Our Mission
Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship is a biblically based Christian church that values the sacredness of all creation. Within the Mennonite Anabaptist tradition, we strive to follow the example and teachings of Jesus seeking peace, working for justice, building community, respecting diversity, and honoring God's creation. We seek to celebrate God in our daily lives and as a congregation to share our joys, burdens, gifts, and differences. On this physical and spiritual journey we have chosen to follow God's calling by loving one another and by building God's kingdom on earth.
Our Values
Peacemakers
The Mennonite church is historically a peace church. We seek non-violent ways to face conflict in our interpersonal relationships and in global issues.
The work of Braver Angels converges with HPMF's peacemaking mission with the shared value to treat each person with dignity and respect.
Diversity of Faith Backgrounds
Our congregation is a multi-generational group with diverse faith backgrounds.
We all have very diverse journeys and respect that about each other. No one will ask you what you believe or if you are born again. All are welcome.
Social Justice
Corpus Commons, a local day shelter to assist homeless persons started in part through the efforts of our church.
On the fifth Thursday of a month, HPMF hosts a friendship dinner for those in need of meals.
Caring for Creation
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4 NIV
Gathering Together
Throughout the year we get together for ice cream socials and cookouts, and on the second Sunday of each month we stay after church for Second Sunday Soup.
The Knotty Ladies meet every Wednesday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to tie knots in comforters.
The Men's Bagel Breakfast meets every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Blue Sky Bagels on Main Street. Everyone is welcome to pull up a chair and join the world-problem-solving conversation.
Community Involvement
We value our community and work to be an active part of it. Our building regularly hosts community meetings and events, and we organize groups to take part in efforts like Rake Up Boise, Boise Pride and the CROP Walk.
You'll often find members of our congregation volunteering with Corpus Commons, the Idaho Peace Coalition and the Singing Resistance.
Our Covenant
Coming together as a Christian Faith community known as Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship. We commit ourselves, as we are able, to the following:
1.
to enjoy fellowship and support, by participating together in worship, prayer, service, and play.
2.
to serve one another and the world by sharing our talents, resources, time, and abilities so that God's justice, peace, and healing might flow through us and into the world.
3.
to support the work of the larger Anabaptist vision which joyfully seeks to live out Jesus' teachings of salvation, peace, nonviolence, restoration, and care for the whole of God's created world.
4.
to support the work of the larger Anabaptist vision which joyfully seeks to live out Jesus' teachings of salvation, peace, nonviolence, restoration, and care for the whole of God's created world.
Our Leadership
PastorJonathan Mark
Pastor Jonathan Mark began at Hyde Park in March of 2026. They are committed to the Biblical call to shalom, which is a peace that comes when all people have material thriving, good health, honesty, and justice. This means taking Jesus seriously when he opened the scroll of Isaiah and called for the release of captives, healing of the ill, good news for the poor, and the forgiveness of debts. Pastor Jonathan grew up in Goshen, Indiana, in a Mennonite household and attended undergrad at Goshen College and seminary at Duke Divinity School. Their first pastoral position was at First Mennonite Church of Reedley, CA from 2019-2026. They enjoy playing with their two dogs, Ruby and Sammy, hiking and road biking, and are currently pursuing a doctorate at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
Our Leadership Team
Emma Ruth Stein, Chair
Paula Bachman
Pam Oliason
Rick Skinner
Jim Max
Rob Hanson
You can always contact a member of the leadership team if you have any comments, concerns, or questions.
FAQs
What does Mennonite mean?
That is the name of the denomination, like Lutheran or Methodist. Just as Lutherans are named for Martin Luther, we are named for an early leader, Menno Simons.
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That is the name of the denomination, like Lutheran or Methodist. Just as Lutherans are named for Martin Luther, we are named for an early leader, Menno Simons.
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Yes, we believe in Jesus Christ as son of God, take communion, practice baptism, and base our beliefs on the Bible.
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We may not be as different as you think. We are Anabaptists, which means we bless babies, but we don’t baptize anyone until they are old enough to choose it. Our worship services look much like those of other denominations.
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No. We all have very diverse journeys and respect that about each other. No one will ask you what you believe or if you are born again. All are welcome.
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We love to sing! Our service starts with two or three hymns so people can get settled and comfortable. A worship leader from the congregation then welcomes everyone and asks for introductions and announcements. There is more singing. Our pastor, or a lay person, gives a short sermon or homily. Afterwards we have a time of sharing joys and concerns followed by another hymn.
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The Mennonite Church is made up of many different groups, called conferences. They differ greatly on lifestyle issues. Here at Hyde Park, no one drives a buggy. A lot of people ride their bikes, though. And quite a few drive electric cars.
Our congregation does not require women to wear head coverings or long dresses. Most of us come to church dressed very casually. . . most likely in jeans in the winter and shorts in the summer. We come from all over the Treasure Valley.
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A few of our congregation are what’s called “ethnic Mennonites.” Their ancestors were persecuted in Europe and immigrated to the U.S. and Canada, often from Switzerland or Russia. Most of us at Hyde Park are not “ethnic Mennonites” but were attracted to the issues of peace and justice and were looking for a church that addressed those issues.
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The Mennonite church is historically a peace church. We seek non-violent ways to face conflict in our interpersonal relationships and in global issues. This includes a commitment to be good stewards of all creation. In any given week you might find one of us meeting with an Idaho senator about the ongoing conflicts in Colombia where we have a sister church. Or working on cleaning up or clearing trails in the Foothills. Our congregation began the local fair trade store called Dunia Marketplace (formerly Ten Thousand Villages). Several members of our congregation helped found Corpus Commons, a day shelter for the homeless where many of us volunteer regularly. Others are involved with the Idaho Peace Coalition.
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Women have served as pastors and several members of our Leadership Team are women. Individuals of all sexual identity and gender orientations are welcome to be active in every aspect of our church.
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We love to have children involved in the service. It is not a place where you worry about your children not being solemn enough. We have a play area in the sanctuary and a nursery downstairs if you wish to take your kids downstairs to play. There is a time early in the worship service for children to come forward for a story. During the school year there is a monthly intergenerational gathering in the evening focused on activities and Bible stories, with dinner included!
Sounds a little too perfect
Oh, it isn't
We are quite human and have our problems like any other group. Community is important to us but community isn't easy. We sometimes disagree, become frustrated and have fruitless meetings. In the end however, we support one other in the love of Christ and try to live lives of integrity and hope. Because of modern lifestyles, we always have people moving into and out of the congregation. We are very open to new folks becoming a part of our community in whatever ways they are comfortable.