Archive Listing

The Riddle of Amish Culture by Donald B. Kraybill, The John Hopkins University Press, Maryland, 2001(rev. edn.) is an outstanding examination of the Amish people.
The ‘riddles’ of Amish culture are many and varied to the outsider. Professor Kraybill, an acknowledged authority on the Amish, takes the reader on a fascinating journey of discovery of these [...]

During our time in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania we stayed at The Artist’s Inn, Terre Hill, hosted by Jan and Bruce. For anyone thinking of spending time in this part of the world we can thoroughly recommend this most hospitable and helpful B&B. Our recommendation (we did receive a benefit for writing this – the benefit [...]

One of our more ‘interesting’ adventures was seeking out Ephraim, Amanda and family: see Amish Encounter No.4.
We did not have the family’s residential or church addresses or telephone numbers. And to cap it all off, their surname ‘Stoltzfus’ is the most common Amish name by a mile in Lancaster County! But, we prayed, ‘Dear [...]

How do we live?
How do disciples of Jesus Christ nurture their faith both as individuals and as God’s chosen people in the midst of a world that is hostile to them?
This pressing question is answered by Christians through the centuries and around the world in very diverse ways. What is the shaping between Gospel and [...]

The rural lifestyle of the Amish and Mennonite communities is very attractive. The fact that they live in a rural setting epitomizes the value they place on ‘connectedness’ with the soil, family, community and God.
Homes are large to accommodate the 7 to 12 children plus grandparents. This of itself allows for significant social interaction and [...]

Trouble In Amish Paradise was aired on COMPASS ABC Television on 12 July – just before we left for Pennsylvania.
The program relates the contemporary story of two Amish families from the traditional or ‘Old Order Amish’ who began to question the rules that governed aspects of Amish life. The families were both excommunicated and ‘shunned’ [...]

We had a marvellous Sunday worshiping with Amish Mennonites and then visiting for lunch with the most gracious and warm family of Ivan and Ruth, their nine children, and grandparents.
But first, back to the 9am Sunday worship service. We were met near our B&B by the sons of Ivan and Ruth and led by car [...]

Euthanasia (Resolution I.14) – Lambeth Conference of Bishops 1998
In the light of current debate and proposals for the legalisation of euthanasia in several countries, this Conference:
(a) affirms that life is God-given and has intrinsic sanctity, significance and worth;
(b) defines euthanasia as the act by which one person intentionally causes or assists in [...]

Clearly, we are not the only people interested in the Amish. Today’s Sunday Lancaster Times runs a front page article For the love of the Amish: Japanese can’t get enough of the Plain-sect culture – August 9 by Jon Rutter.
Apart from the 1984 film ‘The Witness’ the article elaborates other reasons for this Japanese [...]

I received a beautiful ‘eye balm’ to start my day in praise and adoration of God who is beyond description in spendour and beauty. Thank you to Russell the Registrar for sending me such a blessing.
My wife and I were overwhelmed when we visited this wonderful chapel. We simply sat and soaked in the spectacular [...]