life together - sjmc.on.ca › newsletters › lt_winter2019_web.pdf · of mom and pat many times...

Life Together Winter 2019

LIFE TOGETHER St. Jacobs Mennonite Church www.sjmc.on.ca Winter 2019

W hen I was a teenager, I helped to plan and lead a worship

service here at SJMC, and then offered a short sermon. The

late Pat Weber, was my greatest cheerleader after that service, insisting

in her firm but encouraging way that I explore pastoring as a vocation.

Any time after that, whenever I was involved in a worship service or a

Sunday school class, Pat was an encourager. When I started this fall as

half-time interim pastor for four months, several of you reminded me that

my mother, the late Reta Martin, would have been pleased to see me fill

this role. I would have loved to discuss a sermon I had in progress with

her, or get her advice on what Scripture texts worked together. I thought

of mom and Pat many times through this fall, trusting that their nurturing

spirits were present to encourage and inspire me. Both mom and Pat took

a keen interest in the programs, people and mission of SJMC. And I am

grateful that they, and so many others, are part of the “great cloud of

witnesses” that surrounded me as I served and learned with you this fall.

Pastor’s Pen Janet Bauman

Continued on pg. 3

Janet Bauman, delivers a Meditation on Advent 1: Every Heart a Song: “Singing Hope with the Prophets” (Isaiah 40:1-5; Luke 1:67-80)

Life Together 2 Winter 2019

A new year is upon us. In this issue of Life Together we remember some

events from last year and hear from Janet and Mark who lived new

experiences during Mark’s four-month sabbatical. Some of what they learned

was expected but some was not.

What stands out for you from last year? Was it something you planned and

anticipated or was it something surprising and unexpected? What made it

memorable for you? My guess is that it has something to do with family,

relationships, or learning something new. We need to remain open to new

learnings and new experiences, while incorporating learnings from our past

experiences. Make sure you savour each experience. It’s the cycle of life that

keeps things exciting and new, no matter our age. This cycle is symbolized in

the wall hanging that Marie Fretz describes on page 5.

What will this new year bring us? Whatever it is, may we feel God’s Love with us

as we walk with each other. If you have something to share with your SJMC

community, let us know and we can all learn from your experience.

Q: Do you have any ideas for future articles or content?

If so please email me at [email protected] or call me at 519-664-3374.

Living New Experiences

Writers & Contributors:

Janet Bauman

Pastor’s Pen, Pages 1, 3

Marie Fretz

Page 5

Mark Diller Harder

Pages 8, 9, 10

Marcia Shantz

Children’s Challenge

Page 11

Brent Horst

Editor

Marcia & Larry Shantz

SJMC photographers

and others as noted

St. Jacobs Printery, printing

Pauline Martin, distribution

www.sjmc.on.ca

[email protected]

Thank You To: Your Editorial Team

Life Together, since 1979. Formerly The Beacon est.1967; previously Keystone Literary Society newspaper.

Marilyn Wideman

Graphic Design & Layout


My overwhelming impression after these four short

months is gratitude. I was welcomed warmly into this

position and encouraged in so many ways. I had great

mentors in Wendy and Kevin, and an office full of

Mark’s great library of resources. I had Karen, in the

office, to guide me through the administrative

processes behind the scenes. I had a rich variety of

responsibilities to fill, giving me a window into many

aspects of a pastor’s role, and an opportunity to test

and stretch my interests, gifts, and growing edges.

Here are some other things I observed:

● SJMC is a busy place! There are so many people

involved in so many programs and ministries here at

the church and in the community beyond. Many of

them do quiet, behind-the-scenes things that can go

unnoticed and sometimes underappreciated. The

building holds a variety of programs during the week,

part of a wide ripple effect of ministry this church

offers.

● The worship cycle comes around quickly, week to

week; season by season. There isn’t always time to

plan and prepare for extra, creative elements in a

service or a series, even if they originate from great

ideas! No sooner is one worship series underway, and

plans for the next one and the one after that have to

start. It is part creative visioning, part listening well to

the heartbeat of the church, and a lot of nitty-gritty

planning and organizing.

● I appreciated all the opportunities for pastors to

learn, network, and connect in the community and the

wider church. In a few short months I participated in a

seminar on pastoring in the #Me Too era, a digital feed

of a conference on the future of the church, meals and

speakers at Conrad Grebel and Rockway, Ministerial

meetings (village and MCEC cluster), and the Voices

Together workshop on the selection process of songs

and resources for the new hymnal. All of them were

rich experiences offering practical training, support,

friendship, inspiration, and wise encouragement.

● While it was challenging, I appreciated the

discipline of preaching from a text I may not have

chosen as a favourite. It forced me to wrestle with what

I found there, and listen for a way God might bless us

through that text that week. I gained greater

appreciation for how a text might speak differently in

different times and circumstances. Getting a sermon

ready in a shorter time frame was also a good

discipline. It was a reminder that no sermon is perfectly

complete.

● As someone with a more introverted personality,

the part that made me most nervous about this role

was making pastoral visits. It turned out to be one of

my highlights. I didn’t have to worry about not knowing

what to say. We never lacked for conversation, and the

connection from the church was deeply appreciated.

● Leading congregational prayers, serving

communion, and holding the flame for people to light

candles on Eternity Sunday were opportunities for me

to see how valued sacred rituals are. While we

Mennonites tend not to emphasize liturgy and

sacraments as much as some other denominations, I

was struck by how significant and meaningful worship

rituals are for many of us.

I feel blessed to have served in this role for the fall.

Thank you for your gracious encouragement. As I

return to my regular involvements at SJMC, I

appreciate more than ever before, that we are blessed

with a trusted, gifted pastoral team that works well

together; they have complementary strengths and

personalities. We are also blessed to have so many

people who share their gifts of time, expertise, skills

and resources as part of the ministry of this

congregation, and a “cloud of witnesses” who have

gone before us, who have nurtured and encouraged

the many gifts and ministries we share at SJMC.

Pastor’s Pen continued


Those hearts that we have treasured, those lives that we have shared,

those loves that walked beside us, those friends for whom we’ve cared,

their blessing rests upon us, their life is memory,

their suffering is over,

their spirits are set free.

They still give hope and comfort,

they did not lose the fight,

they showed us truth and goodness, they shine into our night.

Remember days of gladness; remember times of joy;

remember all the moments that grief can not destroy.

From hearts that we have treasured,

from lives that we have shared, from loves that walked beside us,

from friends for whom we’ve cared,

we’ve learned to treasure kindness, we’ve learned that grace provides,

we’ve learned to be together, we’ve learned that love abides

From The United Church Hymnal. Sung as Hymn of Response, Eternity Sunday, November 25, 2018. Author: Sylvia Dunstan (1991)

Those Whose Hearts We Have Treasured

Eternity Sunday, November 25. Darrel Martin, Chuck Kruger, Peggy Nitsche perform “ When He Speaks” ;

Children’s Time with Gloria Shantz; Kevin Derksen, Janet Bauman light the eternity candle.


T his beautiful work of art has a very unique

beginning. Once upon a time, some fabric

blocks with stamped butterfly patterns

were discovered on the cupboard shelves

in the home of the late Lovina (Nelson) Weber, and

were donated to the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church

Women’s group. It was undecided what to do with

them, so once again they were put to rest on a shelf.

Years later they resurfaced and Karen Snyder offered

to take them home and came up with an idea. Her

artistic eye and talent helped her see that she could

finish the blocks using embroidery thread instead of

“Artex liquid embroidery” which the blocks were initial-

ly meant to be painted with. Karen then researched

the actual colours of some of Ontario’s butterflies and

got to work. Her exquisite hand-embroidered stitches

consisted of French knots, satin stitch, back stitch and

stem stitch. She then used long and short stitches to

fill in the bodies of the butterflies. This was the finish-

ing touch that made these butterflies magically come

to life. Next, Loretta Martin designed the wall hanging,

adapting a design by Debbie Bowles for Maple Island

Quilts Inc., and Doris Pfohl expertly sewed the blocks

together. Finally, it was quilted by the women of

SJMC, resulting in a truly stunning piece of art. The

wall hanging will be on display at SJMC during the St.

Jacobs Quilt Shows in May. It will then be donated to

the Ontario Mennonite Relief Sale Quilt Auction in

New Hamburg to be held on May 25. Images by Willie Pfohl

Skilled Hands Bring A Project to Life Marie Fretz

Fall Worship Series


ABOVE, Top Row: Blessing of Janet Bauman fall Ministry Pastor. Middle Row left to right: Journeys with Paul Worship Service props and dramatizations bring the theme to life; MYF lead worship service; Milestones Presentations to Grade 3 and Grade 9 children of SJMC on September 23. Bottom Row: Dr. Alicia Batten of Conrad Grebel University College; JR Youth Sunday School Class learn about Who Paul; Sandy Shantz, worship leader. BELOW, Top Row: Benin Bible Institute guests visit in October; Levi, Chip, Wendy & Kai; Release of Shepherds program leaders. Bott om Row: Musicians lead the new Hymnal Sing-along, October 14; Memories from September’s Chicken & Sausage BBQ.


Advent.

A Season of

ABOVE, Top Row left to right: Nelson Scheifele; Charlotte Martin; Lighting the advent candles. Middle Row: Children’s prelude including Daniel Schroeder Kipfer, Sean and Rowan Carter. SJMC Advent Lantern walk in St. Jacobs. Bottom Row: Choir directed by Stephanie Kramer, Dec 16; Special Music by Aiden Morton Ninomiya, Ian VanderBurgh, Kevin Derksen; Laverne Brubacher, song leader. BELOW, Top Row: Participants of Children’s Christmas Program directed by Carolyn Neumann VanderBurgh, “Singing Love for the Chris t Child”, Dec 23. Bottom Row: Christmas Eve stair carolers; Musical ensemble and special music during the Christmas Eve service; Karen Snyder at SJMC’s Christmas Banquet.

...and in

Every Heart

a Song


Mark Diller Harder

I n January I returned to SJMC after a

wonderfully spacious and rich four-month

sabbatical filled with so many good things. I am

truly grateful for this time of spiritual renewal,

rejuvenation and reflection. There is much to share

that will keep emerging in various settings. My

January 6 sermon gives a good overview of this

time (www.sjmc.on.ca/sermons) and I’m happy to

share my written report with all who ask. The

highlight of my sabbatical was the trip Rachel and I

took to Europe. For Life Together I want to share

one unexpected gift of this trip.

Heading into our Europe trip I eagerly anticipated

some of the Anabaptist sites and history we would

encounter, especially in Switzerland, one of the

birthplaces of Anabaptism. It was powerful to stand

on the banks of the Limmat River in Zurich and

read the plaque to Felix Manz, the first Anabaptist

martyr by drowning. We saw the home of Conrad

Grebel and toured the Gross Muenster church

where they debated Ulrich Zwingli and the

Reformers. We saw the inside of the prison walls and

shackles at Trachselwald Castle in the Emmental Valley

and saw the house and met the 16th generation of the

last martyr from the area – Hans Haslebacher – to whom

a 32 verse Ausbund song is dedicated. We worshipped in

Swiss German at the Oldest Mennnonite Church in the

world – Langnau Emmental, and listened to a

Wednesday night choir practice at Basil Mennonite. We

were warmly hosted by new Mennonite friends and heard

the joys and struggles of the Mennonite church today in

Europe. These were core identity experiences.

What I had not anticipated as much were the many rich

ecumenical encounters, particularly in Catholic settings. I

suspect as Mennonites we subconsciously carry an inner

suspicion of other Christian expressions even as we

borrow and share so much in common. We had

intentionally planned to visit Chartres Cathedral, but had

not realized/remembered that in the heart of every Old

City there would be a grand ancient Gothic cathedral built

over the centuries – Bern, Chartres, Nantes, Tours, Paris

and Rouen. They were magnificent! – The architecture,

the stained glass windows, the paintings and stone work,

the stunning acoustics and huge organs. It is

overwhelming to stand and look up. I fell in love with this

Lorena and Rachel standing outside Chartres Cathedral, France

“The Gift of Ecumenism”


sacred architectural expression

– in such contrast to our simple

Mennonite worship spaces. But

in my mind, I had relegated

them to historical buildings and

entered them as a tourist,

snapping photos and taking in

their grandeur. Two Cathedrals

changed that for me.

We first entered Chartres

Cathedral at night and I was

immediately struck by the

spiritual warmth of the well-

weathered stones under our

feet, the open spaciousness

above us, and the glowing

vibrant stained glass windows.

Then we heard the singing – a

Mass was in progress and prayers and songs were being lifted up to God. We returned the next morning in time to take

in a full Mass in the small lower Crypt, a daily discipline of the faithful. We were drawn into worship, but chose not to go

forward for the Eucharist. On Friday morning they remove the chairs and you can walk the famous 13th century

Labyrinth, built right into the stone floor – a pattern copied around the world. We joined other Christian pilgrims, some

in barefeet, in a slow spiritual walk to the centre and back. Profound!

A week later, November 1st, Lorena and I spent an hour touring and taking photos in the Rouen Cathedral, with the

highest spire in France. Just before 5pm we were about to leave when the bells starting ringing and people started

streaming in. We stayed and found ourselves in the middle of the All Saints Day Worship service. There were young

and old, and about 20 priests in white who processed in. The big pipe organ began and soon the small organ and a

little singing group led the congregational singing. The priest gave a timely and contemporary homily in French directed

The Rouen Cathedral at night on All Saints Day

People walking

the Chartres

Cathedral

Labyrinth

Images:

Mark Diller Harder


The Gift of Ecumenism continued

primarily at the young adults. This historic building was

suddenly a vibrant present-day worshipping community

and we were no longer tourists. These cathedrals have

life!

My last week in Europe was spent in the Taizé

community in South-Central France. The vision of

Protestant founder Brother Roger already in the 1950’s

was for an ecumenical community of Catholic, multiple

Protestant denominations and occasional Orthodox

brothers worshipping and living a common life together.

That spirit has led to thousands of young adults (religious

and non-religious) coming most weeks from around

Europe and the world, seeking the plain lifestyle, daily

Bible studies and group conversations, and the simple,

yet profound prayers, silence and Taizé songs three

times a day. On Thursday night, we three North

American guests (a pastor couple from the US and me)

met with Canadian Brother Emil. He shared deeply and

honestly about the joys and challenges of such a diverse

community of brothers trying to live into this ecumenical

vision. The Vatican has been more and less open to

ecumenism over the decades, yet has continued to

support the Catholic brothers at Taizé. Brother Roger

even sat in the front row and took the Eucharist at the

funeral for a Pope. On my last morning, several new

Catholic young adult friends asked if I would accompany

them to the early Catholic full Mass in the smaller Crypt

(communion was also served every morning in the larger

regular Taizé service). I had become friends with a

German Catholic priest also on sabbatical. I asked him if

it would be okay for me, a Mennonite, to take

communion, the Eucharist. His response was simply ‘Do

you believe in Jesus?’ and this time I joyfully participated

in this act of worship.

I left Europe with a deep appreciation of the breadth,

diversity and gifts of the larger church of God. I claim

both my own Anabaptist heritage and faith, and yet can

place it alongside of a vibrant, living faith shared by

Christians around the world in so many expressions.

Thanks be to God!

Images: Monica Cressman, Wendy Janzen

January 25, 26, 27 at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp


One Rambling Riddle: In my lifetime I have lived in four houses that are within a half-mile of each other

Three Thinking Thoughts: (1) Life is about balance, what to hold onto, and what to let go. (2) You are

happy because you are grateful. (3) Be sure to taste your words, before you spit them out.

Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Low battery. Eating oysters. Morning alarm. Online ads. Green juice.

Ten Telling Tales: My Dad’s business is now run by his grandson. I cut and paste. Crockpot is handy.

Watercolour. Scrabble. Bid Euchre. Granddaughter has my mother’s name. Tenor. Waltz. I was on first

Woolwich Ringette team.

Gospel Guidance: Psalms 32:8 “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you

and watch over you.”

Clue: “Life is full of different connections like electrical, plumbing, transportation,

and for us, SJMC Small Group Connections.”

One Rambling Riddle: “I have helped Karen Sauder ‘fix’ her church office computer. And when I was

much younger, I took apart radios, clocks, stereos and the dashboard of my father’s car, just to see how

things worked. Nothing was safe from me.”

Three Thinking Thoughts: (1) You’re never too old to learn something new. (2) Treat every new experi-

ence as an adventure. (3) Age is only a number.

Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Clutter. Painting. Indecisiveness. Broccoli. Conflict.

Ten Telling Tales: Collector of antique railroad lanterns, radios, cameras. Grade 7 wooden signs hobby

turned into a small business for a time. Family camping. Family ancestry research is quite challenging with

my last name. Reading, learning about, implementing home automation. Training a stubborn Golden

Retriever. Part of a 4-person volunteer board which co-founded a childcare centre in Waterloo. VERY

proud Dad of two sons, eager to see where their unique career choices will take them. Excited/nervous

that retirement is on the horizon. Family gatherings are the most anticipated events during the year.

Gospel Guidance: Prov 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain future wisdom.”

One Rambling Riddle: “It is rewarding to please others but one has to keep in mind to include oneself

in the same equation.”

Three Thinking Thoughts: (1) How can I keep from singing while taking a shower? (2) Tomorrow is

allowed to be counted as part of today. (3) When pointing a finger at someone, look at that hand and

observe in which direction the other three are pointing.

Five ‘Foul’ Frowns: Fried ants. Snow shovelled back onto the street. The endless to-do list, but it also

has its rewards. Challenges in defending myself. My thoughts going on a stumbling daze while filling out

these blank spaces.

Ten Telling Tales: Take part in cleaning house because I take part in making it dirty. Adventure camping

trips with my wife. Express myself in ‘doings’ than verbally. Traveling to countries across large body of

water. Tri-lingual. Involved in a variety of cultures. Entering into the phase of being a grandpa. Making

time to visit Mother on a regular basis. Preparing summer toys: travel trailer, kayaks, motor boat. Wife

and family activities here and abroad.

Gospel Guidance: Psalm 121 (vs. 1&2) “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my

help. My help cometh from the Lord, which has made heaven and earth.”


Sue Shan

Sue Shantz

Monica Cressman

Workroom Manager,

MCC Thrift Shop Store

in Elmira

Childhood Home: Calling Lake, Alberta

Present Home: Elmira, Ontario

Maiden Name: Hershberger

■ easy-going ■ competitive ■ adventurous

■ kind ■ content ■ constantly on the go

■ homemade bread ■ chocolate

■ campfires ■ waterfalls

■ studied Cree

■ was Program Director at a camp

■ lived in 4 countries

■ travelling ■ camping ■ scrapbooking

■ geneology ■ thrift ■ children

■ family trips

■ times of praise and worship

■ Inter varsity Christian Fellowship

(IVCF) at University ■ Hesston College

■ our wedding ■ children

■ outdoor walks

■ boiling sap ■ sound of 2-cylinder John

Deere tractor ■ homemade ice cream

■ maple syrup and apple fritters

■ bone-in ham soup

■ concern for others ■ time and talent to

charity ■ non-judgemental ■ love of music

■ my marriage to Pat

■ family trips to East, West and Southern

coasts of U.S.A. ■ going to all my

grandchildren’s sporting events

■ catching a huge Muskie fish

■ playing Solo cards at church

■ coffee time at Tim Horton’s

■ “Ponder Bench” by river

■ see how many different countries I

can travel to

Personality traits others would say I have:

■ welcoming ■ patient ■ fun

■ hospitable ■ generous ■ organized

My interests include:

■ reading ■ cooking; trying new recipes on

friends/family ■ singing in the Inshallah choir

■ Scrabble & games ■ travelling

■ hiking/biking, exploring nature

■ live theatre at Drayton & Blyth ■ fishing

■ making hockey goalie stick coat stands

■ large variety of friends ■ playing Scrabble

with a dictionary and cheat sheet (with no challenges or forfeiture)

Some favourite lifetime memories:

■ enjoying retirement! ■ Living life fully, open to opportunities

that unfold, open to the mystery

■ the wonder of Christmas Eve and Day

■ watching sunsets with loved ones

■ our wedding ■ birth of our daughters

■ family trips ■ visiting my birth place with

several of my siblings

Other vocations I might have chosen or would choose:

■ visit New Zealand ■ a safari ■ exploring

more of Canada – especially Quebec ■ visit

a dear friend from VS I recently reconnected

with after 30 years ■ open to surprises!

Some things you may not know about me:

John A. Weber

Some of my favourite smells, sounds, tastes:

■ 2 years MCC voluntary service in Lancas-

ter City, PA. 1972-74; where I met Bob ■ a

6 wk. family motorhome trip through parts of

the US and Canada in 1995 ■ picked rasp-

berries every summer growing up

■ took swing dance lessons 3 years ago

■ founding member of Ontario Maple Syrup

Growers Association 50 years ago

■ had same address for over 87 years

■ secondary School Board Trustee

■ expelled from High School for missing an

exam due to a snowstorm but was later

reinstated

■ Health Valley Trail and Mill Race ■ back

road Ontario trips with Doreen ■ good food

and conversation with friends on my porch

■ baker

Where I like to play or ponder:

■ European river boat cruise ■ drive

through Canadian & American West and

American deserts ■ create “clip and snip”

birthday or wedding cards for friends

Some items on my “bucket list”:

Retired from early child-

hood educator; co-founder

Family Support Center;

personal chef. Currently:

church & community

involvements

Childhood Home: 1st 6 mos. Mexico;

then Yarrow, B.C.

Present Home: St. Jacobs, since 1974

Age 66 Maiden Name: Loewen

Childhood Home: Erb Street, Waterloo

Present Home: Weeby Place, Waterloo

Age 87

Retired from farming

and a short stint in

Real Estate.

Enjoying retirement!

■ ocean waves ■ cardinals singing

■ smell of orange blossoms ■ pear pie

■ sound of the loons

■ my homemade almond butter

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