence was the joy in seeing Tamara & Heather’s faces when they opened their gift. It was a small blanket pieced and
quilted by Grandma (Anna) Shantz using Bob’s shirts. A special gift and memory! ~Sue Shantz
Life Together - December 2010
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 13
Christmas Memories from SJMC Folk
A Child’s Christmas in Woolwich
Written By: Orvie Martin
I
was born, grew up, farmed, raised our family, and now retired on the homestead where my parents and
grandparents lived and farmed in Woolwich Township. The farm is located on Martin Grove Road, just
north of Waterloo, Ontario, bordering on the Conestogo River. In my childhood years my parents were
still Old Order Mennonites. Christmas at our house was a special time, but without all of the extravagance
of today. We had no Christmas tree or fancy decorations, but good food, special treats and family fun.
I went to Martin’s School, a small one-room school just across from the still present, white clapboard
Martin’s Meetinghouse. (The school site is now the present St. George’s Hall at the north end of Waterloo on
King Street.) The weeks before Christmas were exciting when we were preparing for the concert. We learned
carols, recitations and some children were chosen to do entertaining skits. Once, one of the girls fainted
during practice. There was usually snow so Dad would hitch the horses (Mike & Jim pictured here) to the
sleigh and we’d enjoy the evening ride to the concert with the rhythm of the bells. The only light was from
the moon and stars reflecting off
the sparking white snow. It was
a jolly time when neighbours
got together to watch their “scholars” perform. The evening
would end with a bag of candy for each child. I don’t recall a
visit from Santa Claus. Perhaps he didn’t feel welcome since
our school was mostly Mennonites.
At home, Christmas presents were simple and practical. We
were always given a dish of treats and an orange. My mother
made the best fudge, made with real cream, chocolate and
caramel. There was possibly some “store bought” candy too.
One special present I remember was when my brother and I
each got a toy dump truck!
Our Christmas Dinner probably included a fattened rooster
with dressing (filling stuffing), potatoes and gravy, homecanned vegetables, “sours”, and several desserts. If we had
popcorn in the afternoon it meant going to the woodshed for
some hard dry limb wood to make a hot fire. Someone went to
the storeroom upstairs for a few cobs of homegrown popping
corn. Theses cobs were rubbed together vigorously to loosen
the kernels. To get rid of the light chaff, you went outside and poured the kernels from one dish to another so the dirt would blow away.
Now into an iron pot with melted lard and hope it would pop. Apples from the cellar often accompanied the popcorn.
Another good thing about Christmas was the two weeks of holidays. There were
still barn chores to do and always the wood box needed to be replenished for the
cook stove which kept us warm and cooked our food in the winter. There are some
good sledding hills on the farm, so it was fun to glide down the slopes when there
was plenty of snow. There was also the river to skate on when it was frozen over.
Sometimes we would get together with neighbour boys and cousins across the
river for an afternoon of fun.
One day my brother and I tried an experiment with our steel-runner sleds. We
started off at opposite sides of the hill behind the orchard. We wanted to see where
our tracks would cross. Unfortunately we collided and I headed home with a gash
in my head that left a scar to this day.
Life in the forties and fifties, and especially at Christmas, was much simpler than
now. I didn’t feel deprived. I had a loving, God honouring family and all the basic
necessities for life. As Christmas approaches once again I want to remember that
we are celebrating the birth of Jesus who came to bring true joy and satisfaction.
SJMC - 14
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010
Christmas Memories from SJMC Folk
e
Every
year at
Christmas
each of us receives
a tree ornament, which usually reflects something special
about the person (i.e. mine may be skiing related.) My
favourite Christmas tradition is putting up the tree and
decorating it with my family and looking at the ornaments
we’ve received in the past. ~Ben Smith (19)
My
Christmas
tradition/food
is the
turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I also love to make,
bake and ice the sugar cookies (and eat them too!), which we
only make at Christmas time. ~Jesse Smith (15)
e
favourite
e I love Christmas and one of my favourite parts
would be the music. Of all the hymns, my favourite is “O
Come, O Come, Immanuel.” ~Suzanne Smith (46)
e I love everything about Christmas – the
decorations, the lights, the food, and time spent with family.
Because both my wife (Suzanne) and I love Christmas, it
was very appropriate that we got engaged at Christmas,
1984! ~Rob Smith (46)
e I was playing on my hockey rink, on our farm
just outside Elmira, one beautiful cold, clear evening as a
boy in grade 3 or 4. It was just before Christmas and all of a
sudden the stillness was broken by the sound of Christmas
carols from the church bells in nearby Elmira. I distinctly
remember standing there in the middle of the rink listening
to the music and looking up at the sky full of stars. As an
8-year-old boy it felt like I was one of the shepherds in the
Christmas story. ~Trevor Bauman (44)
e It was Christmas 1960ish. The weeds were
sticking up through the ice we had cleaned off for our game
of shinny. The game was just between my brother and I.
Our rink was a low spot in our farm’s field where the water
hadn’t soaked away. Our black rubber barn boots took on
the important role as our goal nets. We would slip our boots
off so we could put those old skates on – the kind of skates
that would “fold over” at the ankles when you laid them
on the floor; definitely not like the molded ones hockey
players use these days. So what makes this Christmas
so memorable? Well, I got a pair of hockey pants as a
Christmas gift! Wow, I was a real hockey player now! They
went on right over my blue jeans, which covered my
shin pads that were held on with jar rubbers; or was
it pieces of old bicycle inner tubes? The cuffs on my
jeans were frozen stiff from the snow and cold, but I
still felt like Jean Béliveau from the Montreal Canadiens,
even though I was a happy farm boy from Hespeler. No one
could stop me now unless I tripped over one of those weeds
sticking through the ice. In retrospect, we didn’t really know
Life Together - December 2010
any different about having jar rubbers for shin pad straps,
or hockey pants as a gift; now a given hockey equipment
requirement, but we unknowingly lived the gift of simply
being loved, 365 days a year. And looking back, black and
white TV with only 3 channels, with only 1 coming in clear,
wasn’t so bad after all. ~Larry Shantz (56)
e It was Christmas of 1981 when my Mother (in
Brazil) reminded the family that, within us, Christmas should
be every day if we let ourselves see the presence of Jesus in
the life of so many of God’s people. She said, and I quote:
“There are many Jesus’s being born and dying every day (...I
was hungry and you fed me; I was naked and you clothed me ...)
This has influenced me to sense His presence at any place
at any given time. And deep in my heart I know that He
is always with me, even at those times when I don’t seem
to be with Him. For this and many other reasons I am so
glad that there is one day of the year that the whole wide
world shouts: “Joy to the world the Lord has come!”
~Gracinha Sauder (53)
e
One
exceptionally snowy
Christmas
morning,
as a young child (early 1970’s), coming downstairs and the
first thing I heard were beautiful bells. Looking out our side
staircase window, it was an Old Order Mennonite couple in
an old-fashioned cutter (not buggy) being pulled by their
horse decked with a harness of brass bells coming down the
main street of St. Jacobs. This picturesque “gift” lasted only
long enough to leave a beautiful memory! / Being apart of
the shepherds’ chorus in SJMC’s 1995 production of “Amahl
and the Night Visitors.” / SJMC’s four-part harmony singing
of Christmas carols at church and while carolling for seniors
and elderly shut-ins. ~Marcia Shantz (47)
e Every year for past five years, our band, Menno
Valley Sound (Larry & Marcia Shantz, 3 other friends
and me) has received the Christmas spirit by playing for
the K-W Habilitation Services Christmas party dance at
their workshop on Sydney Street in Kitchener. The party
goers, of a variety of ages and challenges, have a pure
spirit of joy in their reactions to lavish decorations
and to the chance to
dance and have fun
together. This annual event
exemplifies the beauty of
the Christmas season.
~Charles Kruger
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 15
Reflections
... pausing to reflect on where God meets us in our
daily lives, including a church study weekend.
Biblical Resources for Healing: A Study Weekend at SJMC with
CMU Professor Dan Epp-Tiessen (October 15-17, 2010)
Written By: Kevin Derksen
that we will not experience suffering, or by burying our pain in
the name of Christian optimism. No, our pain has to be named
and acknowledged – it has to be expressed and let out, even if
that means some harsh words for the God who is supposed to
be in control of all this. As Hebrew prophets like Jeremiah often
reminded their people, the future will have its share of heartache
and there is no use glossing that over. Better to confront that
heartache head-on, to cry out to God in despair, to lament over
what has been lost and ask God: “Why?”
F
rom October 15-17 we were privileged to have Professor Dan
Epp-Tiessen join us from Canadian Mennonite University
(CMU) in Winnipeg for a special study weekend on themes
of suffering, healing and hope.
For those planning the weekend, it seemed like a timely set of
topics for our congregation. There are so many in our communities
working through painful and traumatic life experiences – some
recent, others spanning a lifetime: cancer and other diseases, mental
illness, depression, loneliness, abuse in its many forms, addictions
of many kinds, employment and business uncertainties, the need
to forgive, the need to be forgiven, parenting struggles, difficult
decisions, life direction, aging challenges, unfulfilled dreams, the
loss of loved ones, breakdown in relationships - we know that the
list does go on extensively.
And it seems we’re not alone in this. In conversation on the way
in from the airport, I discovered that Dan had already done this
set of sessions over 20 times before and had already scheduled
another five similar weekends with churches coming up this
year. These sessions are by far the most requested of any offered
by CMU faculty to churches. Part of being human, it seems, is the
experience of deep woundedness at the core of our being, and
followers of Christ are not exempt from this. If this is the case,
what does it mean to confess faith in a God of Love through whom
salvation is assured? How do we encounter the scriptures as a
source of healing and hope in the midst of pain that visits us again
and again?
But as Dan always insisted, confronting the depth of our pain
doesn’t mean being lost in it forever, because there are, in fact,
biblical resources for healing. We do worship a God who offers us
hope, salvation and a future. We are invited to meet God through
the cross of Christ transformed into a symbol of victory over death.
And this hope God offers is tremendously more than we can
imagine. It is enough to heal the deepest of wounds and to redeem
what has been lost forever.
And the miracle of it all is that the fullness of this hope is not
threatened by the experience and expression of our pain. In fact, in
some mysterious way – through grace unknown and unexpected
– God’s hope meets us right there where the wound is most raw.
From the prophet of gloom (Jeremiah) comes the promise of a new
future, and from the depths of lament erupt the most beautiful
songs of praise. This is the invitation of the cross that Dan made
to us in his Sunday morning sermon. An invitation to embrace the
scandal of a hope offered through death – a resurrection hope that
in its foolishness is the wisdom and power of God. Praise the Lord!
(Below, Dan reads from Psalm 121. “I will lift up mine eyes to
the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the
Lord, the maker of heaven and earth ...”)
For Dan himself, these are questions made real by the experience
of losing his middle son Tim at the age of eight, after years of
illness and disability. Dan shared openly about his journey of
grief and healing in the years since Tim’s death, and his reflections
on scripture often returned to this formative experience. If there
is one thing that Dan called us to, out of these experiences and
reflections, it was to take seriously both the depth of our pain and
the depth of our hope. We do ourselves no favours by pretending
SJMC - 16
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010
Thankfulness
... a four-seasons perspective
on being thankful.
The Quilt That Keeps on Giving!
Written By: Nelson Scheifele
I
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”
nspired by other quilters at Kitchener’s
First Hmong Mennonite Church
(Doon Road), Sarah Yang,
originally from Thailand, was
motivated to personally design
this one-of-a-kind quilt (pictured
here), reflecting her awesome
artistic abilities. The quilt was
appliquéd and quilted with the
help of several Thai ladies at the
Hmong church in 2005. Beyond
its unique artistry and incredible
needlework, a circle at the centre
of this queen sized quilt contains
the words “Rose of Sharon” and
“Lily of the Valley”, words taken
from the first verse of chapter 2
of The Song of Solomon: “I am
the rose of Sharon and the lily of the
valleys.”
In July 2009, Ian Gingrich, a member of
SJMC, responded to Savong’s desire to
On seeing the quilt at the setup for
SJMC’s quilt festival, and hearing
its story, Joy Scheifele was deeply
impacted by the quilt’s origin and
history, its unique design, and the
exquisite craftsmanship it displays.
In exchange for another donation
to the Grace Lao congregation, the
quilt is now her precious heirloom.
Having always dreamed of buying
a quilt at the New Hamburg
Mennonite Relief Sale, this quilt
is a greater treasure than any she
might have purchased at the sale.
Sarah and her husband Dan
came to Canada from Thailand
in 1996 as students. Dan served
as pastor at First Hmong
Mennonite Church in Kitchener
from 2000-2009.
The quilt was entered in a fundraising
raffle for the Lao Ministry for Christ, a
Ministry of all the Laotian Churches. By
purchasing a modest $20 raffle ticket,
Savong Nay, a member of the Grace Lao
Mennonite congregation in Kitchener
(Lancaster Street), won this beautiful prize.
(- The Song of Solomon 2:1)
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale for
their annual quilt auction, where all funds
raised are forwarded to Mennonite
Central Committee for their work
around the world. Unfortunately
he was too late to register the quilt
for the auction.
sell the quilt, acquiring it in exchange
for a financial contribution to Grace Lao.
Ian, discovering he had no need for it,
decided to enter the quilt in SJMC’s 14th
annual “Quilts for the World” quilt festival
(May 2010; proceeds to MCC) with the
intention of donating it afterward to the
The donations made to Grace
Lao Mennonite Church, first by
Ian and subsequently by Joy, are
being used by the congregation to
either upgrade the church’s sound
system or for some other improvements
to their building. What a fitting response
because of SJMC’s close connection and
history with the Grace Lao congregation.
What will be the next episode in the saga of
the quilt that keeps on giving?
More SNAPS: Ear Flap Hats Knitting Workshop with: (L) Karen teaches Sarah, Gina, Cynthia, Heather; (M) Sharon; (R) Sue & Beth.
Life Together - December 2010
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 17
Life and Times
Amber Bauman (17) – September 1, 1993. 1st Childhood Home: Heidelberg, ON. Now: Heidelberg, ON.
Anita Schroeder Kipfer (38) – March 4, 1972. 1st Childhood Home: Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo. Now: Heidelberg, ON.
Diane (Douglas) Cressman (61) – October 7, 1949. 1st Childhood Home: St. Thomas, ON. Now: West Montrose, ON.
Meredith (Berg) Bigham (just turned 30!) – November 27, 1980. 1st Childhood Home: Ottawa, ON. Now: Waterloo, ON.
What are some of your favourite smells, sounds, tastes?
Amber: Baking. The air after it rains. Wind in the trees. Rain on trailer roof. Chocolate chip cookies. Anything with chicken.
Anita: Outdoors after rain. Pine needles. Babies after bath. My kids singing. Ocean. Popcorn. Zwieback/Cinnamon Buns/Fresh Bread.
Diane: Smell of bread baking. Train whistles. Chili con carne. Smell of strong perfume.
Meredith: Christmas Trees. Tiny babies. Baking. Water lapping. Children giggling. Turkey dinners. Mashed potatoes.
Things you might not know about me!
Amber: Did my Grade 8 Piano last year; got 80%. Taking Spanish in school. Play the flute.
Anita: Walked through jungle to piano lessons. Had a pet African Grey Parrot (Jackoo). Like to square dance. Hiked mountain in China.
Diane: I once worked for David Johnston.
Meredith: Sang in an International Children’s Festival (Italy; age 14). Trained lifeguard/swim instructor. Have only 3 cousins - total!
What are some notable personality traits that others would say you have?
Amber: Kind. Funny. Smart. Organized.
Anita: Strong-willed. Likes to share. Impatient. Sensitive. Outgoing. Caring. Creative.
Diane: Generous. Outgoing. Fun.
Meredith: Kind. Funny. Quiet at the outset. Caring. Germ-a-phobe. Easy-going, yet Type A personality.
What are some of your interests?
Amber: Ringette. Piano. Flute. Reading. Hanging out with friends.
Anita: Travelling. Baking (esp. choc. chip cookies). Reading (recipes, magazines, novels). Singing. Piano. Walks. Kids, family, friends.
Diane: Like to walk. Like car rides. Like to travel.
Meredith: Music. Selling Norwex. Travelling. Visiting with friends. Playing tennis.
What are some of your favourite lifetime memories?
Amber: Trips to Texas. Camping with my family. Weeks at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp (SLMC) in the summer.
Anita: Atlantic Coast in Africa holiday. African church services, esp.singing/worship. My treehouse as a kid. My ordination service.
Diane: Went to high school. Went to college.
Meredith: Family vacations (PEI, Europe). Conrad Grebel College. Dating/marrying Daniel. Birth of Eli. Right now, being a parent.
What are you presently doing? / And what other vocation(s) might you have chosen (or still would choose)?
Amber: Gr. 12 Elmira District Secondary School; work at Harvest Moon restaurant. / University. Do something in Science.
Anita: Homemaker. / Pastor. Teacher’s Assistant. English as a Second Language teacher. Work in a: coffee, bakery, book, or gift shop.
Diane: Homemaker.
Meredith: Manager, Foreign Exchange at RIM (Research In Motion), Norwex Sales Consult. (very P-T), & Eli’s Mom! / Helicopter pilot.
What are some places where you like to play and/or ponder?
Amber: Silver Lake Mennonite Camp. Marten River Provincial Park. The arena.
Anita: Beach. Upstairs corner. St. Jacobs Dam. Walking Trails. Our backyard. Parks. Church. Algonquin Park canoe trips.
Diane: At home.
Meredith: Kincardine-my family cottage. Turkey Point-Daniel’s family cottage. Canoe camping trips (nature). At home. Walks. Driving.
What are some items on your … “To Do In My Lifetime” list?
Amber: Travel to a Spanish speaking country.
Anita: Take a trip with Bryan. Take my family to Africa. Learn to play guitar. World traveller.
Diane: Travel. Swim more. Lose a significant amount of weight.
Meredith: Travel world. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Enjoy each day fully! Scuba dive. Get my Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Be Oma!
SJMC - 18
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010
... O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come, ... (HWB #328)
Vision View
In Your Own Walk With God
Written By: Brent Horst, Leadership Council Vice-Chairperson
e Jubilant Giving
e Simple, Effective Communication
e Awareness & Response to Peace & Justice Issues
e Vitally Engaged, Active People with Growing,
Active Faith
e Faith Nurturing Relationships Within & Across
Generations
e Caring for the Emotional, Spiritual, Physical,
Mental & Social Health of Each Person
SJMC Logo, circa 1980’s. Art design by Marilyn Wideman Feil. Wall hanging
fabric drafting technique, piecing, quilting by Alice (Snider) Brubacher.
“We seek to celebrate and listen to the
Living God; empowered by the Holy Spirit
to be a welcoming, caring community
of faith centred in Jesus Christ; and
to demonstrate God’s love in our
neighbourhoods and the world.”
- SJMC Vision Statement
I
eee
n the last Vision View column (LT Oct/Nov 2010), Sandy
Shantz asked us, “How will you respond to God’s call? I’d like
to continue that theme in this issue.
We have our vision statement above and we also have the more
specific ways in which we carry out this vision. You’ll recognize
these from our second vision banner, often hung to the right of the
pulpit:
e Genuine, Welcoming Spirit
e Spirit-Filled, Diverse Worship
e Enthusiastic, Christ-Like Hospitality
Life Together - December 2010
•• Which of these areas resonate with you, in your own walk
with God and how you respond to God’s call?
•• What specific things do you do in one, some or all of these
ways?
•• Are there other ways you respond to God that don’t quite
fit these categories?
These aren’t rhetorical questions. In the next weeks or months,
I’d like to hear your actual responses verbally or in writing. Don’t
be surprised if I contact you, inviting you to sit down with me to
discuss your answers; or you could always email me your answers
or put them in my mailbox at church. You may want to share how
you volunteer at the food bank as part of your response to Justice
Issues, you may want to share how you relate to others to nurture
your and their faith or you may want to share ideas on modelling
Christ-like hospitality by asking people home for Sunday lunch. Of
course how you respond to God’s call may not fit neatly into one of
these areas. God’s Spirit is boundless.
My plan would be to use your answers in future columns, not to
single out anyone or any one way of responding to God’s call but
as a way of encouraging each other. It’s good to know how others
hear God’s call and how they respond and it may give us ideas and
show some common ground.
So, please give some thought to these questions. I look forward
to some interesting conversations over the next few months and
to reading the responses sent to me. I won’t share anything from
you in this column without checking with you first. My contact
information follows below.
May God’s will be done as we put our vision into action and
share how we do that with each other in a spirit of mutual support.
A telephone call, or an old-fashioned in-person conversation!
Email: brent.horst@rogers.com
Church mailbox: (basement location)
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
SJMC - 19
Children’s Challenge: Who Are We Now?
We were once children like you! Can you guess who we are?
Can you guess the spirit of Christmas in these names?
1 Rambling Riddle: “I was born and raised in a village, but raised our children
in the country.”
3 Thinking Thoughts: 1) Words are like tooth-paste; you can’t put it back in the
tube. 2) When something seems too difficult to do, don’t put it off. “Just do it!”
3) Happiness comes from a grateful heart.
5 ‘Foul’ Frowns: Large family homes with no wash lines. Wasted food after
dinner or in restaurants. Newspaper insert flyers. Junk mail. Hot peppers.
10 Telling Tales: Trucker’s widow. Love of animals. Ringette. Have 10
grandchildren. Watching minor sports. Eating out. Family get-togethers. Trail
biking. Gardening. Word puzzles.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (Isaiah 40:31) “But they that wait upon the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up like wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they
shall walk and not faint.” e e
1 Rambling Riddle: “My uncle was born in the U.S.A. and became a bishop in
a Canadian Mennonite Church. I had lots of fun growing up in a small village.”
3 Thinking Thoughts: 1) Always look for the good in people. 2) Laughter is
good for the soul and body. 3) Life is fragile – pray without ceasing.
5 ‘Foul’ Frowns: Automated answering machines. Telemarketers. Inconsiderate
drivers. Being late. Shopping.
10 Telling Tales: Yes, V.S. (voluntary service) did exist in 1954. Marrying a
farmer was not on my agenda – “the agenda changed.” As an adult, I lived in
an all-male household. Spent many nights working in a nursing home. Sorted
dirty donated clothes. A night owl. Reading. Gospel music. “Cottaging”, not
camping. Traveling.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (Colossians 3:17) “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus – giving thanks to God and the Father by him.“ e e
1 Rambling Riddle: My first name is Dorothy, but I am known by my ‘second’
name. The government says “you ARE Dorothy”! While another asks, “What’s
in a name”?
3 Thinking Thoughts: “Always question, always analyze. But in the end suspend
judgment until you’ve been there. Live it to learn it.” – Mark McClinchie.
5 ‘Foul’ Frowns: Non-handicapped people using designated parking spots.
Drivers who cut you off or don’t signal. Octopus – tastes like rubber tires! Not
being able to reach groceries on the top shelf. Stale cigarette smoke.
10 Telling Tales: Only after I became engaged was I enlightened as to what a
silo is. Shy, but nevertheless enjoy people. Wish I could sing, but deeply grateful
for those who can! Genealogy buff. Have “dipped my toe” in two oceans. Love
to travel. Enjoy new experiences. I will buy only fair trade coffee and chocolate. I was born in the “Belle
Province”. Enjoy good books.
God’s Gospel Guidance: (Isaiah 41:10) “Fear not, for I am with you, Be not dismayed, for I am your
God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” e e
Oct/Nov 2010 Answers: Four siblings! Elam Horst, Barbara (Horst) Horst, Emma (Horst) Brubacher, Mel Horst.
SJMC - 20
“The Works Are Thine O Christ, Our Lord”
Life Together - December 2010