© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

(Last updated 29 September 2010)

• Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba -- Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization

Retrieval numbers: 609, 688-702, 3281-3283, 3841, 3968, 5361, 5420

Series Title: Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization
Dates: 1942-1996, 2000, 2002
Extent: 1.72 m of textual records

Historical note

Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization (MMYO) began as the German Manitoba Jugendorganization (MJO) in 1942. It was developed by members of the Canadian Conference Sunday School and Youth committee (Jugendvereinskomitee). With the Manitoba Conference being suspended during World War II the Manitoba Jugendorganization gathered young people in Sunday Schools, initiated Daily Vacation Bible Schools (DVBS), resourced the Jugendvereine, promoted local choir singing and song festivals (Sängerfeste), pioneered Christian camping, retreats and radio broadcasting. Manitoba Jugendorganization divided Manitoba into five Sunday school districts, excluding Winnipeg. They held annual Sunday school conferences.

The basic activity of the Manitoba Jugendorganization was preparing and presenting worship programs for the local congregation. Manitoba Jugendorganization helped to prepare, duplicate and distribute these programs. Orders came from all over Canada, the United States and Paraguay.

Manitoba Jugendorganization and the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba operated as parallel organizations until the 1959 constitution placed the Manitoba Jugendorganization under the Education committee of the Conference. The name changed from the German to the English Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization (MMYO) in 1961-1962. Sunday schools, Daily Vacation Bible School and youth work as well as the emerging radio and camp programs were gradually transferred to the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba. With the transfer of Daily Vacation Bible School and camp work, the Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization was left to concentrate solely on activating and nurturing youth.

Along with promoting choir festivals (Sängerfeste), Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization also organized mass choirs and workshops for conductors to upgrade congregational and choral singing. After 1966 these choir fests continued only at local or regional initiative. The Music Committee established a choral lending library and Manitoba Jugenorganiztion published K.H. Neufeld's collection of choral music and a handbook for song leaders.

Youth dynamics changed over the years. In the 1960s youth wanted to manage their own groups and not have older people running their programs. Originally the Manitoba Jugendorganization attracted people from ages 12-35, but in the 1960s it consisted of youth aged 14-19. Leadership adapted accordingly in the Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization. The organization competed with the high schools as well. As time passed more and more youth were unwilling to identify with the Mennonite church. For many it was intellectual rejection of a church founded on culture and tradition rather than on principles of faith. By 1971 attendance at Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization retreats dropped steadily and the existence of the organization was in question. They restructured with new goals and roles and continued to serve the congregations.

By 1990 Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization's most popular event was the annual volleyball tournament. The decline of the number of youth in many congregations led to new approaches like mentoring and youth ministry teams such as an Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministry at the universities in Winnipeg (as part of the Education Committee).

The first elected Manitoba Jugendorganization committee consisted of all ministers -- H.S. Friesen, Jacob N. Hoeppner, D.D. Klassen, P.A. Rempel, Paul Schaefer and Jacob Toews. Other presidents of MMYO over the years were:
1970 Ron Pauls
1971-1974 Victor Elias
1974-1975 Clarence Neufeld
1975-1976 John Dyck
1976-1977 Peter Kroeker
1977-1978 Rick Krahn
1978-1980 Evelyn Peters
1980-1983 Ed Neufeld
1983-1984 Charlotte Rempel
1984-1985 Patti Friesen
1985 Leanne Heinrichs
1986-1987 Sherry Sawatzky
1988 James Funk
1989-1990 Darcy Braun
1991 Laura Funk
1992 Connie Hepner

Scope and content note

These records begin in 1942 and continue until 1996. The information in these files consists of correspondence, mailing addresses, financial correspondence, annual meetings, projects and some minutes. The MMYO records will be of interest to anyone researching the practices of Mennonite youth in Manitoba during the 20th century.

Index terms

Creators

• Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba -- Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization

  Adjunct descriptive data

  Finding aids

  Inventory file lists available.

  Notes

  Language

  Material in English, some German.

  Restrictions on access

  There are no restrictions on access.

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  Inventory file list for Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization records

  
  Volume 609
  8. Constitutions of Jugendvereins: Altona, Gretna, Berne, Halstead. – n.d.
  
  Volume 688
  1. Correspondence P.A. Rempel. --1943-1959.
  2. Correspondence. – 1942-1947.
  3. Correspondence. – 1945-1946.
  4. Correspondence Jeh. Konrad. – 1945.
  5. Correspondence. K.H. Neufeld. – 1944-1956.
  6. Correspondence P. Schaefer. – 1945-1947.
  7. Correspondence K.H. Neufeld. – 1956-1957.
  
  Volume 689
  1. Correspondence, reports, minutes. – 1952-1958.
  2. Correspondence and minutes. – 1959-1960.
  3. Correspondence. – 1960-1961.
  4. Correspondence. – 1961-1962.
  5. Correspondence out. – 1962.
  6. Correspondence. – 1962-1963.
  7. Correspondence. – 1963-1964.
  
  Volume 690
  1. Correspondence. – 1964.
  2. Correspondence out. – 1964.
  3. Correspondence out. – 1964.
  4. Correspondence. – 1966.
  5. Correspondence. – 1967.
  
  Volume 691
  1. Correspondence. – 1968.
  2. Letter. – 1968.
  3. Correspondence. – 1968.
  4. Correspondence. – 1969.
  5. Incoming Correspondence. – 1969.
  6. Outgoing Correspondence. – 1969.
  7. Incoming Correspondence. – 1970.
  8. Outgoing correspondence. – 1970.
  9. Correspondence to youth groups. – 1970.
  10. Incoming correspondence. – 1971.
  11. Outgoing correspondence. – 1971.
  12. Registration. – 1965-1966.
  13. Mailings. – 1966.
  14. Membership lists. – 1967.
  15. Mailing lists. – 1968.
  16. Mailing lists. – 1971.
  17. Miscellaneous mailings. – 1972.
  18. Membership mailing lists. – n.d.
  19. Mennonite Youth Organization book. – 1952-1955.
  
  Volume 692 – MMYO Financial correspondence
  1. Arnaud. – 1955-1964.
  2. Bergthaler, Altona. – 1955-1963.
  3. Bethel (Winnipeg). – 1955-1963.
  4. Boissevain. – 1963, 1969.
  5. Bergthaler, Carmen. – 1955-1964.
  6. Whitewater, Crystal City. – 1955-1964.
  7. Blumenorter, Blumenort-Rosenort. – 1955-1962.
  8. Glenleaer. – 1955-1963.
  9. Grace, Brandon. – 1964.
  10. Glenlea. – 1969.
  11. Bergthaler, Graysville. – 1955-1963.
  12. Bergthaler, Gretna. – 1955-1962.
  13. Elim (Gruenthal). – 1955-1962.
  14. Bergthaler, Halbstadt. – 1955-1962.
  15. Bergthaler, Homewood. – 1955-1963.
  16. Bergthaler, Kane. – 1952-1958.
  17. Whitewater, Lena. – 1955-1964.
  18. Lichtenauer, Ste. Elizabeth. – 1955-1964.
  19. Bergthaler, Lowe Farm. – 1953-1969.
  20. MacGregor. – 1960-1964.
  21. Clearwater/Mather Jugendverein. – 1959-1964.
  22. Bergthaler, Morden. – 1955-1962.
  23. Bergthaler, Morris. – 1955-1960.
  24. Niverviller. – 1955-1961.
  25. Nordheimer (Winnipegosis). – 1955-1963.
  26. Schoenwieser, North Kildonan. – 1955-1964.
  27. Schoenwieser, Oak Lake. – 1955-1964.
  28. Bergthaler, Plum Coulee. – 1955-1964.
  29. Whitewater, Rivers. – 1955-1964.
  30. Bergthaler, Rosenfeld. – 1955-1962.
  31. Sargent Avenue. – 1955-1964.
  32. Schoenfelder (Headingly). – 1955-1964.
  33. Spencer Bergthaler Y.P. – 1963.
  34. Springsteiner. – 1955-1963.
  35. Bergthaler, Steinbach. – 1955-1962.
  36. Steinbacher. – 1955-1964.
  37. Sterling Ave. – 1960-1964.
  38. Blumenorter, Reinland. – 1955-1959.
  39. Blumenorter, Elm Creek. – 1955-1964.
  40. Bergthaler, Winnipeg. – 1958-1964.
  41. Bergthaler, Winkler. – 1955-1960.
  42. Blumenorter, Gnadenthal. – 1955-1961.
  43. Schoenwieser, Winnipeg. – 1955-1959.
  44. Whitewater, Whitewater. – 1955-1961.
  45. Whitewater, Ninga. – 1955-1962.
  46. Whitewater, Manitou. – 1955-1959.
  47. Bergfelder. – 1953-1958.
  
  Volume 693 – Constitutions, Annual Meetings
  1. Manitoba Youth Organization. – 1953.
  2. Proposed constitution. – 1968.
  3. Constitution. – 1969.
  4. Constitution. – 1970.
  5. Young People’s Union constitution. – 1963.
  6. CMYC Constitution. – 1960.
  7. Jahresversammlung. – 1951.
  8. Jahresversammlung. – 1952.
  9. Jahresversammlung. – 1953.
  10. Jahresversammlung. – 1954.
  11. Jahresversammlung. – 1955.
  12. Jahresversammlung. – 1956.
  13. Jahresversammlung. – 1957.
  14. Jahresversammlung. – 1958.
  15. Annual meeting. – 1960.
  16. Annual meeting. – 1961.
  17. Annual meeting. – 1962.
  18. Annual meeting. – 1963.
  19. Annual meeting. – 1964.
  20. Annual meeting. – 1965.
  21. Annual conference. – January 1966 (-1967)
  22. Annual conference. – 1967.
  23. Annual conference. – 1970.
  24. Annual conference. – 1970.
  25. Annual meeting (MMYO 1971). – January 1972.
  
  Volume 694 – Minutes of executive and committee meetings.
  1. Minutes. – 1946-1951.
  2. Minutes. – 1951-1955.
  3. Minutes. – 1955-1958.
  4. Minutes. – 1958-1962.
  5. Minutes. – 1962-1967.
  
  Volume 695 – Minutes of executive and committee meetings.
  1. Minutes. – 1968.
  2. Committee minutes, music. – 1968.
  3. Minutes. – 1968-1969.
  4. Administrative Committee minutes. – 1970-1971.
  5. Subcommittee affairs retreat. – 1970.
  6. Subcommittee affairs workshop. – 1970.
  7. Manitoba Conference minutes. – 1970.
  8. Manitoba Conference minutes. – 1971-1972.
  
  Volume 696 – Financial material
  1. Receipts. – 1943-1944.
  2. Receipts. – 1945.
  3. Quiltungen und Rechnunger. – 1955-1958.
  4. Bills and receipts. – 1962-1963.
  5. Bills and receipts. – 1961-1962.
  6. Bills and receipts. – 1960-1961.
  7. Bills and receipts. – 1959-1960.
  8. Current bills and receipts. – 1958.
  
  Volume 697 – Financial material
  1. Bills and receipts. – 1965-1966.
  2. Banking. – 1964.
  3. Bills and receipts. – 1963-1964.
  4. Bills and receipts. – 1967.
  5. Bills and receipts. – 1968.
  
  Volume 698
  1. Ledger. – 1959-1975.
  2. Finances correspondence. – 1959.
  3. Financial reports. – 1966, 1968-1969, 1971.
  4. Leaders meeting. – 1961.
  5. Minutes. – 1966.
  6. Minutes. – 1967.
  7. Music committee. – 1967-1968.
  8. Saengerfest, Jahresversammlung. – 1958-1959.
  9. YPU council minutes and reports. – 1967.
  10. MMYO - correspondence & constitution. -- 1966-1968.
  11. MMYO Provincial Music Library (available for purchase). -- 1965.
  
  Volume 699 – Projects (workshops, saengerfest, retreats, etc.)
  1. Säenger Festival. – 1963.
  2. Dirigentenkurse Saengerfeste u.s.w. – 1953-1957
  3. Workshop. – December 1956.
  4. Workshop. – 1953.
  5. Workshop. – 1955.
  6. Workshop. – 1958.
  7. Leadership Clinic. – 1959.
  8. Workshop/Leaders Meeting. – 1962.
  9. Workshop/Leaders Meeting. – 1963.
  10. Leaders Workshop. – 1964.
  11. Regional Workshops. – 1968.
  12. Miscellaneous. – 1970.
  13. Retreats. – 1952-1955.
  14. Youth retreat. – 1963.
  15. Camp study material. – 1962.
  16. Fresno Conference Travel Club. – 1971.
  17. Survey Questionnaire. – 1971.
  18. Arnes Seminar. – 1971.
  19. Miscellaneous. – 1951-1954.
  
  Volume 700 – MMYO Jugendvereinprogramme --- transferred to Vol. 3841
  
  Volume 701 – Information on other provincial youth organizations, Y.P.V. materials.
  1. Information on other provinces and districts. – 1967-1969.
  2. Information from other districts. – 1970.
  3. Y.P.U. General Conference. – 1945-1950.
  4. Y.P.U. – 1957.
  5. Y.P.U. meeting. – 1961.
  6. Y.P.U. – 1968.
  7. Y.P.U. council. – 1968.
  8. Correspondence with Y.P.U. – 1969.
  9. Correspondence from Y.P.U. – 1970.
  
  Volume 702 – Bulletins
  1. MMYO Bulletins. – 1948-1972.
  
  Volume 3281
  1. MMYO Minutes and correspondence. – 1969.
  2. MMYO Correspondence. – 1972.
  3. MMYO Correspondence. – 1972.
  4. MMYO Correspondence. – 1973.
  5. MMYO Minutes. – 1974.
  6. MMYO Correspondence. – 1974.
  7. MMYO Minutes. – 1979-1980.
  
  Volume 3282
  1. CMM materials. – 1974.
  2. Retreats. – 1974.
  3. CMC Youth program. – 1974.
  4. Correspondence. – 1975-1978.
  5. Minutes. – 1975-1978.
  6. Correspondence. – 1979-1980.
  7. Minutes. – 1979-1980.
  
  Volume 3283 – Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries
  1. MMYO Correspondence. – 1968.
  2. MMYO Correspondence. – 1970.
  3. MMYO correspondence. – 1971.
  4. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1970-1972.
  5. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1973.
  6. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1974.
  7. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. -- 1975.
  8. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1976.
  9. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1977.
  10. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1978.
  11. MMYO Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries. – 1979.
  
  Volume 3841
  1. Manitoba Jugendorganisation Programmkomitee - programs, lectures, constitution. – 1950s.
  
  Volume 3968
  5. Manitoba Mennonite Youth Organization minutes. – 1979-1980.
  
  Volume 5361
  37. Minutes and correspondence. – 1983.
  38. Minutes and correspondence. – 1985.
  39. Minutes and correspondence. – 1986.
  40. Minutes and correspondence. – 1987.
  41. Minutes and correspondence. – 1988.
  42. Minutes and correspondence. – 1990.
  43. Minutes and correspondence. – 1991.
  44. Minutes and correspondence. – 1993.
  45. Minutes and correspondence. – 1994.
  46. Minutes and correspondence. – 1995.
  47. Minutes and correspondence. – 1996.
  
  Volume 5420
  10. Volleyball Tournament. – 2000, 2002.