Merged church celebrates 40 years

Stones smoothed by the waters of a lake were handed out to the 170 people who attended the 40th anniversary celebration of the former Bridlewood Brethren in Christ Church in Toronto on Nov. 23. (In 2001, the Bridlewood BIC Church joined with New Covenant Christian Fellowship, a Mennonite Brethren congregation, to become the New Life Christian Church.)

The stones represented the reminiscences of those present, said Bishop Darrell Winger. He reminded participants that true ministry is about “what God wants and what we want.” He thanked those who had the courage and imagination to become pioneers of the Holy Spirit in the history of the congregation.

Guests included former pastor Paul Hostetler, who worked to create the current building and congregation. Also present were John and Marie Body, their daughter Lori and grandchildren. Marie is the daughter of Robert McClintock, the entrepreneur who donated the property for the church building.

Paul Hostetler spoke of the work, prayer and dedication that had gone into forming the congregation. He shared memories of how the church, now a part of the Scarborough suburbs, was once out in the country with jackrabbits and pheasants seen on a regular basis. With the new building came both joy and sorrow: the celebration of a 50th wedding anniversary and the tragic death of a young man. A tree that stands in the front yard of the church was planted in his memory.

The church is still part of the community. Besides housing the dual conference congregation, New Life Christian Church (the first to be part of both the Brethren in Christ and Mennonite Brethren conferences), it is home to two other congregations. It is a multicultural congregation, with ESL classes and many other activities happening in the building.

Much has changed in 40 years, and things will change more, Winger said. “We need to stay open to God’s plan and ideas in order not to be afraid to change.”

—from report by Laura Brown