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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
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
Life Together 3 Winter 2019
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
Life Together 4 Winter 2019
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.
Life Together 5 Winter 2019
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
Life Together 6 Winter 2019
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.
Life Together 7 Winter 2019
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
Life Together 8 Winter 2019
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”
Life Together 9 Winter 2019
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
Life Together 10 Winter 2019
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
Life Together 11 Winter 2019
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.”
Life Together 12 Winter 2019
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