Bethel Mennonite Church

December 25, 2008 6:30 pm
Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Ave. Winnipeg

Christmas eve, and there was a lot of debate over which church to go to in our family, since it was the first time in a decade that we weren't attending our old home church. Bethel was eventually settled on and so began my first visit to a Mennonite church since I started my project.

Bethel is a large church and I think it's a really beautiful building. Not traditional by any means, but certainly not a Death Star (see previous post about that). It was packed on Christmas eve with all kinds of people, young and old. The place was full, I'm not sure how many people it holds at capacity but it was definitely at it. 500, perhaps?

The service began with the church darkened except for the lights held by choir members, who surrounded the congregation on the sides. They processed to the front while singing (wonderfully), and as the lights came back on the service began. The format was simple, but effective. The service alternated between congregation-sung hymns, readings by small groups at the front, reflections by Pastors Lisa Enn-Bogoya, Reynold Friesen and Rudy Baergen, and anthems from the choir.

Towards the end was one of the most involved children's stories I've ever seen. At least twenty little ones were up at the front for it, as Werner Wiens read an arrangement of Jesus' parable of the poor woman (who donates her last coin and therefore has given more than the rich who simply square out a fraction of their thousands). Great story. The choir got in on the action and there were a few youth actors as well.

The music was great, the readings were great, the reflections were great. The atmosphere was wonderful. I sincerely enjoyed Christmas eve at Bethel Mennonite, and I wouldn't hesitate for a second to go back. I'm very curious what their weekly service is like.

http://www.bethelmennonite.ca/