The Loewen home became home to not only the Loewens, but also to the newly arrived relatives from the Soviet Union. They shared many happy moments, as well as the sad news contained in the letters from siblings and parents in the USSR. On Sundays, the sizeable group worshipped together in the Loewen home. Abraham Loewen became their spiritual leader in this respect. Services usually consisted of several songs and a sermon read from a church periodical (“Der Bote” or “Die Rundschau”), which arrived weekly in the mail. Maria Loewen always read a children’s story for the young children, and in fact, Anna recalls that initially, that was all the “worship” they experienced in the first years—Bible stories read by her mother.

     Before the pump organ made its appearance in the Loewen home, hymnal singing was led by Abraham, as the “Vorsaenger” (A voluntary song leader, who led by singing each line first, followed by those assembled repeating the line.). Anna recalls that his singing was unbearably drawn out. All praying was done silently, and it wasn’t until attending Bible School that Anna recalls experiencing audible prayers for the first time.

     The Loewen neighbours, distant as they may have been in the Alberta prairie, came to understand that “on Sundays you don’t do business with the Loewens”. Sunday services were always followed by a dinner, which was enjoyed by all. When their first car was purchased, they managed occasionally to make the 50-mile drive to Didsbury, where they attended the Bergthal Mennonite Church.

     The farm in Simons Valley became the social center, not only on Sundays, but also at special seasonal times of celebration—Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. In later years, once their children were married, Maria Loewen expected her children and grandchildren to be home on those occasions. Eleanor Loewen, a grandchild, recalls that for the first 10 years of their married life, her parents, Martin and Sara Loewen adhered to those expectations.

     One Christmas 30 people were stranded on the farm, due to weather. With four bedrooms upstairs, the six grandchildren were on the floor in a large closet, and the adult men and women slept separately. “The gang was there for three days, enjoying themselves hugely”, recalls Sara Loewen.  Maria Loewen never let on if she had had it.