Difference between revisions of "Mennonite Church British Columbia"
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| − | On 27-29 November 1936 representatives from seven organized congregations of [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] (GCM) affinity ([[River of Life Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Greendale]], [[First United Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Vancouver]], [[West Abbotsford Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|West Abbotsford]], [[Bethel Mennonite Church (Langley, British Columbia, Canada)|Coghlan]], [[United Mennonite Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)|Black Creek]], Agassiz, and [[Yarrow United Mennonite Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Yarrow]]) met in the [[River of Life Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|First Mennonite Church of Sardis]](later known as First Mennonite Church Greendale) to establish the <em>Konferenz der Vereinigten Mennonitengemeinden in Britisch Columbien</em> (Conference of United Mennonite Churches of [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]]). The conference's stated threefold purpose was to be a united force in the cause of Christ, to serve as guardian of the faith in the [[Anabaptism|Anabaptist]] tradition, and to be a beacon to attract and draw together the many lost and straying members of the family of faith. The provincial conference was incorporated on 22 July 1940 with the following congregations officially listed as members: [[Oliver Mennonite Church (Oliver, British Columbia, Canada)|Oliver]], Black Creek, West Abbotsford, [[Cedar Valley Mennonite Church (Mission, British Columbia, Canada)|Mission]], Coghlan, Yarrow, Sardis (Greendale), and Vancouver, with a total membership of 405. | + | On 27-29 November 1936 representatives from seven organized congregations of [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]] (GCM) affinity ([[River of Life Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Greendale]], [[First United Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Vancouver]], [[West Abbotsford Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|West Abbotsford]], [[Bethel Mennonite Church (Langley, British Columbia, Canada)|Coghlan]], [[United Mennonite Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)|Black Creek]], Agassiz, and [[Yarrow United Mennonite Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Yarrow]]) met in the [[River of Life Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|First Mennonite Church of Sardis ]](later known as First Mennonite Church Greendale) to establish the <em>Konferenz der Vereinigten Mennonitengemeinden in Britisch Columbien</em> (Conference of United Mennonite Churches of [[British Columbia (Canada)|British Columbia]]). The conference's stated threefold purpose was to be a united force in the cause of Christ, to serve as guardian of the faith in the [[Anabaptism|Anabaptist]] tradition, and to be a beacon to attract and draw together the many lost and straying members of the family of faith. The provincial conference was incorporated on 22 July 1940 with the following congregations officially listed as members: [[Oliver Mennonite Church (Oliver, British Columbia, Canada)|Oliver]], Black Creek, West Abbotsford, [[Cedar Valley Mennonite Church (Mission, British Columbia, Canada)|Mission]], Coghlan, Yarrow, Sardis (Greendale), and Vancouver, with a total membership of 405. |
| − | The following have been or still are major programs and institutions of the conference. [[Mary Martha Girls' Home (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Mary Martha Girls' Home]], for women working in the city of Vancouver, was established in 1935. A Bible school, started in the Coghlan area of what is now known as Aldergrove in 1939, later moved to Abbotsford as [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bethel Bible Institute]] and amalgamated with the [[Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute]] to become Columbia Bible Institute in 1970 ([[Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Columbia Bible College]] since 1985). [[Menno High School (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Menno High School]] operated at Sardis, 1947-1951. Camp Squeah, nestled in the coastal mountains, has served the churches as a year-round retreat center. The conference has emphasized Sunday School teacher training throughout the years. Mission endeavors have included [[Church Planting|church planting]] and cross-cultural ministries with Hispanic, South-East Asian, and Indo-Canadian ethnic groups. Peace and justice issues and care for underprivileged people have largely been relegated to Mennonite Central Committee (B.C.) of which the conference continues to be an integral part. The youth organization, Women in Mission, and the Ministers and Deacons conference have played a vital role in the life of the Conference. In 1976 the conference opened an office in Clearbrook (now Abbotsford) with a full-time conference coordinator, later referred to as the conference minister. At the February 1977 annual conference sessions, a new constitution and by-laws were accepted, replacing the 1940 constitution and by-laws, and the name of the conference was changed to Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia. | + | The following have been or still are major programs and institutions of the conference. [[Mary Martha Girls' Home (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Mary Martha Girls' Home]], for women working in the city of Vancouver, was established in 1935. A Bible school, started in the Coghlan area of what is now known as Aldergrove in 1939, later moved to Abbotsford as [[Bethel Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)| Bethel Bible Institute]] and amalgamated with the [[Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute]] to become Columbia Bible Institute in 1970 ([[Columbia Bible College (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Columbia Bible College]] since 1985). [[Menno High School (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Menno High School]] operated at Sardis, 1947-1951. Camp Squeah, nestled in the coastal mountains, has served the churches as a year-round retreat center. The conference has emphasized Sunday School teacher training throughout the years. Mission endeavors have included [[Church Planting|church planting]] and cross-cultural ministries with Hispanic, South-East Asian, and Indo-Canadian ethnic groups. Peace and justice issues and care for underprivileged people have largely been relegated to Mennonite Central Committee (B.C.) of which the conference continues to be an integral part. The youth organization, Women in Mission, and the Ministers and Deacons conference have played a vital role in the life of the Conference. In 1976 the conference opened an office in Clearbrook (now Abbotsford) with a full-time conference coordinator, later referred to as the conference minister. At the February 1977 annual conference sessions, a new constitution and by-laws were accepted, replacing the 1940 constitution and by-laws, and the name of the conference was changed to Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia. |
The conference continued to maintain close ties with the [[Conference of Mennonites in Canada|Conference of Mennonites in Canada]], which it had joined in 1937, and the General Conference Mennonite Church of North America until the transformation of the General Conference Mennonite Church and [[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]] into Mennonite Church USA and [[Mennonite Church Canada|Mennonite Church Canada]]. At that time the conference's denominational ties transferred to the new Mennonite Church Canada. In 2001 the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia changed its name to Mennonite Church British Columbia as a symbol of the new Mennonite Church denominational structure in [[Canada|Canada]], and its relationship to the new [[Mennonite Church Canada|Mennonite Church Canada]]. | The conference continued to maintain close ties with the [[Conference of Mennonites in Canada|Conference of Mennonites in Canada]], which it had joined in 1937, and the General Conference Mennonite Church of North America until the transformation of the General Conference Mennonite Church and [[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]] into Mennonite Church USA and [[Mennonite Church Canada|Mennonite Church Canada]]. At that time the conference's denominational ties transferred to the new Mennonite Church Canada. In 2001 the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia changed its name to Mennonite Church British Columbia as a symbol of the new Mennonite Church denominational structure in [[Canada|Canada]], and its relationship to the new [[Mennonite Church Canada|Mennonite Church Canada]]. | ||
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</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Sherbrooke Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Sherbrooke Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Vancouver</td> <td align="right">202</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Surrey Mennonite Church (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada)|Surrey Japanese Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Surrey</td> <td align="right">7 | </td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Sherbrooke Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Sherbrooke Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Vancouver</td> <td align="right">202</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Surrey Mennonite Church (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada)|Surrey Japanese Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Surrey</td> <td align="right">7 | ||
| − | </td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[United Mennonite Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)|United Mennonite Church, Black Creek | + | </td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[United Mennonite Church (Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada)|United Mennonite Church, Black Creek |
| + | |||
| + | ]]</td> <td>Black Creek</td> <td align="right">84 | ||
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Vancouver</td> <td align="right">177 | </td> </tr> <tr> <td>[[Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)|Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church]]</td> <td>Vancouver</td> <td align="right">177 | ||
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</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">02</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1937</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Janzen, Jacob H. (1878-1950)|Jacob H. Janzen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">03</td> <td align="left">4 January 1938</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Bahnmann, Nicolai W. (1879-1945) & Bahnmann, Meta Regier (1887-1975)|Nicolai Bahnmann]]</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">04</td> <td align="left">10-11 January 1939</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Bahnmann, Nicolai W. (1879-1945) & Bahnmann, Meta Regier (1887-1975)|Nicolai Bahnmann]]</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">05</td> <td align="left">15-17 January 1940</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">06</td> <td align="left">22-24 January 1941</td> <td align="left">Coghlan</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">07</td> <td align="left">27-28 January 1942</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Klassen, John Julius (1905-1971)|John Julius Klassen]]</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">08</td> <td align="left">27-28 January 1943</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">09</td> <td align="left">5-6 February 1944</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">10</td> <td align="left">3-4 February 1945</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">P. Thiessen</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">11</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1946</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks | </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">02</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1937</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Janzen, Jacob H. (1878-1950)|Jacob H. Janzen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">03</td> <td align="left">4 January 1938</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Bahnmann, Nicolai W. (1879-1945) & Bahnmann, Meta Regier (1887-1975)|Nicolai Bahnmann]]</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">04</td> <td align="left">10-11 January 1939</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Bahnmann, Nicolai W. (1879-1945) & Bahnmann, Meta Regier (1887-1975)|Nicolai Bahnmann]]</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">05</td> <td align="left">15-17 January 1940</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">06</td> <td align="left">22-24 January 1941</td> <td align="left">Coghlan</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Franz P. Thiessen</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">07</td> <td align="left">27-28 January 1942</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Klassen, John Julius (1905-1971)|John Julius Klassen]]</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">08</td> <td align="left">27-28 January 1943</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">[[Wiens, Jacob Bernhard (1898-1975)|Jacob B. Wiens]]</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">09</td> <td align="left">5-6 February 1944</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">David A. Hausknecht</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">10</td> <td align="left">3-4 February 1945</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">P. Thiessen</td> <td align="left">Abram Warkentin</td> <td>P. P. Thiessen</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">11</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1946</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks | ||
| − | </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">12</td> <td align="left">18-19 January 1947</td> <td align="left">Vancouver</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">13</td> <td align="left">24-25 January 1948</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">14</td> <td align="left">15-16 January 1949</td> <td align="left">Aldergrove</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">15</td> <td align="left">18-19 February 1950</td> <td align="left">East Chilliwack</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">16</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1951</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">17</td> <td align="left">1952</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">18</td> <td align="left">1953</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">[[Schmidt, Gerhard G. (1894-1977)|George G. Schmidt]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">19</td> <td align="left">1954</td> <td align="left">Mission</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">20</td> <td align="left">1955</td> <td align="left">Clearbrook</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">21</td> <td align="left">1956</td> <td align="left">Vancouver First</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">22</td> <td align="left">1957</td> <td align="left">Greendale</td> <td align="left">[[Peters, Gerhard I. (1906-1999)|Gerhard I. Peters]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">23</td> <td align="left">1958</td> <td align="left">Aldergrove</td> <td align="left">[[Peters, Gerhard I. (1906-1999)|Gerhard I. Peters]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">24</td> <td align="left">1959</td> <td align="left">Clearbrook</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">25</td> <td align="left">1960</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">26</td> <td align="left">1961</td> <td align="left">Vancouver First</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">27</td> <td align="left">1962</td> <td align="left">Greendale</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">28</td> <td align="left">1963</td> <td align="left">Chilliwack</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"><strong> Date Elected </strong></td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">28</td> <td align="left">1963 February 15-16</td> <td align="left">Eden Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp | + | </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">12</td> <td align="left">18-19 January 1947</td> <td align="left">Vancouver</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">13</td> <td align="left">24-25 January 1948</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">Johann Goertz</td> <td align="left">George G. Schmidt</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">14</td> <td align="left">15-16 January 1949</td> <td align="left">Aldergrove</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">15</td> <td align="left">18-19 February 1950</td> <td align="left">East Chilliwack</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Martens, Wilhelm Gerhard (1892-1976)|Wilhelm Martens]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">16</td> <td align="left">13-14 January 1951</td> <td align="left">Sardis</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left">[[Jantzen, Aron J. (1899-1985)|Aron Jantzen]]</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter J. (1913-1997)|Peter J. Froese]]</td> <td>J. H. Brucks</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">17</td> <td align="left">1952</td> <td align="left">Abbotsford</td> <td align="left">[[Epp, Heinrich M. (1904-1958)|Heinrich M. Epp]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">18</td> <td align="left">1953</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">[[Schmidt, Gerhard G. (1894-1977)|George G. Schmidt]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">19</td> <td align="left">1954</td> <td align="left">Mission</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese ]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">20</td> <td align="left">1955</td> <td align="left">Clearbrook</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese ]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">21</td> <td align="left">1956</td> <td align="left">Vancouver First</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese ]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">22</td> <td align="left">1957</td> <td align="left">Greendale</td> <td align="left">[[Peters, Gerhard I. (1906-1999)|Gerhard I. Peters]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">23</td> <td align="left">1958</td> <td align="left">Aldergrove</td> <td align="left">[[Peters, Gerhard I. (1906-1999)|Gerhard I. Peters]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">24</td> <td align="left">1959</td> <td align="left">Clearbrook</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">25</td> <td align="left">1960</td> <td align="left">Yarrow</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">26</td> <td align="left">1961</td> <td align="left">Vancouver First</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese ]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">27</td> <td align="left">1962</td> <td align="left">Greendale</td> <td align="left">[[Froese, Peter (1908-1994)|Peter Froese ]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">28</td> <td align="left">1963</td> <td align="left">Chilliwack</td> <td align="left">[[Friesen, Nickolai N. (1901-1995)|Nicolai N. Friesen]]</td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"><strong> Date Elected </strong></td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td align="left"> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">28</td> <td align="left">1963 February 15-16</td> <td align="left">Eden Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp |
</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">29</td> <td align="left">1964 February 14-16</td> <td align="left">Bethel Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">30</td> <td align="left">1965 February 12-14</td> <td align="left">Mission United Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">31</td> <td align="left">1966 February 11-13</td> <td align="left">Cedar Hills Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Henry A. Wiens</td> <td align="left">M. H. Epp</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">32</td> <td align="left">1967 February 10-12</td> <td align="left">West Abbotsford Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Henry A. Wiens</td> <td align="left">M. H. Epp</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>Victor Loewen | </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">29</td> <td align="left">1964 February 14-16</td> <td align="left">Bethel Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">30</td> <td align="left">1965 February 12-14</td> <td align="left">Mission United Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Jake Tilitzky</td> <td align="left">[[Neufeld, Henry H. (1912-1967)|Henry H. Neufeld]]</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">31</td> <td align="left">1966 February 11-13</td> <td align="left">Cedar Hills Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Henry A. Wiens</td> <td align="left">M. H. Epp</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>G. E. Epp</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">32</td> <td align="left">1967 February 10-12</td> <td align="left">West Abbotsford Mennonite</td> <td align="left">Henry A. Wiens</td> <td align="left">M. H. Epp</td> <td align="left">George Nachtigal</td> <td>Victor Loewen | ||
Revision as of 13:58, 23 August 2013
On 27-29 November 1936 representatives from seven organized congregations of General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) affinity (Greendale, Vancouver, West Abbotsford, Coghlan, Black Creek, Agassiz, and Yarrow) met in the First Mennonite Church of Sardis (later known as First Mennonite Church Greendale) to establish the Konferenz der Vereinigten Mennonitengemeinden in Britisch Columbien (Conference of United Mennonite Churches of British Columbia). The conference's stated threefold purpose was to be a united force in the cause of Christ, to serve as guardian of the faith in the Anabaptist tradition, and to be a beacon to attract and draw together the many lost and straying members of the family of faith. The provincial conference was incorporated on 22 July 1940 with the following congregations officially listed as members: Oliver, Black Creek, West Abbotsford, Mission, Coghlan, Yarrow, Sardis (Greendale), and Vancouver, with a total membership of 405.
The following have been or still are major programs and institutions of the conference. Mary Martha Girls' Home, for women working in the city of Vancouver, was established in 1935. A Bible school, started in the Coghlan area of what is now known as Aldergrove in 1939, later moved to Abbotsford as Bethel Bible Institute and amalgamated with the Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute to become Columbia Bible Institute in 1970 (Columbia Bible College since 1985). Menno High School operated at Sardis, 1947-1951. Camp Squeah, nestled in the coastal mountains, has served the churches as a year-round retreat center. The conference has emphasized Sunday School teacher training throughout the years. Mission endeavors have included church planting and cross-cultural ministries with Hispanic, South-East Asian, and Indo-Canadian ethnic groups. Peace and justice issues and care for underprivileged people have largely been relegated to Mennonite Central Committee (B.C.) of which the conference continues to be an integral part. The youth organization, Women in Mission, and the Ministers and Deacons conference have played a vital role in the life of the Conference. In 1976 the conference opened an office in Clearbrook (now Abbotsford) with a full-time conference coordinator, later referred to as the conference minister. At the February 1977 annual conference sessions, a new constitution and by-laws were accepted, replacing the 1940 constitution and by-laws, and the name of the conference was changed to Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia.
The conference continued to maintain close ties with the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, which it had joined in 1937, and the General Conference Mennonite Church of North America until the transformation of the General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church into Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada. At that time the conference's denominational ties transferred to the new Mennonite Church Canada. In 2001 the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia changed its name to Mennonite Church British Columbia as a symbol of the new Mennonite Church denominational structure in Canada, and its relationship to the new Mennonite Church Canada.
On 27 May 2007 a renewal covenant was signed by 30 of the 34 member congregations. The covenant dealt with the local congregations’ mutual relationship within MCBC and covered six areas of commitment to: essential doctrine and practice; meaningful worship and fellowship; shared ministries; discernment; mutual accountability; and service. Of the four congregations that did not sign, two signed later in 2008, while another two, First Mennonite Church Greendale (Chilliwack) and Olivet Church (Abbotsford)East Abbotsford Community Church, voted to leave the conference in the fall of 2007.
In the fall of 2011 the conference had 32 congregations with a total membership of 3,537.
Bibliography
Lehn, Cornelia. Frontier Challenge: A Story of the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia. Clearbrook, BC: Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia, 1990.
Mennonite Church British Columbia. Mennonite Church British Columbia Fall 2011 Directory/Addresses. Abbotsford, BC: Mennonite Church British Columbia, 2011.
Additional Information
Address: 100 - 32025 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford BC V2T 2K7
Telephone: 604-850-6658
Website: Mennonite Church British Columbia
Mennonite Church British Columbia Executive
| Session Number | Convention Served | Place of Convention | Chairman/
Moderator | Assistant Chair/
Assistant Moderator | Secretary | Treasurer/
Finance Chair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 27-29 November 1936 | Sardis | Jacob H. Janzen | David A. Hausknecht | Franz P. Thiessen | P. P. Thiessen |
| 02 | 13-14 January 1937 | Sardis | Jacob H. Janzen | Johann Goertz | ||
| 03 | 4 January 1938 | Sardis | Nicolai Bahnmann | David A. Hausknecht | Franz P. Thiessen | |
| 04 | 10-11 January 1939 | Sardis | Nicolai Bahnmann | Jacob B. Wiens | Franz P. Thiessen | P. P. Thiessen |
| 05 | 15-17 January 1940 | Abbotsford | David A. Hausknecht | Jacob B. Wiens | Franz P. Thiessen | P. P. Thiessen |
| 06 | 22-24 January 1941 | Coghlan | David A. Hausknecht | Jacob B. Wiens | Franz P. Thiessen | P. P. Thiessen |
| 07 | 27-28 January 1942 | Yarrow | David A. Hausknecht | John Julius Klassen | Abram Warkentin | P. P. Thiessen |
| 08 | 27-28 January 1943 | Sardis | David A. Hausknecht | Jacob B. Wiens | Abram Warkentin | P. P. Thiessen |
| 09 | 5-6 February 1944 | Abbotsford | David A. Hausknecht | Johann Goertz | Abram Warkentin | P. P. Thiessen |
| 10 | 3-4 February 1945 | Abbotsford | Johann Goertz | P. Thiessen | Abram Warkentin | P. P. Thiessen |
| 11 | 13-14 January 1946 | Sardis | Johann Goertz | Aron Jantzen | George G. Schmidt | J. H. Brucks |
| 12 | 18-19 January 1947 | Vancouver | Johann Goertz | Aron Jantzen | George G. Schmidt | J. H. Brucks |
| 13 | 24-25 January 1948 | Abbotsford | Wilhelm Martens | Johann Goertz | George G. Schmidt | J. H. Brucks |
| 14 | 15-16 January 1949 | Aldergrove | Heinrich M. Epp | Wilhelm Martens | Peter J. Froese | J. H. Brucks |
| 15 | 18-19 February 1950 | East Chilliwack | Heinrich M. Epp | Wilhelm Martens | Peter J. Froese | J. H. Brucks |
| 16 | 13-14 January 1951 | Sardis | Heinrich M. Epp | Aron Jantzen | Peter J. Froese | J. H. Brucks |
| 17 | 1952 | Abbotsford | Heinrich M. Epp | |||
| 18 | 1953 | Yarrow | George G. Schmidt | |||
| 19 | 1954 | Mission | Peter Froese | |||
| 20 | 1955 | Clearbrook | Peter Froese | |||
| 21 | 1956 | Vancouver First | Peter Froese | |||
| 22 | 1957 | Greendale | Gerhard I. Peters | |||
| 23 | 1958 | Aldergrove | Gerhard I. Peters | |||
| 24 | 1959 | Clearbrook | Nicolai N. Friesen | |||
| 25 | 1960 | Yarrow | Nicolai N. Friesen | |||
| 26 | 1961 | Vancouver First | Peter Froese | |||
| 27 | 1962 | Greendale | Peter Froese | |||
| 28 | 1963 | Chilliwack | Nicolai N. Friesen | |||
| Date Elected | ||||||
| 28 | 1963 February 15-16 | Eden Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Henry H. Neufeld | George Nachtigal | G. E. Epp |
| 29 | 1964 February 14-16 | Bethel Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Henry H. Neufeld | George Nachtigal | G. E. Epp |
| 30 | 1965 February 12-14 | Mission United Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Henry H. Neufeld | George Nachtigal | G. E. Epp |
| 31 | 1966 February 11-13 | Cedar Hills Mennonite | Henry A. Wiens | M. H. Epp | George Nachtigal | G. E. Epp |
| 32 | 1967 February 10-12 | West Abbotsford Mennonite | Henry A. Wiens | M. H. Epp | George Nachtigal | Victor Loewen |
| 33 | 1968 February 9-11 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | Henry A. Wiens | Abe Buhler | George Nachtigal | Victor Loewen |
| 34 | 1969 February 7-8 | Olivet Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Abe Buhler | George Nachtigal | Victor Loewen |
| 35 | 1970 February 6-7 | Yarrow United Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Abe Buhler | George Nachtigal | Victor Loewen |
| 36 | 1971 February 12-13 | Greendale First Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | David J. Nickel | George Nachtigal | Edward Becker |
| 37 | 1972 February 4-5 | Eden Mennonite | George Nachtigal | David J. Nickel | John H. Derksen | Edward Becker |
| 38 | 1973 February 9-10 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | George Nachtigal | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | John H. Derksen | Edward Becker |
| 39 | 1974 February 8-9 | Eben Ezer Mennonite | George Nachtigal | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | John H. Derksen | Helmut Penner |
| 40 | 1975 February 7-8 | Eden Mennonite | George Groening | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | John H. Derksen | Victor Dyck |
| 41 | 1976 February 6-7 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | George Groening | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | Dick Hildebrandt | Victor Dyck |
| 42 | 1977 February 11-12 | West Abbotsford Mennonite | George Groening | John Sawatzky | Jurgen Schonwetter | Victor Dyck |
| 43 | 1978 February 10-11 | Eden Mennonite | George Groening | John Sawatzky | Siegfried Toews | Victor Dyck |
| 44 | 1979 February 16-17 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | George Groening | John Sawatzky | Siegfried Toews | Victor Dyck |
| 45 | 1980 February 15-16 | Cedar Valley | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | John Sawatzky | Siegfried Toews | Victor Dyck |
| 46 | 1981 February 14-15 | Kelowna Gospel Fellowship | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel
John Sawatzky (appointed in interim) | John Sawatzky | David P. Neufeld | Lena Unger |
| 47 | 1982 February 12-13 | Peace Mennonite | Peter Retzlaff | Wilmer Tessman | Les Klassen | Lena Unger |
| 48 | 1983 February 11-13 | Olivet Mennonite | Peter Retzlaff | Wilmer Tessman | Les Klassen | Lena Unger |
| 49 | 1984 February 10-12 | Eden Mennonite | Peter Retzlaff | Wilmer Tessman | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 50 | 1985 February 22-23 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | Peter Retzlaff
Wilmer Tessman (appointed in interim) | Wilmer Tessman | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 51 | 1986 February 21-23 | Eben Ezer Mennonite | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | Wilmer Tessman | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 52 | 1987 February 20-22 | Eden Mennonite | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | Wilmer Tessman | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 53 | 1988 February 19-21 | Cedar Valley | Dietrich "Dick" Rempel | Walter Paetkau | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 54 | 1989 February 17-19 | Peace Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Walter Paetkau | MaryAnne Boschman | Rudy Nickel |
| 55 | 1990 February 16-18 | Kelowna Gospel Fellowship | Jake Tilitzky | Walter Paetkau | George Nachtigal | Mel Penner |
| 56 | 1991 February 15-17 | Bethel Mennonite | Jake Tilitzky | Walter Paetkau | George Nachtigal | Mel Penner |
| 57 | 1992 June 12-13 | West Abbotsford | Walter Paetkau | John Sawatzky | George Nachtigal | Mel Penner |
| 58 | 1993 June 11-12 | Burns Lake First Mennonite | Walter Paetkau | Rudy Nickel | Alan Dyck | John Krause |
| 59 | 1994 June 3-4 | Peace Mennonite | Walter Paetkau | Larry Schram | Alan Dyck | John Krause |
| 60 | 1995 June 9-10 | Eden Mennonite | Walter Paetkau | Larry Schram | Alan Dyck | LaVerne Peters |
| 61 | 1996 June 7-8 | Eben Ezer Mennonite | Walter Paetkau | Larry Schram | Alan Dyck | LaVerne Peters |
| 62 | 1997 June 6-7 | First United Mennonite Vancouver | Walter Paetkau | Larry Schram | Alfred Sawatzky | |
| 63 | 1998 June 5-6 | Kelowna Gospel Fellowship | Larry Schram | Waldo Neufeld | Alan Dyck | Leona Dyck |
| 64 | 1999 May 28-29 | Sardis Senior Secondary School | Gerd Bartel | Waldo Neufeld | Alan Dyck | Leona Dyck |
| 65 | 2000 May 26-28 | Mennonite Educational Institute | Gerd Bartel | Doug Epp | Alan Dyck | Jane Andres |
| 66 | 2001 May 5 | Peace Mennonite | Gerd Bartel | Doug Epp | Lorin Bergen | Jane Andres |
| 67 | 2002 June 8-9 | Vernon Mennonite | Doug Epp | John Sawatzky | Lorin Bergen | Jane Andres |
| 68 | 2003 June 6-7 | Cedar Valley Mennonite | Doug Epp | John Sawatzky | Lorin Bergen | Jane Andres |
| 69 | 2004 June 5 | Eden Mennonite | Doug Epp | John Sawatzky | Karen H. Thiessen | Don Teichroeb |
| 70 | 2005 February 26 | Peace Mennonite | Doug Epp | John Sawatzky | Karen H. Thiessen | Don Teichroeb |
| 71 | 2006 February 25 | Eben Ezer Mennonite | Gerd Bartel | Karen H. Thiessen | Linda Matthies | Don Teichroeb |
| 72 | 2007 February 24 | Eden Mennonite | Gerd Bartel | Karen H. Thiessen | Linda Matthies | Eldon Krause |
| 73 | 2008 February 23 | Peace Mennonite | Gerd Bartel | Dan Rempel | Linda Matthies | David Niebuhr |
| 74 | 2009 February 21 | Cedar Valley Mennonite | Gerd Bartel | Dan Rempel | Linda Matthies | John Redekop |
| 75 | 2010 April 10 | Eden Mennonite | Dan Rempel | Karen H. Thiessen | Linda Hoock | John Redekop |
| 76 | 2011 February 26 | Living Hope Christian Fellowship | Dan Rempel | Karen H. Thiessen | Linda Hoock | John Redekop |
| 77 | 2012 March 3 | Emmanuel Mennonite | Dan Rempel | Karen H. Thiessen | Linda Hoock | John Redekop |
| 78 | 2013 February 23 | Bethel Mennonite | Lee Dyck | Karen H. Thiessen | Alan Peters |
| Author(s) | Jacob Tilitzky |
|---|---|
| Richard D. Thiessen | |
| Date Published | March 2013 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Tilitzky, Jacob and Richard D. Thiessen. "Mennonite Church British Columbia." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. March 2013. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Mennonite_Church_British_Columbia&oldid=91489.
APA style
Tilitzky, Jacob and Richard D. Thiessen. (March 2013). Mennonite Church British Columbia. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Mennonite_Church_British_Columbia&oldid=91489.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, pp. 181-182. All rights reserved.
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