Hawkesville installs new pastor

Hawkesville, Ont.

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Hawkesville Mennonite Church installed Perry Bartel as pastor during the morning service on September 28. Parry and Pam, and daughters Emma, Katie and Anika, have been at Hawkesville since the beginning of September.

The Bartels came from Lethbridge, Alberta, where they worked with children and youth groups.

In his acceptance speech, Bartel mentioned that he sees similarities between the church and a boat. As he is a non-swimmer, the idea of being in a boat can be scary. With a paddle in hand, however, he will try to be part of the team. He promised the youth that he is willing to help paddle in the Dragon Boat races next year.

"We are not in this alone, but are a part of a larger team, and together we can help each other to attain the goal that we are striving for," he said.

Muriel Bechtel from Pastoral Services, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, gave the message. She also spoke of the need to help one another. At the Special Olympics a few years ago, one of the contestants in a race fell down. When the other runners saw what had happened, they came back, picked up their fallen friend, and all walked over the finish line together.