Accession 2005.052, 2019.016
Title and Physical Description
Faith Mennonite Church fonds. — 1968-1999. — 1.8 m of textual records.
Administrative/Biographical History
Faith Mennonite Church was founded on 5 October 1980 in Edmonton, Alberta with 35 charter members. It was an outgrowth project of the First Mennonite Church, Edmonton, Alberta. The congregation first met in rented facilities until they purchased their own meeting place in 1987. The leaders of the congregation were: Jake Froese (1980-1988), Gary Giesbrecht (1989-1992), Peter Rempel (1993), Byron Rempel-Burkholder (1993-1996). They joined the Conference of Mennonites in Alberta on 13 Mar 1981 and became a member of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada as well. The membership was 68 in 1985. In 1990 the membership was 72 and 74 when the congregation dissolved on 1996 August 25.
Custodial History
The records were in the custody of Jake D. Harder.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of nine series: A) Governance, B) Finances, C) Christian Education Committee, D) Worship Committee, E) Services and Facilities Committee, F) Outreach Committee, G) Correspondence, H) Communication, and I) Miscellanea
Source of Acquisition
Gift by Faith Mennonite Church through Jake D. Harder, 2005
Access Restrictions
Access to personal information in records is subject to MHSA privacy policy and relevant legislation
Finding Aids
See Files Inventory
Associated Materials
Associated records may be found at the Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg
Related Materials
For books related to the fonds, see:
- Dick, C.L. (1980). Conference of Mennonites in Alberta History. Calgary: Conference of Mennonites in Alberta.
Notes
Accession 2005.052 Photographs, almost all of a routine nature with little identifying information, were deaccessioned in 2016.
Last updated August 2014 – Jim Bowman
File List
A Governance. — 1968-1999. — 47 cm of textual records
The series consists of six sub-series, containing foundational documents, council meeting minutes, Pastoral Committee records, Deacons’ records, congregational meeting minutes, and membership records. Arranged according to subject and date.
A.1 Foundational Documents. — 1968-1999. — 9.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of records related to the formation, governance and dissolution of the church and congregation. Arranged according to date.
1-1 Declaration of Incorporation – 1980
1-2 Naming of our Church – 1980
1-3 Constitution – 1980-1989
1-4 Faith Mennonite Constitution – 1981-1987
1-5 Constitution and Bylaws – 1981, 1993
1-6 Constitution – 1989-1993
1-7 Constitution – 1991-1994
1-8 Memo of Understanding – 1993-1994
1-9 Final Sale – Bid Sheets – 1996
1-10 Land Title and Mortgage – 1986-1990
1-11 Dissolution – 1998-1999
10-189 Church Constitutions and Leadership Statements. – 1968-1998. – Includes constitutional documents of General Conference Mennonite Church (1968, 1984), Conference of Mennonites in Canada (1969, 1982, 1986), Conference of Mennonites of Saskatchewan (1974), Conference of Mennonites in Alberta (1982), and individual churches. Includes Camrose Mennonite Fellowship (1982), First Mennonite Church (Edmonton)(1975, 1979).
10.180 Dissolution, Legal files. Received as Accession 2019.016
A.2. Council of Seven. — 1980-1996. — 14.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of minutes and other records of the church council, known as the “Council of Seven”. Arranged according to date.
1-12 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence – 1980-1981
1-13 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence – 1982-83
1-14 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence —1984-1985
1-15 Inter-Mennonite Dialogue – [ca 1986]
1-16 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence —1986-1987
2-17 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence – 1988-1989
2-18 Council of Seven – Minutes and Correspondence — 1990-1991
2-19 Council of Seven – Minutes — 1992
2-20 Council Meeting Minutes – 1994-1996
A.3. Pastoral Relations Committee. — 1982-1996. — 2 cm textual records
The subseries consists of formal communications between this congregational committee and the pastor. Arranged according to date.
2-21 Memo of Understanding – 1982-1989
2-22 Pastoral Relations Committee – 1988-1995
2-23 Pastoral Relations – 1995-1996
A.4. Deacons. — 1981-1992. — 3 cm textual records
The subseries consists of records pertaining to the work of the Deacon’s Committee. Arranged according to date.
2-24 Deacon’s Committee – 1981-1988
2-25 Prayer Chain – 1987-1988
2-26 Deacon’s Committee – 1990-1991
2-27 Deacon’s Committee – 1991-1992
A.5. Congregational Meeting Minutes. — 1981-1998. — 12.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of minutes and other records from whole-congregation meetings. Arranged according to date.
2-28 Faith Mennonite Church – 1981-1983
2-29 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1981-1983
2-30 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1983-1987
2-31 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1984-1990
3-32 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1990
3-33 Annual General Meeting, 1992 – 1992-1993
3-34 Meetings Minutes – 1993-1994
3-35 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1995
3-36 Congregational Meeting Minutes – 1996-1998
A.6. Membership. — 1980-1996. — 5.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of membership lists; membership transfer, baptismal, marriage and burial records; and summary statistics about the membership. Arranged according to date.
3-37 Charter Members – 1980
3-38 Family Register – 1980-1981
3-39 Membership Correspondence – 1980-1985
3-40 Faith Mennonite Church – Directory – 1980-1993
3-41 Membership Certificates – 1980-1995
3-42 Statistics – 1981-1987
3-43 Register of Marriages – 1981-1992
3-44 Funeral Write-ups – 1982-1992
3-45 Statistical Report – 1983-1984, 1996
3-46 [Membership Transfer Requests] – 1983-1996
3-47 Church Members – 1984-1996
3-48 Census – 1989-1993
3-49 [Baptism Application Form] – 1991-1992
B. Finances. — 1985-1999. — 11.5 cm textual records
The series consists of annual financial statements, charitable returns to the Canadian government and supporting documents. Arranged according to date.
3-50 Charitable Return – 1985-1986
3-51 Financial Statement – 1986
3-52 Financial Statement – 1987
3-53 Donation Records – 1987-1989 [deaccessioned – routine financial]
3-54 Mortgages – File Copy – 1987-1988, 1996
3-55 Audit Papers – 1988
3-56 [Important Financial Documents] – 1988-1991
3-57 Financial Records – 1989
3-58 Financial Statement – 1989
3-59 Revenue Canada Information Return – 1989-1996
3-60 Charitable Return – 1989, 1992, 1995-1996
3-61 Charitable Return – 1990
3-62 Financial Statement – 1990
4-63 Budgets – 1990-1994
4-64 Financial Statement – 1992
4-65 Financial Statement – 1995
4-66 Financial Statement – 1996
4-67 Revenue Canada Information Return – 1996-1997
4-68 Expense Invoices – 1996-1998
4-69 Financial Year End – 1996-1999
C. Christian Education Committee. — 1978-1997. — 26.5 cm textual records
The series consists of five subseries: 1) Christian Education Committee & Issues, 2) Sunday School, 3) Congregational History, 4) Congregational Events, and 5) Educational Organizations. Arranged according to subject.
C.1. Christian Education Committee & Issues. — 1978-1994. — 5.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of committee minutes, correspondence, and issue records. Arranged according to date.
4-70 Capital Punishment – 1978
4-71 Christian Education Committee – 1981-1993
4-72 Christian Education Committee Work – 1982-1988
4-73 Small Groups – 1983-1991
4-74 Education Committee – 1991-1992
4-75 Education Committee – 1994
C.2. Sunday School. — 1980-1993. — .5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of records related to the administrative and communication roles of the Sunday School. Arranged according to date.
4-76. Sunday School Class Lists – 1980-1989
4-77. Sunday School – 1985-1992
4-78. Sunday School Newsletters – 1993
C.3. Congregational History. — 1980-1994. — 5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of summary accounts related to the history of the congregation. Arranged according to date.
4-79 First Historian – Lee K. – 1980-1981
4-80 Past “Events” – 1985-1994
C.4. Congregational Events. — 1983-1997. — 4.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of records related to significant events and anniversaries of the congregation. Arranged according to date.
4-81 Church Retreat – 1983-1994
4-82 New Church Dedication – 1986
4-83 CMA Conference – Faith Mennonite 1987-1988
4-84 Advent – 1988-1994
4-85 [10th Anniversary Celebration] – 1990
4-86 Lent – 1991-1993
4-87 Christmas – SS Teacher Dedication – 1992-1994
4-88 Congratulatory Letters re Byron’s Installation – 1993
4-89 Dedication Services – RSVP – 1997
C.5. Educational Organizations. — 1978-1988. — 11 cm textual records
The subseries consists of correspondence and minutes related to the congregation’s involvement in external educational institutions as well as internal work with members who are attending school or participating in educational retreats. Arranged according to date.
4-90 CMBC – 1978-1988
5-91 College & Careers – 1979-1986
5-92 AMBS – 1979-1989
5-93 AMYO – 1980-1988
5-94 RJC – 1980-1988
5-95 SCBI – 1980-1988
5-96 Camp Valaqua – 1980-1988
D. Worship Committee. — 1980-1996. — 42.5 cm textual records
The series consists of two subseries: 1) planning and 2) bulletins. Arranged according to subject.
D.1.Planning. — 1980-1996. — 13.5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of committee planning documents such as minutes, schedules, reports and correspondence related to preparing for the worship life of the congregation. Arranged according to date.
5-97 Worship Committee Reports – 1980-1981
5-98 Worship Committee (a & b) – 1980-1987
5-99 Monthly Church Calendars – 1982-1996
5-100 Worship Planning (with First Mennonite) Workshop – 1985
5-101 [Worship Services] – 1986, 1989, 1995
5-102 Surveys – 1986-1996
6-103 Worship Committee – 1987-1988
6-104 Pastoral Letter on Marriage and Sexuality – 1988
6-105 Questionnaire – 1988
6-106 Current Worship Committee – 1989-1991
6-107 Worship Committee – 1991-1993
6-108 Worship Leader’s Guide – 1991-1995
6-109 Summer Services – 1992-1995
6-110 Worship Involvement Questionnaire – 1993
6-111 Worship Committee – 1995
6-112 Worship Schedules – 1995
6-113 Communion – 1996
D.2. Congregational Bulletins. — 1980-1995. — 29 cm textual records
The subseries consists of bulletins for worship services. Arranged according to date.
6-114 Church Bulletins – 1980
6-115 Church Bulletins – 1981
6-116 Church Bulletins – 1982
6-117 Church Bulletins – 1983
6-118 Church Bulletins – 1984
6-119 Church Bulletins – 1985
6-120 Church Bulletins – 1986
7-121 Church Bulletins – 1987
7-122 Church Bulletins – 1988
7-123 Church Bulletins – 1989
7-124 Church Bulletins – 1990
7-125 Church Bulletins – 1991
7-126 Church Bulletins – 1992
7-127 Church Bulletins – 1993
7-128 Church Bulletins – 1994
7-129 Church Bulletins – 1995
E. Services & Facilities. — 1980-1995. — 17.5 cm textual records.
The series consists of two subseries: 1) Facilities Committee and 2) Friends in Deed Ladies group records. Arranged according to subject.
E.1. Services & Facilities Committee. — 1980-1995. — 13.5 cm textual records.
The subseries consists of records pertaining to the management of the church building and site. Arranged according to date.
7-130 Sale of Buildings – 1980-1985
8-131 Services & Facilities Committee – 1980-1988
8-132 Facilities and Planning – Church Proposal – 1980-1988 [6 photos separated]
8-133 Congratulations from Churches re our Anniversary – 1980-1990
8-134 Facilities Task Force – 1983
8-135 Services & Facilities – 1984-1994
8-136 MCC/Faith Mennonite Sponsorship – 1986
8-137 Faith Mennonite Church – Conference of Mennonites in Alberta – 1988
8-138 FMC Church Rentals – Spanish Church of God – 1988-1989
8-139 Project House in a Weekend – 1988-1989
8-140 House-in-a-week-end – 1989 [13 photos separated]
8-141 Past Retreats – 1991-1992
8-142 FMC Survey Prints – 1995
E.2. Friends in Deed. — 1980-1994. — 4 cm textual records
The subseries consists of minutes, reports and plans pertaining to the Friends in Deed ladies group projects. Arranged according to date.
8-143 Faith Ladies Group Meetings – 1980-1983
8-144 Friends in Deed – 1984-1987
8-145 Friends in Deed – 1984-1990
8-146 Friends in Deed – 1985-1990
8-147 Friends in Deed – 1988-1989
8-148 Friends in Deed – 1994
F. Outreach. — 1978-1980. — 14 cm textual records.
The subseries consists of records related to Daily Vacation Bible School, inter-church, immigrant settlement service, and community safety activities. Arranged according to date.
8-149 Faith Outreach – Daily Vacation Bible School – 1978-1980 [including 38 photographs separated]
9-150 Committee for Church Extension – 1979-1983
9-151 Mennonite Ministerial – 1979-1987
9-152 Edmonton Evangelical Ministerial Association – 1979-1988
9-153 Outreach (a & b)- 1983-1988
9-154 Mennonite Centre for Newcomers – 1984-1988
9-155 Outreach – 1984-1994
9-156 Lay Ministers – 1986-1987
9-157 Neighbourhood Blitz – 1987-1990
9-158 Outreach – 1989-1991
9-159 Outreach Committee – 1989-1992
9-160 Outreach Committee (paper sponsorships) – 1989-1992
9-161 Food Bank – 1989-1992
9-162 Edmonton Mennonite Council – [1990s]
9-163 Outreach – 1991
9-164 Mayor’s Task Force on Safer Cities – 1991 [2 files]
G. Correspondence. — 1980-1996. — 5 cm textual records
The subseries consists of general correspondence. Arranged according to date.
9-165 Correspondence – 1980-1988
9-166 Correspondence – 1984-1996
9-167 Correspondence – 1989-1990
9-168 Correspondence – 1992-1994
9-169 Correspondence – 1992-1995
H. Communication. — 1980-1995. — 12 cm textual records
The subseries consists of newsletter issues. Arranged according to date.
9-170 Communicator [newsletter] – 1980-1981
10-171 Communicator [newsletter] – 1981-1989
10-172 Communicator [newsletter] – 1982
10-173 Communicator [newsletter] – 1983
10-174 Communicator [newsletter] – 1984
10-175 Communicator [newsletter] – 1985-1986
10-176 Faucet of Faith – 1989-1990
10-177 Faucet of Faith – 1992-1994
10-178 Newsletter – 1994-1995
10-179 Constitutions of various churches and conferences, 1968-1986
Accession 2019.016
10.180 Dissolution Legal file.