Mennonite Community Services - Aylmer
MCS is a charitable organization governed by a local Board comprised of the Mennonite member churches and offers valuable services to all immmigrant and to the wider community. The beginnings of MCS took root in the early 1970's when it became evident that the Low German newcomers to East Elgin required special help and Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCC) contributed some funding to the 'Information and Help Centre'. It quickly became evident that specialized services were required and MCC began a small satellite in Aylmer in 1975.
As services expanded, the Mennonite churches also began working together, purchasing the building at 16 Talbot Street E and opening the thrift store, Aylmer Mennonite Community Store. Eventually the building next door at 20 Talbot St was also purchased and renovated to expand MCC's services as it opened the Aylmer Resource centre. In 1999 first steps were taken to localize governance by hiring the first Executive Director to supervise the MCC work as well as the thriftstore.
The local Low German radio station, De Brigj - CHPD 105.9, began broadcasting in 2003 and is widely heard in different parts of Canada, Mexico, Paraguay and Belize. Low German Mennonites comprise approximately 35% of the East Elgin population and account for much of the small business ownership.
The Quilt block, "Migrating Geese", symbolizes the trip south for the winter and north for the summer that Geese make. Many of the Low German Mennonites make the same trip as the Geese every year... south to Mexico for the winter and coming back to Ontario for the summers. As well, the flying formation of geese is such that each takes turn being the leader of the 'V' flying formation and the ones behind honk in support. The MCS Board and staff are very much like that... leadership comes from within and there is great support of the people and for the work being accomplished.
