Difference between pages "Cumberland Valley Mennonite Church" and "Poettcker, Henry (1925-2015)"

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In 1965 the [[Washington County (Maryland) and Franklin County (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Conference|Washington County (Maryland) and Franklin County (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Conference]] divided, with the Franklin County, Pennsylvania congregations becoming known as the Washington-Franklin (North) Conference. Bishop Amos E. Martin (1901-1983) became moderator of the northern conference. Although not as conservative as his counterpart in the Washington County, Maryland congregations, where Bishop Moses Horst had led his followers to separate from the Franklin County churches, Bishop Martin still insisted that his members retain a non-conformed life style and appearance. This included requirements for women to wear cape dresses and comb their uncut hair up beneath a head covering of consistent size, and requirements for men to wear the regulation plain clothing. Televisions in the home were not permitted, nor were radios for the ministry. When it became clear that a large component of the Franklin County congregations could not accept these standards, Bishop Martin left the conference with over 300 members and formed the Cumberland Valley Mennonite Church in 1971.
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[[File:HenryPoettcker.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Henry Poettcker (1925-2015)'']]
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Henry Poettcker: [[Bible Colleges and Institutes|Bible college]] president and church leader; born 27 March 1925 in [[Rudnerweide]], South [[Russia]], to Johann (19 December 1882 – 06 May 1940) and Margaretha (Voth) Poettcker (20 June 1891 - 26 November 1964). He was the eighth of nine children in the family. He was a few months old when he and his family moved to [[Canada]]. On 4 July 1946, he married Aganetha (Agnes) Baergen in [[Tofield (Alberta, Canada)|Tofield]], [[Alberta (Canada)|Alberta]], Canada. The couple had three children, all of whom survived childhood. Henry taught and served as president of two Mennonite Bible colleges, one in the United States and one in Canada, and also as president of the General Conference Mennonite Church (now [[Mennonite Church Canada]]). He died in Winnipeg on 24 May 2015 after suffering a stroke.
  
The seven congregations that formed the conference ascribed to the [[Dordrecht Confession of Faith (Mennonite, 1632)|Dordrecht Confession of Faith]] (1632). Four congregations were located in [[Franklin County (Pennsylvania, USA)|Franklin County]], [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]], and three in [[Washington County (Maryland, USA)|Washington County]], [[Maryland (USA)|Maryland]].  The four congregations in [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]] were: Rowe, near Shippensburg founded in 1840; Strasburg, near Chambersburg (1812); Burns Valley near Doylesburg (1953); and a fourth congregation that was a mission station and later closed. Burns Valley began as  a mission outreach of the Rowe congregation. These congregations were formerly part of the Washington-Franklin (North) Mennonite Conference (later the [[Franklin Mennonite Conference (Mennonite Church USA)|Franklin Mennonite Conference]]). The three congregations in [[Maryland (USA)|Maryland]] were: Mt. Olive near [[Maugansville (Maryland, USA)|Maugansville]] (1971); Lanes Run near Clear Spring (1969); and Yarrowsburg near Brownsville (1965). These congregations were made up of former members of the Washington County (Maryland) and Franklin County (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Conference that had left the Washington County, Maryland district in 1964 due to differences with Bishop Moses Horst.
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When Henry was still just a baby, he and his family moved from the [[Soviet Union]] to Canada, settling first in St. Elizabeth, Manitoba, before moving west to a farm near Pincher Creek, Alberta. He began his education at the Springridge Public School, where he continued for the next few years. He had to leave school to help on the farm after his father died, but he was later able to continue his studies and to complete high school. He made a commitment to Christianity at the age of fifteen.
  
The Cumberland Valley congregations have been closely associated with the [[Southeastern Mennonite Conference|Southeastern Mennonite Conference]], and churches in Maryland cooperate closely with the Hope Mennonite Fellowship. The conference also strongly supports the [[Mennonite Air Missions (Guatemala)|Mennonite Air Mission in Guatemala]].
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During the winter of 1942 to 1943, Poettcker attended classes at the [[Menno Bible Institute (Didsbury, Alberta, Canada)|Menno Bible Institute]] in [[Didsbury (Alberta, Canada)|Didsbury]], Alberta. While he was there, he met Aganetha (Agnes) Baergen, (Feb 19, 1926 - Feb 07, 2014), daughter of Gerhard (1877-1954) and Margaretha (Baerg) Baergen (1882-1912) and the two married on 4 July 1946 in Tofield, Alberta. They eventually had a daughter and two sons. For the first eight years after his marriage to Agnes, Henry continued with his education at schools in Alberta, [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]], [[Illinois (USA)|Illinois]], and [[New Jersey (USA)|New Jersey]].  
  
In 2010 Cumberland Valley Mennonite Church had 7 congregations with 392 members, along with three schools: Anchor Christian School, Huyetts Mennonite School, and Path Valley Christian School.
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After he obtained a PhD from Princeton University in the United States, Poettcker obtained a teaching position in 1954 at the [[Canadian Mennonite Bible College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite Bible College]] (now part of the [[Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)|Canadian Mennonite University]]) in Winnipeg. Five years later, he became president of the college, a position that he held for the next 19 years.  
  
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Meanwhile, Poettcker was deeply involved in the church, serving as president of the General Conference Mennonite Church from 1962 to 1968. He also wrote Sunday school materials for adults in German and English, as well as submitting articles to various Mennonite periodicals and other publications. During his sabbaticals, he traveled to South America, the Middle East, and other areas of the world.
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In 1978, Henry left Canada to serve as the president and professor of New Testament at the Mennonite Biblical Seminary (now the [[Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana, USA)|Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary]]) in Elkhart, Indiana. He continued to work there until his retirement in 1990, when he was named President Emeritus. The Poettckers then moved back to Winnipeg, where Henry cared for Agnes after she suffered a severe stroke. She died in February 2014. Henry spent the last part of his life at the Pembina Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg, where he died following a stroke on 24 May 2015.
!Congregation
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!City
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Henry Poettcker was a dedicated scholar and instructor whose work helped to shape church leadership in Canada and the United States. Through his academic achievements, church work, and personal life, he showed the high value that he placed on his heritage and his faith, giving an example for others to follow.
!State
 
!Founded
 
!Members
 
|-
 
|Burns Valley Mennonite Church
 
|Doylesburg
 
|Pennsylvania
 
|1953
 
|34
 
|-
 
|Lanes Run Mennonite Church
 
|Indian Springs
 
|Maryland
 
|1969
 
|25
 
|-
 
|Mount Olive Mennonite Church
 
|Maugansville
 
|Maryland
 
|1971
 
|71
 
|-
 
|Newburg Mennonite Church
 
|Newburg
 
|Pennsylvania
 
|2007
 
|58
 
|-
 
|Rowe Mennonite Church
 
|Shippensburg
 
|Pennsylvania
 
|1840
 
|79
 
|-
 
|Strasburg Mennonite Church
 
|Chambersburg
 
|Pennsylvania
 
|1812
 
|87
 
|-
 
|Yarrowsburg Mennonite Church
 
|Brownsville
 
|Maryland
 
|1965
 
|38
 
|-
 
|'''Total'''
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|'''392'''
 
|}
 
</div>
 
 
= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
Baer, Nelson. "A Short History of the Rowe Mennonite Congregation."
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CMU Media. "Former CMBC President Henry Poettcker, 90, Dies." Web. 28 February 2017. http://media.cmu.ca/?p=5111
  
Burkholder, Harry. "A Brief History of the Strasburg Meeting House."
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Epp, Aaron and Deborah Froese. "Former Mennonite leader, team builder, Henry Poettcker dies at age 90." Web. 28 February 2017.  http://news.mennonitechurch.ca/former-mennonite-leader-team-builder-henry-poettcker-dies-age-90.
  
<em>Mennonite Church Directory 2010</em>. Harrisonburg, VA: Christian Light Publications, Inc., 2010: 60-61.
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Poettcker, Henry. ''A President’s Journey: The Memoirs of Henry Poettcker''. Winnipeg: CMU Press, 2009.
  
<em class="gameo_bibliography">Mennonite Yearbook and Directory</em>. Scottdale: Mennonite Publishing House (1988-89): 93.
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''Winnipeg Free Press Passages''. "Aganetha (Agnes) Poettcker (Baergen)." Web. 28 February 2017. http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-210628/POETTCKER_AGANETHA.  
  
Scott, Stephen. <em>An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups</em>. People's Place Book #12. Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 1996: 180-181.
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''Winnipeg Free Press Passages''. "Dr. Henry Poettcker." Web. 28 February 2017. http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-225288/POETTCKER_HENRY.
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=March 2017|a1_last=Huebert|a1_first=Susan|a2_last=|a2_first=}}
  
Strite, Amos. "Amos Strite Collection," copies at Mennonite Historical Association of the Cumberland Valley, Chambersburg, PA.
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[[Category:Persons]]
{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 5, p. 214|date=October 2010|a1_last=Lehman|a1_first=Clair B|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D.}}
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[[Category:College/University Faculty and Staff]]
[[Category:Denominations]]
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[[Category:Conference Leaders]]
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[[Category:General Conference Mennonite Church Leaders]]
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[[Category:Canadian Mennonite Bible College Faculty and Staff]]
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[[Category:Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries Faculty and Staff]]

Revision as of 14:30, 24 October 2017

Henry Poettcker (1925-2015)

Henry Poettcker: Bible college president and church leader; born 27 March 1925 in Rudnerweide, South Russia, to Johann (19 December 1882 – 06 May 1940) and Margaretha (Voth) Poettcker (20 June 1891 - 26 November 1964). He was the eighth of nine children in the family. He was a few months old when he and his family moved to Canada. On 4 July 1946, he married Aganetha (Agnes) Baergen in Tofield, Alberta, Canada. The couple had three children, all of whom survived childhood. Henry taught and served as president of two Mennonite Bible colleges, one in the United States and one in Canada, and also as president of the General Conference Mennonite Church (now Mennonite Church Canada). He died in Winnipeg on 24 May 2015 after suffering a stroke.

When Henry was still just a baby, he and his family moved from the Soviet Union to Canada, settling first in St. Elizabeth, Manitoba, before moving west to a farm near Pincher Creek, Alberta. He began his education at the Springridge Public School, where he continued for the next few years. He had to leave school to help on the farm after his father died, but he was later able to continue his studies and to complete high school. He made a commitment to Christianity at the age of fifteen.

During the winter of 1942 to 1943, Poettcker attended classes at the Menno Bible Institute in Didsbury, Alberta. While he was there, he met Aganetha (Agnes) Baergen, (Feb 19, 1926 - Feb 07, 2014), daughter of Gerhard (1877-1954) and Margaretha (Baerg) Baergen (1882-1912) and the two married on 4 July 1946 in Tofield, Alberta. They eventually had a daughter and two sons. For the first eight years after his marriage to Agnes, Henry continued with his education at schools in Alberta, Kansas, Illinois, and New Jersey.

After he obtained a PhD from Princeton University in the United States, Poettcker obtained a teaching position in 1954 at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College (now part of the Canadian Mennonite University) in Winnipeg. Five years later, he became president of the college, a position that he held for the next 19 years.

Meanwhile, Poettcker was deeply involved in the church, serving as president of the General Conference Mennonite Church from 1962 to 1968. He also wrote Sunday school materials for adults in German and English, as well as submitting articles to various Mennonite periodicals and other publications. During his sabbaticals, he traveled to South America, the Middle East, and other areas of the world.

In 1978, Henry left Canada to serve as the president and professor of New Testament at the Mennonite Biblical Seminary (now the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) in Elkhart, Indiana. He continued to work there until his retirement in 1990, when he was named President Emeritus. The Poettckers then moved back to Winnipeg, where Henry cared for Agnes after she suffered a severe stroke. She died in February 2014. Henry spent the last part of his life at the Pembina Place Personal Care Home in Winnipeg, where he died following a stroke on 24 May 2015.

Henry Poettcker was a dedicated scholar and instructor whose work helped to shape church leadership in Canada and the United States. Through his academic achievements, church work, and personal life, he showed the high value that he placed on his heritage and his faith, giving an example for others to follow.

Bibliography

CMU Media. "Former CMBC President Henry Poettcker, 90, Dies." Web. 28 February 2017. http://media.cmu.ca/?p=5111

Epp, Aaron and Deborah Froese. "Former Mennonite leader, team builder, Henry Poettcker dies at age 90." Web. 28 February 2017. http://news.mennonitechurch.ca/former-mennonite-leader-team-builder-henry-poettcker-dies-age-90.

Poettcker, Henry. A President’s Journey: The Memoirs of Henry Poettcker. Winnipeg: CMU Press, 2009.

Winnipeg Free Press Passages. "Aganetha (Agnes) Poettcker (Baergen)." Web. 28 February 2017. http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-210628/POETTCKER_AGANETHA.

Winnipeg Free Press Passages. "Dr. Henry Poettcker." Web. 28 February 2017. http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-225288/POETTCKER_HENRY.


Author(s) Susan Huebert
Date Published March 2017

Cite This Article

MLA style

Huebert, Susan. "Poettcker, Henry (1925-2015)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. March 2017. Web. 19 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Poettcker,_Henry_(1925-2015)&oldid=155444.

APA style

Huebert, Susan. (March 2017). Poettcker, Henry (1925-2015). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 19 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Poettcker,_Henry_(1925-2015)&oldid=155444.




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