Growing Up Mennonite

Originally Posted by ILG

This is what I find so appealing. My husband and I dressed up last night to go to Culvers and have ice cream. He, in a medieval costume and me in my OOA dress and kapp. I'll post pictures later.

We love Culver's! We have possibly the only one in Texas a short bicycle ride from our house!

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

And doing the horse and buggy in the year 1980 was a a bit weird - not to me - but to explain the rationale to outsiders - it was really an unneeded burden.

I realize that you were raised much more strict than myself, but the feeling you describe in the quote above... I have the same feeling for many things in the Pentecostal culture... ESPECIALLY television.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Is there a more conservative one between your wife and yourself?

Well... when it comes to birth control I am much more conservative... I think we should conserve it all for someone else...

As to some other things... you know I can't answer questions like that on a public forum!!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

I realize that you were raised much more strict than myself, but the feeling you describe in the quote above... I have the same feeling for many things in the Pentecostal culture... ESPECIALLY television.

I guess I assume more Pentecostals have TV than don't. But, I understand how you might feel that way... depending on which Pentecostals you have been exposed to.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Brother Hoover what kind of trade did you father do? Most I understand apprienticeship their sons after the eighth grade.I see that you did not do that.

We were involved in farming mostly - including turkeys, steers, chickens, AKC registered dogs, and row crops.

However, we were never real successful at farming and my father taught me how to work in remodeling old homes for resale. I would not say it was an apprienticeship per say, but it was wonderful experience for me later in life. Prior to being fultime in the chimney biz, I had 15 tenats living in my rentals.

My departure from family and home at age 16 was only a brief interruption in working with my father. After a couple years we continued helping each other and we were working together at the time of his death in 1994. I still miss him alot.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Ferd

SH, I know you said that you really didnt understand the language of the formal Church, but from what you remember, what was church like? what is the structure of the services?

what was preaching like? was there a lot of teaching?

I remember very well and still have opportunity to hear typical preaching/singing at the weddings and funerals we attend.

The Old Order Mennonites gather for worship in meeting houses (unlike the Amish who meet in homes) with no electricity or plumbing. The meeting begins with slow, a capella singing in German, which is led by those sitting at a "song leaders table" in the center of the building. During this time the ministers enter and at the end of the first few songs EVERYONE hits their knees, and turns around to pray. The prayer is led by a minister who begins by praising God for things like the weather and for those gathered there in His Name. The praying by the minister can at times become a bit emotional, but for the most part the congregation prays in total silence or allows the minister to pray for them. (at this point there is absolutely no running of the isles... )

A deacon will often give a short devotional, followed by a 45 min sermon from a minister, who may be a Preacher or the Bishop. At the end of the sermon the preacher will ask for a witness to give comments, and the other ministers can at will simply agree with the thoughts relayed, add further comments, or in rare cases disagree with some of the message and offer an alternative viewpoint.

Again the congregation kneels and prayer is made. A few more songs then announcement and dismissal.

Announcements may include something like...

" We will be collecting funds this week for $120,000.00 of hospital debt aquired by a member. Enos Shirk and John Zimmerman are in charge of collections.

Lord willing we will meet here again in the Clearview meeting house on next Sunday."

I understood about half of the services. But had difficulty following the German text and singing. I understand a bit more now that I am actually interested.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by ILG

Okay, pics are out here:

http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q270/ilg_album

(Scroll down)

Kewl pics. Almost thou were persuaded...

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by ILG

]

Can you explain your reasons for homeschooling?





Sounds like you are very blessed.

In all seriousness I ask you, "Can you explain why we should send our children to government run schools?"

Here is a start. http://www.nhen.org/newhser/default.asp?id=228

[seguidordejesus]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

In all seriousness I ask you, "Can you explain why we should send our children to government run schools?"

I work for one, and we're planning on homeschooling

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by ILG

]
So your thinking veers more to that of the black bumper Mennonites? You think a car should be used instead of horse and buggy?

I think I understand the rationale of the horse and buggy....as much as I have tried to get into the minds of the plain horse and buggy people, but it would be a hard concept for outsiders to understand. The way I understand it, it has a great deal to do with community. I think the car does detract from community in a way that horse and buggy does not, at least collectively. Also, it definately keeps districts small. I see many benefits to this as well, but again there are negatives to it and community has a great deal to do with family and less to do with type of transportation. My mother comes from a family of fourteen children and they are very close but many live very far apart. They are Catholic and do not live under any "rules", per se, but most are very Catholic and much of the family reunions etc center around the Catholic faith.



Sounds like you are very blessed.

No the "Black Bumpers" are still too conservative.... I prefer a conservative lifestyle by choice, but not one that is required and enforced by excommunication of the church.


I know some very nice Catholic families.