The MCC Low German Mennonite Services hosted Kanadiertreffen this past Sunday at Bethel Heritage Park in Winkler.

Since the 1980’s, Kanadiertreffen has taken place on and off throughout the years. The gathering of Low German speaking Mennonites acts as a way to connect newcomers with the rest of the surrounding Mennonite communities.

The program included Gospel music performances, a report on the Low German Mennonite Services Program, coordinated by Tina Fehr-Kehler, and a message about “Loving Our Neighbour in the Mennonite Colonies” delivered by Kennert Giesbrecht, the Editor of Die Mennonitische Post.

When asked about the message he wanted to convey through his story, Giesbrecht said, "There are a lot of negative stories out there, and we Canadians probably hear more of the negative parts because that's what appears in the media... and just to make them aware that there is also a lot of good things happening within the [Mennonite] colonies."

Tina Fehr-Kehler expanded on the benefits Kanadiertreffen brings to the Mennonite community: “When they come here, they feel that they are a part of the community; that there is something here for them… and that they are important and worth something.”