April 2015, VOLUME 2 EDITION 4
At Niagara United Mennonite Church Palm Sunday
Jesus is coming! Did you Know? Pg 2 -3 From the mountainside, from the seaside, Survey: Easter Pg 3 -4 from the homes of the rich
Ministries: Jr. Youth Pg 6 -7 and the company of the poor, from the bedside of those who are sick,
Feature: Schmidt Update Pg 8 Jesus is coming! Outreach: NT Dirks Pg 9 Along dusty roads, Book Corner Pg 10 with a ragged band of travellers, Jesus comes to Jerusalem, Calendar Pg 11 Jesus comes to worship. Milestones Pg 13 Will we greet him with Hosannas? This Day in History Pg 14 Let’s pray: Contributions Pg 14 -17 We have come to meet you today, Jesus. Colouring Page Pg 19 We don’t know quite what to expect. We think we know what we need, how you can meet our needs. But we come humbly, laying our coats before you. It’s your call. Reveal to us who you are, how you can be a Saviour in our lives, a Saviour in our world today. Come Lord Jesus! Hosanna! DID YOU KNOW?
During the season of Lent , Christians reflect on the life and death of Christ in special ways to prepare for Easter. Ever since 325 CE, these preparations have lasted forty days each year, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve (not counting Sundays). They have been a time of spiritual cleansing that reminds people of Je- sus’ forty days in the wilderness as he prepared for his ministry. Lent still invites Christians to withdraw from society’s hustle and bustle, and to remove the clutter from their lives to help them prepare for the min- istries where God would like their help. Lent is a good time to offer oneself to God. When we do, interesting things happen. These can include having our expectations and understandings turned upside down and inside out.
Shrove comes from the old word, “shrive”, which means to hear a person confess their sins and receive forgiveness, one of the ways people traditionally prepared for Lent. On Shrove Tuesday , it was also traditional to make pancakes and use up the eggs, fat, and sugar that were in the house, because people would give up eating these foods for Lent.
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the ashes that were traditionally rubbed on the forehead of worshipers on this day. Ashes are a symbol of purification, because as fire burns it can separate what is valuable from what is valueless. In the same way, making crosses of ashes on each other’s foreheads shows our will- ingness to be purified by Jesus, and that we are making space for Jesus to shape us for new and abundant life with him.
Maundy comes from the Latin “dies mandatum” which means “the day of the new commandment”. On that first Maundy Thursday , Jesus surprised his disciples by washing their feet. This was something that servants regularly did when people came indoors, because the Palestinian roads were dusty and their sandaled feet were dirty. But Jesus was their teacher! By kneeling in front of them and washing their feet like a servant, Je- sus taught them something very important. Jesus expects his followers to be like servants to each other, instead of trying to boss each other around. Listen to the Gospel words: “After he had washed their feet...he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord —and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’” John 13: 12 -14. 2 DID YOU KNOW?
Good Friday This Friday is considered “good” because nothing, not even Jesus’ painful death, could overwhelm God’s saving love and grace.
Holy Saturday is a day for silence and quiet anticipation of Easter Sunday joy. The sadness of Jesus’ sacrificial death lingers with us, but we already anticipate resurrection joy.
Easter Sunday Prayer of Thanks Dear God and Father of our living Lord, We praise you for the power of your forgiving, life-giving Christ s ist love! We thank you for raising Jesus from the dead. We thank you for the wonderful gifts of forgiveness and sal- auferstanden! vation that we can enjoy because of Jesus. We thank you for the Bible, which helps us see how God’s Christo love transformed the lives of Jesus’ first followers. ha We thank you for Christians through the ages, who have resucitado! Le Christ loved and followed you. Thank you that your love, which is stronger than sin and est death, can and does lead through suffering to joy. Thank you, God, for turning the world upside down and in- ressuscitressuscité!! side out by bringing life out of death and beginnings out of endings. Christos Alleluia! Voskres! Christ is risen! 3 4 Survey Tradition…Paska Sunday.on Easter hear a to cho But, Scott Scott Vanderlee enjoy long film the crawling into before bed. e weekend Easter aired family, myit with as Heston Com Ten "The watching was memory favourite other My all was it about the thrill the of hunt. but rewards, the up divide We equally then treats. would and packages the ful onto colour- stairs, after chasing and lawn the up and doors basement the of out ing rac- recall I field. back the in hidden being were treats and eggs as basement, in aunt’s waiting my while signal, the 'go' awaiting be would cousins I and sister, brothers, My Easter hunt! the always was tradition family favourite My
bling; triggering mixed feelings of melancholy and and melancholy of feelings mixed triggering bling; n aot o mc Gd n eu lvs s s hum- is us loves Jesus and God much how about ing way.Thi same the in girls our raised we and Easter atr evc a a hl mat pca dess wer dresses special worn. meant child fun a and as laughter service of then fullEaster and are child children my a with as those hunts egg Easter meals. special in-Paska memories Hyacinths, Lilies, Easter of childhood smells the clude my Easter, of think I When and memoriesmore… includes past, Easter’s of Thinking minds God’sus of forgiveness and glory! o wonder the ground, the that on still is yearsnow when blooming flowers of time Spring a good! is Easter is and God time is. celebration their wonderful ho about think I and Heaven in Jesus havejoined alreadywho ones loved my remember I that time a also generations multipleEaster homes. our have in and church to at together coming are we blessed how is gran for take can we that something guess, I cious! pr are English and German of languages our both ing esp services, special at and sung songs traditional cially church our in singing the love absolutely I
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of Easter: Marlene tful when I do it. memories e came back from the hospital to when when I was 10. under bushes and behind trees. We hunted hunted couldn't and and We
he Niagara Glen. The instructions were that we should
e and cut down on the sugar the years, and we don't have as many g, especially near the cool freshness tchen tchen when my Mom was preparing the the the BIG basket was. 'Faspa' 'Faspa' is usually multi
urch" shoes in spring, usually for Easter. usually spring, in shoes urch" uted. uted. e are a few few a are e Rempel, Boitumelo & Charles, 1974 Charles, & Boitumelo Rempel, y. y. Easter egg hunt in Botswana with Debbie Debbie with inBotswana hunt egg Easter I doubt the queen of England ate this well to-
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I didn't realize until I got a little that older,
I was very close with my great grandfather, Ben Fri day!" he had at my parents' house, "That was no matter how simple, joined joined our family for meals on most holidays, inclu passed away 15 years ago, but I still remember how Lena Van Bergen Van Lena
That task is mine now and I always get a little wis
when we celebrate the resur-
hiding some of those eggs while we were off looking
-
Easter morning is always a happy
traditions at Easter as we do at Christmas, buther doChristmas, we at as Easter at traditions changed...!) really hasn't (That I loved the aroma of lemon rind and yeast in the ki Our Easter activities have changed quite a bit over
My My grandmother (Oma Bartel) died on Easter weekend were playing with our new young bunnies when someon famil for our holiday difficult a was That tell us. "ch new getting enjoyed really I little, was I When It's comical to me how the potato salad for Easter
theriver. the hunt. egg from eggs the up used we've When When we were in we Youth, had sunrise services at t
was a clever way to keep us occupied for a long tim er! special about the sun (Son) rising on Easter mornin end ofthe our be hunt, distrib treats would evenly seem to fill the big basket. re
My My cousins and I loved the annual Easter egg hunt. paska dough.
paska is never quite as good either....) good as quite never ispaska bring everything we find to the picnic table where Hedy Kopeschny Hedy me.” songs, is special to with with all the Easter worship service “Easter “Easter morning ones. much much better than the traditional coloured coloured Easter eggs tasted so each one of us. For some reason the reason the some us.For of one each eggs that the bunny had left children children would hunt for our Easter on the Andres farm when we as Easter morning was also exciting time time rection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NUMC Ministries...
Kaitlin Hinz and Andrea Neufeld JUNIOR YOUTH
We have been blessed with an amazing group of Jr Youth this Herb and Jen Hinz year. Once a month we meet up for fellowship and fun. Our group is open to grades 6, 7, and 8 as well as any friends they would like to bring. This year we decided to do something a little different and host a spaghetti lunch in the auditorium. We have grown together as a group over the last few months, and we, as sponsors, thought it would be great to do a service event; and where better than at home? It was amazing to see how quickly the group was able to set the tables and clean up afterward. We did very little to tell them what to do. These kids are pros! We were also very grateful to see the incredible support both before and after the event from the congregation for this group of young people. It was wonderful to see everyone chatting and catching up, and getting to know who the Jr Youth are and what we do. It is very evident how much our children are appreciated by this community. Thanks everyone for your generous donations, this will help to make us a self sustaining group in the next year and continue to have more awesome experiences. ~ submitted by Jennifer Hinz
Jr Youth has been amazing this year. All of the events have been equally so much fun. Playing games outside, running around the church, racing down waterslides, and serving our community. I had an awesome time at the spaghetti lunch. We enjoyed reading all of the notes that were written on the tables while we were cleaning up. It was a great experience and I would love to do it again next year! ~ submitted by Kaitlin Hinz 6 Reflections on the Spaghetti Lunch
It was really nice to serve the church with my friends ~ Elissa R.
I really enjoyed serving and helping the church and my family. I had a great time. ~ Emily D.
It was fun. It was nice to serve people. ~ Braeden F.
I liked serving AND eating! It was fun! ~ Niko T
I liked being able to help set up for the event, and serve. ~ Kaitlin H.
I liked serving the people. ~Grace P.
I really enjoyed seeing how much fun everyone was hav- ing. ~ Taneal L.
I really liked serving. ~ Ella H.
7 8 From the desk of Burk and Cheryl Schmidt by its bark and the unique cones that it produces. produces. it that cones unique by and the bark its and life his of most mountains these hiking been of tired get never We us. around creation beautiful of the nearby neighbourhoods. We have made a a made have We neighbourhoods. nearby the of some even and here around trails wonderful discovering the all bike tandem our ride to continue We roundings. We can now identify a Douglas fir tree tree fir Douglas a identify now can We roundings. sur- our of knowledge it our in made richer the all we through but me) for least (at frightening a little and challenging little a were spots Some more. much so the and birds trees, all flowers, identifying while trails unique some on group our lead who has who naturalist a with activity city this the that organized fortunate were We challenged. ally direction-both are I & Burk since useful especially was This mountains. local the in hiking some did and group hiking a joined we spring/summer Last offer. to has BC that all of advantage taking are and we here around do to something always is There year. Facebook. the of most on mountain this of pictures covered many posted has Burk snow it’s and Baker Mount It’s road. the of end the at it’s like looks it yet and white, majestic so stands onathat clear day Washington, of state the in away hours 1/2 is 2 about colours that mountain special beautiful one have We the us. around and mountains the seeing the witness we as day each awe in are and experi-ences and adventures many so enjoying are We us. upon favour God’s felt also have and now year a nearly for Columbia British in here been We’ve follows still that this.and teaches that God’s leading staff pastoral wonderful a to have blessed very are You things. wonderful doing and vibrant still is church the that see to great It’s newsletters. the and bulletins weekly the by following news Niagara the with possible as much as up keep and try We way. special a in you of each ing bless-is God that and well doing all are you Hope Hello NUMC,
just call them our fun toys. We started out with a with out started We toys. fun our them call just joyed sharing our home, and “showing off” our our off” “showing and home, our sharing joyed & John later, months couple a Then yet. plored be- has reading for love my guess I but NUMC, back highways around the lakes and mountains. mountains. and lakes the around highways back some treks with them, the longest being a daya being longest made the them, we’ve with treks some and riding like also that friends few our kids are calling it our midour it calling that are kids items our “fun” of purchases few a made We’ve come to you the future. in here out enjoysome trails of any to invitation hearty a extend and time that enjoying years, those cherish still we wonderful time, fellowship the that during all had we and conversations our Teichgrafs miss the We with rides Victoria. to Island Vancouver on coe fr og itne, u ejy oe f the of some enjoy but distances, long for scooter the ride don’t I of well, as this lot like a around riding been fun It’s away. minutes 20 about is that (a car job a second took I since Gades) the like a just car, SMART bought we a then himself and bought motorcycle Burk then this), for license cle motorcy-a get to had I one, size fair a (it’s scooter farmers to watch other farms’ harvest season. It It season. harvest for farms’ fitting other watch How to farmers them. with fields of cranberry harvesting the and flooding We the watch us. to got around even beauty the all and surroundings en- We days. few a for came Thwaites Jocelyn ex- hadn’t we even places to them took we and us with days few a spend to came fromOttawa friends our summer late the in First friends. great from its vis- couple a enjoy to got we fall and summer Last Joannie and yours.for have done Debbie Marlies, as well as half least at do to able be I’ll Hopefully committee. library at one the on be meto asked have they and apparent come the than smaller lot a albeit library, ful wonder-a become have even They church. have the at members the we aware, to are out you reach As they community. that events the of some in volunteering by involved becoming slowly are and friends, good few a made have group, care small a in for cared well been are have teachings, Wethe enjoying connected. and home at felt instantly we where church nearby a to us lead God arrived, we after shopping church of months of couple a After to way great a explore. and ferry the for fare cheaper it’s since permitting, weather motorcycle, the with go we’ll and Victoria, visit to Island Vancouver to end week- long May the vacation short a planning are We (haha). skills limited my to attention pay than rather scenery the enjoy to get I way that and cle, motorcy-the on together enjoy we rides longer Our
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Outreach 9 9
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blog or
1 Corinthians 2:11 ~ Nate~ & Taryn Dirks sometimes the best anti- if if you want to color in one
– Nate & Nate Taryn’s
[email protected] “No one knowsone things the “No of God
except the Spirit the except of God” Good ThingsCome Good mail mail them to us in Botswana (PO Box 33, Gaborone, Botswana), so that we can make use of them and thecourage local team. And en- yourself, who are we to judge? Actually, it would be letter.) For rest of story, check out Before we begin, however dote to reading a boring article is, of course, coloring. I know that I didn’t have to tell you that. Please link find at the a bottom of the page which will allow you to find the drawing which is featured for was this drawn article. by It one of the youth local give to a Bontleng, visual to of how the park is laid roughly out. goingOur request to is be this: print off a few the copies drawing of (printed in black and white) and ask your children, or some children from your congregation, to color one in. Then, either scan them and send them to our email address ( Last fall, groups of Canada bikers congregations from across the Mennonite country Church gathered numerous in communities to participate in a ride to raise funds for charity. Specifically, there were 8 teams, and they raised nearly $20,000 to support the construction of a new park in a rough neighborhood in Botswana. Calgary, Gaborone, Langley, Niagara, Saskatoon, Sur- rey, Waterloo, and Winnipeg were all represented, and all connected Bontleng (“place of beauty”) through their own beauti- themselves to ful acts of service. So, what’s happening with that park the community that so many good of people risked ward getting splash those marks awk- up the middles support? glad We’re you asked. of their backs to NUMC FacebookNUMC page. pretty pretty cool. (Picture featured on the back of the news-
time time for a - Burk & Cheryl
Baobab in Tuli Block, Botswana Block, Tuli in Baobab
in a safe environment. safe in a visit. cial cial sharing that aspect in our everyday work ap- and looking forward to seeing you again when we each each of you God’s blessings, peace and strength, Well Well that’s all for now, as I said before, we wish financial advising firm that have an holistic ap- things. things. Iblessed am with a greatjob, I workpart esting esting projects and it keeps his brain learning new ly ly wants to do. He’s working on some very inter- able able to ride his bicycle, which is something he real- mute mute a lot shorter. Who knows, he might even be months, months, closer to home, which will make his com- leagues. The office will be moving in a few company, company, enjoying the new challenges and his col- Burk has been enjoying his new job within the
well. see see some of you at a Sunday morning service as spending spending some time with friends. Hopefully we’ll celebrating a milestone birthday, and hopefully looking forward to seeing the rest of our families, head head to Niagara for a couple of weeks. We are couple couple more days with them at their home and then we’ll we’ll be flying back to Ontario with them, spend a will spend about 10 days with us here and then getting our home ready for two little ones. They with them, places they want to see, and of course we’ve we’ve been busy planning all the things we can do and and enjoy their company for all that time, and granddaughters, and we’re so excited to see them we’re we’re expecting a visit from our daughter and two some some precious moments together. This summer was great reconnecting with them and spending
proach, with clients and sharing our God moments proach. So I work with all Christians and it’s spe- back back highways around the lakes and mountains. BOOK CORNER By Debbie Fast
I, Saul By Jerry B Jenkins
“A murderer who would change the world! A compelling international thriller that conveys you from present day Texas to a dank Roman dungeon in A.D. 67, then down the dusty roads of ancient Israel, Asia, and back to Rome.
A young seminary professor, Augustine Knox, is drawn into a deadly race to save a priceless parchment from antiquities thieves and discovers a two thousand year old connection with another who faced death for the sake of the truth. I, Saul consists of two riveting adventures in one, transporting you between the stories of Augustine Knox and Saul of Tarsus”
John’s Story The Jesus Chronicles By Tim LaHaye & Jerry B Jenkins
“Before the Tribulation, before the Rapture, before there was a legacy that could be left behind … there was Jesus. Now the authors of the phenomenal Left Be- hind series introduce The Jesus Chronicles, four books that individually and col- lectively paint a vivid portrait of the Prince of Peace told in the voices of those who knew Him best: the Gospel writers, John, Mark, Matthew and Luke.”
“The year is A.D. 95, and John, the one whom Jesus called “beloved” is the last of the twelve apostles still alive. Now nearing ninety, John is still committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. When a renegade begins misleading the masses with dangerous, heretical teachings, John is called by God to write a Gos- pel to show that Jesus was in fact the Son of God”
“John’s Story brings to life the most important events in human history and also includes the very words that John wrote – words that continue to bring followers to Jesus every day” Mark’s Story The Jesus Chronicles By Tim LaHaye & Jerry B Jenkins
“It is Jesus’ last day alive as a man, and a young boy – Mark – is about to witness firsthand some of the most pivotal events in all of human history: Judas Iscariot’s betrayal; Peter’s denial of his Master; and Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection as the risen Lord”
“Mark’s Story is a thrilling account that vividly depicts the day before Jesus’ cru cifixion and the danger the early believers faced as they boldly proclaimed Him Christ the Lord.” 10 April 2015
April
2015 S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T 1 2 3 4 6:30pm 6:00pm 10:45am Pioneer Model Seder Worship
Club Service 7:30pm
7:00pm Choir Prayer Mtg. Practice MAUNDY GOOD THURSDAY FRIDAY 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10:00am 7:00pm 9:00am 7:00pm 8:00pm Wholeness Wholeness Baptism 2 Women’s Women in Prayer Mtg. Choir Through Through Youth SS Bible Study Service Practice Christ Christ
Interactive Sermon 6:30pm 8:00am 7:00pm 10:45am Registration Registration Church - - Worship Service 7 9pm 8:30 4 pm ….(Rudy Dirks) Council Mtg. Session Session EASTER EASTER SUNDAY MONDAY 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10:00am 7:00pm 9:00am 7:00pm 8:00pm 7:00pm Baptism 2 Women’s Women in Prayer Mtg. Choir Youth Youth SS Bible Study Service Practice Interactive Sermon 7:00pm 10:00 am Niagara German Service Community …(Hans H. Dau) 11:00 am Male Chorus Worship Service …(Paul from WTC) 1:00pm Jr. Youth 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 10:00am 7:00pm 9:00am 7:00pm 8:00pm 7:00pm Baptism 2 Women’s Women in Prayer Mtg. Choir Youth Youth SS Bible Study Service Practice
11:00am 7:00pm 7:00pm Worship Service Niagara Spiritual (Nate & Taryn Dirks) 12:00pm Potluck Community Council Mtg. Male Chorus EARTH DAY 26 27 28 29 30 10:00am 7:00pm 9:00am 6:00pm 8:00pm Baptism 2 Women’s Women in Promises, Choir Youth SS Bible Study Service Promises Practice Interactive Sermon 7:00pm 10:00 am Prayer Mtg. German Service
…(Joachim Dau) 11:00 am Worship Service …(Rudy Dirks) 11 Join us as we celebrate one another’s special milestones!
The following members, who are 80 years of age and older are celebrating birthdays this month:
Gerhard Friesen turns 86 (born April 4, 1929) Margarethe Neufeld turns 85 (born April 10, 1930) Kaethe Riemland turns 83 (born April 14, 1932) John Willms turns 84 (born April 15, 1931) Wilhelm Harder turns 80 (born April 22, 1935) Anneliese Pankratz turns 82 (born April 22, 1933)
We wish you all much happiness and health on your special days!
Jenn and Nelson Thwaites joyfully announce the arrival of Isabella Olivia , born on Wednesday, March 4th. Proud grandparents are Jim and Cathy van der Zalm and John and Jocelyn Thwaites.
On March 28th, we celebrated the dedication of Jeremy Joseph Vanderlee, son of Scott and Yvonne Vanderlee brother to Joshua and Hannah.
ADDRESS CHANGES:
Henry & Elsie Siemens’ new email address, Please accept our apology and the following correc- effective March 31st, 2015 —[email protected] tions to March’s Milestone’s: Jacob Enns turns 83 on March 12th John Harder turns 82 on March12th Peter & Mary Dirks Maria Enns turns 88 on March19th 1 Tabor Drive Jacob Friesen turns 90 on March 23rd Unit 117 Erika Martens turns 84 on March 30th St. Catharines, ON L2N 1V9 905.934.3414 x 1517
**Reminder: If you have moved or changed any of your contact infor‐ 12 mation, please alert the office so that our records remain current. ** A look back to this day in our history...
Our lovely Minister of Pastoral Care, Sharon Dirks was born to proud parents April 1, 1960 Arthur & Elvira (Willms) Andres. Happy Birthday, Sharon!!
Assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, of Baptist minister, the Rev. Martin Luther April 4, 1968 King, Jr. a vocal advocate of civil rights.
The NUMC Easter Sunday bulletin announced what -was -then the usual Easter April 5, 1953 Monday worship service to start at 11:00am. Everyone was invited. Contributed by Harold Neufeld From the NUMC bulletin: ““The “Brunk” Tent Meeting is coming soon. The tent April 5, 1959 will be set up on the hayfield beside the Fruit Dealer “Gonos” on Lakeshore and Read Roads. Plan to attend. More information will follow shortly.” Contributed by Harold Neufeld Dietrich Bonhoeffer is hanged by Nazis at Flossenburg Concentration Camp. April 9, 1945 Shortly before the end he says, “this is the end...for me, the beginning of life.”
From the NUMC bulletin “On Tuesday April 21 at 8:00pm, at the St. Catharines April 12, 1955 M.B. Church on Scott Street, there will be a meeting where the question of the construction of a Mennonite Hospital in the Niagara Area will be considered. The project would be a private initiative and all interested parties are invited.” Contributed by Harold Neufeld The NUMC bulletin proclaimed: “Born on April 3 to John and Hilda Willms, of April 17, 1955 our church, a son, by the name of Erwin.” Contributed by Harold Neufeld Contributions My Mom by Terri Fast (nee Pankratz) A reflection for her mother’s birthday.
What can I say about my mom? There are so My mom tirelessly loves & cares for her many words that could be used to describe her, I family. All 10 of her grandchildren have had don’t really know where to begin! She is most def- amazing experiences with their Oma. She has done initely one of the strongest, selfless, fiercely inde- a wonderful job creating precious memories with pendent & determined, generous, caring & loving them … from road trips to and from B.C. (even people I’ve ever known. I have always admired, one with two teenage grandsons!), to camping (in respected, loved & been truly inspired by my mom a tent!) in Northern Ontario, to making her famous … but never so much as the day I gave birth to my dill pickles, lots of sleepovers, outings & countless first child, & became a mom myself. That day meals together. She really is one awesome Oma! changed everything for me. I developed a whole My mom’s incredibly generous spirit shows new level of respect and admiration for her. I felt through in all she does … even outside of the fam- like I finally understood her a little bit better … ily. Her love for all people is lived out every day. why she cares, gives & loves so deeply. From the children on her school bus, to the off - My mom has incredible strength. People of- shore workers she chauffeurs around, to the people ten comment to me that they can’t believe all the she has in her home. Her many, many volunteer things she does. I believe she is a true example of hours with MCC, The Benefit Shop, her church “when there’s a will, there’s a way”! Her inner family at NUMC & beyond, all reflect her willing- physical, mental, emotional & spiritual strength ness to give. Each person she reaches is touched has carried her along many paths in life. Her un- by her warm, kind heart. And each of us is richer shakable faith in God has kept her strong in times for it. I only hope & pray that someday … I can be of trouble; and her endless optimism & determina- just like her. tion gives her a very positive outlook on life. Thanks Mom. I love you. 13 14 Contributions: Sharing the Stories behind the Milestones
pressions when referring to other people’s mistakes), mistakes), people’s other to referring when pressions back into some semblance of order, making him him making order, of semblance some it into get to back work hard of hours long took it that point erd o s rshj. tak t Jh Rme for Rempel John spelling). thehelp with to (thanks kruschtji. as to ferred re- them were they household pickle our In would fabulous. were Goerz they Oma Our too. it like tasted and candy as sweet were ripe fully when and them larger larger them walnut a of size (the small were they as seckels 10 the loved about all We had trees). (he pears seckel the sell and harvest to time was it October By market. no with crop nice A challenge. different a offered 1970 1969, in fort farm. else’s at someone work to how learn simply just not could kids if and ovyn te itr o a anu bt non but painful a of picture the conveying in muchclearer is expression that of version German low (the bit a finger the in himself cut he if wonder threatening injury threatening how work. to learning someplace, along tagging kids his us at and mother side our with farm, of the amount on home same at hours the almost in put and Catharines Hunter on farm Lake. onthe Road a Niagara in bought they 4), was he say let’s follow to was Jr. kindergarten yetknew that one the kindergarten in no and year the before kindergarten startedonly with #4 had 1, they right, (you’re grade kindergarten Jr. in in youngest #3 7, grade John (Johnny boy)). (Lou), Don, Laurie Ruth, (Erv), Erwin Children Willms (Mary) Hilda (Parents work”. to how learn to “need kids their that decided parents our children 5 having To to SELL Market to Market, pears! some me that many. So that year as always, Dad brought brought Dad always, as year that So many. process that to going not was Oma even and kind) en 1115 In a good year one tree might produce 10 to to 10 produce might tree one year good a In After an iffy crop in 1968 and a lack lustre ef- lustre lack a and 1968 in crop iffy an After The 10 acre piece had been run down to the the to down run been had piece acre 10 The St. in GM at hours his work to continued Dad in #2 8, grade in oldest their with 1968 in So after life their in point some at that seems It - quart baskets or 250 6 250 or baskets quart –
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but later we learned to grow grow to learned we later but
- quarts (the old wood- old (the quarts
– John and and John - – life so so –
both feet and arms to boot. Summers became steady steady became Summers boot. to arms and feet both one in crop whole his sell to wanted he home, back by lunch, into bed for some shut eye and punch the the punch and eye shut some for bed into lunch, by seats in the back ( these seats were a hoot hoot a were seats these ( back the in seats jump down fold with Impala Chevy 1965 station a family wagon, the into them loaded he So farmers market. a try should he told was and around asked He Dad. for they good so say not wants I but candy) (did as sweet kids “nobody were us for told great was was This he them”. small” too “they’re them get come Co to him the told week, 1 After fetch. they’d co local the to them “going to market”, as we called it, he was in with with in was he it, called we as market”, to “going noses.andscars curly onds, the with the ones after year produced, kids us And we year. everything sell could he as Dad, for great out worked This Toronto. in nity commu-Jewish the with favorite time long a are still and were kruschtji the wanted, nobody that pears tle lit- these that learned, later he out, turned It cakes”. told.ty” was he all it buy they’ll market too, it on money make gotta markets. the retail with andbother not did trip work of lots Having market. farm sale whole a to, the off just Toron- in Road Lawn Park on Way found Express Terminal Gardner Food he Ontario morning the one at am himself 4:30 and wagon) sta- tion that in vacation a on OMAs 2 plus 7 of family seat back the behind fit could with the farm the came with that fenders, rounded big with pickup, Fargo green 1956 the (later wagon station the into fruit the him. pack over, was shift his after 11:30pm at for home come shift) 11pm to He’d day. all pack and pick would kids us and Mom (3pm GM at afternoons mum ripeness, packing more carefully into different different into carefully more packing ripeness, mum opti-insure to times, multiple orchard same the ing pick- irrigation), (trickle fruit larger harvesting now 30 to Up year. per trips pears. with fall in less little a season, 3be would There . shift of start pm 3:00 for GM at back clock farm the to Back day. bad a was it if home, some bring and 11:00 or 10:00 by up give day, good a was it if 9:00 or 8:00 by all it Sell start. would haggling the then and produce, would day the sellers and ers buy-many how gauge to place the around trip quick a 5:30, by market the at stall his into 5:00, by To-ronto 3:00am, at up eye, shut some get truck), the in Dad was truly hooked. After a few years of of years few a After hooked. truly was Dad buyers) (the they cause less, little a get “You el o ut Dad quote to Well Things on the farm changed a lot. We were were We lot. a changed farm the on Things - 5 of these trips per week during the busy busy the during week per trips these of 5
–
every kid learned to drive standard standard drive to learned kid every – we learned how to eat the sec-the eat to how learned we - op and wondered what price price what wondered and op – as long as it’s good quali-good it’s as long as – – “They sold like hot hot like sold “They they were not sellable sellable not were they – but at the wholesale wholesale the at but – we once took our our took once we By Erv WillmsBy - p ald and called op –
4 kids kids 4
- 40
15
–
! wheel and a cou- th
th
nothing was moving, so he upped the price. – Even our cousin Jim Goerz got a chance to He did however keep the house, the barn, and After After almost 20 years of farming, in 1986, at In all the years of haggling, paying on a hand- As the years passed, it became clear that will turnDad 84 on April 15 It didn’t happen that often, on the other hand By By 1995, at age 64, he’d had enough. He sold setting the tone the setting tomorrow’s for market. kids, who now knew MORE than enough about hard land. the work, wanted that! Imagine help help out at market. The fast pace of the selling and home shaking his head and reporting. “that John!! Uncle Then he gave everyone a discount. Before we knew it we were sold out”. Apparently dad had not heard of false advertising. It loved was it. a big I game wish and he’d retiredwe’d be all by now. have Dad been a stock broker 2 acres around it. Not being able to sit still he plant- ed those 2 acres to plums, apricots and some ries. By 2003 cher- he was once again at the market, only a for now short season, dozen a perhaps trips or less. the the age of 55, Dad retired farming full time. from By 1989 he needed a GMcube van to and took up carry the load as he had purchased more land along the way and just about all of it had come duction andinto was pro- being sold at the market. Us were kids slowly leaving the tolearned work along the way had little trouble find- family farm and having ing off farm jobs. My Don, both tried farming on their own brother for a while and John, followed by Dad would help out with even more trips to the mar- ket. shake, shake, deals on, deals off, he only had 2 cheques court after and many waspaid. years mom’s memory was going to be a problem for them and in 2008, at 77, he sold the house and 2 acres. It was the last year he went to market. However every grandchild (Dad’s a big believer in treating kids all the same as well theas all the grandkids the same), has had a chance to go with him learn a few tricks or make some observations, “to or eat market” and a great bacon, cheese, egg and tomato sandwich. would not be unusual either, for Dad to come home with a sack of potatoes or onions, a bouquet of flow- ers, a basket of tomatoes or a bushel of pickling cu- cumbers, all of which were the best quality at the nuts, which I left outside my door help yourself at sign. work I with had no a end of people office tilllookinginto my they gone. were the the farm to the Magnota Wine Corporation and trad- ed up for a new pickup truck, a 5 ple ple of months in Florida each winter. None of the buying buying was a bit of an eye opener for Jim, who came bounce, bounce, both for $100. One he took to small claims best best prices. I once even ordered a 50lb sack of pea- I can – ask the wait- – others ready to – ask as inconspicuously as I’ll take em all”. They must – -
for the sandwiches and some –
here’s his take on it. “The egg sandwich
–
too much”, and keep on walking. That day “nice peaches
– or order clerk – Soon a cooler was purchased, then sold and a To understand the ins and outs of any given as the waitress would never do it. So I gladly Brother Don and I debated a bit about the egg Sometimes Sometimes he’d have to take the Impala and – –
they they must have bought all they needed and were just
much much
next next day they’d shake their heads and scowl “too
were were not many peaches at the market that day. The
have have walked around the market and realized there
hear the buyers say without even asking about the
sell sell whatever we could to the constant stream of
sales sales strategy. In the mean time we’d be trying to
make make whatever adjustments were necessary to our
eat in a day or day in a 2. eat
ripe fruit ready to eat on the spot
sizes sizes and ripeness/colour (Some buyers want really
and and most importantly
duce duce was on hand, see what buyers were there early,
eggs instead ofeggs salt!!)” tion’s produce looked like, gauge how much pro-
these these eggs…`` (I had accidently put sugar on the of trips around the stalls to see what the competi-
of of something big, and asked ``what did you put on day’s market conditions, Dad would walk a couple
looked looked at me, with that look that meant I was guilty
and and mine back to the truck. He took one bite and
ment table. ment table. I did myjob for my Dadbrought and his
salt salt and pepper to which she pointed to the condi-
ress ress
went went to the restaurant to get the order
egg egg
quest quest was to sprinkle some salt and pepper on the
with a couple of bucks to go get it. Dad`s only re-
was was only ordered later in the morning. We were sent
grill bacon, cheese, egg and tomato sandwich sandwich
Then up at dawn for a coffee, and a fresh off the still taste them. taste still
stars stars with the night sounds of the city all around us.
es es came along and we’d sleep in the grass under the
work. On these trips sleeping bags and air mattress-
times times he’d change things up and leave right after
of of the kids along, to help with the selling. Some-
drive. These were fun times as often he’d take one
the the Fargo in the same trip which meant I got to
them ourselves). them for
were lots,were we did not have usually and many we kept
count), pears (5 varieties) and apples (only if there
ties), ties), peaches and nectarines (too many varieties to
ties ties of yellow, 7 varieties of blue), apricots (4 varie-
cherries cherries (4 varieties), sour cherries, plums (2 varie-
everything went to the market. Strawberries, Sweet
the the truck, more packing and sizing tables added, and
price
buyers buyers that would come along. Some days you’d
possible possible about price. Then he’d come back and bigger one purchased, racks and a canopy added to afternoons at GM (3pm to 11pm shift) for him. Contributions … From Happiness to Despair – Part of My Life Story by Wilhelm Harder
Jesus said: deep snow and freezing temperatures. We travelled Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a in a westerly direction, away from the advancing Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation. Russian army. After many weeks on the roads, the Matthew 24:20, 21 Russian soldiers caught up to us, on March 15, 1945.
By now, we were about 190 km away from home. I was born in April 1935, in the small village of Orders were given to return to our home, but with Halbstadt, West Prussia. My parents owned and op- only those items we could carry, because the wagons erated the farm which they had bought in 1929, after along with horses had been taken away. It was a very their marriage. scary time! With my brother Herbert, who is 2 years younger, A group consisting of our village neighbours at- we had a very happy, sheltered childhood. At age 6 tempted to get back to Halbstadt. A very small cart years, I started to go to school, roughly one km from including an ox to pull the cart was somehow ob- our farm, and all eight grades were combined in one tained. We loaded our meager possessions, but some classroom. of the items we still had to carry ourselves. After travelling for many kilometres, we finally reached For several years we spent the summer holidays on the Weichsel River, (Vistula in Polish). The bridges the farm of our grandfather, a widower, who along across the river in that area had been destroyed near with our aunt operated their farm. The time spent the end of the war. Now what? Where to go from with them was the happiest of my childhood. The here? After some searching, a Polish man was locat- war had started, but it did not affect our lives yet. ed nearby, and he agreed to take us across the river On December 1, 1941 our father was drafted into the in his small boat, but the boat was too small to take army. He was reluctant to go, but there was no the ox and the cart, so an agreement was reached to choice. During his absence, the operation of the farm slaughter the ox. The Polish man with the receiving fell on our mother’s shoulders, but good neighbours half of the meat, and our group would get the rest, came to her assistance whenever needed. Our father and we would carry it to our destination back to was allowed to come home occasionally, the last Halbstadt. It took several trips with the boat to bring time in December of 1944, as I recall. all of us across the river. From this point our home Then, on January 23, 1945, late in the evening, or- was not that far away anymore, but still, packed with ders were received to evacuate the village early the all our possessions which we carried on our backs, following morning. Everyone had to leave. Wagons walking those last few kilometres was very slow and
were prepared, horses made ready, whatever deemed exhausting. necessary was packed on the wagons. We left the Back in Halbstadt on July 6, 1945, we occupied a farm on the bitter cold morning, leaving behind our farmhouse, not far from our own, with several fami- home, to an uncertain future. We, along lies together. The threat of the Russian soldiers dur- with all the other people of the village ing the night was particularly frightening. 16 joined a trek of horse -drawn wagons, in Continued on the next page...
Everyone was terrified during these nightly intrusions our mother had died. He and our aunt had returned to by the soldiers. All of the women were ordered to their farm, which was several km away. They came work on the farms, under the command of the Rus- the next day with a horse and wagon he had borrowed sians. Among them was our mother, who by now had from the Polish man on their farm. Two or three of the suffered a lot and was very weak. Then, on August 25, elderly men in our group of neighbours had quickly 1945, everyone in the house got up as usual. So did built a casket from old wooden doors from a barn near- my brother and I, who shared a room with our mother. by. Together they then loaded the casket onto the After a little while we were wondering why our moth- wagon. With Herbert, our aunt and myself sitting on er was not coming out of the room. Somebody went to the wagon, our grandfather directed the horses on the check on her, and she had quietly passed away during road to the church in Heubuden, the same church our the night. Herbert and I were not aware what had hap- parents were baptized and later married in. The casket pened. I need not describe our feeling of sadness and was placed near the entrance door for burial the fol- despair. With people around us, we still felt so alone lowing day or the next. To this day, I still have that without her, but God was watching over us. picture in my mind – the casket with our mother, alone - I am not sure how our grandfather was notified that in the empty church . to be continued. Paska What would Easter be for us Mennonites from Russia without Paska?
It is a tradition we picked up in the Ukraine. Paska is based on the Hebrew word for Passover. For the Orthodox Ukrainians living around us in the Ukraine, Paska had more than a nutri- tional value, it was a holy bread. Ukrainian women took great care in baking their Paska. Besides the ingredients, which in- cluded lots and lots of eggs, there were quite a few century -old rituals, verbal formulas and incantations involved. Their Paska decorations were quite a bit different from what we do today. With a stiff bread dough they shaped a cross, birds, wheat stocks and similar motives to put on top.The village priest would come to their houses to bless the eggs and bread. It was truly meant to be a Holy Bread. Now, we Mennonites adopted the Paska, but not the blessing and the rest of the ceremonies. But never the less, for us Mennonites, it has almost come to the point, where Easter isn’t Easter without a Paska. We Mennonite women decorate our Paskas with icing and coloured sprinkles. In some families it is the custom to bake a small nicely decorated Paska for each child or grandchild. I know, my Oma did. And if it is served with a sweet creamy cheese spread, that makes it just per- fect for me. Well, Paska isn’t Easter, but it is a nice Easter tradition for many of us.
Happy Easter! Lani Gade 17 Final Thoughts...
The Four Fold Franciscan Blessing
May God bless you with discomfor discomfor . Discomfor at easy answers, half t ths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your hear . May God bless you with angeranger. Anger at injustice, oppression and ex loitation of people, so that you may work for justice, eedom and peace. May God bless you with tearstears. Tears to shed for those who suffer om pain, rejection, star ation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfor them and t r their pain into joy. May God bless you with foolishnessfoolishness. Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen
If you would like to submit any photos or articles for the newsletter, please contact any of the Newsletter Team of Editors: Lani Gade | 905 -468 -2316 | [email protected] Kathy Rempel | 905 -468 -3829 | [email protected] April Michon in the church office at: 905 -468 -3313 or by email at [email protected]. Deadline for the May newsletter is April 15th, 2015.
Niagara United Mennonite Church 1775 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Email: offi[email protected] Website: www.redbrickchurch.ca Phone: 905.468.3313 COLOURING CONTEST Park in Bontleng, Botswana
Colour the picture on the back of this page and hand it in to the Welcome Centre over the next few weeks to be entered into a contest.
Pictures will be displayed in the front foyer during the month of April. Name: ______Age: ______