Special events serve to connect the Mennonite community. With many others, we explore stories from the past, celebrate our rich heritage, and enjoy being together as an extended Mennonite family.

This year, we held three special events:

Feb. 16, 2005   Lecture at Emmanuel Church: Bruce Guenther, instructor at  ACTS.
Topic:   “Wrenching Our Youth From Trivial Pursuits”…the early Bible School movement in western Canada.

May 15, 2005  “Mennonite Concerto” at the Central Heights Church with Hildegard Baerg and Betty Suderman.
The concert was preceded by a narrative read by Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen and written by John Klassen, outlining the events in our history that the piece brings to life. Interspersed by songs from a volunteer choir led by Bill Baerg, this was a very moving rendition of our story. About 1000 people attended the Sunday afternoon event.
A Graveyard Tour the day before, explored the Mennonite cemeteries in South Abbotsford, Greendale and Yarrow, culminating with faspa at the Yarrow church. Many enjoyed this tangible connection with our forebears, and the biographies of many leaders along the way.

October 15, 2005  Annual banquet at CBC gym.
We had 425  people came out to dinner  to hear  Dr. John Ruth tell about Swiss Mennonite aid to Russian Mennonites. John B. Toews paid a tribute to the Swiss Mennonites, Evan Kreider taught us about Swiss Mennonite singing,  and Hugo Friesen was recognized for his devotion to our archives over the last many years.

Events  for 2006 include:

• Feb. 18, 2006....Lecture by Dr. Helmut Harder “The Story of David Toews” at Emmanuel Church
• May 21, 2006   Memorial Cemetery Tour in Abbotsford at the Bakerview Church.
• Oct.14, 2006  Annual Banquet at Eben-Ezer Church with Dr. Harvey Dyck.

Events Committee: Ben Stobbe, Richard Thiessen, David Giesbrecht, Dr. John B. Toews, Helen Rose Pauls [chair]