In 1917, Ontario Mennonite women were encouraged to "take hold" of addressing needs in their communities and supporting missionary efforts by forming sewing circles.

Although this wasn't the year of the first sewing circles in Ontario, it was the year when the idea really did "take hold" and began to spread from women in the Mennonite Conference of Ontario to Amish Mennonite, and later United Mennonite women. Come hear the history and personal reminicences. A tour of Mennonite Central Committee Ontario's Material Resources operations will follow.

The event is free; donations to the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario will gratefully be accepted.

Photograph: Alice Snyder labelling Christmas bundles made by Ontario Mennonite sewing circles for a Mennonite Central Committee shipment to Europe, June 1954. David L. Hunsberger/Mennonite Archives of Ontario