Place of Meeting September 2014

Place of Meeting

Gather and shine!

Gathering Sunday always seems to be one of the liveliest days on the TUMC calendar, as folks come back from summer adventures, Christian Education resumes with new energy, and everyone has a chance to reconnect. This year, families with younger kids were invited to come forward and receive a copy of Shine On!, a book of Bible stories that forms an integral part of the new Sunday School curriculum, for kids and families to share.

Inside: Summer memories, a look ahead, and more photos from Gathering Sunday.

Toronto United Mennonite Church

September 2014

Place of Meeting

Scene around TUMC

is the meaning of the Huron word “toronton,” from which our city gets its name. Fittingly, it can also mean “plenty” or “abundance.”

Place of Meeting is also the monthly newsletter of Toronto United Mennonite Church. May you find plenty here to enjoy and ponder. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation as a whole.

Contributions of all kinds are enthusiastically received, through the mail folder in the lobby or at dmartens@pathcom.com Next deadline Oct. 7, 2014 Have you discovered the allcolour online version of Place of Meeting, complete with live weblinks? Check this month’s issue out here: issuu.com/pomeditor/docs/ pom_sept_2014l You can also request an email subscription to the colour version in PDF form or a monthly link to the current online issue. Please send a request to dmartens@pathcom.com Editor: Doreen Martens

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A crowded lobby for coffee time is a sure sign that we’re back together in goodly numbers as the season of vacationing comes to a close. Regular attenders are reminded to wear their name tags as a welcoming kindness to the many newcomers who begin arriving in fall.

Aurora House: An Update

By Bob Tiessen

T

he Space Task Force has been working on various tasks until now, but like many projects, things will pick up with the end of summer.

Our next meeting is on Sept. 8. The congregation decided at its meeting on June 8 to proceed on the basis of keeping the house at 6 Lark for victims of human trafficking (now called Aurora House) and to make an addition to the 1774 Queen building (Option I).

City Approvals – thanks to Richard and Melana for many meetings with city officials.

Aurora House – we do not need to get zoning approval for work on the property but depending on how the residence is formatted, various building code issues need to be addressed..

1774 Queen – our proposed building is not compliant with various setback and other building requirements, but in many cases our current building is not compliant either. We still need to get clearance at a Committee of Adjustment hearing on these items.

Ramps – Approval for entrance ramps involves a separate application process, one in which we have had initial discussions. Factors such as a canopy, door layouts and moving the current sidewalk and planters are all involved.

Finances Immediate costs are permit fees, architectural design drawings and repaying the loan for the 6 Lark property. Construction on Aurora House could start in the fall and would involve substantial sums. For these reasons we have asked those who made monthly pledges to sign the necessary forms to start these in October. Lump sum and annual pledges should follow. We plan to have a detailed report next month. We are revising the professional cost estimates we received for Option G now that we have changed our plans.

Thanks for your generous support.

Lark Queen Investments Limited The formal transfer of the 6 Lark property from LQIL to TUMC happened on July 15. We have applied to the city for a property tax waiver.

Teams The STF in conjunction with the TUMC board has created several teams to help with detailed aspects of the building work. These include accessibility, audio/visual, design/décor and finance as well as the current Aurora House team.

Thanks to the volunteers who have already agreed to serve.

We are still looking to fill some positions on these teams.

Once the current STF has a final design and approvals in place, the board will establish a building committee that will take the project to completion. Teams created now will continue to work with the building committee when it starts.

Partners The STF has been keeping the New Life Centre and the New Life Church up to date by sending minutes of our meetings and presentations we have made to the congregation. They have indicated that this meets their needs.

Associated Items While it is easy to become involved with the big changes to the buildings involved in this project, some of the smaller items also need to be considered. These include improving our audio visual capability in the sanctuary, improving our energy usage by making changes to our heating and air conditioning systems, making changes to the basement window well and other items that were in the original Option A. Timeline Once we have city approvals in place it will be possible to create a useful timeline. Committee of Adjustment hearings could take up to 3 months. Work on Aurora House could start this fall. More details will be available once approvals are in place.

Summary Many things still need to happen before construction can begin on our building project. Thank you for your support in all of its aspects.

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Sunrise, sunset –– and too soon it’s over!

Reflections on Ontario Mennonite Music Camp

By Josh Neufeldt

O

ntario Mennonite Music Camp. How I miss it. Admittedly I did not think I would feel this way for the past four years, during which I had heard many of the rumours and tales from my cousins. For the life of me, I could not bring myself to appreciate these tales at the time, which brings me to say that experiencing is believing.

At the time, I figured that since it’s just a camp, how could it possibly compare to video games or soccer, two of my favourite pastimes.

However, that all changed one bright and sunny 10th of August when I hugged my dad and said goodbye. What followed passed like a blur, yet if it were put into words, would probably end up being painfully long. To simplify, I will just describe the best of the best moments.

I can remember dancing with my friends at campfires, singing hymns at 8 a.m. and battling it out to try and be the spatulas champion (come ask me about it). I also remember taking ridiculous quantities of selfies, having a flash mob at Dairy Queen and best of all, learning “Fiddler on the Roof” in two days (quite a feat if I may say so).

Needless to mention, TUMC was well represented, with Jonah Thiessen playing the lead of Tevye, Ben Thiessen

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The wedding scene from Fiddler on the Roof, with Ben Thiessen as Motel the Tailor and brother Jonah (holding the canopy) in the lead role of Tevye.

Sunrise, sunset – and too soon, it’s over

playing Motel the Tailor, Imogen Sloss playing the fiddler and myself playing the revolutionary, Perchik. Additionally, Siena Armstrong played Yente the matchmaker and Thea played one of the Christian cops (and also drew the artwork for the programme cover).

It has been said, you do not realize the value of something until it is no longer with you. This applies perfectly here. When the final concert ended, everyone hugged and bid their farewells. I must say that at the beginning of the two weeks I anticipated the farewells to be easy and joyous with the prospect of returning home shining brightly in the air. In reality it was the exact opposite. The entire car ride home was just the horrible realization that the camp was finished and that I will have to wait another year before I return.

Even the prospect of those video games and soccer matches I mentioned earlier did not hold a candle to the amazing time I had at OMMC. It was the ultimate way to end the summer (a warning for the parents planning on sending their kids to camp: make sure you have something fun and or distracting planned as your child will be very sad when they get home).

In conclusion, the greatest part of camp is not the food, though it was very good, or the crazy things we got to do, though they were very fun.

It is the amazing friendships that we developed that matter. I know I will stay in touch with these people for a long time. So to all prospective campers: come on out and get your minds blown. It is the greatest experience a person can have.

Upcoming Events Here’s a list of events on TUMC’s calendar that you don’t want to miss!

Sept. 7 - Gathering Sunday Sept. 14 - "It takes a village" event Oct. 5 - World Communion Sunday - we will be celebrating communion Oct. 12 - Thanksgiving Oct. 26 (Saturday) - GTA Cluster event Nov. 9 - Peace Sunday Nov. 26 - Eternity Sunday Nov. 30 - Advent I - we will be celebrating communion; in the evening, the Advent Carol Sing Dec. 7 - Advent II Dec. 14 - Advent III Dec. 21 - Advent IV Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve evening candlelight service Dec. 25 - Christmas Day - no service at TUMC – from the Worship Committee

Josh Neufeldt in the role of the revolutionary, Perchik. To the left is Imogen Sloss, who played the Fiddler. Thanks to Andrew Sloss for these photos.

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Kids just Wanner have fun A corny good time was had by all as Wanner Mennonite Church in Cambridge held its annual Cornfest on Saturday, Sept. 6, and invited TUMC junior and senior youth to join in the fun. Thanks to Michele Rizoli for the pics! And apologies for the bad puns.

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Greet the world: Plan now to be part of the Pennsylvania MWC Assembly

By Doreen Martens

A

confession: I’m a Mennonite World Conference assembly junkie. I’ve been to every assembly since 1984.

That’s not as hard as it sounds since they’re only held every six years, but it’s taken me, and our family, to some pretty interesting places: Strasbourg in 1984 (solo); Winnipeg in 1990 (with a husband and squirmy 1-yearold boy); Calcutta in 1996 (with a friend); Bulawayo in 2003 (with Jeff and two tweens); Asuncion in 2009 (the two of us again, but often bumping into the teen daughter who was part of the Ontario youth delegation). And the next one? Harrisburg, Pennsylvania!

Okay, Harrisburg may not be the most exciting destination on the planet, but it does have the virtue of being just a few hours’ drive from home, or a short flight. And you still get to experience the world –– only now it’s coming to us in the form of thousands of Anabaptist brothers and sisters from around the world. I hope to see lots of TUMCers joining us there this time around. You will never

TUMCers at the 2003 Mennonite World Conference assembly held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Recognize anybody? think of “Mennonites” in the same way afterwards: a MWC assembly is an eye-opening, world-expanding experience that everybody should enjoy at least once!

Registration is now open for Pennsylvania 2015. You can learn more about it as the website unfolds over the coming months (www.mwc-cmm.org/pennsylvania-2015). But here are some basic things you should know as you think about whether you’ll take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of this exciting event so very close to home.

Where: Harrisburg’s Farm Show Complex (chosen specifically not to be a big glitzy convention centre, but a place that’s affordable, comfortable and reflects our Anabaptist values) When: July 21-26, 2015 (begins the evening of the 21st, and wraps up with Sunday morning worship in nearby churches) Who: Representatives of MWC member churches from around the world. Mennonite World Conference is “a communion (Koinonia) of Anabaptist-related churches linked to one another for fellowship, worship, service, and witness.” There are 103 national conferences of churches that are members or associate members, with approximately 1.3 million baptized members that are part of Mennonite World Conference.

What happens at Assemblies? Expect fantastic multilingual music, speakers, workshops and worship, as well as great opportunities to meet and get to know Mennonites from around the

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Greet the world world. One of my favourite parts of every assembly since Calcutta has been the Global Church Village, a separate area that features continuous performances, music, exhibits and food from various national churches, with folks from those countries on hand to interact with. There are also service opportunities, sports activities, programs for children and youth, and tours. A Global Youth Summit for young adults will take place at nearby Messiah College, July 17-19.

The General Council and various commissions of MWC (deacons, faith and life, mission, peace) and other offshoots also hold meetings during the assembly. The assembly itself actually has two parts: Assembly Gathered (in Harrisburg) and Assembly Scattered (before and after, optional tours to various Anabaptist communities in the host country). If you’ve always wanted to visit Mennonites in Alaska, this might be your opportunity.

Which languages will be used? MWC has three official languages: English, Spanish and French. Which language dominates depends on the host country.

This time around, English will be used as the stage language for plenary sessions. There will be simultaneous interpretation into French and Spanish. Participants will receive headsets for the sessions. Other

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languages than English, Spanish and French can be used on stage. If a speaker is using a language other than English, it will be translated consecutively into English on stage and then simultaneously to the other languages (except for prayers). I’ve found it takes a little patience sometimes to deal with interpretation, but watching a skilled and lively interpreter can also be highly entertaining!

What does it cost? MWC scales costs to the relative income level of participants from various nations, which means we as Canadians will pay more so that others can afford to attend. For adults, full registration is U.S. $465 up to $575 (if you want a full meal plan), less for kids and youth. Registrants are also encouraged to donate (and receive charitable receipts) to the Assembly Fund, which will help cover costs such as travel expenses for delegates from the Global South. Accommodations range from hotel rooms to dorms and home stays.

How do I learn more? Go the Mennonite World Conference website and check out the links. Here’s a video to give you an overview: http://www.mwccmm.org/video/1069 Any time you’re ready, you can register on the same site.

Joy with a paddle in hand

In what was billed as the first annual TUMC canoe trip, a group of intrepid paddlers enjoyed canoeing and camping together at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park in August. Clockwise from top left: John and Marilyn explore a small river; an early morning wade; Jerrom, Derek, Quintin, Jon, Marilyn, Ken, and Ethan set off in their canoes; Ethan demonstrates his talent for starting a fire in wet weather; Jerrom and Derek roast marshmallows; wet gear dries out. Thanks to Ken Salsman for the photos!

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A 90th anniversary commemoration The attitude is gratitude at a very special family reunion

By Anita Tiessen

B

ob Tiessen’s father and his family arrived in Canada on July 19, 1924. This is the story of a commemoration of this event that took place this summer.

On July 19, 2014, a “Dankfest” or festival of thanksgiving was held at the farm of John & Janice Harder in New Hamburg, to commemorate the arrival to Canada of the Peter & Elizabeth Tiessen family from Blumstein, Ukraine. The event was also a “thank you” to the Aaron Hoffman family from Heidelberg, Ont., who had hosted the Tiessen family when they arrived in Waterloo County in 1924.

On July 19, 1924, the 13 members of the Tiessen family, along with more than 800 others Mennonite immigrants from Ukraine, arrived at the Erb Street Mennonite church and were introduced to their hosts. It was here that the Tiessen family met the Hoffman family. A plaque in the church commemorates the 60th anniversary of the arrival of Russian Mennonites and the event

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is featured in the history book of the church, Path of a People: Erb Street Mennonite Church 1851-2001. The book states: “Approximately six hundred immigrants were expected at Waterloo Mennonite. A notation written at the top of Ira Bauman’s billeting list states that 855 persons arrived that afternoon. ... The arrivals proceeded into the churchyard where they gathered at the driving sheds. There they were given a lunch of sandwiches, coffee, doughnuts, and raisin squares (according to the church records, $56 had been collected in an offering to pay for the food.) Many of the immigrants commented in later years that they had never before seen sandwiches, let alone eaten them.

They registered with the billeting committee, and inside the church additional clothing was distributed to those who needed it. After the second train arrived, all assembled for a short but emotional worship service led by two ministers who had come with the immigrants, Jacob Wiens and Jacob P. Friesen. Gratitude was expressed to God for their safe deliverance, and to their Canadian hosts for the reception. They spoke appreciatively of Canada as a land of opportunity.”

Of the original Tiessen family who arrived on that day, the youngest child, Jacob (Jack) Tiessen (born in 1922 and now of Leamington) and the oldest grandchild, Peter Gossen (born in

A 90th anniversary commemoration 1923 and now of Niagara) are still living. Jack Tiessen initiated this event and was thankful to be able to attend. Peter Gossen was unable to attend. Many other children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren of the Tiessens came to the event.

Bob Tiessen, grandson of Peter & Elizabeth Tiessen, welcomed those gathered for the commemoration and gave a bit of background on the family’s migration to Canada. His father, Frank Tiessen, had written his “remembrances” in 1987, and those are still often referenced. He wrote: “On July 21 ... Hoffmans brought us to an unoccupied farm with a nice clean house, three or four bedrooms. Everything we needed was there, furniture, dishes, potatoes, flour and so on. They ate supper with us that first evening. After supper, many people came to greet us and also to pick who they wanted to work for them. Everything was so strange. They were all Old [Order] Mennonites and very fine people, but their ways were different from what we were used to.”

Early in 1925, the Tiessen family moved to Essex County. Frank Tiessen wrote “The work was easier here than with the Old Mennonites.

They worked very hard.”

While none of the immediate Aaron Hoffman family are still living, a number of grandchildren and spouses came to the commemoration.

Reta Malloy, a grandchild of Aaron Hoffman, shared some memories of that time from her extended family. She said: “The most profound influence on the Hoffman family was the simple faith of the Mennonites from Russia. The Hoffmans were Old Order Mennonites and believed that their salvation depended on their simple, plain living. ... The Tiessens and other families talked freely of their faith and spoke of being born again and assurance of salvation. They did not adhere to the plain living of the Old Order Mennonites and bought a car when they could afford it. While being respectful of their Old Order hosts, their faith overflowed and affected the young Hoffmans and their parents.”

The event was truly a “Dankfest” for the host family’s assistance in helping the Tiessen family to settle in their new and chosen home of Canada.

What did you do this summer?

In this issue, Josh talks about music camp; Anita about a family reunion; and Ken shares photos of the TUMC canoe trip. What fun, meaningful or special things happened to you, your family or TUMC friends this summer? Got some news to share?

We’d really like to know! Drop a line to your POM editor at dmartens@ pathcom.com, and put “community notes” in the subject field. Thanks!

Coffee is back! And with it, lively conversation after the worship service on Gathering Sunday.

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A season of learning

It’s back to learning, singing and fun as Sunday school classes resume at TUMC. ( A little reminder to pray for and support our hardworking teachers as they help to shape the faith of a new generation.)

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