The Citizen, 2015-05-07, Page 31THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015. PAGE 31.
Mennonite Fellowship marks 35th anniversary
Clark brings message
By Alice Martin
Over the past 35 years, Brussels
Mennonite Fellowship (BMF) has
been a vital part of the Brussels
community, as we sought ways to
have effective ministries to grow
God’s church here.
In the first year, the five families
making up BMF focused on three
ministries.
First, in January 1980, Sunday
evening worship services were held
every other week, with each of the
families still attending their own
church morning worship service and
Sunday School. Bible Study and
children’s activities were held on the
alternate week but on Friday nights.
We were pleased that Melville
Presbyterian Church allowed us use
of their basement facilities. Of
course the community was welcome
to attend.
Secondly, worship services at the
Brussels Callendar Nursing Home
became an important ministry the
last Friday night of every month.
The seniors welcomed our children
with open arms.
Thirdly, we extended an invitation
to the other four churches in town
asking them to join in a co-operative
effort to host a one week summer
children’s ministry. A total of 103
children attended the first Daily
Vacation Bible School held in
Brussels in years. The Melville
Presbyterian Church facility was
used. Now that ministry is known as
Brussels Kids’ Corner with hundreds
and hundreds of children over the
years having heard God’s word
through stories, songs and drama.
By February, 1981, BMF had
grown to 10 families, including 16
children, aged nursery through
Grade 8. We moved to the Brussels
Library basement for weekly
Sunday morning worship followed
by Sunday school for all ages.
At points in our growth there was
varied interest in other styles of
worship. Keeping our regular
worship we offered other styles…
Remember “Community Praise”
held Saturday evenings? Remember
“Connection” held Sunday evenings
once a month – a joint effort with the
Fordwich Brethren in Christ
Church?
By June, 1981, BMF purchased its
own property. This huge house had
much more space for our growing
Sunday School, which by now was
our fourth vital ministry in growing
God’s church here in Brussels.
After our first worship service and
Sunday School in our own building,
BMF held its first fellowship meal,
in what is now our foyer. It has
become a treasured tradition once a
month and an important ministry
offering food and fellowship to
whoever appears. Think about it – at
that first fellowship meal there were
no styrofoam plates, no cutlery – it
was bring your own and an extra in
case there were guests.
How many of us today would be
eating from the palm of our hand?
No kitchen, no sink, no fridge or
stove, but it became our fifth
important ministry in the life of this
church!
A growing Sunday School led to
having more activities for the
children – very helpful in building
bridges to people around us, for
children will invite their friends.
Energy was put into fun and faith-
building activities for our young
folk, our sixth vital ministry in
growing God’s church.
By 1983, some of these children
were now teenagers who were
seeking wholesome activities and
ways to grow spiritually. The
Community Youth Fellowship met
weekly so now we had another
ministry to which the community
was welcome. Later, this group
became known as the Mennonite
Youth Fellowship (MYF) for short.
By 1985, BMF had 30 children,
aged nursery through Grade 8, as
well as 18 youth. Wow!
In 1986, BMF had its first post-
secondary students. Over the years
well over 80 young adults have
passed through our doors. We just
needed to start sending care
packages to those we had grown to
love so well – so we did and still do.
Imagine if all our young adults could
have found jobs around Brussels.
Over the years our children’s
ministry has taken on different forms
depending on the need and/or energy
level available, including: upper
room Beavers once a month, Grade 7
and 8 weekly activities, Venture
Club every Thursday night, Two
Heart Ranch during March Break,
with our chapel becoming a ranch
setting with the theme “Loving God
and Others”, Come to a Picnic, a
Saturday with Brian Moyer
Suderman in person, with his
children’s songs and not so long ago,
Children’s Fun Nights.
BMF took interest in recycling
drives which showed we had
concern for and wanted to care for
our environment. From 1982 until
Brussels started its own program in
1989, BMF participated in the
Mennonite Central Committee
Canada (MCC) recycling drives.
Records show that in 1985 BMF
brought in $162.24 for MCC.
BMF was the first to offer a Meals
on Wheels program in Brussels. We
served the seniors in our community
well from 1983 - 1999.
We helped establish the 5Rs Thrift
Shop in Brussels, which has served
the community since 1991.
Our list of ministries, to grow
God’s church spiritually and
physically, has taken many forms
over the years, all welcoming people
on our church fringes and people in
the community.
Do you remember? WMSC
meetings and the beginning of
sponsoring Jose who just graduated?
The Quilting Group who made quilts
for orphanages in Russia? Ten
Thousand Villages Sales 1989 -
2001 with the last sale netting
$5,800 for third world countries?
Catch the Spirit weekend, with Lay
Witness Ministry?
Living in Faithful Evangelism or
LIFE for short, with one of the
themes being, Prayer is what moves
the hand of God? Family Retreats
and Campouts? The Alpha Courses?
What vital ministry will be next?
Only God knows. But Praise the
Lord! In 2015 we are still on the
cutting edge for our Lord’s work in
Brussels!
Continued from page 3
congregation was “Choose Your
Username”. It is very easy to lose
our identify in today’s society. We
watched a video of just how easy it is
to get someone else’s identity. They
often ask us very personal
information and before we know it,
we have given them all they need to
become us. Just like in the scripture
this morning, the boys were given
new names and new identities. The
boys wanted to keep some of their
own identity so they ate the meals
they had been used to. The story of
Dorcas in Acts 9: 36-43 is a story of
a woman who did sewing and other
duties for people and when she died
the people she did work for were
upset. Peter prayed and told the
people that Dorcas would be alive in
them when they did the work that
she used to do in the community.
This is pointed out in the camp song
that was learned at camp, “You will
Know we are Christians by our
Love, By Our Love”.
The offering was received
followed by the offertory response,
“For Food in a World”, the offertory
prayer, the prayers for the people,
silent prayers and the singing of the
Lord’s Prayer. The last hymn, “Lord
Speak to Me” was followed by the
blessing and the choral “Amen”.
Everyone was invited for coffee,
treats and fellowship.
Entertainment
Buck & Doe
for
Ashley Sholdice &
Tucker Dorscht
May 9
Lucknow Arena
9 pm - 1 am
Bus by Donation leaving from Brussels Foodland at 9:00 pm
and then at Belgrave Arena at 9:15 pm
$10. ~ Tickets available at the door
Late lunch provided
Phyllis is
turning 90!
All friends and
neighbours are invited
to drop in and help
Phyllis
Thompson
celebrate her
90th birthday
on
May 9, 2015
80852 Stone School Line
Best wishes only
Barbeque
12:00 to 2:00
Open House
until 4:00
Happy 75th Birthday
Carl Nesbitt
on May 7th
Love your family
BUCK & DOE
for
Michael McDowell
& Kaitlyn Stout
Saturday, May 16
at Belgrave Community Centre
9 pm - 1 am
Taxis available at arena.
Tickets available at door
$15.00 each
Phone 519-440-8056
for more information
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website at...430 Queen Street, Blyth, Ontario
226-523-9720
Specialty Coffees &
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Lunches, Treats, Craft beer
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Marking the occasion
The Brussels Mennonite Fellowship marked its 35th anniversary on Saturday night with a
special concert, and then on Sunday with a special service. Performing on Saturday night was
the New Freedom Quartet, based in Wallenstein. (Vicky Bremner photo)
273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590
www.blytheastsidedance.com
Blyth East Side Dance
Dance Lessons