The Mennonite Fellowship of Montréal ("MFM") is an urban Church which gathers every Sunday for worship as well as for special events that happen throughout the year. It began in 1971 as a house church and grew from there into the fellowship that now meets in space rented from the Maison de l'amitié (House of Friendship) on Duluth Avenue. Even though there is a church pastor that helps organize church activities and sets directions spiritually, a trademark of the church is the involvement of other participants who you will see in roles such as worship leader, song leader, story teller, preacher, Sunday School Teacher, refreshments manager, clean-up initiator and committee member. The fact that the chairs at the Fellowship are set in a half-circle is significant. Fostering the well being of each member of the group is an important part of church. Every Sunday, time is set aside for reflection, the sharing of joys and concerns as well as for announcements and prayer.
We come from all walks of life. Many of us grew up in mennonite churches in Canada and the US and have migrated to Montreal for diverse reasons. There are also many people who come from other church backgrounds or no church background. Visitors and friends are always welcome. Should you be seeking a church community in the region of Montréal, Québec, we hope that with time you will make ties here that are rewarding for you.
The Church Council is the governing body of the fellowship. A worship committee plans and gives direction to the time of worship. Elders give spiritual oversight to the life of the congregation.
Other responsibilities include the Food Committee, the Music Committee, Clean-up Committee, Child Care Coordinator, Sunday School Superintendent and church publications Reporter.
The word "Mennonite" describes both a faith and a culture. The covenant that guides Mennonite belief stresses peace theology, adult baptism, non-swearing of oaths, the sharing of gifts and needs as well as striving to discern and follow the will of God both corporately and individually. Culturally, there is a lot of diversity in the Mennonite church. Stemming from the radical arm of the Reformation in the 16th century, people of Swiss, Dutch and German backgrounds have dominated the ethnic landscape of the church in North America for a long time. Mission work has drawn in many other cultural groups in recent years. However, background aside, things such as living a simple lifestyle, community, stewardship, potlucks and quilting all can be part of the picture. As a city church, MFM creates its own characteristics. You will see the mark of Montréal and the personalities of MFM's current participants on its own style and practices.
The Mennonite Fellowship of Montréal is part of the larger Mennonite church which is made
up of conferences. The MFM belongs to Mennonite Church Canada.
A work of the Mennonite Church in Québec, La Maison de l'amitié seeks to respond to the needs of refugees in Montréal. It offers courses, social activities, lodging and other assistance to people seeking to integrate into Canadian life.
The two organizations are separate entities although they are both affiliated with the Mennonite Church. In fact, there are many people in the church who are active in the House of Friendship and it is not uncommon for visitors at the House of Friendship to attend the church. However, the Mennonite Fellowship rents space from the House of Friendship for its activities and being a part of Mennonite Fellowship does not automatically make you a part of the House of Friendship and its activities (or vice-versa).
For more information on the House of Friendship,
just check out the posters in the lobby or visit it's webpage at:
http://www.maisondelamitie.ca
Congregation members who wish to lend financial support to the House of Friendship can do so by placing a separate specially designated envelope in the offering plate.
