If you ask me how Covid-19 has affected me personally, I feel a gaping numbness inside. I may be a nurse and one of "those" essential workers, but the time-consuming job of covering up from head to toe like a masked robber and ramming a swab far into the nether regions of a patient's head …
Tag: Mennonite culture
Being raised Amish-Mennonite, and what it taught me
Recently a friend asked if I would write about some of the good things I've experienced from my heritage. I thought about it for a while, because describing the Amish-Mennonite way of life is much more complicated than it may seem at first glance. Amish and Mennonite denominations have huge variations among their congregations. Even …
Continue reading Being raised Amish-Mennonite, and what it taught me
To leave or not to leave? A perspective.
From time to time, I walk alongside someone wrestling through the question of whether they should start attending a different church group. I sympathize, because I have been there myself, and know that it can be a difficult decision. Staying can be hard, and leaving can be hard. I'd like to share some thoughts from my own …
Unpacking the Treasure
I posted a quote from Arthur Burk in my post titled Misfit. Here's the quote again: "Are you going to fit the culture and be small inside, or are you going to be a misfit and unpack the treasure within you?" All of us are immersed in culture--in a certain way of doing and looking …
Misfit
"Are you going to fit the culture and be small inside, or are you going to be a misfit and unpack the treasure within you?" -Arthur Burk How does a culture grow smallness? American, Mennonite, or otherwise? What's the difference between cultural sensitivity and an unhealthy assimilation into a culture?
To my former church community
I'm sorry that you feel rejected, you mean more to me than you'll ever know. I grew among you, wrapped in love, cradled in grace. You laughed with me in my joys, and held my hand through my pain. When my unborn baby died, you brought roses and wept. Then later you dandled my fat, wriggling babies, …
A discussion about church
If you struggle with some aspects of the Mennonite culture, here is a place to read what others are saying and feeling. Asher Witmer is married to my cousin Teresa; they have two little boys and live in Thailand. Asher is passionate about God's kingdom, and tackles sticky issues with energy and grace. I have been …
arabah rejoice 