Activities
Our Christian faith commitment calls us to service and ministry in the congregation and community.
Sewing Circle
The Erb Street Sewing Circle has existed since the beginning of Erb Street Mennonite Church. While much has changed over the years, the original purpose remains the same: to provide fellowship for attendees while supporting the work of MCC through producing comforters to ship overseas, and quilts for the annual Relief Sale in New Hamburg.
Over the past few years, the Sewing Circle has also provided a place of fellowship for English and Kinyamulenge speaking women and an opportunity to get to know each other.
We meet once a month (usually the second Tuesday of each month from September to June) from 9:00am-3:00pm. Come and join us!
Prime Timers
Prime Timers seek to support the vision of the congregation through monthly gatherings for persons over the age of 55. We typically do not meet in July or August.
We provide programs that are educational, stage of life and health related, of benefit and service to the community, and may include theatrical productions, dinner outings, a catered Christmas dinner, and a summer BBQ.
Solar Panel Fund
In March 2012 the congregation approved the installation of solar panels on the roof of Erb Street Mennonite Church.
Applications were made to the Ontario Power Authority and Waterloo North Hydro to be connected to the electrical grid with the ability to sell electricity back to the authorities. Both applications were approved.
A 10-year loan was received from Kindred Credit Union. The plan was that after the loan was paid off, revenue from the solar panels would be directed toward mission projects and other charitable work, as approved by the congregation. By 2019 the loan had been repaid, and funds became available for grants to be disbursed.
Church Counsel processes proposals received and brings their recommendation to the congregation for final approval.
Community Garden
Erb Street Mennonite Church sponsors a Community Garden located in its cemetery at the corner of Erb Street West and Fischer-Hallman Road. The garden is part of the Region of Waterloo Community Garden initiative.
Eighteen plots (4' x 24') are available for interested gardeners in the church and the neighbourhood. Some gardening tools and water are available. An annual $20 fee reserves a plot.
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale
Erb Street Mennonite Church congregants have strongly supported the New Hamburg Relief Sale both financially and through the giving of their time. Congregants served on the initial Organizing Committee and have served on other Committees over the years.
The church sponsored and hosted the Pancake and Sausage Breakfast venue for 55 years. We currently operate the Hamburger and Hot Dog venue.
Over the years, it is estimated that Erb Street congregants have provided over 7,500 volunteer hours, operating the two food venues. This does not account for any of the many volunteer hours given to the logistical operation of the Relief Sale.
Refugee Sponsorship
Welcoming and supporting refugees has been a part of life and ministry at Erb Street Mennonite Church for over 100 years.
In 1924, Waterloo Mennonite Church (now Erb Street Mennonite Church) received and hosted Mennonite families from Ukraine fleeing starvation and religious oppression in the Soviet Union. When some 800 arrived at the Waterloo station by train in July, they were paired with local families and transported to temporary farm homes.
In late 1970 MCC and the Canadian government sponsorship program made it possible for Mennonite congregations to sponsor Laotian families who were waiting in refugee camps to immigrate to North America. Between 1980 and 1985, ESMC sponsored about 30 individuals from several families.
In __?__ ESMC sponsored its first Congolese family ......