Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Annual Mennonite Conference in Tasmania

This past weekend I attended the Annual Mennonite Conference in Deloraine, Tasmania. I had not been in a Mennonite congregation before, but it was a wonderful time of good sermons, heavenly singing, delightful fellowship and delicious food!

Most of the folk were from the US and Canada, with just a few of us Aussies. The conservative Mennonite church is quite new to Australia with most people here not knowing who/what they are, although most do know of the Amish if you mention them.

They are getting a church started up in Deloraine, due in a large part to the work of Joseph and Carolynn van Loon (who I stayed with).

Their website is here, and there is lots of info and great sermons to listen to if you are interested.

Below are some photos I took at the Sunday fellowship lunch. There were about 60 folk there...

If you want to see the photos bigger...just click on them.



35 comments:

  1. Hi Jules and Michelle - it was a great weekend with lovely people!

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  2. It would be a really good idea if the plain Mennonite groups in Australia could let people know in advance via their websites when these conferences are going to be held. I'm looking on at a cautious distance (living on the mainland) and probably would have made the effort to sneak in the back door and attend if I had known about it. Maybe you could pass on the message. :)

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    1. the Mennonite group in Deloraine does not condone or allow the use of the internet and thus have no website.
      Was one.

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  3. Hi Lucy - I will certainly pass your suggestion on to them. I have been 'following at a distance' for about 8 years now, but as I am now living in Deloraine where the church is I am now joining them for church services and will see where it leads.

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  4. Hello.. I am really interested in finding out about mennonite churches in Australia. Can you please give me any info about the locations of any. I'm really having trouble finding informant. THANKYOU so much. :) Jessie

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  5. Looks much like my church family, and our conferences. You said you had not attended a Mennonite congregation before, are you of that faith? Reason for asking, I am a Baptist, with more conservative leanings, and I love the heritage of the Amish/Mennonite life style and their devotion to their church. The Lord would be so glorified if all Christian faiths did, or acted, in the same way, as to follow the Word in action/deed and in belief. Anyway, I loved all that I read and of course those were lovely pictures. Many of our Amish/Mennonite groups around me do not yet use computers much, and they are still very secluded and try to stay away from modern devices, and I can understand that, for I wish at times I had never had all of the worldly things that I have, but by the Grace of God he has sustained my love and understanding of His Word!

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    1. Hello Samuel - no, I am not Mennonite, or any other denomination really, but first and foremost a christian, although my beliefs do lean to the Anabaptist faith. I did attend the Mennonite church for 6 months when I moved to Deloraine last year, but have decided it is not for me (will need to explain more in a post soon) and am at present attending the Uniting Church, but have also had many years in Baptist churches.

      I almost think you have to be born Mennonite, as they have a completely different mindset to the 'world' which makes it difficult for us who come out of the world to try and be a part of them. Difficult...but not impossible :o)

      I agree with your thoughts on the Amish/Mennonites and their devotion to God and His word. They certainly practice what they preach which, unfortunately, is a rare thing even amongst today's so called Christians.

      Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog.

      God bless you as you walk closely with Him.

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  6. Hi Lynda
    Please talk more on this, It seems the local Mennonites here don't like beards or internet - cool with no technology but beards!!!! bizarre!!
    I want to go see tomorrow but my wife is scared! lol

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    1. Hi Mark - did you go to the Mennonite church meeting this morning?

      They are lovely people...certainly not to be scared of :)

      My daughter tells me you and your wife were at the Baptist church last Sunday. The delights of living in a small country town...you can't do anything but some-ones knows...LOL!!

      I'm not sure what their biblical reasons are for no beards, it may just be a Mennonite church rule, as with the cape dress and Mennonite cap only for the ladies.

      The beard would not be a problem if you wished to attend their church meetings, it would only be an issue if you chose to 'join' the church.

      I would be happy to go to the Mennonite church one Sunday with you and your wife. Just email me (lyndahkay@hotmail.com) to discuss further. I can't find an email address for you on your profile or I would email you with more info.

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    2. Hi Lynda - so sorry - so long since I read reply - met up with Mennonites today - again been 2 years plus ...the Mennonite man had a beard - real man - so intersted to know more now,,

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    3. Hi Mark...nice to hear from you again!

      I fellowshipped with the Mennonite's a couple of weeks ago (after an absence of a couple of years) and I think I know the man you are referring to, as I was talking with his wife.

      The church has certainly grown from when I was originally with them, and it was so nice to be part of their church meeting again. I had kept in touch with them over the last couple of years, but had not attended church with them.

      I guess you would know they now meet at 10am at the SDA church building on the edge of town. I plan on attending next Sunday. Maybe I'll see you there...

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    4. cool - watching with great interest

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  7. I know a few people who went to the 2014 conference. The Lyne family from the Gympie church. I used to go to the Gympie church with my family. I am now living with my grandparents on the coast. I wish a church could be planted on the Gold Coast:)

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    1. Hi naopllagfan!

      Their 2017 Conference will be on in February and I hope to attend.

      I have just started receiving the monthly lierature again from the Gympie church...such a blessing!

      My son and daughter in law live on the Gold Coast. I hope to get up to visit them next year...in the winter :))

      Blessings to you! xx

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  8. Hi Lynda
    My parents become first generation to respond to the gospel because of Mennonite Missionary share the Good news to them. It was about third week of Nov 2016 I met with the group in Delorine and felt like home indeed. They reminded me about my upbringing.So I love to visit them once I go back to Oz

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    1. I am sure they will be happy to see you again!

      I will be fellowshipping with them this Sunday :)

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    2. Please give regards to every one there from Beatrix

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    3. Hi Beatrix - I will pass on your regards to them!

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    4. thank you and blessings to you all

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    5. a long time no reply - i cant reason why - i love the Mennonites

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    6. Love the Mennonites for their simplicity and hard working people as well as community oriented

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    7. I certainly agree with you there!

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  9. Hi
    New to Tassie.
    Had the pleasure of visiting the Springfield Devonshire tea rooms.
    So keen to learn more.
    I am wondering if anyone with an interest would be welcome at the Deloraine church.
    Thank you so very much for your post

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    1. Hi Tracy! Yes...I know the family who run the Tea Rooms. And you would be very welcome to attend the Deloraine church. They are lovely people. xx

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  10. Is there a Mennonite church in Adelaide south Australia. I would love to know if there is. If not would there be someone who.would plant a Mennonite church here

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    1. As far as I know there is not one in South Australia.
      If you would like more information I can give you a mailing address for the church here in Deloraine who may be able to tell you more.

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  11. The homemade Doughnuts for sale on their stall at the Saturday monthly market in Deloraine are a treat to be tasted and not shared with anyone else. ( Well at least not mine. )

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    1. Yes, their baked goods are a treat!
      I don't share my cinnamon scrolls either! :))

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  12. Im in Victoria and as far as I'm aware there are no mennonites here. I would like some literature or any information as I'm a Christian and interested in becoming mennonite.

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    1. Hi Mel! I think there may be a fellowship in NSW, but I suggest if you want info that you contact Harold Weaver. He is the minister here:
      Ph: 63623609
      The mailing address is: P O Box 330 Deloraine Tasmania 7304

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  13. Mennonites are stupid hypocrites. Live with them for a year and you’ll see.

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  14. I'm sorry you feel this way. The world is full of hypocrites. What's important for us, and God, is that we are not one of them!

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