Église Mennonite de Montréal / Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal

The Église Mennonite de Montréal, also known as the Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal, is a Canadian nonprofit organisation located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It began with informal house meetings in 1956, initiated by two missionary families: Harold and Pauline Reesor, and Tilman and Janet Martin, who were sent by the Mennonite Conference of Ontario[5].

History

The early gatherings led to the formation of a Mennonite Students Association, which was re-established in 1970 by Joe Martin, MD. Over time, these efforts culminated in the group meeting at the House of Friendship in downtown Montreal, founded in 1973. The Mennonite Fellowship eventually took over the government recognition and registration of a French congregation that had closed. Official worship services commenced on June 11, 1978, with a baptism and membership service[5].

Organizational Structure and Practices

Given its distance from the Mennonite Conference offices in Ontario and its unique urban context, the Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal has adopted several non-traditional congregational practices. These include having no sermons but instead offering meditations, no pulpit, and a circular seating arrangement. The congregation actively encourages leadership roles for women, participation by children, discussion during worship, drama, and other creative innovations. Music plays a significant role, and lay preaching is frequently practiced[5].

Community Involvement

Members and leaders of the congregation, along with partnerships through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS), have engaged in various community service activities. These include prison ministry, inner-city daycare, and refugee care. In 2000, the congregation initiated an MVS unit, following years of benefiting from MCC volunteers[5].

Missions and Learning

The broader Mennonite community in Quebecassistant

Église Mennonite de Montréal / Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal

The Église Mennonite de Montréal, also known as the Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal, is a Canadian nonprofit organisation based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It commenced with informal house meetings in 1956, initiated by two missionary families: Harold and Pauline Reesor, and Tilman and Janet Martin, who were sent by the Mennonite Conference of Ontario[3][5].

History

The early gatherings led to the formation of a Mennonite Students Association, which was re-established in 1970 by Joe Martin, MD. Over time, these efforts culminated in the group meeting at the House of Friendship in downtown Montreal, founded in 1973. The Mennonite Fellowship eventually took over the government recognition and registration of a French congregation that had closed. Official worship services commenced on June 11, 1978, with a baptism and membership service[5].

Organizational Structure and Practices

Given its distance from the Mennonite Conference offices in Ontario and its unique urban context, the Mennonite Fellowship of Montreal has adopted several non-traditional congregational practices. These include having no sermons but instead offering meditations, no pulpit, and a circular seating arrangement. The congregation actively encourages leadership roles for women, participation by children, discussion during worship, drama, and other creative innovations. Music plays a significant role, and lay preaching is frequently practiced[5].

Community Involvement

Members and leaders of the congregation, along with partnerships through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS), have engaged in various community service activities. These include prison ministry, inner-city daycare, and refugee care. In 2000, the congregation initiated an MVS unit, following years of benefiting from MCC volunteers[5].

Missions and Learning

The broader Mennonite community in Quebec, including the Mennonite Fellowship, benefits from historical research into Anabaptist missions. Studies like those by Richard Lougheed highlight the importance of understanding historical missions to inform future strategies and avoid past challenges. Such efforts help educate both members and the wider community about Anabaptist history and practices, fostering greater awareness and understanding[2].