Difference between revisions of "Grace Mennonite Fellowship (New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada)"
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| + | [[File:GraceMennoniteNewHamburg.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Grace Mennonite Church '']] | ||
Grace Mennonite Church began services on 5 September 1976 , when some members withdrew from the [[New Hamburg Conservative Mennonite Church (New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada)|New Hamburg Conservative Mennonite Church]] through a desire for more congregational autonomy, less focus on rules and regulations, and more open association and fellowship with other conservative-minded groups. The congregation's formal organization took place on 21 November 1976 with 17 charter members. Earl D. Koch was the pastor and Leighton Martin from the Heidelberg Church served as bishop. | Grace Mennonite Church began services on 5 September 1976 , when some members withdrew from the [[New Hamburg Conservative Mennonite Church (New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada)|New Hamburg Conservative Mennonite Church]] through a desire for more congregational autonomy, less focus on rules and regulations, and more open association and fellowship with other conservative-minded groups. The congregation's formal organization took place on 21 November 1976 with 17 charter members. Earl D. Koch was the pastor and Leighton Martin from the Heidelberg Church served as bishop. | ||
In 1977 Grace, together with [[Countryside Mennonite Fellowship (Hawkesville, Ontario, Canada)|Heidelberg]] and [[Zion Mennonite Church (Wellesley, Ontario, Canada)|Zion]], and about fifteen congregations in the [[United States of America|United States]] formed [[Midwest Mennonite Fellowship|Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship]] and established Maranatha Bible School . In 2003 there were nine Ontario congregations affilliated with the Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship. Member congregations hold joint meetings, but retain congregational autonomy. | In 1977 Grace, together with [[Countryside Mennonite Fellowship (Hawkesville, Ontario, Canada)|Heidelberg]] and [[Zion Mennonite Church (Wellesley, Ontario, Canada)|Zion]], and about fifteen congregations in the [[United States of America|United States]] formed [[Midwest Mennonite Fellowship|Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship]] and established Maranatha Bible School . In 2003 there were nine Ontario congregations affilliated with the Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship. Member congregations hold joint meetings, but retain congregational autonomy. | ||
| − | + | The congregation has met in the former Bethel United Church building, which had been closed for five years. In 1984 Grace purchased the building, and completed major renovations in 1985. Howard Bean was ordained on 9 April 1978 to assist minister Earl Koch. On 27 November 1983 Howard Bean was ordained bishop for both Grace and Zion. Both men continued to serve as non-salaried pastors in 2003. </span></div> Services are conducted in English, with Bible study classes for all ages. The congregation sings in four-part harmony without instrumental accompaniment. In 2003 the congregation also held monthly evening song services, a two-week morning Vacation Bible School in mid-July, and an outdoor community hymn-sing on the Sunday evening following the August Civic Holiday. | |
The membership increased when the nearby [[Maple Grove Mennonite Church (Tavistock, Ontario, Canada)|Maple Grove Mennonite Church]] closed, and most of its members joined with Grace Mennonite. The congregation has been active in supporting missions, particularly in Northern Ontario and in [[Guatemala]]. | The membership increased when the nearby [[Maple Grove Mennonite Church (Tavistock, Ontario, Canada)|Maple Grove Mennonite Church]] closed, and most of its members joined with Grace Mennonite. The congregation has been active in supporting missions, particularly in Northern Ontario and in [[Guatemala]]. | ||
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Records with pastor and church. | Records with pastor and church. | ||
= Additional Information = | = Additional Information = | ||
| − | <h4>Table 1: Grace Mennonite Church Pastoral Leaders</h4> <table | + | <h4>Table 1: Grace Mennonite Church Pastoral Leaders</h4> |
| + | <table class="wikitable"> <tr> <td width="184">Earl Koch (Minister)</td> <td width="38">1976-</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Leighton Martin (Bishop)</td> <td>1976-1988</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Howard Bean (Bishop, 1983-) </td> <td>1978-</td> </tr> </table> | ||
| + | <h4>Table 2: Grace Mennonite Church Membership </h4> | ||
| + | <table class="wikitable"> <tr> <td width="57"><div align="center">1976</div></td> <td width="26"><div align="center">17</div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">1981</div></td> <td><div align="center">27</div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">1986</div></td> <td><div align="center">39</div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">1991</div></td> <td><div align="center">40</div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">1996</div></td> <td><div align="center">44</div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center">2003</div></td> <td><div align="center">56</div></td> </tr> </table> | ||
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=January 1989|a1_last=Epp|a1_first=Marlene|a2_last= |a2_first= }} | {{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=January 1989|a1_last=Epp|a1_first=Marlene|a2_last= |a2_first= }} | ||
Revision as of 18:03, 24 August 2013
Grace Mennonite Church began services on 5 September 1976 , when some members withdrew from the New Hamburg Conservative Mennonite Church through a desire for more congregational autonomy, less focus on rules and regulations, and more open association and fellowship with other conservative-minded groups. The congregation's formal organization took place on 21 November 1976 with 17 charter members. Earl D. Koch was the pastor and Leighton Martin from the Heidelberg Church served as bishop.
In 1977 Grace, together with Heidelberg and Zion, and about fifteen congregations in the United States formed Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship and established Maranatha Bible School . In 2003 there were nine Ontario congregations affilliated with the Mid-West Mennonite Fellowship. Member congregations hold joint meetings, but retain congregational autonomy.
The congregation has met in the former Bethel United Church building, which had been closed for five years. In 1984 Grace purchased the building, and completed major renovations in 1985. Howard Bean was ordained on 9 April 1978 to assist minister Earl Koch. On 27 November 1983 Howard Bean was ordained bishop for both Grace and Zion. Both men continued to serve as non-salaried pastors in 2003. Services are conducted in English, with Bible study classes for all ages. The congregation sings in four-part harmony without instrumental accompaniment. In 2003 the congregation also held monthly evening song services, a two-week morning Vacation Bible School in mid-July, and an outdoor community hymn-sing on the Sunday evening following the August Civic Holiday.
The membership increased when the nearby Maple Grove Mennonite Church closed, and most of its members joined with Grace Mennonite. The congregation has been active in supporting missions, particularly in Northern Ontario and in Guatemala.
Bibliography
Information may be found in Mid-West Mennonite focus.
Records with pastor and church.
Additional Information
Table 1: Grace Mennonite Church Pastoral Leaders
| Earl Koch (Minister) | 1976- |
| Leighton Martin (Bishop) | 1976-1988 |
| Howard Bean (Bishop, 1983-) | 1978- |
Table 2: Grace Mennonite Church Membership
1976 | 17 |
1981 | 27 |
1986 | 39 |
1991 | 40 |
1996 | 44 |
2003 | 56 |
| Author(s) | Marlene Epp |
|---|---|
| Date Published | January 1989 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Epp, Marlene. "Grace Mennonite Fellowship (New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 1989. Web. 19 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Grace_Mennonite_Fellowship_(New_Hamburg,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=100290.
APA style
Epp, Marlene. (January 1989). Grace Mennonite Fellowship (New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 19 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Grace_Mennonite_Fellowship_(New_Hamburg,_Ontario,_Canada)&oldid=100290.
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