© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Last updated 20 May 2010)

• Conference of Mennonites in Canada - Auxiliary Organizations - Canadian Women in Mission


Retrieval numbers: Volumes 531-533, 668-669, 1048-1049, 2166-2168, 3362, 3750, 4099-4101, 4240-4245, 4240, 4480-4481, 4707, 4844-4845, 5034; Photograph Collection 376

Title: Canadian Women in Mission
Dates: 1954-1996
Extent: 2 m of textual records
Extent: 1 cloth banner
Extent: 51 photographs


Historical note

Women's sewing societies existed among Canadian Mennonites since the late 19th century. Since 1917 the women from the General Conference Mennonite Church in the United States had an umbrella organization called the "Women's Missionary Association" (WMA). This organization had a Canadian representative from at least 1930 who encouraged local Canadian Mennonite women's sewing societies to register with the WMA. It wasn't until 1952 in Gretna, Manitoba that a Canadian Mennonite Women's conference was held which had significant participation from the various provincial women's groups which had been founded during the previous 2 decades, that the "Canadian Women's Missionary Association" was formally founded. The constitution was first presented and accepted at an All-Canadian Women's Conference in Drake, Saskatchewan in 1953. Early presidents of the organization were: Sophia Krehbiel from 1952-1957, Louise Schaefer from 1958-1960, Katherine Hooge from 1961-1966, Mary Harder from 1967-1972, and Margaret Ewert from 1973-1977. The position of secretary-treasurer was held by: Agnes Ewert from 1952-1962, Justine Warkentin from 1963-1965, Helen Redekopp from 1966-1971, Helen Rempel from 1972-1977, followed by Anne Neufeld, Margaret Bueckert and Betty Nachtigal. The name officially changed to "Canadian Women in Mission" (WIM) in 1975. The Canadian WMA and WIM functioned as an auxiliary arm of the church promoting awareness of and financial support for a variety of mission projects. They were also responsible for the publication for the German paper entitled "Unser Missionsblatt" which started publication in 1946.

Scope and content note

This series consists primarily of the records collected and generated by the president, secretary or treasurer of the organization. There are four parts: Presidents' files, 1966-1978; Secretary/Treasurer's files, 1954-1991; Presidents' files, 1981-1990, 1996; and President's files, 1989-1993. These last two parts includes files of each of the Provincial WIM activities, minutes, reports and correspondence relating to the Canadian and General Conference WIM, copies of the constitution, some project files, and miscellaneous articles. There are also photographs of women's groups typical activities such as quilting, sewing, planning meals and having spiritual fellowship together.  Of special interest is a small scrapbook album of a  Girl's home reunion for the Eben Ezer Maedchenheim held in 1961 in Vancouver.  This collection will be critical for the researcher studying the roles of women in the life of the church.

Index terms

Creators

• Conference of Mennonites in Canada - Auxiliary Organizations - Canadian Women in Mission

  Adjunct descriptive data

  Finding aids

  Inventory file list available

  Related material in this repository

  ---

  MHC Photographs Collections: 102, 298, 322,  492

  Notes

  Language

  some material in German

  Restrictions on access

  none

  ---

  Inventory file list for CMC Series D.03. Canadian Women in Mission Files

  
  Volume 531
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files (1966-1968)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports. (1966-1967)
  2. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports. (1967-1968)
  
  Volume 532
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files - (1968-1970)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports. (1968-1969)
  2. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports. (1969-1970)
  
  Volume 533
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files - (1970-1971)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports (1970-1971)
  
  Volume 668
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files - (1971-1973)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports - (1971-1972)
  2. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports - (1972-1973)
  
  Volume 669
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files - (1973-1975)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports (1973-1974)
  2. Canadian Women's Missionary Association president's correspondence and reports (1974-1975)
  3. WMA Manual (published in 1968, amended in 1975).
  
  Volume 1049
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files (1954-1975)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association Treasurer's files (included are bank statements, cheque stubs, and receipt books) (1954-1975)
  
  Volume 1048
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1965-1974)
  1. Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary's minutes and correspondence - (1971-1974)
  2. Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary's minutes and correspondence - (1966-1971)
  3. Correspondence
  4. Correspondence (1965-1966)
  
  Volume 2166
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files – (1974-1976)
  1. Canadian Women in Mission president's files - (1974-1976)
  
  Volume 2167
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files - (1976-1977)
  1. Canadian Women in Mission president's files - (1976-1977)
  
  Volume 2168
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association President's files (1977-1978)
  1. Canadian Women in Mission president's files (1977-1978)
  
  Volume 3362
  CMC – Resources Commission - Congregational Resources Board - Education Consultant (1983-1986)
  CMC - Auxiliary Organizations - Canadian Women in Mission (1984-1986)
  1. Commission on Education (1984-1986)
  2. Commission on Education Consultation (1984)
  3. Commission on Home Ministries (1985)
  4. Concerned Mennonites of Saskatchewan (1985)
  5. Executive Secretary (1983-1986)
  6. Foundation Series Resource Persons (1983-1986)
  7. General Board (1983-1985)
  8. Missions Consultation (1983-1984)
  9. Monthly Letter to Sunday School Superintendents (1984-1985)
  10. Persons (1984-1985)
  11. Persons (1986)
  12. Provincial Education Committees (1984)
  13. Provincial Education Committee British Columbia,(1985-1986)
  14. Provincial Education Committee Manitoba,(1985-1986)
  15. Provincial Education Committee Ontario, (1985-1986)
  16. Provincial Education Committee Saskatchewan (1985-1986)
  17. Sioux Falls - GC/CMC (1984)
  18. Women in Mission (1984-1986)
  
  Volume 3750
  CMBC (1976-1977)
  CMC – General Board - Annual Sessions (1976-1977)
  CMC – General Board - General Board (1976-1979)
  CMC – General Board - Finance (1979)
  CMC - Resources Commission - Congregational Resources Board (1976-1980)
  CMC - Native Ministries (1976-1979)
  CMC - Auxiliary Organizations - Canadian Women in Mission (1976-1980)
  1. Minutes - Annual Session (1976-1977)
  2. Minutes - CMBC - (1976-1977)
  3. Minutes - Committee on Ministry (1976-1977)
  4. Minutes - Congregational Resources Board (1976-1980)
  5. Minutes - Congregational Residential Sub-Committees (1976-1979)
  6. Minutes - Council of Boards Plenary Session (1978)
  7. Minutes - Financial Committee (1979)
  8. Minutes - General Board (1976-1978)
  9. Minutes - Heritage Centre Building Committee (1977-1978)
  10. Minutes - Native Ministries Board (1976-1979)
  11. Minutes - Nominations Committee - Letters (1978-1979)
  12. Minutes - Program Committee (1977-1979)
  13. Minutes - Women in Mission (1976-1980)
  
  Volume 4099
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports - (1981-1987)
  1. Alberta Women in Mission (1981-1987)
  2. British Columbia Women in Mission (1982-1986)
  3. Manitoba Women in Mission (1981-1987)
  4. Ontario Women in Mission (1981-1987)
  
  Volume 4100
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports - (1981-1987)
  1. Saskatchewan Women in Mission (1981-1987)
  2. South Western Ontario Women in Mission (1982-1987)
  3. Canadian Women in Mission Executive correspondence (1981-1983)
  4. General Conference Women in Mission correspondence (1981-1987)
  5. Missionary correspondence (1981-1985)
  
  Volume 4101
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports - (1981-1987)
  1. Miscellaneous correspondence (1981-1987)
  2. Canadian Women in Mission Council and Executive minutes (1981-1987)
  3. Canadian Women in Mission President's (Anita Froese) correspondence and reports (1981-1987)
  4. Annual reports (1981-1987)
  5. Canadian Women in Mission report booklets (1980-1986)
  6. Constitution copies.
  7. "Dialogue on Biblical Interpretation and Practice" reports.
  8. Parenting for Peace and Justice, pamphets and book order forms, etc.
  9. Articles by women and about women
  
  Volume 4240
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1977-1988)
  1. Canadian Women in Mission ledger - (1977-1984)
  2. Canadian Women in Mission ledger by provinces - (1984-1988)
  
  Volume 4241
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1970-1989)
  1. Minutes of Executive and annual sessions (1970 1979)
  2. Minutes of executive and annual sessions (1980 1984)
  3. Minutes of executive and annual sessions (1985 1989)
  4. Financial Correspondence (1977 1978)
  5. Financial Correspondence (1978 1979)
  6. Financial Correspondence (1979 1980)
  7. Financial Correspondence (1980 1981)
  8. Financial Correspondence (1981 1982)
  
  Volume 4242
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1982-1988)
  1. Financial Correspondence (1983 1986)
  2. Correspondence (1982)
  3. Correspondence (1983)
  4. Correspondence (1984)
  5. Correspondence (1985)
  6. Correspondence (1986)
  7. Correspondence (1987)
  8. Correspondence (1988)
  
  Volume 4243
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1974-1989)
  1. Correspondence (1974 1981)
  2. Taiwan Choir (1978)
  3. The early history of the Canadian Women's Conferences (ca.1978)
  4. Correspondence (1988 1989)
  
  Volume 4244
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1988-1990)
  1. Financial Records (1988 1989)
  2. Financial records (1988 1989)
  3. Financial records (1989 1990)
  4. Contribution Forms (1989 1990)
  
  Volume 4245
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - Canadian Women's Missionary Association Secretary/Treasurer's files - (1989-1991)
  1. Financial Data (1991)
  2. Financial Data: B.C., Alberta, Sask., Manitoba, Ontario; GCWM Budget Trial Balance; GCWM Correspondence and Information (1990 1991)
  3. Correspondence (1989 1990)
  4. Correspondence (1990-1991)
  
  Volume 4240
  Bethesda Mennonite Church, Langham, Saskatchewan (1908-1988)
  CMC – Auxiliary Organizations - Canadian Women in Mission (1977-1988)
  1. Bethesda Mennonite Church: Minutes of Membership Meetings (1925-1944)
  2. Outline of Children’s Program, Christmas program (1927-1928)
  3. Bethesda Church membership minutes (1937-1947)
  4. Miscellaneous financial notes (1921-1946)
  5. Ledger book with membership list, income and expenditures; minutes of membership meetings (1917-1924) (1928-1936)
  6. Journal of income and expenditures (1908-1926)
  7. Cash Book (1925-1947)
  8. Canadian Women in Mission Ledger (1977-1984)
  9. Canadian Women in Mission Ledger by Provinces (1984-1988)
  
  Volume 4480
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports- (1987-1990, 1996)
  1. B.C. Women in Mission (1987 1989)
  2. Alberta Women in Mission (1987 1990)
  3. Saskatchewan Women in Mission (1987 1990)
  4. Manitoba Women in Mission (1987 1990)
  5. Ontario Women in Mission (1988 1990, 1996)
  
  Volume 4481
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports- (1987-1990)
  1. Canadian WIM Annual reports (1988-1989)
  2. Canadian WIM Council of Commissions. (1987-1989)
  3. Canadian WIM Project lists & reports (1987-1989)
  4. GC WIM Nomination correspondence (1987-1989)
  5. G C WIM reports and correspondence (1987-1990)
  6. WIM Learning Tour correspondence (1987-1988)
  
  Volume 4707
  Edenburg Sewing Circle (1953-1994) CMC – Women in Mission (1963-1994)
  1. Letters and Contacts (1953-1976)
  2. Letters and Contacts (1977-1994)
  3. Poster (199?)
  4. 29 Greeting cards (1968-1993)
  5. Letters from Women in Missions (1963-1991)
  6. Women in Missions conference programs and constitution (1963-1991)
  7. Annual report by Edenburg sewing Circle for Women in Missions (1964-1994)
  8. Nine Pictures (196?, 1973, 198?)
  
  Volume 4844
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports- (1975-1993)
  1. Executive Lists and addresses (1990-1993)
  2. Correspondence with Conference of Mennonites in Canada (August 1990 - May 1993)
  3. Correspondence from president (Elsie Neufeldt) to provincial presidents, to groups and to the executive (1990-1993)
  4. Structure and Constitution for Canadian Women in Mission.
  5. Correspondence re. "Widening the Circle" filmstrip (1989-1991)
  6. Correspondence with General Conference Women in Mission (1990-1991)
  7. Correspondence with General Conference Women in Mission (1992-1993)
  8. Canadian Women in Mission Annual Reports and related information (1989-1993)
  9. Minutes of various committee meetings (1975-1993)
     • Executive committee (1975, 1978, 1980-1981, 1991-1993)
     • Pre-conference meetings (1975, 1990-1992)
     • Board meetings (1976, 1990)
     • Canadian Women in Mission conference (1976-1992)
     • National and provincial executives (1978)
     • Evaluation meetings (1990).
  10. Correspondence to president (Elsie Neufeldt) (1989-1993)
  11. Project lists (1988-1992)
  12. Various correspondence (1990-1993)
  13. Newsletters (1992-1993)
  14. Correspondence re. financial assistance (1990-1993)
  
  Volume 4845
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports- (1989-1993)
  1. Ontario Women in Mission (1989-1993)
     • Constitution, Annual Reports and Minutes (1989-1993)
     • Correspondence, Addresses (1991-1993)
     • Miscellaneous Business.
  2. Saskatchewan Women in Mission (1990-1993)
     • Minutes (1991-1993)
     • Addresses (1991-1993)
     • Annual Conference Sessions (1992-1993)
     • Correspondence, Miscellaneous Business.
  3. Manitoba Women in Mission (1990-1993)
     • Minutes (1990-1992)
     • Annual Conferences and Reports (1991-1993)
     • Correspondence.
  4. Alberta Women in Mission (1990-1993)
     • Correspondence (1990-1993)
     • Address lists (1991-1993)
     • Conference Minutes (1992)
     • Conference reports (1991-1993).
  5. British Columbia Women in Mission (1989-1993)
     • Minutes (1991-1992)
     • Address Lists (1989-1993)
     • Spring Conference (1992)
     • Correspondence (1991)
  
  Volume 5034
  CMC – Canadian Women in Mission - president's correspondence and reports- (1995)
  1. Canadian Women in Mission cloth quilted banner, made by Anne Schmidt of Altona, Manitoba (90 x 152 cm. Used from 1995-2003) (1995)