10/06/2026
Being the Church in Worship, Community, and Mission: A History of Tedrow Mennonite Church, 1949 to 2024 was recently released.
Written by Rachel Nafziger Hartzler who grew up in the congregation, Being the Church invites readers into the seventy-five-year story of Tedrow Mennonite Church, a congregation shaped by faith, service, community, and memory across generations. Set within the broader history of Indigenous people and early settlers in the Tedrow area, the book traces how a Mennonite congregation took root, grew, and became a lasting expression of shared faith.
The book brings together the voices from over the years of pastors, charter members, lay leaders, other individuals and families—including quiet participants. Personal stories give the history warmth and texture, while childhood memories and children’s voices enrich the portrait of congregational life. Part history and part testimony, this collection bears witness to God’s faithfulness in ordinary lives. Its pages remember service projects and conscientious objection, parent-child dedications and baptisms, seasons of grief and perseverance, and times of fellowship and celebration.
More than one hundred twenty photos, many in color, enrich the narrative and offer visual testimony of their own. Together, these memories preserve a shared heritage and invite readers to reflect on the past, recognize God’s presence in the present, and carry faith forward into the future.
Softcover books are being sold for $20.00 + shipping and hardcover books for $50.00 + shipping. To order a copy email [email protected] and provide the following: name; email address, phone number, and number of copies or call the church office at 419-337-2901.
