By Colin Ingram
Plains Mennonite Church survives across the span of 250 years enduring winters by fire, societal change by faith, and technological advances by flexibility. The faithful people of the congregation worship on the same flat land plot since 1765. Older than the United States, Plains testifies to God’s grace in the eternal Jesus. Biblical principles mold the community of believers set to follow an everlasting God who works salvation through history.
Fellowship, worship, meals, and music are weaved into the fabric of the people of Plains Mennonite Church. Plains will celebrate its 250th year by just that. Gathering for remembrance, the church will host a three day weekend celebration at its location in Hatfield from Friday June 19 to Sunday June 21. The event entails singing, worship, storytelling, meals, and tours.
The Plains story will be told through a Hymn sing, tours of the meetinghouse and historic sites, a music service called “Our Musical Heritage,” and two catered fellowship meals.
Tours will explore the land that over two centuries of Mennonites have walked. Saturday will feature guided bus tours, cemetery tours, and exhibits of artifacts and pictures, according to Alyssa Kerns, Church Administrator of Plains.
Continuing the legacy of worship music a service called Our Musical Heritage led by Justin Yoder will be held Saturday, June 20th at 7pm.
Open for the community, Plains is offering a living history book of congregational endurance, Mennonite heritage, and God’s salvation history all in one weekend celebrating its 250 years. Come join in the celebration and see all the details of the weekend in the 250th Celebration Brochure.
Colin Ingram is a summer communication intern at Franconia Mennonite Conference and is a member of Finland Mennonite Church.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.