Volume 39 Number 20 November 21, 2001

Seasons of life and faith

Steinbach, Man. (Stony Brook): Autumn has always been my favourite season. The colours of the leaves are vibrant with gold, brown and orange hues. When I walk, I love hearing the crunch beneath my feet, and feeling the cool morning air. As one season rolls into another, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness to us. Even though seasons change, God never does. He is consistent, and His mercies are new every morning.

Bud Penner, Ginger Barkman (now Penner), and Erd and Kathy became Stony Brook members through baptism and membership transfer. Pastor couple Carolyn and Earl Unger stands with them.

Each of us has seasons in our lives as we travel on our journey with God—and for many of us, that journey includes baptism. Bud Penner was baptised on June 10 as a demonstration of his desire to follow and serve Christ.

Four people shared their testimonies and became members of Stony Brook Fellowship. Although their stories were different, we were again reminded of God’s mercy and faithfulness in their lives. It is always great to see our numbers grow, but it is much more meaningful to hear how God continues to work in people’s lives as He draws them to Himself.

Growth also happens through children. Once again we participated in a parent-child dedication service, held on June 17. It is thrilling to know that parents are committed to raising their children to follow God and to walk in His ways.

Participating in a parent-child dedication service at Stony Brook Fellowship were Eric and Carol Enss with Coralee, Joe and Corinne Thiessen wiht Mersadie, Rick and Doreen Penner with Kiersten, and George and Rebecca Wiens with Melissa.

Church camp has been part of the Stony Brook tradition since its beginning. We outgrew Star Lake camp after three years, and this year held our third camp at Gimli Bible Camp.

The weather September 14 to 16 was absolutely perfect, always a bonus. The setting at Gimli is beautiful, making it easier to feel closer to God.

Church camp was a place for relaxed visiting, deep discussions, games and short nights, and good food. It included a skit and joke night to showcase younger and older talent, producing much laughter. It also featured an interviewed with our two missionary couples—Marvin and Wendy Thiessen, and Peter and Kathy Friesen. (Peter and Kathy were able to squeeze in at least part of the weekend before returning to Mexico. Thank you!) It revealed some raw football skills and gave us another chance to bond as a church family.

Yes, we did have a speaker, but he deserves a separate paragraph. Gord Penner, a professor at SBC, led us in some reflections on the power of God. The topic was especially pointed since church camp came so soon after the tragedies at the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

Joshua, following the big steps of Moses, was promised that a powerful God would go before him and never leave him; Elijah, at a showdown on Mount Carmel saw God’s power with unquestioning certainty. And yet, like us so often, he soon forgot what he had seen and was fleeing from Jezebel to save his life when he saw God’s power again—in the still, small voice. Thank you, Gord, for a timely reminder of things we have heard often and forget too easily.

Church camp will be planned again for next fall. I know I want to be there.

As we enter the fall season, may we be reminded to be as faithful to God as He has been to us and may each new day bring us thoughts of God’s mercies.

Doreen Penner and Fran Harms

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away

Mount Salem, Ont.: The past couple of months have seen times of great joy and great sorrow for our church. We can feel with Job when he says, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21).

Together at Springwater Park, the congregation sings praises to the Lord.

On August 12, we celebrated a joyous time as nine young people were baptised upon confession of their faith in Christ. This special occasion took place outside at Springwater Park while a large group of family and friends enjoyed the sunny weather. The candidates chose between two modes of baptism: immersion and what pastor Leonard Barkman affectionately refers to as "Jordan style." Pastor Leonard Barkman prepared the following short summaries of the testimonies given.

John Banman: Saved one and a half years ago, John has a deep desire to serve the Lord well and be a positive example for others, helping them to find the Lord.

Tina Banman: Tina has a deep love for Jesus her Lord. Serving her master is a high priority. (John, Tina and brother Wil, together with their dad, Isaak Banman, came through the pain of losing their brother Isaak to a motorcycle accident and their mother to a stress-related heart attack. The two were buried the same day.)

Chrissy Bergen: She found Jesus early in life. Home uprooting and stress of relocating have been painful, but when making new friends is a challenge, it becomes a time to grow closer to Christ.

David Bergen: He was saved at age 12 and speaks of some ups and downs in his Christian walk. He is honest and committed, using his work friendships to bring others to Christ.

Henry Friesen: Henry has lived in Belize with his family. He came to Christ after a serious motorcycle accident. He attended Steinbach Bible College last winter, and plans to continue studies this winter.

Anna Hildebrandt is baptised "Jordan style" by pastor Leonard Barkman. Jaime Froese, youth pastor, stands in support.

Anna Hildebrandt: The Spirit moved in her heart at 16 and she was saved. Scripture studies and long talks with her mom were helpful.

Betty Klassen: She found Jesus as Saviour during second grade at Mount Salem Christian School. Losing her dad to a truck mishap has been very painful, but she wants to serve Jesus well. She is attending SBC this year.

Albert Loewen: Saved early in life, he actively seeks to win fellow employees to the Lord. He enjoys his Christian parents and siblings, and is attending SBC.

Josie Thiessen: She, too, found her Saviour during second grade at Mount Salem Christian School, with a later recommitment. She is now attending SBC to prepare for service in the Lord’s kingdom.

Each of the candidates chose a mentor—a big brother or sister—from within the congregation who will spend time praying for them and supporting them in this important step they have taken.

Another joyous event is the birth of two more babies in September, with several more to come soon. We praise God for the safe arrival of these precious new lives.

Along with joy, we have also had our share of sorrow. Several people have been seriously ill, and need support and prayer. Some have lost loved ones. We ask you to join us in praying for pastoral couple Leonard and Betty Barkman, as Leonard’s father passed away in September. Leonard and Betty spent a week in Manitoba with family and friends during this difficult time.

Also, we ask that you join us in praying for Helen Reimer and her children, Rebecca and Lyle. Husband and father, Stan, was diagnosed with cancer and went to Juarez for treatment. His treatments were successful, in that they allowed him to spend some quality time with his family before he went to be with his Saviour at the young age of 34. We know that he was ready to meet his Saviour and rejoice in that knowledge. He will be greatly missed.

We wonder how there can be such great joy and sorrow in such a short time. We see only a small picture, but God sees the whole; blessed be his name.

Helena Guenther

A diverse group of supporters attended the baptism of John Banman, David Bergen, Albert Loewen, Henry Friesen, Betty Klassen, Chrissy Bergen, Anna Hildebrandt, Tina Banman, and Josie Thiessen.

Associate, conference pastors are a support

Wymark, Sask.: Steven (Reece) and Rachel Friesen were welcomed to our church on May 7 as our associate pastoral couple.

They moved here from Abbotsford, B.C., where they led the youth ministry at Highland Community Church and attended Columbia Bible College. Rachel has spent the past two years at CBC in the Care-giving and Counselling program. Reece graduated from CBC this past April with a Bachelor of Religious Education, majoring in Church Ministries.

As associate pastor, Reece is responsible primarily for youth ministry, with a secondary focus on music and worship ministry. Besides serving alongside her husband in youth ministry, Rachel is actively involved in children’s ministries. Our congregation is blessed by the creative gifts that Reece and Rachel have in teaching, music, art, poetry, writing, drama and cross-cultural ministry.

Reece and Rachel Friesen, associate pastoral couple, are a welcome addition to the Wymark EMC leadership team.

Our annual church family camp was held at Camp Elim, Lac Pelletier, Sask., from June 1 to 3. Our former associate pastor, Con Koop, was the youth/adult speaker. His wife, Sheila, and their three children joined him for the weekend. Con and Sheila also shared about the exciting and challenging ministry opportunities at Fish Creek Community Fellowship in Calgary, Alta., where they are church planters.

On the final day of camp, Jodi Janz was baptised in the lake. We have been privileged to fellowship with Jodi, her husband Kent, and their three children for the past three years while Kent completed his bachelor’s degree at Millar College of the Bible. Besides the baptism, it was also the day we bid farewell to the Janz family before they moved to Carlyle, Sask., where Kent is the pastor of the Evangelical Free Church.

David Thiessen, our Conference Pastor, spent June 8 to 12 with our church as a guest speaker and assisting in a series of leadership and congregational meetings focused on the theme of abuse, victimization, repentance, forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. Our time with David served as a strong confirmation of the vital support ministry that the conference pastor and denomination provide our church.

Sharon Harms