making music - serving the community
MCM Travelogue:
Our stories in god's
story #3
June 2004
On an industrial street on the edge of Winnipeg’s Chinatown sits a small white church – square, steep-roofed and simple. It’s Saturday afternoon. There is little traffic and the adjacent parking lots are empty. Walking up the concrete steps you would never expect that this building is home to not just one, but three congregations: Vietnamese Mennonite, Chinese Mennonite Brethren, as well as a Spanish congregation. Nor would you suspect that upon opening the doors you would be met with the sounds of dozens of keyboards and xylophones all being played at once without a single distinguishable tune – it is “creative chaos.”
Making your way into the sanctuary you receive curious looks from the children, all sitting on the floor and plunking away at their instruments. Pastor Luc Tran comes to meet you and proceeds to take you on a tour. Each room in the little church is in use; from the sanctuary, to the office, and down into the basement; kids are learning to play the keyboard, xylophone, or guitar in every corner.
It began in 1999 when the Vietnamese Mennonite Church and the Chinese M.B. Church pooled their resources to create a program that provides neighbourhood kids, mostly between the ages of 5 and 14, with the opportunity to learn the basics of music. More than a chance to learn to play musical instruments, it is a great Saturday afternoon alternative to T.V. and video games, and for the kids it’s lots of fun that keeps them coming back year after year.
This music program has been well received by the community, helping to establish a good connection between the community and the church. The kids are given the opportunity to share what they have learnt by occasionally performing during Sunday morning worship services or special Sunday afternoon programs. Parents who would not otherwise attend a worship service come to watch and lend support to their children. Through this, some have also come to faith in Christ. Though the music program lasts only nine weeks each year, kids are also invited to attend the church’s Vacation Bible School, providing them with a wonderful way to come to know the love of God.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – Oh, what a nice story! – but go back and picture that small white church again. Does it strike you as one with a lot of resources? As one with excess funds for mission and outreach projects? To me it sure doesn’t. Nor do I know of any other church building – much less such a small building – that is used by three separate congregations. But here are congregations who are making full use of what they’ve got. Not an inch of available space is wasted. And do they raise money to expand their space or build their own churches? No. These congregations have chosen instead to serve their community, spending a few thousand dollars each year on instruments and other necessities for this music program.
So is this a nice story? No – it’s an amazing story, and one that I hope will make us all consider how we as congregations and individuals can make the most of what we’ve got.
Vicki Friesen currently attends Bethel Mennonite Church and is a member of the Young Adult Council of Mennonite Church Manitoba.
Postscript:
Christians in Vietnam Suffer Persecution
In the past year persecution of Christians in Vietnam has escalated. Leaders and members of the Mennonite Church have been harassed, arrested, and beaten. Church buildings and leaders’ home have been ransacked, and, in some cases, destroyed. Please pray for the sisters and brothers in Vietnam as they seek to be a peaceful witness during this difficult time. You can read the full story at http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/ and find information on practical ways to help at http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/programs/peace/vietnam/.
"Our stories in God's story" celebrates some of the ways
MCM congregations are participating in God's story in their communities.
…an initiative of MCM Evangelism
and Service Ministries.
If you have comments or ideas for a story, please contact Norm
Voth, Director of Evangelism and Service Ministries.
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