Mennonite Weekly Review

HESSTON, Kan. — Hesston Mennonite Church observed its centennial Oct. 3 with old-fashioned games, digging up a time capsule, a picnic, singing, reminiscing and the presentation of a book, To Live in Christ.

Kelsey Unruh pulls the time capsule from the ground. It was buried 25 years ago and later moved to a spot in front of the new sanctuary. — Photo by Susan Miller

On Oct. 3, 1909, the congregation was organized, and T.M. Erb preached the sermon. There were 25 charter members, mostly associated with the newly founded Hesston College. The congregation met in the chapel of Green Gables.

One hundred years later, Pastor Cheryl Hershberger and Rene Brunk coordinated the opening of a time capsule, which had been moved from the spot where it was buried 25 years ago to a new location in front of the new sanctuary. Children took turns digging until the capsule was unearthed, and Brunk sawed it apart. Contents included copies of USA Today and The Hesston Record newspapers, and photos and memorabilia from Sunday school classes and other church organizations active in 1984.

The book committee – Vickie Hoffman, Jerry Selzer, Grace Brunner and Paul Burckhart — introduced Roma Garber Schmidt, author of the 200-page book, a sequel to the 75th anniversary history by Justus Holsinger. Stuart Hamilton designed the centennial logo and the book cover. Norman and Denise Critchfield of Hesston Prestige Printing made 500 copies.

Schmidt said she felt God’s guidance as she accepted the invitation to write the history — although not quite as directly as her parents did when they considered moving from Minnesota to Kansas and found their decision to move affirmed when they opened their Bible to Zech. 2:6 and read, “Flee from the land of the north.”

Ted Stuckey, Cheryl Hershberger, Norma Diller, Vicki Hoffman, Rene Brunk, Pat Miller and Roma Schmidt formed the centennial committee.

Several coffee houses and concerts were held throughout the year. One more centennial coffee house is planned for Nov. 27 with John and Molly Simmering emceeing it in the Community Center.

Former pastors and church members are especially invited to centennial events Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-29.

Events on Saturday begin with a 9 a.m. breakfast, followed by a songfest led by Ken Rodgers and Julie Krehbiel at 10:30. A 5:30 p.m. potluck supper will be a celebration of diversity as church members bring foods representative of the places where they have lived and served. Sharing of stories from former pastors and church members, with Julie Lehman and Blair Loganbill as emcees, will follow the supper.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the centennial worship service will feature pastors John Murray and Cheryl Hershberger speaking on “Looking Ahead.”