Peace Mennonite Church (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada)
In the 1980s Saskatoon experienced significant growth by developing new neighborhoods in the northwest parts of the city. Several families recognized a need for a church in that area and began in November 1984 by organizing a meeting in the River Heights Elementary School gym. Interest in a new congregation was advertised by word of mouth and through notices in Saskatoon Mennonite Church congregations. Several evening meeting followed in which the envisioning of a congregation was held with all who attended.
The first worship service of the new congregation was on 8 September 1985 and held in a commercial building that was also rented as temporary quarters for an emerging United Church Chapel on Pinehouse Drive. The service was informal, led by lay members, multigenerational and rather unstructured. This set the tone for the congregation which developed its vision as a small, active congregation with universal participation in the worship and social aspects of church life.
In January 1986 a constitution was accepted and on 23 February 1986 a formal covenant and communion service in which 16 charter members participated was held at Bethany Manor, a Mennonite Seniors apartment complex located in the area. As the congregation grew, on 2 November 1986 it moved to rented space in the gym of St. Anne's Catholic Elementary School on Ravine Drive. Attendance at worship services was between 40 and 70.
Small with limited resources, but with a strong desire for wide membership participation the congregation chose a leader who would not be the pastor but a "Coordinator of Ministries." While all members had a pastoral role the Coordinator was responsible for leadership and planning. In addition to this model a Congregational Chair led business meetings which where held every one to two months. Decision making was by consensus. The congregation was blessed with a talented and committed membership including number of members ordained in other church or conference roles
The formal name chosen "Peace Mennonite Church, North Saskatoon" was to reflect the emphasis on peace. The congregation was active in refugee sponsorship, in voluntary service, and in community and social action. Participation in this congregation required significant time, creativity and effort by all who participated.
In spring 2001 the congregation made a dramatic change when two thirds of the members felt a need for a change in their worship experiences and this was accomplished as these members scattered to other Mennonite congregations. The congregation closed at the end of 2007.
Bibliography
Canadian Mennonite (17 March 2008): 17.
Harder, Christine. "Peace Mennonite Church North Saskatoon: Community, Outreach and Service." Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1995. Prepared for Mennonite Studies class.
Mennonite Reporter (28 July 1986): 18; (1 April 1991): B4; (1 April 1996): 14.
Peters, Galen A. "History of Peace Mennonite Church (North Saskatoon): 1985-1992." Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1992. Prepared for Mennonite Studies class.
Archival Records
Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives: Peace Mennonite Church (Saskatoon) fonds.
Additional Information
Peace Mennonite Church Leading Ministers
| Minister | Years |
|---|---|
| Erika and Wally Roth | 1985-1986 |
| Edna Peters | 1987-1992 |
| Justina and Herbert Peters | 1987-1992 |
| Leola Epp | 1993-1996 |
| Claire Ewert Fischer | 1993-1999 |
| Delmar Epp | 1993-1994 |
| Grant Martens | 1999- |
Peace Mennonite Church Membership
| Year | Members |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 16 |
| 2000 | 42 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| Author(s) | Victor Wiebe |
|---|---|
| Date Published | October 2009 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Wiebe, Victor. "Peace Mennonite Church (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. October 2009. Web. 18 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Peace_Mennonite_Church_(Saskatoon,_Saskatchewan,_Canada)&oldid=76917.
APA style
Wiebe, Victor. (October 2009). Peace Mennonite Church (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Peace_Mennonite_Church_(Saskatoon,_Saskatchewan,_Canada)&oldid=76917.
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