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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-01-19, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2000. Mennonite Fellowship marks anniversary The beginning The Brussels home of Clark and Hazel Matheson was purchased by Brussels Mennonite Fellowship in June, 1981. Today The present church building can be seen from the west side of the structure. The main house is still in use by the congregation. Bible School in 1983. The enroll­ ment hit approximately 130 commu­ nity children in peak years. The tra­ dition of a summer ministry event for children has continued. The first worship service held at the Callander Nursing Home by Brussels Mennonite Fellowship was in March, 1980. These services con­ tinued once a month, until the nurs­ ing home closed in 1991. The ministry came to life again when Huronlea Home for the Aged opened. Brussels Mennonite Fellowship takes a turn along with other churches in providing Sunday afternoon services and also leads in a Sing-Along the last Friday of most months, for the residents at the home. When 10 families had declared their support of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship, the group met for the first Sunday morning service, February, 198L The rented facilities of the Brussels Library soon were inadequate for the rapidly-growing group. On June 1, 1981, a house and the surrounding land was purchased from Clark and Hazel Matheson. The home was quickly transformed into a worship centre. The following Sunday, June 7, a worship service was held in the par­ tially-renovated building. The con­ gregation celebrated with a potluck meal following the service. This cel­ ebration gave birth to another treas­ ured tradition. Once a month the congregation celebrates its blessings with a potluck meal, following the service. On June 17, 1984, the ground­ breaking service was held for the chapel addition. A major building blitz was held July 2 - 7. With the help of many volunteers from the Northern District of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec, and a work crew from Good’s Mennonite Church, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the Brussels congre­ gation was able to worship in the new chapel, July 8, although the finishing touches were done The idea of starting a Mennonite Church in Brussels, was conceived long before any concrete action was taken. It was talked about in the 1970s by the Listowel Mennonite Congregation which had distinct geographic groups. The Brussels group seemed eager and capable. A document entitled, “IN SEARCH OF NEW DIREC­ TIONS”, was presented to the Listowel congregation in 1979, and Brussels was suggested as a location for a new congregation. It was agreed that if 10 families would commit themselves to the new church, it would be a definite go. Only four families gave a definite commitment. However, these four families from Listowel Mennonite Church, and a Brussels family who attended the Dungannon Christian Fellowship, felt the Spirit’s leading to engage in more active outreach in the Brussels community. So, the Church planting project of Listowel Mennonite Church began. The founding families were: John and Mary Baan and family, Elwin and Linda Garland, Lome and Marion Wideman Ross and Anne Hemingway and family, Howard and Alice Martin and family. The first public worship service of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship was held in January of 1980, at the Melville Presbyterian Church. The Listowel Pastor, Brian Laverty, gave leadership initially, but Doug Zehr began pastoral duties on a part-time basis in July, 1980. Sunday evening services were held alternately with Friday evening Bible Study, includ­ ing children’s activities. In 1989 the congregation hired Doug and Mim Zehr for a full-time position. A Brussels Community Daily Vacation Bible School was one of the first projects. A program for children Grades K-8 was held at the Melville Presbyterian Church each summer from 1980-1982, with vol­ unteer help from the other village churches. Kids’ Comer was proposed as an alternative to the Daily Vacation held was A was later. A service of dedication was that September. In 1987 building expansion experienced again, gymnasium/fellowship hall added, along with a new stairway to the Sunday School classrooms upstairs (former bedrooms in the old house), a new kitchen, and an office. The project was complete and ready for an open house in April, 1988. Cement floors in the basement and in the gym were tiled in the 1990s by Don Becker. Shuffleboard, volley­ ball and basketbail courts were designed in the gymnasium floor. In 1995 the old verandah in the north of the original house was closed in for an office and meeting room. The former office now serves as a pastor’s study. In March of 1983 the church coun­ cil gave approval to a Meals-on- Wheels program for seniors in the Brussels community. After a trial period of eight weeks, interest was good and about a dozen community volunteers came forth. This service continued until May 1999. 1983 is remembered for another reason. The Community Youth Fellowship of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship was begun in an attempt to provide wholesome activity for the youth in the church and in the larger Brussels community. In 1984 the youth group entered its first team in the Ontario-Quebec Mennonite Youth Fellowship Bible Quiz competition. On Easter Sunday in 1985 the youth led a Sunrise Service and served a light breakfast before the regular worship service. This service and breakfast have also become a tradition. Approximately 20 youth are actively involved in the Brussels MYF (Mennonite Youth Fellowship) today. Several mission service ven­ tures have been done by the youth of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. The first application for a summer student under the federal govern­ ment’s summer experience job cre­ ation program was made in 1985, and for many years the church hired one or more students, with the focus of the position being on co-ordinat­ ing summer programs. The Brussels Ladies’ Group, the WMSC (Women’s Mission and Service Committee) was also estab­ lished in 1983. The group, now known as Ladies’ Fellowship, has taken part in many projects over the years. Currently it is sup­ porting a child in Bolivia through “Plan”. 1990 was the close of one era of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship with the Zehrs moving on to pastor at Elmira, and then in Indiana. Various projects have been suc­ cessful. Several talent auctions aug­ mented the mission fund substantial­ ly. On a wider scale, the mission committee of Brussels Mennonite Fellowship has held Self Help Craft sales, hosting their 10th sale in 1999. These sales are now known as “Ten Thousand Villages Festival”. The Church underwent a “LIFE Process” (Living in Faithful Evangelism) three-year program. Saturday evening services were held for a few month's. Occasionally outdoor praise services have been held during the summer. Since the mid-80s, New Year’s Eve has been celebrated by the church family as a whole. Sunday School has always been a vital part of the congregational life. There are classes for all ages. Two or ^three adult classes held each quarter, each studying different topics, give a variety from which adults may choose. Sometimes intergenerational sessions will be held for a few weeks. In 1996 a “burning the mortgage” celebration was held, as the church had paid off all debts incurred from the purchase of the property and from the additions. Gordon Bauman from Tavistock came as an interim part-time pastor prior to the hiring of Tom Warner as a permanent full-time pastor. Pastor Tom left in 1995 to continue his schooling in Western Canada. For the next year and a half the church continued without a pastor, under the leadership of the elders and church council chairperson. From December 1996 - April 1997, Glenn Brubacher served as a part-time interim pastor. At present Ben Wiebe is part-time pastor at Brussels Mennonite Fellowship. Youth activities for Grades 4-8, as well as the youth sector, prayer and Bible Study groups, visitation, fellowship, and of course worship and Sunday School have all helped unite participants and also helped the group grow in size and spirit.