https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2849269967?pwd=SG9MTUFXWFREdDBMc1pHRUswRGhiUT09
To: Roy Hange, overseer of Harrisonburg District of Virginia Mennonite Conference
From: Harvey Yoder, pastor of Family of Hope Mennonite House Church
It is with sadness and regret that we are disbanding as a Harrisonburg-based house church fellowship as of the end of September, 2025, due to my resigning my ministerial role after 60 years of ministry and due to dwindling numbers because of recent deaths and moves elsewhere by participants. Family of Hope has been an alternative to traditional forms of congregational life since 1988, first as a committed Bible study and fellowship group and then as an officially recognized VMC congregation. Our mission has been to see that every person attending is cared for and ministered to at every meeting and where, with unsalaried leadership and no real estate expenses, the church's giving can be devoted entirely to supporting mission and relief outreach and for any needed mutual aid or other occasional expenses. We would love to see other house churches form in our conference based on New Testament precedent and as self supporting church planting efforts, but after having been a beloved church family serving a total of several hundred persons over 37 years and, like many other congregations, still not growing in number, we believe it is time for others to take up this mission.
Harvey Yoder, pastor
We had a kind of "last supper" meal together as an official house church congregation Sunday, September 28. What a great group, one with which we'll continue to have special ties. Harvey
This is a tentative schedule for this month's services, based on current plans to end Family of Hope's 37 years as a house church fellowship by the end of September.
7 Overseer Roy Hange will share a meditation from scripture and engage in conversation about whether there is interest in some kind of ongoing informal relationship as a prayer and fellowship group. At the end he will meet with remaining members to discuss options for transfer of memberships to other congregations.
14 After some singing and sharing, Bible study leaders Elly Nelson and Dick Dumas will be invited to each share some reflections based on a selected scripture.
21 Harvey Yoder will reminisce on 60 years of pastoral ministry and will share a special blessing for each regular member and participant.
28 A 4 pm time at VMRC's Crestwood, ground floor auxiliary dining room, for sharing memories and a pizza, salad and ice cream cake meal together. Local past members of FOH are invited.
