December 13, 2012 – Portage Mennonite Church in Portage la Prairie may have had a small congregation, yet the vision of its members in leaving a legacy for the next generation is both generous and far-sighted. As a gift to CMU, Portage Mennonite Church, which closed on July 1, 2012, has created an endowed fund that will generate two annual scholarships of $2,500 each to support the studies of future CMU students.
This special announcement was made by CMU Church Relations Director Abram Bergen as the Canadian Mennonite University community gathered to acknowledge appreciation to donors on November 26, 2012 at its annual Tuition Freedom Day celebration. This special student-run event recognizes the assistance of donors and of the Government of Manitoba for their generous contributions in support of higher educationthroughout the year.
“Portage Mennonite Church nurtured a small and faithful community for over thirty-five years,” notes Church Relations Director Abram Bergen. Exceptionally active for its size, it sent members to work with MCC, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and Mennonite Church Canada programs, says Bergen.
Bergen was pleased to introduce Portage Mennonite Church congregation members Gerald and Grace Loeppky, Alma Pankratz, Tony and Astrid Peters, and Margaret Thiessen, who attended the celebration as representatives from their church.
One of the two annual awards will be given to an international student or to a student who is involved with a first or second generation church in Canada, and who will be entering or continuing full-time studies in CMU’s Master of Arts (Theological Studies or Christian Ministry) program, with the intent of preparing for a church leadership role.
The other award to be made annually will be for a full-time student entering or continuing in the Music Therapy program at CMU.
Awarding of the scholarships will begin in September 2013, continuing annually.
“We are grateful that Portage Mennonite Church has established this significant endowment to fund scholarships for our students,” says CMU President Cheryl Pauls. “This is a wonderful legacy by a caring church that clearly understood the value of higher education in a Christian setting. Thank you, friends of CMU. Your gifts are deeply appreciated.”
Photo: Portage Congregation members accompanied by students and faculty and staff at CMU during their November 2012 scholarship announcement. Back row, l to r: CMU students Sheralynn Neff, Angela Neufeld, Arlana Mueller, Andrew Brown, Dean of Music Dr. Janet Brenneman, Margaret Thiessen. Front row, l to r: CMU Graduate School of Theology and Ministry Director Dr. Karl Koop, Astrid Peters, Tony Peters, Gerald Loeppky, Grace Loeppky, Alma Pankratz, and Church Relations Director Dr. Abram Bergen.
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