On October 6, 2024, Kleefeld EMC (KEMC) celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Mennonite immigrants in 1874 to Kleefeld—the same year the Kleine Gemeinde started in Canada.

Our Sunday morning church service started with an historical overview of the Mennonite journey, presented by Pastor Greg Klassen.

This was followed by a singing demonstration/participation highlighting various singing styles in the church: from the early decades (without the benefit of song books) of singing in unison, on a phrase-by-phrase style led by an ordained song leader, to the decades where harmony singing was first accepted, then encouraged, to the 1960s acceptance of musical instruments and amplifications, to the current group-styled leadership used to worship our King. Thanks to Wilbert Friesen, Dennis Friesen, Pastor Lyndol and singing teams for leading us in this.

Heather Dirks and Mel Dueck, respectively, showed us the progression through the decades of corporate prayer styles and Scripture reading styles. Abe Bergen read a translated copy of a sermon originally written and presented by Rev. Henry R. Dueck, one of the main early ministers of the church.

Ron Dueck, a former minister at KEMC, held the rapt attention of the youngsters as he told them the story of the Mennonite migration from the Ukraine and subsequent settlement in the village of Gruenfeld.

Pastor Greg then showed us the styles of message presentations in the past, before noting that the only truly important thing is God’s faithfulness to us over these 150 years.

The special celebration was followed by a typical faspa lunch of zwieback buns, ham and sausage, cheese, pickles and preserves, which was enjoyed by all.

Tables set up in the foyer held fascinating displays of historical books and records, pioneer clothing and household items, artifacts, as well as many other vintage articles. A very informative attraction was a model of the original Gruenfeld village which had been meticulously designed and built by Isaac Wiens in 1957 with the purpose of showing future generations about the rigours endured by our forefathers and demonstrating their faith in God. The 16-foot-long model village is currently in the safekeeping of Lorne Peters and was also set up at the Kleefeld Honey Festival in August as part of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of our Mennonite ancestors in Manitoba and Gruenfeld.