Rockway Mennonite Church was born Oct. 2, 1960, in a barn on the campus of Rockway Mennonite School, Kitchener. Fifty years to the day later, the congregation gathered in its current sanctuary to celebrate a half-century of life together.
Highlights of the celebration, which continued the next day, included memories from each decade, the unveiling of new fabric and metal works of art, and rousing challenges by two voices from the past: founding pastor Edgar J. Metzler (1960-61) and John W Snyder (1967-91).
The weekend also featured some of the musical talent within the church, including a choir led by Lynda Mieske, soloists Daniel Lichti and Kimberly Barber, young pianist Keenan Reimer-Watts, and worship pianist Lorna Sawatsky. Harpist Patricia Johnston, daughter of the late Howard Good, Rockway pastor from 1961-66 and the only former pastor not at the celebrations, was a guest musician. The Oct. 3 service included reflections by Allan Rudy-Froese (pastor from 1992-99) and a sermon by current pastor Scott Brubaker-Zehr.
Originally an offshoot of First Mennonite Church, Kitchener, Rockway is now a diverse congregation of 178 members, including many young families. The congregation has always met in rented space, from the school barn to the library (196180) and then to a multi-purpose area in the Rockway school building (1980-2005). In 2005, the congregation experienced a major change as it left the school and began leasing space in the historic Zion United Church building in downtown Kitchener.
Many former members returned to celebrate the anniversary with the congregation. While visiting, eating or trying out the birthday cake, participants could wander through the display of 750 labelled photographs illustrating the five decades of Rockway life.
Rockway has passed through many phases in its 50-year history, evolving from an informal group intent on wideranging discussion, to a mixed congregation with an appreciation for well-planned liturgy. Over the years, the church has become more involved in the wider church and in social programs, such as refugee sponsorships, a carbon offset initiative and local organizations.
Unchanged are Rockway 's commitment to being a welcoming community and nurturing children in the MennoniteChristian faith. Rockway has an unusually high proportion of children and youths at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate each year- one of many signs of hope for the future of Rockway Mennonite Church.
[Sidebar]
Betsy Peiker opens the gate for the children's processional during Rockway Mennonite Church's 50th anniversary service on Oct. 3.
[Author Affiliation]
BY MARGARET LOEWEN REIMER
Special to Canadian Mennonite
KITCHENER, ONT.
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