Observing Mennonite Heritage Week

Earlier this year, the Canadian Parliament declared the second week of September to be Mennonite Heritage Week – a time to “recognize the contributions that Canadian Mennonites have made to building Canadian society, their history of hope and perseverance, the richness of the Mennonite culture, their role in promoting peace and justice both at home and abroad.”

Founded by the Mennonite Church in 1963, Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo continues to be inspired by Mennonite values of peace, service, and community, coupled with a love of music. It seems natural, then, that Grebel is home to UWaterloo’s academic departments of Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Mennonite Studies.

Grebel currently has two Mennonite-related public art exhibits on display. Growing Family: Design & Desire in Mennonite Genealogy explores themes of family and the art of remembering, while New Fraktur uses a traditional Mennonite art form to express present-day topics. The College also houses the Mennonite Archives of Ontario and will be hosting events and lectures throughout the coming year, all of which offer the chance to explore the history and culture of the Mennonites.

Learn more about these and other opportunities to recognize Mennonite Heritage Week.