Time - Where Does It Go?

Time has a way of slipping past us. What feels like “just the other day” somehow turns out to be two years ago. Months turn into years, and years quietly gather into decades.

More than twenty six years have now rolled by, and I have been deeply privileged to share the journey here at the EMMC Home Office. There have been many good times, countless great times, and yes, some very difficult ones. I’ve had the honour of welcoming ministry workers, pastors, board and council members, and friends who simply stopped in for a visit. I’ve poured many litres of coffee and tea, and around those cups we laughed until we cried—and sometimes cried together until laughter found its way back. We shared sacred God moments, wrestled through challenges, made decisions, prayed, praised, and celebrated. God has been present in all of it.

My story with EMMC began long before I joined the staff. As a child, my parents were deeply involved in conference life. They were present when the Rudnerweide Gemeinde, founded in 1937, changed its name in 1959 to become the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference. Like many families, attending “convention” marked the end of the school year and the beginning of our summer vacation.

In June 2000, I officially joined the EMMC payroll as an administrative assistant and receptionist—and I’ve remained here ever since. My responsibilities have grown, shifted, and expanded over the years. Now, twenty six years later, it is time for me to begin winding down my role. I will be retiring at the end of January 2027.

I am delighted that Kristin Buhler will be stepping into the role of Communications Coordinator. Since late June, she has been in the office two days a week, learning the role and taking on much of the work for this issue of The Recorder. Kristin has a heart for ministry and is already finding her place in the EMMC story.

So many people, stories, and experiences have shaped my time here. Through my work, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Bolivia, Israel, Belize, and various parts of the USA and Canada—bringing back stories, observations, and insights to share with our churches and readers.

My heart is full. The blessings and opportunities of these years have been abundant. I will truly miss the day to day interactions, the conversations, and the connections with so many of you. I will miss having a “front row seat” to the many things that pass through our office. As former co-worker Abe Giesbrecht often said, “We GET to be part of this!” It has indeed been a privilege and a blessing.

There are still a few months left before I step away from the role of Communications Coordinator—but the gratitude is already overflowing.

I am grateful for being part of the EMMC story. Thanks be to God.

Lil Goertzen is the Communications Coordinator at EMMC, and responsible for the layout and publication of the Recorder.

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This article is available in the July/August/September 2026 issue of the Recorder.