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The Mennonite Church began in Switzerland
as an Anabaptist movement under the leadership of Menno Simons
in 1536. During the Protestant Reformation, Mennonites differentiated
themselves from the Catholic Church by encouraging people
to read and follow the Bible, performing adult baptism, separating
church and state, practising non-resistance and pacifism,
and establishing mutual aid.
The early Mennonite believers were persecuted
by Catholics and Reformers, causing the movement to spread
into Germany, France and the Netherlands before going to the
Soviet Union and North America.
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Mennonite congregations and members are concerned
about community health and well-being in several ways:
- In his ministry, Jesus healed people, stood with the
marginalized and saw the dignity in each person. Mennonites
see Jesus as an example for their lives.
- Peace with justice is not only an international quest,
but has implications for living in the city. Many Mennonites
are involved in restorative justice, health and education
organizations, community coalitions and their professional
associations, working to make systems healthier and fairer.
- The early Christian church held all things in common
and reached out to people in Jerusalem who needed food
and other essentials. Charitable giving, as well as volunteering,
is reinforced in the congregation through missions committees,
sermons, and by members who are involved in various concerns
and organizations.
Congregations differentiate between “mutual
aid,” which is helping members of the congregation and
“mission and service,” including charity, peace,
justice and evangelism. There are many mutual aid organizations
to assist members, such as credit unions, insurance, residential
care and housing for older persons, youth programs and activities
for families. Many “mutual aid” activities are
not exclusive and are open to the wider community.
In “mission and service”, Mennonites
and denominational organizations work on issues of poverty,
health, housing, hunger, refugees and education both locally
and internationally, through the Mennonite Central Committee
(MCC). For over 60 years, the Mennonite Church and MCC have
had extensive voluntary service programs. Mennonites have
often given several months to several years in voluntary service
as a way of fulfilling the church’s call to a “life
of service.”
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To engage the Mennonite church in your community,
look in the yellow pages under “churches”. Or
select “church finder” on Mennonite church Canada’s
website.
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