July 13, 2023
By Gary Dyck
Eden Foundation and the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) are proud to co-host our second annual Peace Trek! Help us reach our fundraising goal of $30,000 by cycling the Peace Trail solo or as a relay team. This peer-fundraising event seeks to enhance recreational, social, and spiritual well-being by trekking the historic Peace Trail; a route that resembles what the first Mennonites took to settle in southeastern Manitoba.
With the new Peace trail and this event I believe we are starting something here that will run for generations. It is exciting that we will finally have a trail that connects many of our ‘villages’ and history. As we travel this trail we remember our ancestors who brought us here, the Metis and others who helped us, and the importance of peace and reconciliation. The trail ends at MHV’s new Dirk Willems Peace Garden (an early Anabaptist martyr) which also makes this event a community pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to remember our heritage and values, and to support MHV and Eden so they can continue to support our wider community now and in the future. I sincerely hope you will join me this August!
Upcoming Events:
MHV’s grounds and Livery Barn Restaurant are open seven days a week! The restaurant is open from 11 am to 4 pm, and the grounds are open from 9 am to 5 pm, except Thursdays from 9 am to 8 pm, and Sundays from 11:30 am to 5 pm, including our famous Sunday buffet to 2 pm.
Russländer Centennial, July 16, 10am to 4pm. This signature event commemorates the Russian Mennonites that arrived in Canada in the 1920s. The worship service begins at 10 am and will be a time to remember this period in Mennonite history and to thank God for His faithfulness to our forebears and in our own lives. The worship service will incorporate congregational singing, in both English and German. After the service, volunteer interpreters will be available inside select heritage buildings, including the Lichtenau Church, which was the first church built by “Russländer” Mennonites in Manitoba. In the afternoon, guests can also take in the award-winning exhibit “The Russländer” in the Gerhard Ens Gallery. Russländer-themed tours of the outdoor village will also be available for sign-up in the afternoon. At 3 pm, the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre Company will be presenting original plays based on the Russländer theme. This event is hosted by the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre and will take place in the Auditorium.
Heritage Classic Car Show, July 22, 9 am to 4 pm. The Heritage Classic Car Show is a showstopping event that you do not want to miss! View stunning classic cars lined up and down our village’s main street, goldie oldies music on our new village sound system, and activities for all ages.
MHV’s Summer Day Camp (several weeks – see www.mhv.ca) Registration is still open for some of the weeks and age groups. Let us know if you have a child who would enjoy a week learning a variety of heritage skills, history and having fun in MHV’s outdoor village.