When Immanuel Mennonite was founded in the early ’90s, immigration was just beginning to make its mark on Harrisonburg. Since then, immigration’s increase has not only altered the demographics of the city, but of the Newtown community and of Immanuel Mennonite. The church’s population has experienced consistent changes since its beginnings close to 30 years ago.
The church has also seen diversity in its pastors: both men and women, white and African-American. Under Basil Marin, who pastored for 12 years, attendance made its way into the 200s, with community members as well as students from Eastern Mennonite Church filling the ranks.
In the late 2000s, a large Hispanic population joined the church as well. But in 2010, Immanuel helped plant their own church, consequently, changing the church’s demographic. The church they planted came to be known as the Hispanic Mennonite Church.
“The composition of the congregation changes at that point, but that vision said, ‘Yes, go and start a church,’” Matthew Bucher, the current pastor, said. “It wasn’t, ‘No, we have to hold you here.’"
It’s common for members of the church to come and go, thereby making it so that many different people have gotten the chance to experience the church. The leaders work to make sure that members, both old and new, play an active role in influencing the church.
“Every time different people come, that means different things happen in the congregation because of people’s interests,” Jerry Holsopple, a long-time member, said. “We’re not a massive congregation who has this total focused plan, but what people are interested in, we support.”
Even though the demographic makeup of the church has been altered, its goal of embracing diversity has endured. While the welcome your neighbor sign has demonstrated that mentality to the world, it’s merely a reflection of the church’s history and members who make it up.
Story Number One
After attending Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Janet Stutzman, an Oregon native, has been a permanent resident in Harrisonburg, Virginia since 1991. She has been a member of Immanuel Mennonite Church since its origin in 1993.
Oregon native, has been a permanent resident in Harrisonburg, Virginia since 1991. She has been a member of Immanuel Mennonite Church since its origin in 1993.
Two years ago, Stutzman’s peers saw her leadership qualities and asked her to take the role as president of the board of the Roberta Webb Child Care Center, that was begun by the church to provide qualified educational child care in the neighborhood. Her passion for the community and being a grandma of three has made this role an excellent fit.
She is also active in the Kids Club that weekly welcomes about 40 neighborhood children. They tell bible stories, do crafts, and sometimes hold potlucks for the children and their families. These activities reflect back to another primary reason for the church’s creation, providing childcare to parents in need.
Speaking of the child care center that meets in the church basement, “It’s like a little UN down there,” Stutzman said. “So many families and children of diverse backgrounds.”
When the idea of creating the sign was brought to her, she thought it was an excellent idea. With the church’s original mission to be a good neighbor and be of assistance to the Harrisonburg community. This was just the next step to showing their commitment.
Being a member of the church for 25 years, she believes the Immanuel Mennonite Church has done much more than simply posting a sign to be a good “neighbor” in the Harrisonburg community.
Story Number Two
At the age of 19, Grace Meiser is one of the younger members of Immanuel Mennonite Church. Her parents helped start Immanuel Mennonite Church and have been bringing her ever since she was a baby. Growing up in the church has allowed her to do different things within it.
As a kid Meiser was a regular participant in the church’s Christmas plays. Under their previous pastor, Basil Marin, she used to be involved with the church’s choir. Once she was older, she would occasionally help out with the kid’s club and teach Sunday school.
“Seeing all the kids and seeing them interact with the different scriptures and stuff like that is awesome,” Meiser said.
The church is good at involving current members in the church’s activities, according to Meiser. This is one of her favorite things about being a member.
“I love how they’re always trying to involve everybody in everything,” Meiser said. “If you play an instrument…, you’re more than welcome to go up there and play with everybody else. Or if you like to read scripture, they’ll ask you to do that. Or working with kids, they’ll help you do that.”
One of the changes that Meiser has noticed in the church is the ways in which they work to invite people to the church and get out into the community. Now they walk around neighborhoods a lot and even go Christmas caroling during the holidays to draw people to the church. This is something that she feels like the church has been doing more of lately compared to the past. The church’s openness to different members of the community is one of the things she loves about it.
“We are a church that are really good at helping people feel welcome and like they’re at home,” Meiser said. “I love how we try to reach out to people from all over the place and we do a lot in the community.”
Story Number Three
Two years ago, Darwin Aguilar, his wife Bertha Nunez and their daughter Janelly Aguilar Nunez attended their first service at Immanuel Mennonite Church by invitation from a family friend.
Oregon native, has been a permanent resident in Harrisonburg, Virginia since 1991. She has been a member of Immanuel Mennonite Church since its origin in 1993.
“We feel so close to everybody because it’s a small church,” Aguilar said. “Everybody’s so nice. I just like the environment.”
Darwin Aguilar and his family arrived in Harrisonburg 12 years ago, leaving Honduras to start a new life in the United States. Aguilar was a professor teaching both math and electronic technology in Honduras. Working at home in his basement, he now works as an engineer, repairing electronics devices like cell phones.
Aguilar’s family, especially his daughter, Janelly Aguilar Nunez, enjoys attending the Church. Last Christmas, she was able to play an angel in the church’s production of the Christmas story. Aguilar says seeing her in it is one of his fondest memories at the church.
While the church has an estimated 40 percent of members who speak Spanish as their second language, his family is the church’s only consistent attendants who speak it as their first. Sometimes, Aguilar is the one reading the scriptures.
Inclusive acts like this reflects on how the church lives out the ideas presented in their sign. According to Aguilar, the church is open to welcoming people from all over, just as its sign states.
“They pretty much applied that sign with acts,” Aguilar said, “Like I said they’re pretty nice people. They’re open to receive everybody there.”