Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches - Saskatchewan Provincial Archives

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
North Saskatchewan District Conference (Rosthern Kreis)
South Saskatchewan District Conference (Herbert Kreis)

1. Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches
1909, 1994; predominant 1966–2001.
2.3 m of textual records, 22 photographs, 3 sound recordings.

Administrative history
During the pioneer years of the early 20th century, the Mennonite Brethren churches of the North and South Saskatchewan Districts met separately because of the distance involved. Travel with horse and buggy made it impossible to meet as one unified conference. As the two districts grew they developed strong provincialisms and barriers to mutual understanding. The immigration of the 1920s increased the membership in the existing church groups and led to the establishment of new churches. These new churches came to form a bridge to bring the North and South Districts closer together. Increasing economic prosperity and accelerated development of means of transportation and communication were other factors that brought the districts closer together. The result was a mutual desire for closer fellowship and a better working relationship.

With this goal in mind the districts appointed a joint committee to study possibilities and ways of working together. They met in Herbert on March 23, 1946 to work out guiding principles for the amalgamation of North and South into one provincial conference. On June 11, 1946 delegates met in Saskatoon where they decided to form the Saskatchewan Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan. Thereafter, delegates from both districts met together annually to discuss issues pertaining to city missions, Western Children’s Mission and Canadian Conference concerns. All local area business was still addressed at separate district conferences. Before long remnants of unconquered individualism became the fertile soil for new seeds of division. In the end only one area of common endeavour was left, the Saskatchewan MB Mission. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1966, pp. 22–24).

As early as 1954 the North District raised the question of more complete amalgamation. On June 6, 1964 a South District Fact Finding Committee reviewed the pros and cons of a merger. Advantages were that rallies for Sunday school, music and youth work could be held in one location with all participating, camp work could be more unified, although each district would continue to run their own programs, the Saskatchewan MB Mission Board structure would change but its operation would continue as before, the Senior Citizens’ Home, the Bible School work and radio work would continue as before. The recommendation was: “That the District Committee recommend to the Spring Conference that the South District Conference Executive meet with the North District Executive for further study and planning in this matter.” (See 1964 Spring Conference June 6 [South District], pp. 25–27). The North District Board of Reference and Counsel also recommended that a six-member steering committee be elected with equal representation from north and south to give guidance and direction in the formation of one provincial conference. (See Yearbook of the North Saskatchewan District Conference, June 1965, p. 22).

In 1965 a Steering Committee was elected consisting of 3 members from each district. Members from the South were Henry Voth, David Epp and G.B. Dyck. Members from the North were E. Gerbrandt (chairman), H.H. Epp and F.F. Froese. At the South District fall conference, the Steering Committee reported that the attitude of the MB churches throughout the province was favourable to the idea of amalgamation.

Organizational structure was recommended as follows:

A. Provincial Executive consisting of a chairman, a vice chairman, a treasurer and a secretary. The Steering Committee was to give direction of implementation for a Provincial Executive at the next Saskatchewan Mission Conference.

B. Boards invited to come under the organizational structure Board were:

Saskatchewan missions: Henry Voth would confer with this Board.
Trustees: Already operating as a Provincial Board.
Bethany Bible Institute: Corny Braun was to take the invitation to the Bible School Board.
Christian Education Committee: Four members from each district should represent the areas of Sunday school, youth, music and camp together with a provincial chairman from this committee. The above committee was to join to work out various endeavours such as a Workers’ Convention.
Reference and Counsel: The two District Executives to form the first provisional Reference and Counsel together with the Provincial Executive.

C. Provincial treasurer: Recommended that a provincial treasurer be appointed and that for the present the following would be his responsibility:

Foreign missions
Saskatchewan missions
Canadian Conference designated funds

D. Canadian Conference Representation

Committees with two members from each province: Two candidates from each District to be presented to the Canadian Conference electing one from each District. (Provision to be made at the Provincial Conference that North and South receive proportionate representation).
Committees with one member from each province. Both Districts present their candidates to provincial conference where nominees for the Canadian Conference are elected at large.
Committees where provincial chairmen are automatically members of Canadian Conference committees (eg. Sunday school and youth). Representatives on the Canadian Conference committees are elected on provincial level from chairmen from districts. (See 1965 Fall Conference October 23 [South District], p. 10–11).

At the Provincial Conference in 1966, the recommendation was accepted that “we the South Saskatchewan Conference of MB and the North Saskatchewan Conference of MB amalgamate to form the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren.” (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1966, p. 22).

In 1967 a proposed constitution was read and accepted. It specified that the conference should meet annually and that the time of meeting should be appointed by the Executive of the Conference. Under special circumstances the Executive could be called to a special convention. The churches were to be represented at the Conference by the pastor and additional delegates on the basis of one delegate to each 25 members. Committee members were to be elected alternately for three years unless otherwise stated and no brother should hold office in more than one Board at one time. All elections should be by ballot after opportunity had been given for open nomination on the part of the Conference. A simple majority was required except in major issues where a two-thirds majority would be required.

(See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1967, pp. 20–23).

Scope and content
This fonds consists of the following series:

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches yearbooks (BF300),
Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches minutes (BF310),
Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches official constitutions (BF315).

This fonds also contains the following sub-fonds:

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Executive (BF321),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Committee of Reference and Counsel (BF322),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees (BF323),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Christian Education Committee (BF324),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions (BF326),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Ad Hoc Committees (BF332),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mennonite Central Committee (BF338),
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Bethany Bible Institute Committee (BF340) and
Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Women’s Organizations (BF371).

CUSTODIAL HISTORY
Most of the records in this fonds came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School where they had been housed.

NOTES

Location: Volumes 316-322.
Title based on contents of the fonds
Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF300.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches yearbooks. – 1946–1997.
36 cm of textual records.

This series consists of yearbooks of North and South Saskatchewan meeting as a united body, and after 1966 as the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches yearbooks are located on the reference shelf under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF300.

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches minutes. – 1939–1988.
3 cm of textual records.

Included in this series are minutes of a joint meeting of North and South Districts before amalgamation where delegates decided to work cooperatively in the area of city missions, an agenda of the third provincial conference and reports of various institutions and committees presented at the provincial conferences. The records in this series are incomplete and are predominantly between 1976 and 1988.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF310 file list 1–4.

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches official constitutions. 1909, 1969, 1984, undated.
1 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the 1909 incorporation act of the Mennonite Brethren of Saskatchewan and proposed constitutions, amendments and constitutions. Included is a suggested constitution for a Mennonite Brethren Church.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF315, file list 5–6.

Sub-fonds description

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Executive sub-fonds.1966–1984.
11 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
The constitution in 1967 specified that the Conference Executive should consist of the Moderator, the Assistant Moderator, the Secretary and the Treasurer elected each year before adjourning a regular convention. Their duties were:

To serve as members and representative officers of the Board of Reference and Counsel and of the Counsel of Boards.
To take the initiative in the handling of any matters which did not come under the jurisdiction of any standing board or committee or for which no other provision had been made.
To urge to greater effort in building the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and to seek to enlighten the churches in the area of finances and encourage them to support the work of the Conference.
To prepare agendas and programs for the Conference conventions.

Specifically, the moderator should preside over all meetings of the Conference, of the Board of Reference and Counsel and of the Council of Boards. The Assistant Moderator was to serve in these capacities in the absence of the Moderator. The Secretary should keep permanent records of all proceedings of the Conference, the Executive, the Board of Reference and Counsel and of the Council of Boards. The Treasurer was to take care of all conference funds and prepare complete financial statements for annual conventions as well as quarterly statements.

The Conference Executive officers presided over the Council of Boards consisting of the Board of Reference and Counsel, the Board of Christian Education, the MB Mission of Saskatchewan and the Board of Trustees. Each of the above Boards should consist of nine members, with three of its members elected each year for three-year terms, three members should be elected from each area (North and South) and three members elected at large. The purpose of the Council of Boards was to coordinate Conference activities and to act as the Conference in interim when necessary. Meetings were called by the Conference Executive. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1967, pp. 21–22).

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of a small amount of Executive and Council of Boards minutes. It also contains a larger amount of Executive correspondence between 1966 and 1984, including minister’s certificates, 1969. Secretaries (up to 1984) for the executive were Frank F. Froese, George Geddert, David Bergen and Helmut C. Schroeder.

Custodial history
The records of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Executive came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies from the Bethany Bible Institute where they had been housed until 1996.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF321.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches file list 7–19.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Reference and Counsel sub-fonds.1966–1994.
7 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Between 1966 and 1967 the two District Executives together with the Provincial Executive formed the first provisional Board of Reference and Counsel. As a consequence of amalgamation they formulated a proposed constitution and ironed out details in provincial amalgamation. They also explored ways in which the Saskatchewan Conference and the Alberta Conference could co-sponsor Bethany Bible Institute.

In 1969 the Board of Reference and Counsel consisted of nine members: the Executive of the Conference and six elected members for three year terms. Their duties were to watch over the spiritual welfare of the churches, to give advice, warning and discipline where necessary. They were to answer questions of fundamental doctrine or policy that arose within the Conference.

The Board, or a part of it, was to serve as the Conference Pulpit Committee. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1969, p. 6). They were responsible to plan Ministers’ and Deacons’ Conferences, regulate ordinations and approve licensing for pastors. In 1973 the office of the Director of Church Ministries was created who was responsible to the Executive and the Committee of Reference and Counsel. In 1975 the following motion was passed: “That we carry on for one more year with both a Board of Reference and Counsel and a Saskatchewan MB Mission Board and that the Director of Church Ministries be responsible to the Mission Board regarding extension work and to the Board of Reference and Counsel regarding work in established churches.” (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1975, p. 23). In the 1976 constitutional changes the Board of Reference and Counsel was replaced by the Conference Executive and the Board of Church Ministries. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1976, p. 29).

At the 1982 the delegates decided to again provide for a Board of Reference and Counsel. The Constitution now stated that this Board should consist of six members and the moderator. Their duties were to promote the spiritual welfare of the Conference and the churches, to examine and correct local churches when they acted contrary to the Bible and the Confession of Faith, to advise and assist churches in difficult questions, to promote conference loyalty, to facilitate licensing and ordination of ministers and to serve as a pulpit committee for churches. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1983, pp. 10–11.)

Scope and content
The Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Committee of Reference and Counsel sub-fonds consists of an incomplete set of minutes from 1966 to 1976. There is a gap between 1976 and 1984 because the Committee did not exist separate from Board of Church Ministries in those years. Minutes after 1984 are not yet in this sub-fonds. The correspondence after 1984 is primarily concerned with vital statistics and minister’s licenses. One file contains clergy registrations between 1954 and 1984.

Custodial history
Some of the minutes were at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before 1996, while the clergy registrations came from Bethany where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF322.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches file list 20–26.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees sub-fonds. 1966–1991.
34 cm of textual records.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
After the amalgamation of North and South Districts in 1966 this Board continued as before with one provincial chairman, one provincial secretary and two area committees having a chairman and a secretary. They also recommended that “when the executive committee drafts its constitution the duties of the Board of Trustees be considered in the light of the Conference charter in the different areas of administration.” (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1966, p. 36). In 1967 this Board consisted of three members from the north, three from the south and three at large. One of their duties after amalgamation was to explore group insurance for Mennonite Brethren pastors. They were responsible for the purchase and sale of conference properties.

In 1969 the Board of Trustees consisted of nine members of which three were elected annually at the convention of the conference for three year terms. The Board of Trustees represented the Conference in all legal, business and financial matters as generally expected of a board of directors of a corporation. The Board was the keeper of the Conference seal which it affixed to legal documents issued in the name of the Conference. They held, managed and supervised the property of the Conference and drew up all documents in the purchase and sale of real estate and other property. They administered the Conference treasury and compiled the budget and submitted it to the Conference for adjustment and acceptance at annual conventions.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of the following series: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees minutes, correspondence and financial records.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF323.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches file list 27–76.

Series description

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees minutes. 1973–1983.
.5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of an incomplete set of minutes of the Board of Trustees. There are no minutes for 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches list 27.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees correspondence. 1966–1983, 1991.
11 cm of textual records.

This series consists of correspondence mainly with Jake Wiebe, conference treasurer from 1967–1982 and conference employees, usually about expenses incurred but often including other information. There is also correspondence between Jake Wiebe and local church treasurers, Wiebe and the Canadian Conference Treasurer J.J. Riediger, Wiebe and government agencies, correspondence regarding bequests, correspondence between Wiebe and boards, correspondence regarding sale and purchase of properties, correspondence regarding the Indian Girl’s Home in Regina and the Indian Fellowship Centre in Saskatoon. The letters are arranged chronologically.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches list 28–40.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Trustees financial records.1966–1991, predominant 1966–1983.
22.5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of monthly statements of individual church donations, statements of where offerings were designated, annual reports and general ledgers. The ledgers are oversize and are not in the box.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches list 41–76.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Christian Education Committee sub-fonds.1967–1988, predominant 1967–1980.
7 cm of textual records.

The purpose of the Christian Education Committee was to instruct and inspire individual teachers and the local church in their teaching ministry. In 1967 the Committee consisted of representatives from the North and South District Committees working in the areas of music, youth, camp and Sunday school. They planned a Christian Educator’s Conference which took place in Saskatoon in March 1967. They also produced a new training program for teachers, together with the Canadian and U.S. Conferences. Christian Education materials were available at the Canadian Conference Christian Education office in Winnipeg.

In 1969 this Committee consisted of nine members, three elected annually for three-year terms. Their duties were to inspire and stimulate interest and activity in the areas of youth, music, Sunday school, mid-week, library, camp and Daily Vacation Bible School, to plan the Sunday school, youth and music activities for the province and delegate representatives in each area to carry these out. This would include song-fests, youth emphasis and Sunday school conventions, to promote and conduct Christian Workers’ Conferences keeping the interests and needs of church workers in mind, to cooperate with the Canadian Board of Christian Education, avoiding duplication but assuming responsibility, to encourage church library and literary work by suggestion of helpful materials and methods of promotion.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of minutes, correspondence and programs of the Christian Education Committee.

Custodial history
Most of the records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School where they had been housed. Some minutes had been collected previously.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF324.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches list 77–92.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions sub-fonds. 1960–1991.
85 cm of textual records and 22 photographs.

Administrative history
The Saskatchewan MB Board of Missions was organized in 1953 at the Saskatchewan Conference to be responsible for the work that was formerly called the Western Children’s Mission, Stadtmission and other mission work in both the South and North Districts. The Committee consisted of the provincial moderator as chairman, the assistant moderator, the provincial secretary as secretary, a treasurer elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years, a General Director elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years to keep contact between the mission stations and the churches and to supervise stations, camps and Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS), one District Director from the South, elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years who was responsible for DVBS and camp work, five members at large, two from the South and three from the North, elected annually by each District to help the District Director. Stations that came under this Committee were Swift Current, Lucky Lake, Regina, Saskatoon, Warman, Hague Ferry, Mildred, Pierceland, Compass and Foam Lake. The whole Committee was to meet twice a year in connection with semi-annual District Conferences and the Executive was to meet 2 additional times. The Committee was to submit a budget to the Provincial Conference annually. New applicants for mission stations were to be examined by the Committee. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1954, pp. 24–25).

In 1969 this Board consisted of nine members of which three were elected annually at the Conference for three year terms. The Field Director was appointed by the Conference upon the recommendation of the Mission Board for an indefinite period. The duties of the Board were to oversee and direct the work of MB Missions in Saskatchewan, to meet for discussion of business, for prayer and for consultation concerning the matters of the Mission as often as necessary, to find workers for the mission fields of Saskatchewan, to keep the churches of the Conference informed about the needs and progress of the mission work, to encourage, advise, exhort and admonish workers on the Mission or also to dismiss workers from the service of the Mission should this become necessary.

In 1973 the Board of Reference and Counsel recommended that the Director of the MB Mission of Saskatchewan be named the Director of Church Ministries, responsible to the Committee of Reference and Counsel. The Director should be available to any Saskatchewan MB Church for counselling, assistance, guidance and spiritual ministry at the request of the local church. The Director of Church Ministries was to direct the church extension program as related to the MB Mission of Saskatchewan. The MB Mission of Saskatchewan was to manage the finances. The motion was accepted. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1973, p. 13).

In 1974 the Board of Church Ministries was organized consisting of nine members of which three were elected annually at the convention for three year terms. The provincial treasurer was also the treasurer of this Board. The Board appointed a three man commission to advise the Director of Church Ministries between board meetings.

The duties of the Board of Church Ministries with relation to established churches was to act as a resource body to all established churches in evangelism, to keep churches informed of the progress and needs of the conference extension programs, to negotiate conference subsidies with churches that were in financial need. With relation to Conference extension programs to direct all missionary endeavours of the Saskatchewan MB Conference, to continually review and evaluate existing areas of work, to investigate potential areas in Saskatchewan for extension programs. In relation to personnel to recruit, appoint and if necessary dismiss workers for extension programs, to recommend to the Council of Boards a suitable candidate to serve as Director of Church Ministries, to supervise and evaluate the work of the Director of Ministries, to provide the Director of Church Ministries with adequate equipment, facilities and assistance as necessary to carry on his work effectively, to act as a provincial pulpit committee and to negotiate salaries and benefits for all personnel employed by this board. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1974, pp. 7–8).

The Director of Church Ministries was responsible to the Board of Church Ministries. The Board of Church Ministries was responsible to the Executive and the Committee of Reference and Counsel. Apparently the Director was also responsible to the MB Mission of Saskatchewan.

In 1975 the recommendation was accepted to carry on for one more year with both a Board of Reference and Counsel and the MB Mission of Saskatchewan and that the Director of Church Ministries be responsible to the Mission Board regarding extension work in established churches. John Reimer was appointed as the first Director of Church Ministries. In 1978 the Board of Church Ministries replaced both the MB Mission of Saskatchewan and the Board of Reference and Counsel. The Board of Church Ministries consisted of nine members, the Provincial Moderator and the Provincial Treasurer. Helmut Schroeder succeeded John Reimer as Director of Church Ministries. Ben L. Heppner followed as Director in 1982.

In 1982 the Board of Church Ministries reported that the Board of Church Ministries should be divided into two smaller Boards since their mandate was both an outreach and a Reference and Counsel objective. Motions were passed that the Constitution Committee be instructed to provide for a Board of Church Extension and a Board of Reference and Counsel and that the conference ratify the Council of Boards appointment of John Wiens as Church Planter and Director of Church Extension beginning June 1, 1983. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1982, pp. 2 and 10).

In 1983 the Board of Church Ministries consisted of the six members who had been elected to the Board of Church Extension and the six members who had been elected to serve on the Board of Reference and Counsel, the Moderator and the Assistant Moderator, the Director of Church Extension and the Director of Church Relations and the Provincial Treasurer. This combined Board should coordinate the work of the Board of Church Extension and the Board of Reference and Counsel and make recommendations to the Council of Boards and to the Conference.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of the following series: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mission Board minutes and reports, Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mission Board correspondence, Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mission Board financial reports, Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mission Board programs, Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mission Board publications and Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches photographs.

Custodial history
Most of the records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed. Some minutes had been collected previously.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches file list 94–258.
Finding aid for photographs: Photograph collection NP133–1.
The records in this sub-fonds were rearranged in 1997 from a chronological arrangement for all records of each year to a chronological arrangement within subject series.

Series description

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions minutes. 1966 1990.
13 cm of textual records.

This series consists of a fairly complete set of minutes, with some gaps. Minutes from 1966 to 1976 are of MB Mission of Saskatchewan meetings. In 1977 they continue as minutes of the Board of Church Ministries. Included are some minutes of the Extension Commission that provided leadership in preparing and presenting extension work policies regarding outreach such as DVBS and camp programs and penetration teams into new fields. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1978, pp. 2–3). A few reports of Choice Books are also included. (Choice Books was a program run by the Mission Board in the 1970s.) In 1977 there were 22 book rack outlets in Saskatchewan. Also in this series are minutes of Tranquillity Base (1970–1972), a Fellowship Centre for university students in Saskatoon. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1970, pp. 32–35). Included in this series are the Director’s monthly reports and his reports to the annual conference as well as reports by the Chairman of the Mission Board, reports by the Director of Church Extension and monthly reports by the mission workers at the various stations.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326, file list 94–113.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions correspondence.
1964–1991. 20 cm of textual records.

The correspondence in this series consists of letters to and from Lawrence Redekopp, Director of MB Mission of Saskatchewan (1964–1974), John Reimer, Director of Board of Church Ministries (1974–1979), Helmut C. Schroeder, Director of Church Ministries (1979–1982), Ben Heppner, Director of Church Ministries (1982–1983), John Wiens, Director of Church Extension (1985–1989), Helmut C. Schroeder, Director of Church Relations (1987–1991), Melvin Schmidt, treasurer of MB Mission of Saskatchewan (1966–1973), as well as general correspondence.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326, file list 114–133.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions financial reports.1960–1984.
19 cm of textual records.

This series contains financial records in the form of budgets and monthly financial reports by individual mission churches, monthly financial reports by the MB Mission director, records of worker’s salaries, disbursements and receipts by the MB Mission of Saskatchewan and the Board of Church Ministries. Many of these records consist of pages from ledgers. The records are incomplete after 1979.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326, file list 134–172.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions programs. 1963, 1970–1984.
38 cm of textual records.

This series focuses on the activities of the Saskatchewan Mission Board. It contains minutes, reports and correspondence regarding mission churches – Carrot River, Foam Lake, Lashburn, Lloydminster, Nipawin and Yorkton, reports of summer programs in non-churched communities, reports of campus ministries at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, reports of the Indian Girls’ Hostel, a supervised Christian home where Indian girls could stay when they came to Saskatoon, reports of an internship program for the purpose of training future pastors, reports and correspondence regarding the Indian Fellowship Centre, a drop-in centre for native people in Saskatoon. It also includes community religious surveys of many Saskatchewan towns done in the 1970s, when volunteers did door-to-door evangelism.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326, file list 173–255.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions publications. – 1967–1982.
3 cm of textual records.

This series consists of an incomplete set of “The Challenger,” published four times a year by the Mennonite Brethren Mission of Saskatchewan and after 1980 by the Office of Church Ministries and sent to the constituency. Also in this series is a more complete set of circulars, a monthly newsletter by and to mission workers.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF326, file list 256–258.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Board of Missions photographs. – 1967, 1972–1977, 1981.
21 photographs, 1 pictorial pamphlet.

This series consists of twenty-one 10.5 x 8.5 cm black and white photographs of mission workers and one pamphlet with pictures of 1967 mission workers and their board. The names of the board are given on the reverse side of the pamphlet.

Finding aid: The photographs are located in the photograph collection under NP133–1.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Ad Hoc Committees sub-fonds. – 1975, 1981.
.5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
In 1975, the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches met for their 64th Convention in Regina and in 1981 for the 70th Convention in Saskatoon. Ad Hoc Committees were formed in order to facilitate these conventions and to prepare programs.

Scope and content
This sub-fond consists of minutes of ad hoc committees, correspondence and information pertaining to plans for the conferences.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF332, file list 259–260.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan sub-fonds. – 1967–1987.
4 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Provincial MCC organizations originated from the Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCCC) which is the “peace, relief and service agency of Canadian Mennonites and Brethren in Christ. It was founded in 1963 through the merger of a number of regional inter-Mennonite service organizations, the main ones being the Non-resistant Relief Organization, the Canadian Mennonite Relief Committee, the Canadian Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council, the Conference of Historic Peace Churches and the Historic Peace Church Council of Canada.

In April 1963 the Historic Peace Church Council of Canada, a Canada-wide inter-Mennonite peace organization, called a meeting of all existing inter-Mennonite peace, relief and service agencies, as well as representatives of all Mennonite and Brethren in Christ conferences. Out of this meeting came the decision to form a national inter-Mennonite body that would unite all Canadian Mennonite groups in all the activities they wished to do together. MCCC was born in December 1963 in Winnipeg.

MCCC became the most comprehensive of Canadian Mennonite and Brethren in Christ organizations. The MCCC board included representatives from 11 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ groups. The organization was given a broad mandate to work in the areas of peace education, relief and development, voluntary service, immigration, government contacts (lobbying) and other areas of mutual concern. Provincial MCCC offices were established from Ontario to British Columbia.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Saskatchewan has become a strong unifying force in Mennonite communities. Numerous programs and services have been established, particularly in the Saskatoon area. The MCC relief sales in Saskatoon and Swift Current have become important annual events. Outreach in mission and service includes a strong person-to-person program at the Prince Albert Penitentiary. Many Saskatchewan Mennonites also serve as volunteers internationally through MCC.

Taken from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. V.

In 1968, The MCC Director for Saskatchewan reported on a Boy’s Home in Saskatoon, chaplaincy services and MCC meetings and rallies. Two MCC representatives were elected to the Saskatchewan MCC Board from the conference floor for three-year terms. In 1971, committees included the MCC Executive, Carmel House, Halfway House, the Waldheim Menno Home, Chaplaincy, Ways and Means Committee and Relief Auction Representatives. Ten members were elected to serve on these committees. In 1981, there were twelve board members. Reports included native concerns and a handicapped awareness program.

Scope and content
This sub-fond consists of minutes for 1981 and 1987, a constitution and by-laws, correspondence and records of donations to MCC Saskatchewan.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF338.
Finding aid: Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches list – 261–266.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Bethany Bible Institute Committee sub-fonds.1966–1991.
6 cm of textual records and 3 sound recordings.

Administrative history
The Herbert Bible School and the Hepburn Bible School had amalgamated and were working as a Saskatchewan conference school earlier than the 1966 amalgamation of North and South Districts. In 1966 the annual Bethany council recommended to “approve of the amalgamation of the North and South Saskatchewan MB districts and endorse the approach to this process as suggested by the present steering committee. In the event of the realization of this amalgamation we propose a study of the future position of Bethany in relation to the provincial conference.” (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1966, pp. 26–27).

At the 1967 convention the Bethany Bible Institute, which had previously been sponsored by individual churches, was accepted as a Provincial Conference School with its entire jurisdiction centred in the Provincial Conference. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1967, p. 23). The term for the existing ten-member Bethany Bible Institute Board was extended for one year. Also in 1967, the Board of Reference and Counsel began to explore ways in which the Saskatchewan and Alberta Provincial Conferences could co-sponsor the Bethany Bible Institute financially. The Bethany Governing Council recommended that “an interim working arrangement be formulated and implemented jointly by the Alberta and Saskatchewan Conference Executives, the Alberta Board of Christian Education and the Bethany Board, relative to Alberta Board representation and financial co-sponsorship.” (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1967, p. 35).

In 1968, a motion was accepted by both Saskatchewan and Alberta MB Conferences that Bethany would be co-sponsored by both conferences. The Bethany Bible Institute Convention should be under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Conference Executives. The moderators of the two Conferences should alternate as chairman of the annual BBI conventions. Delegates to the BBI convention should be the members of the Committees of Reference and Counsel of each provincial conference, the pastors of each church and delegates from each church elected on a basis of one for every twenty-five members. The BBI Board should consist of sixteen members: The principal (without voting rights), six members from Alberta and nine members from Saskatchewan, elected for three-year terms at the annual BBI conventions. Their duties were to interpret and carry out the purposes and policies of BBI as decided at conventions, to present reports, recommendations and the budget to the annual BBI conventions, to arrange and conduct all necessary financial and business matters, to review the course of studies and teaching program as worked out by the faculty and to appoint faculty. A BBI Executive, consisting of the chairman, the principal and two additional members, should be appointed by the Board. The duties of the Executive were to conduct all necessary business between Board meetings. All funds for BBI should be channelled through the provincial treasuries. The title to the property of BBI should remain registered in the name of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1968, pp. 2–6).

Scope and content
This sub-fond consists of minutes of meetings about joint sponsorship of the Bethany Bible Institute (May 1966-May 1973) and reports of Bethany Conventions. Also included are 3 two-sided sound recordings produced by CFQC in Saskatoon of the Bethany Bible School radio choir singing well-known hymns.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF340, file list 267–276.

Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches Women’s Organization sub-fonds. – 1970–1991.
1 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Mennonite women’s organizations originated in Gnadenfeld, in the Molotschna, sometime between 1835 and 1850 when women met to knit and sew for missions. These meetings were opened by singing and prayer by “a brother.” In the Mennonite Brethren Church, after its origin in 1860, women were allowed to share their personal testimonies at their meetings. After the Mennonite migration to North America in the 1870s, women continued their service oriented meetings. Women’s groups were, however, considered subsidiary organizations, therefore reports of their activities and donations were not included in conference yearbooks. Women met for service, fellowship and worship. They established provincial and national organizations so that they could work more systematically and more effectively for the cause of missions. In the 1970s and 1980s, a shift occurred in many women’s organizations from a service orientation to a greater emphasis on fellowship and spiritual growth.

Taken from The Work of Their Hands by Gloria Neufeld Redekop.

Scope and content
This sub-fond consists of correspondence and records regarding women’s donations to home and foreign missions and relief organizations predominantly between 1970 and 1983. The records were created by the South Saskatchewan Women’s Auxiliary, the Northern District Women’s Missionary Fellowship, the Saskatchewan Ladies Mission Auxiliary and by Women’s Missionary Fellowships and Ladies Aids of various Saskatchewan MB churches.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed.

Notes

Title based on contents of the sub-fonds.
Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF371, file list 277–279.

Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches fond file list:

Series I: Minutes (BF310)
1.Minutes of a joint meeting of North and South Districts. C 1939.
Agenda for the third provincial conference. C 1948?
1a.Historical notes about the Saskatchewan Conference. C 1976.
2.Minutes, agenda and reports to the provincial conference. C 1967-1983.
3.Minutes, agenda and reports to the provincial conference. C 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000-2001.
Programs for Saskatchewan Provincial M.B. Conference. C 1989, 1990.
4.Personnel policy manual. C 1987.

Series II: Constitutions (BF315).
5.Act to incorporate the Mennonite Brethren of Saskatchewan. C 1909.
6.Proposed constitutions, constitutions and amendments. C 1969, 1984, undated.

Sub-fonds I: Executive (BF321)
7.Executive agenda, minutes and reports. C 1977-1984.
8.Council of Boards minutes and correspondence. C 1967, 1974-1984.
9.Executive correspondence. C 1966-1968.
10.Minister's certificates. C 1969.
11.Executive correspondence. C 1969.
12.Executive correspondence. C 1970.
13.Executive correspondence. C 1971-1972.
14.Executive correspondence. C 1973.
15.Executive correspondence. C 1974-1975.
16.Executive correspondence. C 1975-1976.
17.Executive correspondence. C 1977-1978.
18.Executive correspondence. C 1979-1982.
19.Executive correspondence. C 1983-1984.

Sub-fonds II: Committee of Reference and Counsel (BF322)
20.Minutes. C 1966-1973.
21.Minutes. C 1973-1976.
22.Minutes. C 1987.
23.Clergy registrations. C 1954-1984.
24.Clergy registrations. C 1984-1986.
25.Clergy registrations. C 1987-1989.
26.Clergy registrations. C 1990-1994.

Sub-fonds III: Board of Trustees (BF323)

Series I: Minutes
27.Minutes of Board of Trustees meetings. C 1973-1983.

Series II: Correspondence
28.Correspondence. C 1966-1969.
29.Correspondence. C 1970, 1971.
30.Correspondence. C 1972, 1973.
31.Correspondence. C 1974, 1975.
32.Correspondence. C 1976.
33.Correspondence. C 1977.
34.Correspondence. C 1978.
35.Correspondence. C 1979.
36.Correspondence. C 1980.
37.Correspondence. C 1981.
38.Correspondence. C 1982.
39.Correspondence. C 1983.
40.Correspondence. C 1991.

Series III: Financial records
41.Statements of church offerings. C July 1966-May 1968.
42.Statements of church offerings. C June 1970-May 1973.
43.Statements of church offerings. C June 1974-May 1976.
44.Statements of church offerings. C June 1976-May 1978.
45.Statements of church offerings. C June 1978-May 1980.
46.Statements of church offerings. C June 1980-May 1982.
47.Statements of church offerings. C June 1982-May 1984.
48.Statements of designated offerings. C November 1967-April 1968.
49.Statements of designated offerings. C May 1970-May 1973.
50.Statements of designated offerings. C June 1974-July 1976.
51.Statements of designated offerings. C June 1976-May 1978.
52.Statements of designated offerings. C June 1978-May 1980.
53.Statements of designated offerings. C June 1980-May 1982.
54.Statements of designated offerings. C June 1982-December 1982.
55.Annual financial statements. C 1967-1970.
56.Annual financial statements. C 1971-1975.
57.Annual financial statements. C 1976-1980.
58.Annual financial statements. C 1981-1987, 1991.
59.Records regarding the auditoriums in Herbert and Hepburn. C Undated.
60.Records regarding Mennonite Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Saskatchewan. C 1974-1975, 1978-1979, 1983.
61.Prairie Mennonite Mutual Fire Insurance policies. C 1968-1972.
61a.Record of designated offerings. C 1966.
62.Book of Time and Payroll Record. C 1972-1975.
63.Record of church donations. C 1973?-1974?
64.Record of church donations. C 1975-1976.
65.Record of church donations. C 1979-1980.
66.Record of church donations. C 1980-1981.
67.Record of church donations. C 1981-1982.

67a.Record of church donations. C 1982-1983.
68.Book I: General ledger. C 1967-1969.
69.Book II: General ledger. C 1969-1972.
70.Book III: General ledger. C 1972-1974.
71.Book IV: General ledger. C 1974-1976.
72.Book V: General ledger. C 1976-1977.
73.Book VI: General ledger. C 1977-1979.
74.Book VII: General ledger. C 1979-1980.
75.Book VIII: General ledger. C 1980-1981.
76.Book XI: General ledger. C 1981-1983.

Sub-fonds IV: Christian Education Committee (BF324).
77.Minutes. C 1967-1974.
78.Minutes. C 1975-1979.
79.Minutes. C 1980, 1982-1984.
80.Correspondence. C 1969-1974.
81.Correspondence. C 1974-1976.
82.Correspondence. C 1977-1978.
83.Correspondence. C 1979-1980.
84.Responses to youth retreat. C 1979.
85.Correspondence and bulletin about Christian Workers' Conference. C March, 1967.
86.Correspondence and minutes about Christian Education Seminar. C 1975.
87.Correspondence and information about the Scripture Memory Program. C 1976.
88.Bulletin and correspondence about Songfest. C 1977-1978.
89.Schedule of activities for Banff. C 1977.
90.Registration for Christian Education Conference. C 1982.
Program for Christian Education Conference. C 1985.
91.Financial report and memo about a youth sponsors retreat. C 1983.
92.Announcement for parents & youth symposium. C 1988.
93.Financial report. C 1982-1983.
93a. Sunday School conventions and teaching helps. – 1958-1968.
93b. Sunday school survey and correspondence. – 1957-1961.

Sub-fonds V: Board of Missions (BF326).
Series I: Minutes and reports
94.Minutes of the M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1966-1969.
95.Reports on principles and policies of the M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1967-1969.
96.Minutes of the M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1970-1973.
97.Minutes of Tranquillity Base. C 1970-1972.
98.Minutes of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1974-1975.
99.Minutes of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan/Board of Church Ministries. C 1976-1977.
100.Minutes of Board of Church Ministries. C 1978-1979.
101.Minutes of the Extension Commission. C 1978-1981, 1984-1985.
102.Minutes of Board of Church Ministries. C 1980-1981.
103.Minutes of Board of Church Ministries. C 1982-1983.
104.Minutes of Board of Church Ministries. C 1984-1985.
105.Minutes of Nomination Committee. C 1981.

106.Minutes of Choice Books. C 1982.
107.BOCM Director's reports. C 1974-1977.
108.BOCM Director's reports. C 1978-1979.
109.BOCM Director's reports. C 1980-1983.
110.BOCM Chairman's reports. C 1978-1981.
111.Reports of the Director of Church Extension. C 1984.
112.BOCM Mission Workers' reports. C 1974-1977.
113.BOCM Mission Workers' monthly activity reports. C 1967-1970.

Series II: Correspondence
114.Correspondence with John Reimer, Director of Board of Church Ministries. C 1974.
115.Correspondence with John Reimer. C 1975.
116.Correspondence with John Reimer. C 1976.
117.Correspondence with John Reimer. C 1977.
118.Correspondence with John Reimer. C 1978.
119.Correspondence with John Reimer. C 1979.
120.Correspondence with Helmut Schroeder, Director of Board of Church Ministries. C 1980.
121.Correspondence with Helmut Schroeder. C 1981.
122.Correspondence with Helmut Schroeder/Ben Heppner, Director of Board of Church Ministries. C 1982.
123.Correspondence with Ben Heppner. C 1982-1983, 1985.
124.Correspondence with Melvin Schmidt, treasurer of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1966-1973.
125.Correspondence with Herb Schmidt, pastor at Lloydminster. C 1981.
126.Correspondence with John Wiens, Director of Church Extension. C 1981, 1985, 1987.
127.Correspondence with Helmut Schroeder, Director of Church Relations. C 1987-1988.
128.Correspondence with Helmut Schroeder. C 1989-1991.
129.Correspondence with Lawrence Redekopp, Director of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1964-1974.
130.General correspondence. C 1973-1974.
131.General correspondence. C 1976-1978.
132.General correspondence. C 1979-1983.
133.General correspondence. C 1986-1987.

Series III: Financial Reports
134.Correspondence regarding a loan of the M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan from the Board of Trustees (Canadian Conference). C 1961-1967.
135."A Proposed Constitution for Mission Churches Supported by the Mennonite Brethren Conference. C 1960.
Charitable organizations application for registration. C 1967.
136.Budgets for the Blaine Lake Mission Church. C 1964-1976.
137.Budgets for the Elbow Mission Church. C 1964-1971.
138.Budgets for the Foam Lake Mission Church. C 1964-1977.
Monthly financial reports for the Foam Lake Church. C 1978-1980.

139.Budgets for the Lanigan Mission Church. C 1973-1974.
140.Monthly financial reports for the Moose Jaw Mission Church. 1966.
Budgets for the Regal Heights Church, Moose Jaw. C 1965-1976.
141.Budgets for the North Battleford Mission Church. C 1966-1973.
142.Monthly financial reports for the Prince Albert Mission Church. C 1968-1972.
143.Monthly financial reports for the Regina Mission Church. C 1973-1974.
144.Monthly financial reports for Tranquillity Base. C 1970-1971.
145.Director's monthly financial reports. C 1966-1973.
146.Donations to Board of Church Ministries through the Saskatchewan Conference of M.B. Churches. C 1966-1974.
147.Donations to Board of Church Ministries through the Saskatchewan Conference of M.B. Churches. C 1975-1983.
148.Statements of receipts and disbursements. C 1966-1984.
149.Budgets for M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1967-1982.
150.Mission workers' salary records. C 1966-1971.
151.Occupancy permit for private garage. C 1968.
152.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1960-1961.
153.Receipts of the M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1960-1961.
154.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1961-1962.
155.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1962-1963.
156.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1963-1964.
157.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1964-1965.
158.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1965-1966.
159.Receipts of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1966-1974.
160.Disbursements of M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan. C 1966-1974.
161.Financial ledger. C 1968-1969.
162.Accounts receivable. C 1969-1970.
163.Financial ledger. C 1969-1970.
164.Accounts receivable. C 1974-1975.
165.Receipts. C 1973-1974.
166.Disbursements. C 1973-1974.
167.Disbursements. C 1974-1975?
168.Disbursements and receipts. 1974-1975.
169.Designated offerings from churches. C 1976-1977.
170.Donations and disbursements. C 1977-1978.
171.Financial ledger. C 1978-1979.
172.Expenses of summer ministries and small town evangelism. C 1971-1972.

Series IV: Programs
173.Reports, minutes and correspondence regarding the Carrot River Church. C 1976-1983.
174.Minutes, principles and policies, reports and correspondence regarding the Foam Lake Church. C 1976-1980.
175.Minutes and reports regarding the Lashburn Church. C 1978-1980.
176.Monthly reports of the Lloydminister (Colonial Park) Church. C 1979-1984.

177.Bulletins, correspondence, reports, offer to lease and purchase the Lloydminister Church. C 1978-1981.
178.Reports regarding the Nipawin Church. C 1981-1984.
179.Reports regarding Yorkton (Parkland Community) Church. C 1983.
180.Reports of Campus Ministry. C 1973-1984.
181.DVBS and Day Camp reports. C 1973-1978.
182.Documents of Community Services Involvement. C 1977.
183.Reports and applications for Summer Ministries. C 1980.
184.Reports of Good News Youth Corps. C 1975.
185.Report of "His Workmanship." C 1982.
186.Reports of Gospel Tidings. C 1974.
187.Reports of pastoral internships. C 1975-1983.
188.Pastoral internship applications. C 1979-1983.
189.Pastoral internship correspondence. C 1975-1984.
190.Pastoral internship manual. C 1982.
191.Correspondence and reports about the Indian Girls' Hostel. C 1975-1979.
192.Correspondence regarding Indian Fellowship Centre. C 1974-1982.
193.Bulletins of the Saskatoon Native Mennonite Brethren Church. C 1981.
194.Monthly reports of the Saskatoon Native Mennonite Brethren Church (also called Riversdale Christian Fellowship Church). C 1980-1984.
195.Reports and minutes of the Indian Fellowship Centre. C 1970, 1974-1984.
196.Statements and papers regarding ordination. C Undated, 1978-1983.
197.Job descriptions for various conference offices. C 1963-1983.
198.Booklet: "Principles and Policies of the MB Mission of Saskatchewan." C 1972.
199.Papers: "Pastoral Leadership in the Mennonite Brethren Church." C 1980.
"A Proposed Doctrinal Statement for the Membership of the M.B. Gospel Mission." C 1980.
200.Questionnaires re licensing for pastors. C 1979-1982.
201.References and applications. C 1977-1983.
202.Names and addresses of mission personnel. C 1975-1980.
203.Correspondence and applications for ministers' retreats at Raynor Centre. C 1981, 1882.
204.Program for Ministers' and Deacons' Conference. C 1975.
Correspondence and registration list for Ministers' and Deacons' Conference. C 1980.
205.Program for Leadership Conference. C 1984.
206.Program for Evangelism Seminar. C 1976.
207.Questionnaires re church planting. C 1978.
208.Reports on Estevan, Melfort, Melville, Nipawin, Weyburn and Yorkton for church planting survey. C 1982.
Paper: "Biblical Basis for Church Planting." C 1982?
209.Correspondence re Church Extension Workers' meeting at Regina. C 1980-1981.
210.Applications for Small Town Evangelism. C 1973.
211.Songs and maps for Small Town Evangelism. C 1973.
212.Schedule for Small Town Evangelism. C 1973.
213.Report on follow-up of Small Town Evangelism. C 1973.
214.Community religious survey for Battleford. C 1972.
215.Community religious survey for Belbutte. C 1972.

216.Community religious survey for Birch Hills. C 1973.
217.Community religious survey for Canwood. C 1972.
218.Community religious survey for Cudworth. C 1973.
219.Community religious survey for Debden. C 1972.
220.Community religious survey for Domremy. C 1973.
221.Community religious survey for Edam. C 1972.
222.Community religious survey for Fairholme. C 1972.
223.Community religious survey for Fulda and Pilger. C 1973.
224.Community religious survey for Glaslyn. C 1972.
225.Community religious survey for Glaslyn. C 1975.
226.Community religious survey for Humboldt. C 1973.
227.Community religious survey for Kinistino. C 1973.
228.Community religious survey for Krydor. C 1972.
229.Community religious survey for Leoville. C 1972.
230.Community religious survey for Medstead. C 1972.
231.Community religious survey for Melfort and Beatty. C 1973.
232.Community religious survey for Meota. C 1972.
233.Community religious survey for Mervin. C 1972.
234.Community religious survey for Middle Lake. C 1973.
235.Community religious survey for Mildred. C 1972.
236.Community religious survey for Mont Nebo. C 1972.
237.Community religious survey for Muenster. C 1973.
238.Community religious survey for Naicom. C 1973.
239.Community religious survey for North Battleford. C 1972.
240.Community religious survey for Perdue. C 1973.
241.Community religious survey for Prince Albert done by West Hill Bible Church. C 1970.
242.Report on small town evangelism in Rosetown by Vernon Jantzens. C 1977.
243.Community religious survey for St. Benedict. C 1973.
244.Community religious survey for St. Brieux. C 1974.
245.Community religious survey for St. Brieux. C 1975.
246.Community religious survey for St. Louis. C 1973.
247.Community religious survey for Scott. C 1972.
248.Community religious survey for Shell Lake. C 1972.
249.Community religious survey for Spiritwood. C 1972.
250.Community religious survey for Turtleford. C 1972.
251.Community religious survey for Unity. C 1972.
252.Community religious survey for Vawn and Prince. C 1972.
253.Community religious survey for Wakaw. C 1973.
254.Community religious survey for Weldon. C 1973.
255.Community religious survey for Wilkie. C 1972.

Series V: Publications
256.The Challenger. C 1967-1982.
257.Monthly circulars. C 1967-1969.
258.Monthly circulars. C 1970-1974.

Series VI: Photographs, located in the photograph collection under NP133-1.
NP133-1-1Cliff Derksen, pastor at North Battleford M.B. Church, Wilma Derksen, Candace and Odia. C ca. 1976. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-2Reuben Block, Director of the Indian Fellowship Centre, John Reimer, Director of Church Ministries and Vernon R. Wiebe, Missions/Services. C ca. 1977. C 8 x 6.
NP133-1-3Ken Dyck, pastor of the Nutana M.B. Church, in the baptismal tank with a candidate. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-4Vernon and Dorothy Jean Jantzen, volunteers with small town evangelism. C ca. 1972. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-5Ken Dyck with a group of young people. ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-6Fred and Doris Friesen. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-7Peter Nikkel, pastor at Bridgeway Community Church (Swift Current), with intern Douglas Tiffin. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-8Paul Unger, pastor at Regina, with intern Dale Warkentin. C ca. 1976. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-9Doug Schulz, intern at North Battleford. C ca. 1975. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-10Otto Derksen, pastor of Waldheim M.B. Church and Frank Giesbrecht, intern at the Waldheim M.B. Church. C ca. 1976. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-11Doug Schulz with a group of North Battleford young people. C ca. 1975. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-12Reuben and Edith Block, Saskatoon Indian Fellowship Centre. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-13John and Martha Reimer, Director of Board of Church Ministries. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-14Vernon and Dorothy Jean Jantzen, volunteers with small town evangelism. C ca. 1972. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-15Frank and Esther Giesbrecht, intern at Waldheim M.B. Church with Otto Derksen, pastor of Waldheim M.B. Church. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-16Reuben Block, Director of Saskatoon Indian Fellowship Centre. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-17John Reimer, Director of Board of Church Ministries. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-18Reuben Block playing checkers with two native people. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-19Reuben Block, a native woman and Abe Klassen, pastor of the West Portal M.B. Church. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-20Indian Fellowship Centre at 531-20th Street, Saskatoon. C ca. 1977. C 10.5 x 8.5.
NP133-1-21Sign at 310 Avenue F. South, location of the Saskatoon Native M.B. Church. C ca. 1981. C 10.5 x 8.5.

NP133-1-22M.B. Mission of Saskatchewan workers, David Esau (Elbow), William Buller (Meadow Lake), Lawrence Redekopp (Field Director), Arno Fast (North Battleford), Jacob Kehler (Hague), Lorlie Barkman (Moose Jaw), Peter Willms (Foam Lake), George Reimer (Blaine Lake), Frank F. Froese (Warman), Board members, Walter Penner (Pierceland), J.J. Thiessen (Lucky Lake). C 1967.

Sub-fonds VI: Ad Hoc Committees (BF332)
259.Minutes and information about the hosting of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. C 1975.
260.Minutes, correspondence and information about the hosting of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. C 1981.

Sub-fonds VII: Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan (BF334)
261.Minutes of annual meetings of MCC Saskatchewan. C 1981, 1987.
262.Hand-book: "Constitution, Terms of References, Guidelines for Programs." C 1981.
263.Report, architectural drawings and two photographs of Sion Property. C 1970.
264.Correspondence. C 1972-1977.
265.Records of donations to MCC Saskatchewan. C 1967-1975.
266.Records of donations to MCC Saskatchewan. C 1976-1983.

Sub-fonds VIII: Bethany Bible Institute Committee (BF340)
267.Minutes of the steering committee and provincial CRC meetings. C 1966-1973.
268.Minutes of Bethany Bible Institute Board meeting. C 1971.
269.Minutes of twentieth and twenty-second annual convention of Bethany Bible Institute. C 1987, 1989.
270.Bethany reports to Saskatchewan M.B. Conference. C 1967, 1972, 1977.
271.Bethany Convention reports. C 1981, 1982, 1983.
272.Bethany Convention reports. C 1984, 1985, 1986.
273.Bethany Convention reports. C 1987, 1988.
274.Correspondence and miscellaneous information. C 1968-1987.
275.Records of donations to Bethany. C 1966-1977.
276.Records of donations to Bethany. C 1978-1983, 1989, 1991.

NAD 67, 68, 69Three two-sided records of the Bethany Bible School choir produced by CFQC.

Sub-fonds IX: Women's Organizations (BF371)
277.Correspondence. C 1970-1974, 1980-1982, 1991.
278.Correspondence. C 1976-1982, 1991.
279.Records of donations from women's organizations. C 1970-1983.
280. Delegate handbook. -- 2002.
281. Delegate handbook. -- 2003.
282. Delegate handbook. -- 2004.
283. Delegate handbook. -- 2005.
284. Delegate handbook. -- 2006.
285. Delegate handbook. -- 2006.
286. Delegate handbook. -- 2007.

2. North Saskatchewan District Conference (Rosthern Kreis)
1899–1997.
1.5 m of textual records.

Administrative history
In 1898 Mennonite Brethren pioneers came to Saskatchewan from the United States and from Manitoba to find land for their growing families. They were attracted to the Saskatchewan area because of the availability of free homesteads and cheaper land. Wherever possible they tried to settle in groups. One such group settled near the North Saskatchewan River. On Sundays they gathered in private homes to worship but they soon needed a larger meeting place. In 1900 the Ebenfeld Church was built near Laird, followed by the Brotherfield Church near Waldheim in 1901. Joint meetings (Hauptversammlungen) were held annually to which members of all area churches came to plan for the future.

Jacob B. Wiens, formerly from Kansas, became the first leader of the church (Gemeinde) in Saskatchewan. Wiens was the first Saskatchewan delegate at the General Conference (1905) held in Kansas. The following year there were 14 delegates representing Saskatchewan at the General Conference held in Minnesota. As a result of rapid expansion in the North and financial limitations, the decision was made to divide into districts and to meet together every three years as a General Conference. The first Northern District Conference (later known as the Canadian conference) met in 1910. At that conference the Saskatchewan delegates were already grouped into two sections – the Northern District (Rosthern Kreis) and the Southern District (Herbert Kreis). These groupings probably came about as a result of settlement clusters.

The first minutes of the Northern District (Rosthern Kreis) were recorded in 1899 when two Allgemeine Bruderberatungen (brotherhood meetings) were held to organize as a body. David Dyck, then from Manitoba, chaired these meetings. Heinrich Voth from Minnesota was also active in organizing the North Saskatchewan District Conference. Meetings were held in order to prepare for decisions at the General Conference. Few delegates could go so a preliminary sesssion (Vorberatungen) was held to reach a consensus about evangelism in Saskatchewan and other matters that were decided on the General Conference level. After 1910 the brotherhood meetings were conducted semi-annually. The name of the meetings became Halbjahres Versammlungen instead of Bruderberatungen.

On 27 February 1909 at a meeting in the Brotherfield Church the motion was made that the Saskatchewan churches should incorporate. A committee of six was nominated who drafted a constitution which was submitted to each church for approval. The Mennonite Brethren of Saskatchewan officially incorporated under the name of “The Mennonite Brethren of Saskatchewan” and in 1953 they officially changed the name to “Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan.”

In 1965 a paper outlining the proposed steps of procedure for amalgamation of North and South Districts was sentto the churches for study. At the June North District Conference, the delegates voted one hundred percent in favour of amalgamation. They passed a motion to elect a six-member steering committee with equal representation from North and South to give guidance and direction in the forming of one provincial conference. (See Yearbook of the Northern Saskatchewan District Conference of MB Churches, June 1965, p. 22).

Scope and content
This fonds consists of the following series:

North Saskatchewan District minutes and yearbooks (BF110),
Provincial Conference yearbooks (BF100) and
North Saskatchewan District official constitutions (BF115).
The fonds also contains the following sub-fonds:
- North Saskatchewan District Executive (BF121),
- North Saskatchewan District Reference and Counsel (BF122),
- North Saskatchewan District Board of Trustees (BF123),
- North Saskatchewan District Christian Education (BF124),
- North Saskatchewan District Bethany Bible Institute,
- North Saskatchewan District Mennonite Brethren MB Missions (BF132),
- North Saskatchewan District Ministers and Deacons Conferences (BF137),
- North Saskatchewan District Annual Bible Study Conferences (BF138) and
- North Saskatchewan District Women’s Missionary Fellowship (BF170).

Custodial history
Some of the minutes and many of the yearbooks came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan where they had been housed. Some of the photocopied minutes and yearbooks were collected previously by the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.

Notes

Location: Volumes 306-309.
Title based on contents of fonds.
Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF100. File list available.

Series descriptions

North Saskatchewan Provincial yearbooks. – 1942–1967.
17 cm of textual records.

This series consists of yearbooks of the North Saskatchewan District Mennonite Brethren Conference.

Finding aid: Yearbooks are located on the reference shelf under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF100.

North Saskatchewan District Conference minutes. – 1899–1984.
25 cm of textual records.

This series consists of minutes which were recorded as a result of the activities of the Saskatchewan Mennonite Brethren in the Northern District (Rosthern Kreis). It also contains a book of original Vorberatungen (preliminary leadership meetings) minutes beginning in 1908 written in the German Gothic script, as well as the same minutes typed by G.D. Geddert in 1975 but going back to 1899. The originals as well as the typed minutes end in 1927. Another minute book holds original minutes from 1931 to 1941 and the original Act of Incorporation of 1909. This series also consists of minutes, programs, and yearbooks of the semi-annual Northern District Conferences to 1976.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF110, Northern Saskatchewan District Conference file list nos. 1–11.

North Saskatchewan District Conference official constitutions. – 1909, 1953, 1963.
.5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of two constitutions to incorporate and one proposed constitution to govern conference operations internally.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF115, Northern Saskatchewan District Conference file list nos. 12–13.

Sub-fonds description

North Saskatchewan District Conference Executive sub-fonds. – 1937–1969.
5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
As early as 1937 a committee of nine made up the executive of the North Saskatchewan District Conference. Included were the moderator, assistant moderator and secretary. The other six members were responsible for the oversight of home missions, city missions, music, youth work, and colportage work. (See executive minutes, 29 September 1937) They met several times a year to make interim decisions for the conference. In 1966 the Executive consisted of the chairman, the vice-chairman, the secretary, the treasurer and a representative from Home Missions. The Executive brought recommendations to the conference about appointments to such positions as hospital chaplaincy, treasurer and secretary. In 1966 they recommended that the Home Missions representative on the Executive be replaced by a member at large. The recommendation was accepted.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of minutes and correspondence of the Conference Executive.

Custodial history
Some of the correspondence and minutes came from Bethany where they had been housed while some had come to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies earlier.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF121. Northern Saskatchewan District Conference file list nos.14–17.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Reference and Counsel sub-fonds. – 1953–1968.
2 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
As early as 1947 Saskatchewan had two representatives on the Canadian Fuersorgekomitee. On the North District level the forerunner of the Fuersorgekomitee was the Missionskomitee. On June 12th, 1953 a motion was passed that in the future the Missionskomitee should be called the Fuersorgekomitee. This committee was to consist of the conference moderator, the assistant moderator, the secretary-treasurer, a representative of the Innere Missionskomitee and a representative from each church. (See Yearbook of the Northern Saskatchewan District Conference of MB Churches, June 1953, p. 10). Available minutes of the North District Fuersorgekomittee begin in 1952. Items on the agenda were costs of the conference building projects and Innere Mission expenses – the practical aspects of the conference.

In 1957 the Fuersorgekomitee was renamed the Committee of Reference and Counsel (CRC). In 1967 the CRC brought forward a motion for ordination. Obviously their role had changed over the years.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of photocopied minutes of the Board of Reference and Counsel, formerly the Fuersorgekommittee. Minutes of its forerunner, the Missionskomitee, are located chronologically within the conference minutes.

Custodial history
Most of these minutes were already at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies and a few have been added from the materials that came from Bethany.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF122. Northern Saskatchewan District Conference file list no.18.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Board of Trustees sub-fonds. – 1958–1965.
3 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Donations for evangelism and foreign missions were under the supervision of the General Conference. Home missions had their own treasury. However, incorporation brought about the need to keep financial records. A secretary was appointed in 1910 to tabulate and send records from each church to the government. Costs for paper, stamps and envelopes had to be paid. Decisions about conference expenses and monies flowing in and out for missions were made on the conference floor. In 1911 the decision was made that each church should send $2.50 to the secretary for expenses. In August 1912 a special brotherhood meeting was held at Hepburn to elect trustees for the whole corporation. A committee of nine members was elected as Beamten des Vorstandes. They replaced an earlier committee, so there must have been trustees earlier. (See October 1909 minutes when a committee of three was elected to supervise the work of colportage). This committee was responsible to sign all papers and to investigate all deeds, loans and mortgages assumed by Saskatchewan churches. In addition there was a treasurer (Kassenfuehrer) to administer home missions money. In 1960 there were five members on the Board of Trustees elected by the Conference. Their duty was to look after the legal work in connection with transfers of church properties. (See Yearbook of the Northern Saskatchewan District Conference of MB Churches, June 1962, pp. 15–19) as well as to manage the conference budget. They were also active in the completion of the tabernacle at Hepburn, a central meeting place for the Northern District. There were two separate Boards – one for the north and one for the south who jointly had one chairman and one secretary to sign official documents. (See Yearbook of the Northern Saskatchewan District Conference of MB Churches, June 1962, p. 15).

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of one book which accounts for donations from each individual church to the various institutions. A second section lists all donations to Innere Mission. A third section lists donations to district, provincial and Canadian institutions.

Custodial history
This account book came to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies from Bethany Bible School where it had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF123. Northern Saskatchewan District Conference file list no. 19. This book is oversized and is not located in the box.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Christian Education Committee sub-fonds. – 1965.
.5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
At the June 1961 district conference four members were elected to an Education Committee. They had the oversight of district Sunday School Committees. In June 1962 Elmo Warkentin was called as a full-time worker to promote Sunday School and Christian Education. Local churches could enlist his services and consult him about their particular needs. Christian Educators’ Conferences were held in 1962, 1964, and 1965 to train leaders and superintendents for the Sunday school.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of one file of a list of Christian educators who gathered for the Christian Educators’ Conference in Fall 1965.

Custodial history
This file came to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies from Bethany Bible School where it had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF124.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 20.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Bethany Bible Institute Committee sub-fonds. – 1927–1968.
8 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
As early as November 1912 a committee was elected to collect money from the churches, and to organize a Fortbildungsschule (school for higher education). In December a special meeting was called at Hepburn to organize a Vereinschule (society school). The Brotherfield Church invited a Wanderschule (itinerant school) to meet in their facilities for a three-week session. Later this school would alternate among four places – Dalmeny, Hepburn, Waldheim, and Laird. Students who had completed public school and who could speak and write German were eligible to enrol. Funds for such a school were slow in coming, but discussions continued. In 1914 Dalmeny hosted a school for twenty students under the instruction of H. Fast. In 1913 Herbert began a Bible School but the North District Conference did not take responsibility for it since the constitution stated that each district was responsible for its own local area. The North Saskatchewan District did, however, collect money for the school. Young people from the North Saskatchewan District attended both the Herbert Bible School as well as the Winkler Bible School in Manitoba.

In November 1923 and again in June 1926 delegates at the North Saskatchewan District Conference expressed the need for a Bible School in the Rosthern area. The need for leaders in the churches, for Sunday school teachers, for choir conductors, for Bible training for young people about to establish Christian homes and the desire to keep the German language prompted the establishment of a Bible school in the North Saskatchewan District. In the spring of 1927 George Harms taught a class of 30 students in the Hepburn church. In 1927 a board was elected by representatives from the Mennonite Brethren churches in the Hepburn area. An old public school was purchased from Hepburn for $2,000.00. Since the building was not quite ready in Fall classes began in the Hepburn Church with 7 pupils. After Christmas each student took his chair and books and marched to the newly purchased Bible School. The records show that 23 students attended school that first year. Dietrich P. Esau was the principal until 1933. John B. Toews took the principalship in 1933 and carried on till 1937 when George W. Peters took the leadership. G.D. Huebert was principal from 1942 to 1945 followed by Jacob H. Epp from 1945 to 1964. Corny Braun was principal from 1964 to 1967, Abe Wieler from 1967 to 1968, followed again by Corny Braun.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists predominantly of photocopies of minutes of meetings of the Bethany Committee. From 1927 to 1936 they are in the German Gothic script. From 1937 to 1956 they are in the German language. Also included are some historical notes.

Custodial history
All of the photocopied minutes were at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before records came from Bethany Bible Institute. Only the 1968 original minutes came from Bethany in 1996.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF127.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 21–24.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Mennonite Brethren Mission of Saskatchewan sub-fonds. – 1930–1983.
79 cm of textual records, microfilm reel.

Administrative history
From its early beginnings the Northern Saskatchewan District placed special emphasis on missions. The Mennonite Brethren Mission of Saskatchewan was earlier known as the Western Children’s Mission. The Mission was established and incorporated in 1937 in Saskatchewan, in 1940 in Alberta and in 1941 in British Columbia by an interdenominational group. In Saskatchewan this group included members of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In the beginning the mission made no promise to its workers of financial remuneration apart from room and board. Later the workers received $10.00 a month besides room and board if the treasury could produce the funds. Then it was changed to $25.00 a month and lodging (workers took care of their own board) but again if there was money in the treasury. The policy was to make no debts.

With the establishment of MB churches in the other provinces, Saskatchewan began to shoulder the responsibilities for its own territory. Support from other areas was discontinued making the work more difficult. Some of the original founders (J.B. Toews, G.W. Peters, Ben Kroeker, and Dan and Dave Wirsche) were called to other service. These facts together with a greater interest in Saskatchewan MB churches for the Western Children’s Mission gradually led to the realization that it would be better to let the churches take over the work. After much discussion the transfer finally took place in 1946. In the meantime the south had joined in with this work as well so that a number of stations were operating there at the time.

At the Provincial Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches of Saskatchewan in 1953 the question was raised about a name change for the Western Children’s Mission since the mission was working only in Saskatchewan, not primarily with children, and now belonged to the MB Conference. Because the work of the Western Children’s Mission was now much like other mission work in Saskatchewan, it was suggested that WCM. should be under the same umbrella as other provincial mission work. WCM and City Mission merged into one work under the name of Mennonite Brethren Mission of Saskatchewan. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1954, p. 3). The charter of the Western Children’s Mission was dissolved and ownership was placed on the Charter of the MB Church of Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan MB Mission Board was organized in 1953 at the Saskatchewan Conference to be responsible for the work that was formerly called the Western Children’s Mission, Stadtmission, and other mission work in both the South and North Districts. The Committee consisted of the provincial moderator as chairman, the assistant moderator, the provincial secretary as secretary, a treasurer elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years, a General Director elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years to keep contact between the mission stations and the churches and to supervise stations, camps, and Daily Vacation Bible School, one District Director from the South elected by the Saskatchewan Conference for three years who was responsible for DVBS and camp work, five members at large – two from the South and three from the North elected annually by each District to help the District Director. Stations that came under this Committee were Swift Current, Lucky Lake, Regina, Saskatoon, Warman, Hague Ferry, Mildred, Pierceland, Compass and Foam Lake. The whole Committee was to meet twice a year in connection with semi-annual District Conferences, and the Executive was to meet two additional times. The Committee was to submit a budget to the Provincial Conference annually. New applicants for mission stations were to be examined by the Committee. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1954, pp. 24–25).

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of the following series: Saskatchewan MB Missions history, Saskatchewan MB Missions minutes and reports, Saskatchewan MB Missions correspondence, Saskatchewan MB Missions legal documents, Saskatchewan MB Missions financial records, Saskatchewan MB Missions programs, Saskatchewan MB Missions publications and Saskatchewan MB Missions pictures.

Custodial history
The records came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan, where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF132.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 25–143.
Finding aid for microfilm: R9, pp. 849–2413.

Series description

Saskatchewan MB Missions history. – 1955–1962.
2 cm of textual records.

This series consists of historical brochures and materials, as well as membership records of the Hague mission church which grew out of the Hague Ferry mission. In 1960 the mission moved from a rural setting into the town of Hague, hence the name change. The Mission made the move because there was little expansion opportunity at Hague Ferry. (See Yearbook of the Saskatchewan Conference of MB Churches, 1980, p. 9.)

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 25–27.

Saskatchewan MB Missions minutes and reports. – 1938–1973.
37 cm of textual records.

This series consists of minutes of the Saskatchewan MB Missions Board (1959–1970), the reports of each mission worker for the provincial conference (1955), DVBS reports from the missionary at each school, missions summary reports and mission worker’s monthly activity reports often including letters from them. The monthly activity reports and the summary reports are statistical in nature, giving attendance at the various meetings held.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 28–88.

Saskatchewan MB Missions correspondence. – 1940–1973.
6 cm of textual records.

This series consists of correspondence between the director and the workers at the mission stations, correspondence with the southern district, as well as an incomplete set of monthly circulars (1955–1956 and 1963–1966) in which missionaries contributed news from their stations.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 89–98.

Saskatchewan MB Missions legal documents. – 1930–1972.
2 cm of textual records.

This series contains the original incorporation document of the Western Children’s Mission, 1937 as well as some early descriptive reports of the mission, guidelines for the operation of the mission and a proposed constitution. Also in this series is a copy of the Benevolent Societies Act of 1930, amended in 1936.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 99–102.

Saskatchewan MB Missions financial reports. – 1942–1973.
18 cm of textual records.

This series contains the financial reports of the mission stations, field director, and Saskatchewan MB missions. For 1955 and 1956 the financial reports are included with the monthly activity reports in the administration series.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 103–132.

Saskatchewan MB Missions programs. – 1953–1972.
5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of applications and references for potential mission and summer program workers as well as surveys of towns to determine where mission work could most successfully be conducted.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 133–137.

Saskatchewan MB Missions publications. – 1942–1983.
4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of the Western Challenge from 1956–1966, an incomplete series of The Challenger, a publication published every two months by the head office of the Saskatchewan MB Mission (1942–1979, 1983) and miscellaneous publications.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 138–142.

Saskatchewan MB Missions pictures. – 1954, undated.
.5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of a poster of all the MB Saskatchewan Mission missionaries in 1954 and a sheet of undated pictures of missionaries.

Finding aid: Saskatchewan MB Missions list 143.

North Saskatchewan District Conference ministers’ and deacons’ conferences sub-fonds. 1934, 1946–1965.
.5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
In 1934 a meeting of ministers and deacons was held at the home of Jacob Lepp of Dalmeny to discuss the question of eldership or the office of a bishop and the problem of false teaching. They decided that according to Scriptures an elder did not have oversight of many churches, and that one church had many elders since every lay minister and deacon was an elder. From 1946 to 1965 Saskatchewan ministers met for an annual two-day conference for personal, spiritual enrichment. Beginning in 1961(?) minister’s and deacons conferences were held on an annual basis.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of some German and some English photocopied minutes of the 1934 meeting, some annual ministers’ conferences, a long document from the General Conference about the spiritual condition of the churches in the conference and some minutes of ministers’ and deacons’ conferences.

Custodial history
These photocopied minutes were already at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies and had not been housed at the Bethany Bible Institute.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF137.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 144.

North Saskatchewan District Conference annual Bible study conferences sub-fonds. – 1960–1964.
.5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
In October 1915 delegates at the Northern District Conference elected a committee of three to plan a Bible study conference. Thereafter a Bibelwoche was held annually in late Fall.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of photocopied programs and reports of four Saskatchewan Bible study conferences.

Custodial history
These reports had been collected at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before 1996 and did not come from the Bethany Bible Institute.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF138.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 145.

North Saskatchewan District Conference Women’s Missionary Fellowship rallies sub-fonds.1958–1983.
4.5 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
In March 1958 a group of sixteen women met in Saskatoon representing ten different church women’s groups. Women’s groups from other churches had written indicating a wish to join the organization. They chose a secretary and expressed their desire to undertake special home or foreign missions projects. The first annual conference for women’s groups was held in June 1958 in the Brotherfield Church.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists predominantly of minutes of the executive, and minutes of Spring and Fall rallies of the North District Women’s Missionary Fellowship. It also contains a small amount of correspondence.

Custodial history
These records came to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies from the Bethany Bible Institute where they had been housed until 1996.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF170.
Finding aid: Northern Saskatchewan District Conference list 146–150.

Northern Saskatchewan District fond file list:

Series I: Minutes (BF110)
1.Archival register of the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, including both Northern District and Southern District. This file is classified as BF.
2.North Saskatchewan District history. C 1957.
3.North Saskatchewan District minutes of Bruederberatungen. C 8 June 1899-4 June 1927.
4.Book of original minutes (Vorberatungen) of the North Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1908-1927.
5.Book of original minutes of Halbjahrliche Beratungen of the North Saskatchewan District Conference. C 6 June 1931-21 September 1941.
Book includes original Act to Incorporate. C 1909.
(The beginning of this book is a membership record of the Aberdeen M.B. Church. C 1907.
6.Minutes of Halbjahrliche Beratungen of the North Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1937-1938.
Photocopied agenda and reports that are not included in the above minutes. C 1937-1942.
7.Minutes of the Halbjahrliche Beratungen. C 1943-1945.
8.Programs of the Halbjahres Beratungen. C 1946-1955.
10.Programs of the Halbjahres Beratungen. C 1961-1965.
11.Minutes, and programs of the North District Convention of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Saskatchewan. C 1966-1984.

Series II: Official constitutions (BF115)
12.Copy of act to incorporate. C 1909. (The original is bound in the minute book 1931-1941, #5 above.)
Act to incorporate. C 1953.
13.Proposed constitution of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan, Northern District. C 1963.

Sub-fonds I: Executive (BF121)
14.Executive minutes. C 1937-1941.
15.Executive minutes. C 1952-1969.
16.Executive correspondence. C 1959-1964.
17.Executive correspondence. C 1965-1969.

Sub-fonds II: Reference and Counsel (BF122)
18.Minutes of Reference and Counsel. C 1953-1968.

Sub-fonds III: Board of Trustees (BF123)
19.Large ledger book of financial reports. C 1958-1965.

Sub-fonds IV: Christian Education Committee (BF124)
20.Attendance list of Christian Education Conference. C 1965.
20a. Saskatchewan Board of Christian Education mutes, reports, correspondence and retreat programs. -- 1978-1992.
See: Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference Board of Christian Education, Box 23, File 57.

Sub-fonds V: Bethany Bible School (BF127)

21a.Historical notes.
21.Photocopied Bethany Committee minutes. C 1927-1947.
22.Photocopied Bethany Committee minutes. C 1947-1959.
23.Photocopied Bethany Committee minutes. C 1959-1965.
24.Reports of Bethany Bible School Convention. C 1968.

Sub-fonds VI: Saskatchewan M.B. Missions (BF132)

Series I: History
25.History of Saskatchewan M.B. Missions. C 195-.
26.Church Roll and Record of the Hague M.B. mission church. C 1969.
27.Membership lists of Hague M.B. mission church. C 1955.
Correspondence of J.H. Kehler, mission worker at Hague. C 1960-1962.
Membership transfers to Hague M.B. mission church. C 1954-1962.
Historical notes. C 1940-1968.

Series II: Minutes and reports
28.Minutes of Missionskomitees. C 1938-1941.
29.Reports of the Stadtmission. C 1941, 1942, 1943.
30.Bound book of minutes of the Innere Missions Committee. 1942-1950.
30. Minutes of the Innere Missions Komittee. -- 1946-1950.
31.Bound book of minutes of the Innere Missions Committee. 1951-1953.
Also bound in this book are minutes of the Fuersorgekomittee (Reference and Counsel). C 1953-1968.
Also bound in this book are minutes of the Executive. C 1961-1968.
32.Minutes of the Saskatchewan M.B. Mission Board. C 1959-1964.
33.Minutes of the Saskatchewan M.B. Mission Board. C 1965-1970.
34.Annual worker's reports at the Saskatchewan Provincial Conference. C 1955.
35.D.V.B.S. and camp reports. C 1955.
36.D.V.B.S. reports. C 1965-1969.
37.D.V.B.S. reports. C 1970-1972.
38.Minutes of annual worker's convention. C 1945.
39.Missions summary reports. C 1955-1959.
40.Missions summary reports. C 1960-1965.
41.Missions summary reports. C 1966-1970.
42.Blaine Lake monthly activity reports by A.H. Dueck. C 1959-1964.
43.Blaine Lake monthly activity reports by Gerhard Reimer and Irwin Penner. C 1964-1969.
44.Blaine Lake monthly activity reports by Irwin Penner and David Wooton. C 1970-1973.
45.Compass monthly activity reports by Dave Nickel. C 1955, 1956.
46.Elbow monthly activity reports by Jacob Schmidt. C 1962-1965.
47.Elbow monthly activity reports by Jacob Schmidt and Dave Esau. C 1966-1971.
48.Foam Lake monthly activity reports by Alvin Penner and Jake H. Kehler. C 1955-1958.
49.Foam Lake monthly activity reports by Jake H. Kehler and Gerhard Reimer. C 1959-1964.

50.Foam Lake monthly activity reports by Gerhard Reimer and Frank F. Froese. C 1965-1968.
51.Foam Lake monthly activity reports by Frank F. Froese. C 1968-1973.
52.Hague Ferry monthly activity reports by Victor Nickel. C 1955-1956.
53.Hague monthly activity reports by Waldo Lepp and Jake H. Kehler. C 1959-1964.
54.Hague monthly activity reports by Jake H. Kehler. C 1965-1968.
55.Kelstern monthly activity reports by J.J. Thiessen. C 1967-1969.
56.Lucky Lake monthly activity reports by Frank F. Froese. C 1955, 1956.
57.Lucky Lake monthly activity reports by Alvin Penner. C 1959-1961.
58.Lucky Lake monthly activity reports by Alvin Penner and J.J. Thiessen. C 1962-1966.
59.Lucky Lake monthly activity reports by J.J. Thiessen and John H. Wiens. C 1967-1969.
60.Maidstone monthly activity reports by David Balzer. C 1963-1964.
61.Meadow Lake monthly activity reports by William Buller. C 1959-1964.
62.Meadow Lake monthly activity reports by William Buller. C 1965-1969.
63.Meadow Lake monthly activity reports by William Buller. C 1970-1971.
64.Rapid View monthly activity reports. C 1959-1961.
65.Mildred monthly activity reports by John Kehler. C 1955, 1956.
66.Mildred monthly activity reports by John Kehler. C 1959-1961.
67.Moose Jaw monthly activity reports by Lorlie Barkman. C 1964-1969.
68.Moose Jaw monthly activity reports by Lorlie Barkman. C 1970-1973.
69.North Battleford monthly activity reports by Arno Fast. C 1960-1965.
70.North Battleford monthly activity reports by Arno Fast and Henry Janzen. C 1966-1969.
71.North Battleford monthly activity reports by Henry Janzen. C 1970-1973.
72.Pierceland monthly activity reports by John Willems. C 1955, 1956.
73.Pierceland monthly activity reports by George Reimer and Walter A. Penner. C 1959-1964.
74.Pierceland monthly activity reports by Walter A. Penner and Adolph J. Redekopp. C 1965-1969.
75.Prince Albert monthly activity reports by John A. Penner. C 1968-1969.
76.Prince Albert monthly activity reports by Abe C. Klassen. C 1969-1971.
77.Regina monthly activity reports by Helen Giesbrecht. C 1960-1961.
78.Regina monthly activity reports by George B. Dyck. C 1963-1966.
79.Saskatoon monthly activity reports by A.J. Sawatzky, Helen Giesbrecht, and Lawrence A. Redekopp. C 1955, 1956.
80.Swift Current monthly activity reports by Lawrence A. Redekopp and Alvin Penner. C 1955, 1956.
81.Swift Current monthly activity reports by J.S. Adrian and Ernie Isaac. C 1959-1960.
82.Swift Current monthly activity reports by Eugene Martens. C 1963-1964.
83.Tisdale monthly activity reports by E. Maynard Waldner. C 1960-1961.
84.Tisdale monthly activity reports by E. Maynard Waldner and David Balzer. C 1962-1963.
85.Warman monthly activity reports by Norman Fehr. C 1955, 1956.
86.Warman monthly activity reports by Frank F. Froese. C 1959-1961.
87.Warman monthly activity reports by Frank F. Froese. C 1962-1964.
88.Warman monthly activity reports by Frank F. Froese and Elvin Penner. C 1965-1969.

Series III: Correspondence
89.Correspondence of Executive Committee of Western Children's Mission with Northern District. C 1940.
Correspondence of Peter J. Hooge, lawyer, with Western Children's Mission regarding conscription. C 1942.
90.Correspondence of Saskatchewan M.B. Missions, Head Office, with the Southern District. C 1955, 1956.
91.Correspondence of Saskatchewan M.B. Missions, Head Office, with its mission station workers. C 1955-1956.
92.General correspondence. C 1954-1956.
93.Saskatchewan M.B. Missions Circular. C 1955.
94.Circular. C 1956.
95.Circular. C 1963.
96.Circular. C 1964.
97.Circular. C 1965.
98.Circular. C 1966.

Series IV: Legal Documents
99.Original incorporation document of the Western Children's Mission. C 1937.
Vorlage: A report about the Western Children's Mission. C 1946.
Klarlegung: Principles of the Western Children's Mission. C 1950.
Proposed constitution.
Recommendations accepted by the Provincial Conference. C 1947-1966.
100.The Benevolent Societies Act, 1930, amended in 1936.
Superintendent's report for the Hague Ferry School C 1942.
101.Reference guide to Education and Health Tax Act. C 1971-1972.
102.Blueprint and information regarding the building of the mission headquarters in Saskatoon. C 1964.

Series V: Financial statements
103.Financial reports of the Western Children's Mission. C 1942-1943.
104.Financial reports of the Saskatchewan M.B. Mission. C 1953-1955.
105.Oversized book: Innere Missions Einnahmen. C 1 June 1947 to 1 June 1958.
106.Book: Financial reports of Saskatchewan M.B. Mission. C 1966.
107.Book: Financial reports of Saskatchewan M.B. Mission. C 1967.
108.Book: Financial reports of Saskatchewan M.B. Mission. C 1967-1969.
109.Financial reports of Saskatchewan M.B. Mission. C 1971-1972.
110.General director's financial reports by J.S. Adrian. C 1955, 1956.
111.Saskatoon head office financial reports by Lawrence A. Redekopp. C 1967-1969.
112.Blaine Lake financial reports. C 1967-1973.
113.Elbow financial reports. C 1967-1969.
114.Foam Lake financial reports. C 1961-1962, 1968-1969.
115.Hague Ferry financial reports. C 1959-1960, 1964-1968.
116.Book: Hague Ferry financial reports. C 1962-1965.
117.Hague financial reports. C 1966-1969.

118.Lucky Lake financial reports. C 1955-1956, 1959.
119.Lucky Lake financial reports. C 1963-1969.
120.Maidstone financial reports. C 1963-1964.
121.Meadow Lake financial reports. C 1959, 1967-1971.
122.Moose Jaw financial reports. C 1967-1973.
123.North Battleford financial reports. C 1967-1973.
124.Pierceland financial reports. C 1961-1969.
125.Prince Albert financial reports. C 1968-1971.
126.Regina financial reports. C 1963-1965.
127.Records of building costs for the Saskatoon Mission Chapel. C 1954.
128.Saskatoon financial reports. C 1955, 1956, and 1970.
129.Correspondence regarding Swift Current appeal against tax assessment. C 1956.
130.Swift Current financial reports. C 1955, 1956.
131.Tisdale financial reports. C 1962-1963.
132.Warman financial reports. C 1964-1968.

Series VI: Programs
133.Applications of new missionaries. C 1953.
134.Applications of Daily Vacation Bible School workers. C 1955, 1956.
135.Applications of Daily Vacation Bible School workers. C 1965-1972.
136.Redberry Camp camper attendance records. C 1954, 1955, 1956.
137.Surveys of Saskatchewan towns. C 1969.

Series VII: Publications
138."Western Challenge." C 1956-1966.
Miscellaneous publications.
139."The Challenger." C 1942-1945.
140."The Challenger." C 1946-1951.
141."The Challenger." C 1952-1958.
142."The Challenger." C 1961-1966.

Series VIII: Pictures
143.Pictures of Saskatchewan M.B. Missions workers. C 1954, undated.

Sub-Fonds VII: Ministers' and Deacons' Conferences (BF137)
144.Minutes and reports. 1934, 1946-1965.

Sub-Fonds VIII: Annual Bible Study Conferences (BF138)
145.Minutes and reports. C 1960-1964.

Sub-Fonds IX: Women's Missionary Fellowship Rallies (BF170)
146.Book: Minutes of the executive and annual spring and fall rallies. C 1958-1964.
147.Book: Minutes of the spring rally. C 1964.
Minutes of executive meetings. C 1982, 1983.
148.Minutes of spring and fall rallies. C 1970-1983.

149.Correspondence. C 1967-1983.
150.Programs and financial statements. C 1968, 1971.

3. South Saskatchewan District Conference (Herbert Kreis)
1909-1985.
32 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren settlements were established on both sides of the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and south of the South Saskatchewan River in the first two decades of the twentieth century – somewhat later than in North Saskatchewan. Unlike the North Saskatchewan area, the prairies west of the city of Moose Jaw were bald and treeless, and this may have been a reason for late settlement. Whereas most MB pioneers in the Rosthern area had come from Minnesota and Nebraska, a considerable number of the settlers in the South District came from Manitoba and North Dakota, with a sprinkling of immigrants from other states and from Russia.

The following congregations were organized in the Herbert area during the pioneer period: Main Centre in 1904 under the leadership of elder Benjamin Janz, Herbert in 1905 with J.J. Martens as first leader, Gnadenau (near Flowing Well, now extinct) in 1907 with John F. Harms as first leader, Elim (near Kelstern) in 1907 with Peter Penner (an ordained minister from Russia) as presiding minister, Woodrow in 1909 with G. Reimche as first leader, Greenfarm (now extinct) in 1912 with J.W. Thiessen as first leader, Bethania (now extinct) in 1913 in the Turnhill school district with Johann W. Neufeld an ordained minister from Russia as first leader and Fox Valley (now extinct) some forty miles north of Maple Creek in 1914 under the direction of elder Benjamin Janz.

In Fox Valley as well as in several other congregations many members had come from North Dakota. With their Volga-German (and in some instances Lutheran) background, they lacked a knowledge of Mennonite Brethren principles and practices. As a result, misunderstandings and tensions often arose, and brethren from the more established congregations of Main Centre and Herbert were called in to help resolve these tensions.

Besides Benjamin Janz, the Herbert District profited greatly from the rich spiritual ministry of several other prominent leaders. Heinrich A. Neufeld (1865–1933) who moved to the Herbert area in 1911 travelled extensively as evangelist and Bible expositor. C.N. Hiebert, with his unique gifts in evangelism, was used of God in many churches to call sinners to repentance and encourage believers.

The above material is taken from A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church: Pilgrims and Pioneers by John A. Toews, p. 159–160.

Available minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference begin in December, 1909. The 1909 conference took place in Herbert under the leadership of Benjamin Janz with P.P. Kroeker as secretary. Other early conference leaders and secretaries were Heinrich A. Neufeld, Johan W. Klassen, S.L. Hodel, J.F. Redekop, John P. Wiebe, and H. Regehr. In 1945 John E. Priebe was moderator and John D. Goertzen was secretary. Moderators between 1946 and 1953 were John Siemens, J.M. Neufeld, H.F. Klassen, and J.M. Neufeld. Other leaders were E.J. Lautermilch, J.J. Thiessen, and Jacob Schmidt. Meetings eventually took place semi-annually, but were held more often at first. Some of these meetings appear to have been Vorberatungen (prepatory session) for the Northern District Conference (later known as the Canadian Conference). Delegates discussed such items as home and foreign missions and prayer week. In addition to missions, topics for discussion were issues pertaining to the Canadian Conference, colportage and itinerant ministry, relief work, local church concerns, youth, Bible school, and music.

At a meeting held on June 6, 1945 a motion was passed to amalgamate the North and South Saskatchewan Districts. In the following year joint meetings of representatives from both districts were held to bring about the amalgamation and in 1946 the first Saskatchewan Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches was held in Saskatoon. The two districts worked together on city mission, Western Children’s Mission and Canadian Conference concerns.

In 1965 a paper outlining the proposed steps of procedure for amalgamation was sent into the churches for study. At the June North District Conference the delegates voted one hundred percent in favour of amalgamation. They passed a motion to elect a six-member steering committee with equal representation from North and South to give guidance and direction in the forming of one provincial conference. (See Yearbook of the Northern Saskatchewan District Conference of MB Churches, June 1965, p. 22).

South and North Districts, however, continued to meet separately to discuss local matters until 1978. The South continued to be responsible for the Herbert Senior Citizens’ Home and the Westbank Bible Camp. In 1986 the South District officially and legally dissolved. Existing boards for Westbank Bible Camp and Herbert Senior Citizens’ Home operated as autonomous boards. (See letter from John Klassen to the churches in Southern Saskatchewan dated 11 March 1986.)

Scope and content

This fonds consists of the following series:

South Saskatchewan District minutes (BF210) and
South Saskatchewan District official constitutions (BF215).
There are the following sub-fonds:
- South Saskatchewan District Executive (BF221),
- South Saskatchewan District Reference and Counsel (BF222),
- South Saskatchewan District Board of Directors (BF223),
- South Saskatchewan District Herbert Bible School Committee (BF229) and
- South Saskatchewan District Senior Citizen’s Home (BF232).

Custodial history
Some of the minutes other materials came to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in 1996 from the Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan where they had been housed. Some of the photocopied minutes had been collected previously and were already at CMBS.

Notes

Location: Volumes 310-311.
Title based on the contents of the fonds.
Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF200.

Series description

South Saskatchewan District Conference minutes. – 1909–1985.
18 cm of textual records.

This series consists of a fairly complete set of minutes, much of it photocopied from books of the Saskatchewan Mennonite Brethren in the Southern District (Herbert Kreis). From 1909 to 1947 the minutes are in the German Gothic script. Between September 1947 and 1960 they are still in German with Latin characters, and from 1960 to 1969 in English. There are no available minutes between 1969 and 1971 and between 1971 and 1978. Included with the conference minutes between 1935 and 1954 are minutes of South Saskatchewan District Conference Kreis(Executive) Committee minutes, Ausschusz (Outreach) Committee minutes, and Missions Committee minutes.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF210, South Saskatchewan District Conference list 1–16a.

South Saskatchewan District Conference official constitution. – 1953, 1965?, 1978.
2 mm of textual records.

This series consists of an incorporation document for the Saskatchewan MB Conference (1953), a bill to change the name of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan to “the Saskatchewan Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches” (1978) and proposed constitutions for the South Saskatchewan District Conference. A paper, probably written around 1965, about amalgamation of North and South Districts is also in this series.

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF215, South Saskatchewan District Conference list 17.

South Saskatchewan District Conference Executive sub-fonds. – 1921–1971, 1986.
7 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
In 1947 the Executive Committee was a small committee of five within the Kreiskomitee. The Kreiskomitee was composed of all South Saskatchewan District church leaders, the Kreisleiter, the secretary, the treasurer, and the chairman of the Missions Committee. From 1947 to 1948 the Kreiskomitee met five times and the Executive Committee met separately for two additional meetings. The Kreiskomitee was responsible to choose itinerant ministers to visit the South District churches. This committee discussed issues pertaining to the Bible school, relief work, and the Conference treasury. (See minutes of the Jahresberatung, 29 May 1948). The Kreiskomiteechose dates and set agendas for the Vorberatung (preliminary planning session) and the South Saskatchewan District Conference. The Kreiskomitee working together with all conference committees discussed all items pertaining to the South Saskatchewan District Conference and was actually an interim conference. They sometimes met for special sessions to address unusual issues.

The Executive Committee in 1947 was made up of the Kreisleiter, the secretary and three other members. The mandate of the Executive Committee was to oversee evangelism in the South Saskatchewan District. In 1950 they regulated plans for home missions in the South District and Predigersaustausch (pulpit exchange).

In 1968 representatives of the Youth Committee, the Music Committee, the Senior Citizens’ Home, the Missions Committee, the Camp Committee, the Sunday School Committee and the Board of Directors reported to the Executive. The Executive continued to exist until 1986 when the South District officially dissolved.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of photocopied minutes in the German and English languages. The minutes are located in chronological order within the Conference minutes until 1954, after which they are located in an Executive file. This sub-fonds also contains correspondence of the Executive secretary and the North Saskatchewan District Conference, the Canadian Conference, the General Conference, and the provincial government. Early letters are in the German language.

Custodial history
Some of the correspondence and minutes came from Bethany where they had been housed while some had come to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies earlier.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF221.
Finding aid: South Saskatchewan District Conference list 18–28.

South Saskatchewan District Conference Reference and Counsel sub-fonds. – 1967 1969.
2 mm of textual records.

Administrative history
Within the minutes of the South Saskatchewan District are minutes of a Komitee für den erbaulichen Teil der Konferenz, which may have been the forerunner of the Fürsorgekomitee, the early name for the Board of Reference and Counsel. After 1960 when the South Saskatchewan District began to write their minutes in English, the Fuersorgekomitee became the Board of Reference and Counsel. This committee helped local churches with various congregational problems and spiritual concerns. In 1949 the Kreis Fuersorgekomitee was composed of three elected members for a specified time and the Kreis Prasidium (Executive). (See minutes of annual meeting 25 May 1949). On 31 May 1952 at the annual meeting in Herbert, a Fuersorgekomitee of four members was elected – two for three years, one for two years, and one for one year (p. 431). In 1961 the Board of Reference and Counsel met nine times to answer questions from churches and individuals. They also organized a ministers’ and deacons’ conference and planned a centennial celebration of Mennonite Brethren churches. A recommendation in 1961 was that the Board of Reference and Counsel should consist of the executive (chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer), and an additional three members. All ordinations of ministers and deacons were to be channelled through this Board.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of photocopied minutes of the Board of Reference and Counsel for 1967 and 1968. Earlier minutes are located with the minutes of annual meetings in chronological order.

Custodial history
Most of these minutes were already at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies and a few have been added from the materials that came from Bethany.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF222.
Finding aid: South Saskatchewan District Conference list 29.

South Saskatchewan District Conference Board of Directors sub-fonds. – 1939–1976.
3 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Early financial matters appear to have been regulated on the conference floor. In 1948 the treasuer worked with the Kreiskomitee. He was responsible not only for the treasury but also to let the churches know how they were faring in regards to giving. A.P. Janz was treasurer for ten years, after which B.C. Schellenberg was the treasurer for many years. At the May 5th, 1951 annual meeting a Board of Directors consisting of four members was elected – one member for three years, one member for two years and two members for one year. In addition to conference finances and collection of monies for special building projects, the Board of Directors (Direktorium) looked after legal matters such as land titles on which conference buildings were erected and incorporation and constitutional documents. They were the signing authority for the conference.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of files of financial records as well as one bound account book.

Custodial history
These financial records came to Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies from Bethany Bible School where they had been housed.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF223.
Finding aid: South Saskatchewan District Conference list 30–32.

South Saskatchewan District Conference Herbert Bible School Committee sub-fonds. – 1916–1932.
3 cm of textual records.

Administrative history
Of special significance for the whole Herbert Kreis was the establishment of a Bible school in the town of Herbert in 1913. This institution, the first of its kind in Canada, was largely the fruit of the vision, courage and labour of John F. Harms. Harms had been engaged in educational efforts in Kansas some years earlier. When he settled on a farm at Flowing Well south of Herbert in 1908 he began to teach classes during the winter months. In 1913 the hopes of the Northern District Conference became a reality when eighteen students enroled for studies under Harms. When Harms moved back to the United States in 1918 the school had to be closed because of financial difficulties. In 1921 it was reopened under the capable leadership of William J. Bestvater. Teachers and students of the Bible school helped to promote a greater interest in Christian service and mission in the entire constituency. The Herbert Bible School closed in 1957 and the building was sold to Miller Memorial Bible Institute, dismantled, and moved to Pambrun in 1961.

Taken from A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church: Pilgrims and Pioneers by John A. Toews, p. 160.

Scope and content
This sub-fonds consists of copies of the minutes of the Herbert Bible School Committee, mostly in the German Gothic script.

Custodial history
The contents of this sub-fonds did not come from the Bethany Bible Institute. They had been collected at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before 1996.

Notes

Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF229.
Finding aid: South Saskatchewan District Conference list 33 and 34.

South Saskatchewan Senior Citizen’s Home Committee sub-fonds. – 1976.
1 mm of textual records.

Administrative history
The building of a Senior Citizens’ Home was first introduced at a committee meeting held on December 10th, 1960 (minutes, p. 2). At a District Conference on September 23rd, 1961, the decision was made to build a thirty-bed home in the town of Herbert. A Building Committee was appointed on December 10th, 1961 and plans were finalized at the Spring Conference in 1962. The official opening took place on October 20th, 1963. Houseparents were Mr. and Mrs. Nick Janz.

Scope and content
Although this sub-fonds contains only reports from 1976, much information about the Herbert Senior Citizen’s Home can be found in the minutes of the South Saskatchewan District.

Custodial history
These reports were at Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies before 1996.

Notes

Location: Volumes 310-311.
Finding aid: The records are classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BF232.
Finding aid: South Saskatchewan District Conference list 35.

South Saskatchewan District fond file list:
Series I: Minutes (BF210)
1."Account of the Founding and Development of M.B. Churches in South Saskatchewan" by Anna R. Redekop. C after 1976.
2.Miscellaneous programs, minutes, and reports pertaining to the South Saskatchewan District. C 1938-1942, 1950.
3.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1909-1934.
4.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1935-1940.
5.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1941-1943.
6.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1943-1945.
7.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1945-1953.
8.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1953-1954.
9.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1954-1958.
10.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1958-1960.
11.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1961-1962.
12.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1963-1964.
13.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1965-1971.
14.Minutes of the South Saskatchewan District Conference. C 1972-1985.
15. Selected resolutions. -- 1945-1965.

Series II: Constitutions (BF215)
17.Bill to incorporate the Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan. C 1953.
Copy of a bill to change the name of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Saskatchewan. C 1978.
Report: "Amalgamation of the North and South M.B. Districts." C 1965?
"A Proposed Constitution for Mission Churches Supported by the Mennonite Brethren Conference." C 1961?
"Proposed Constitution for the South Saskatchewan Provincial Conference of Mennonite Brethren." C1962?

Sub-fonds I: South Saskatchewan District Executive (BF221)
18.Minutes of the Executive. C 1954-1959.
19.Minutes of the Executive. C 1960-1965, 1968.
20.Executive correspondence. C 1921, 1934-1939.
21.Executive correspondence. C 1940-1941.
22.Executive correspondence. C 1942-1943.
23.Executive correspondence. C 1944-1946.
24.Executive correspondence. C 1947-1949.
25.Executive correspondence. C 1950, 1952, 1953.
26.Executive correspondence. C 1954-1959.
27.Executive correspondence. C 1960, 1961.
28.Executive correspondence. C 1962-1968, 1970, 1971, 1986.

Sub-fonSouth Saskatchewan District Reference and Counselds II: . (BF222)
29.Minutes of Board of Reference and Counsel. C 1939, 1949, 1954-1969.

Sub-fonds III: South Saskatchewan Board of Directors (BF223)
30.Financial records. C 1939-1941.
31.Oversized book of financial records. C 1959-1969.
32.Financial records. C 1966-1969, 1971, 1976.

Sub-fonds IV: Herbert Bible School Committee (BF229)
33.Minutes of the Herbert Bible School Committee. C 1916-1932.
34.Constitution and minutes of the Herbert Bible School. 1926-1932.

Sub-fonds V: Herbert Senior Citizens' Home (BF232)
35.Financial report and manager's report. C 1976.