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Getting To Know ... When arriving at the Willms Family home in Waterloo, I was met at the door by an excited Alice Willms with, “We’re going to have a tea party!” Brother Jonah soon joined his sister and I had a warm welcome. A tour of the house was led by the children, each to their own room. Alice’s bed was graced by a cross-stitched quilt made by her great-grandmother, Alice Martin of our congregation. Paul and Rachel (Brubacher) Willms and children have been attending SJMC for about three years and enjoy this community, feeling “welcomed and at home.” Rachel has been active in teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Paul Walter Willms was born in Kitchener to Waldemar (Wally) and Annemarie (Neufeld) Willms on February 27, 1969. Paul’s mother is a sister to three of our members – Susanne Ens, Frieda Klassen and Lily Unruh. Paul’s younger sister Anita, married to Corey Riddall, comes to Sunday School with their children, Ben and Eden. They also live in Waterloo. Paul’s retired parents continue to reside in the same Waterloo house Paul grew up in. Previously his father worked in an auto body shop. His mother was in an administrative position in computer services at University of Waterloo in the early days of computers. Paul’s schooling began in 1974 in Waterloo’s brand new N.A. MacEachern Public School, where he attended through Grade 6. He then moved to MacGregor Public School (Grades 7, 8), Waterloo Collegiate Institute (high school) and then entered the Co-op program at the University of Waterloo where he studied Urban Planning, receiving his Bachelor of Environmental Studies in 1993. His co-op work terms took him to Halifax, Toronto, Brampton and Aylesbury Dale, England. Following graduation, he worked for two years for Huron County, living in the town of Bayfield. He then studied in Brussels, Belgium for two years where he received his Master’s Degree. His career took him to Toronto: two years with Toronto Home Builders Association and five years with the Toronto Conservation Authority. For the past five years he has been working in Cambridge, Ontario as an Environmental Planner, pursuing his passion of caring for the environment. He attended Sunday School and church at W-K United Mennonite Church, where he was MYF president for three years. Rachel Beth Brubacher was born in Kitchener on August 24, 1970. She is well known to many in our congregation as she is the daughter of Laverne and Ella (Martin) Brubacher. She is the granddaughter of Roy and Minerva Brubacher (both deceased) and Moses (deceased) and Alice Martin. These families had leading roles in the life of our SJMC congregation. Rachel attended church services, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and MYF activities here and has fond memories of those times. Her school years through Grade 8 were at St. Jacobs Public School, followed by four years at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate and one year at Bluevale Collegiate. At Wilfrid Laurier University she studied Community Psychology for three years, earning her BA degree and later at York University, she graduated with a B. of Education degree. Both Rachel and Paul loved to travel. “... Kindle in us love’s compassion so that everyone may see in our fellowship the promise of a new humanity.” (HWB#420) The Willms Family (L-R): Jonah, Paul, Rachel and Alice Written By: Doris Kramer After university, Rachel spent a summer in Europe with friends, lived at a kibbutz in Israel for five months, working in the kitchen and at a pomelo (fruit) grove. She taught English in Taiwan for two years and in Brussels, Belgium for seven months, where she joined Paul when he was studying there. She had taught English to immigrants in Toronto for several years after her travels. Paul had gone to Europe several times, to Thailand, Indonesia and Russia. They’re settled now in Waterloo. Earlier they lived in Orangeville for five years in what was their “dream home.” It was an old house where Paul restored each room. He told me August 16 is a special date for them as they bought a house, sold a house and married – all on an August 16 th , but not all in the same year. Paul gave a romantic spin on their meeting each other. He used to fish off the St. Jacobs bridge and because Rachel lived at the top of the hill and walked down into town, he’s sure their eyes met at some time or other. It’s a good story, but they really met through a dinner with mutual friends. Rachel’s teaching career was in Brampton for four years. Now she’s in her third year at Rockway Public School (Kitchener) teaching Grade 4. She loves teaching. Jonah is in Grade 1 and Alice in Jr. Kindergarten at N.A. MacEachern School – the same school where their father had attended. Jonah and Alice are both enjoying swimming and music lessons. Jonah loves anything outdoors, especially climbing and exploring. Alice enjoys collecting rocks and shells. Both Paul and Rachel love to read but find, with work and family responsibilities, most reading is work and child related. Paul recently read a book about Paraguay because of his father’s connections there. They have other interests but most revolve around family life at this period of their lives. They go biking, camping and canoeing together. Their backyard is also a major part of their interests. They’ve planted apple, SJMC - 4 “Th e wo r k S ar e Th i n e o ch r i S T, ou r lo r d” life To g e T h e r - oc T/no V 2010
Vacation Bible School (VBS) Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace Written By: Suzanne Smith The St. Jacobs Community Vacation Bible School was held this year from August 16 to 20 at Calvary United Church. One hundred and sixty (160) children between the ages of 4 and 14 participated, along with approximately 75 volunteers. The theme this year was Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace. The Grades 1 to 5 children were divided into groups representing the Tribes of Israel: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Joseph, Judah, Levi, Reuben and Simeon. Each morning the children gathered with their tribes outside the church. At 9:00am they would enter the sanctuary to the sounds of the worship band playing and singing. During the morning worship time, we would sing, pray and follow the story of Joseph. We also met ‘Conestoga Jones’ and ‘Heidelberg Harry’, two archaeologists in search of the lost treasures and strike it rich! They also received guidance from a very wise ‘Mummy.’ After the opening service each day, the children spent their morning creating crafts, playing games, listening to the Bible story retell, knotting comforters, and eating snacks. At the end of each morning, everyone would gather in the sanctuary before heading home for the rest of the day. The youth had a separate curriculum, which they followed each day. On Wednesday they went swimming and spent time at the Village Manor in St. Jacobs preparing food and setting up for their life To g e T h e r - oc T/no V 2010 Community Tea. Wednesday night for the youth was a pizza party and sleepover. Each year the VBS Committee selects a mission project to direct the week’s offerings toward. This year the Yvonne Martin Memorial Fund was selected to be the recipient of the offering. This money is being used to train Haitian doctors and nurses so they will be able to provide ongoing health care to the Haitian people. (Yvonne Martin, a Woolwich area retired nurse, was killed in the earthquake which devasted Haiti in January 2010, while on a medical mission trip there.) On the Wednesday we had a visit from Marilyn Raymer, who was travelling with Yvonne on the mission when the earthquake occurred. She was able to share about the work that they were going to be doing in Haiti and also to tell us more about Yvonne as a person. The children also brought in over 270 items, such as towels, shampoo, toothpaste, and soap to be donated to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to put into relief kits. On Thursday night we held the annual St. Jacobs Community BBQ. Attendees were treated to a meal of gourmet hot dogs, chips and cookies, followed by a service in the sanctuary celebrating a wonderful week! (See Did You Know? ... pages 11, 13 & 15.) Getting to Know ... The Willms Family (continued from page 4) “Th e wo r k S ar e Th i n e o ch r i S T, ou r lo r d” ... St. Jacobs Community VBS, since 1935. pear and apricot trees, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and ground cherry plants and the children get to pick and eat as they desire. This must make gardener Grandpa Laverne proud. Their house shows their interest in art, including an interesting painting done by Paul in Grade 8, paintings by Mother Ella and others, a whole table where the children make crafts and artistic artifacts from travels. Paul and Rachel are both on an ongoing spiritual journey. Rachel feels inspired and nourished by the sermons and conversations with members. The tea party with the children was special, Alice having her own pot of apple juice (pretend tea) and apple cake made by Rachel and Alice. It is Ella’s recipe and very good. When I left for home I had a bag of four apples from their trees, a little container of raspberries and a piece of apple cake. It was a good time indeed! SJMC - 5
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