DOCSLIB.ORG

July, 1959 Published in the Interest of the Best in the Religious, Social, and Economic Phases of Mennonite Culture

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
July, 1959 Published in the Interest of the Best in the Religious, Social, and Economic Phases of Mennonite Culture July, 1959 Published in the interest of the best in the religious, social, and economic phases of Mennonite culture MENNONITE CENTENNIALS Various Mennonite conferences and groups are commemorating centennials in 1959- 60. The Church of God in Christ Mennonite was founded in 1859 in Ohio. This issue contains two articles pertaining to this conference which has spread to the prairie states and provinces and the Pacific coast. The Mennonite Brethren were organized in Russia in I860 and have spread to all Mennonite settlements in Russia and of North and South America where Menno- nites from Russia settled. P. C. Hiebert, a representative from this conference, is reminiscing in connection with his work within and outside of his brotherhood. An outstanding leader and evangelist who was instrumental in reviving the spiritual life and starting educational efforts in the Mennonite General Conference (Old Men­ nonite) was John S. Coffman. John S. Umble presents his life story in this issue. Numerous other contributions in this issue are outstanding sources of information. More articles pertaining to the centennials, including that of the General Conference Mennonite Church, will follow. Tell your friends about this issue of Mennonite Life. Better yet, give them an introductory subscription. What about your public and church libraries, are they on the mailing list? Single copies— 50c; 1 year—S2; 2 years—$3.50; 3 years—$5; 5 years—$8; bulk orders of 10 copies or more—50 per cent discount. Mennonite Life MENNONITE LIFE North Newton, Kansas COVER: Rich Farmland Lancaster County, Pa. Photo: Marion Post Wolcott Farm Security Administration MENNONITE LIFE An Illustrated Quarterly ' EDITOR Cornelius Krahn ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR John F. Schmidt ASSOCIATE EDITORS Harold S. Bender S. F. Pannabecker J. Winfield Fretz Robert Kreider Melvin Gingerich J. G. Rempel N. van der Zijpp Vol. XIV July, 1959 No. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page The Need for a Peace Witness in the Orient.......................................................... Melvin Gingerich 99 Jacob .............................................................................. Warren Kliewer 101 What Type of Church Architecture?.............................................................................LeRoy Gräber 102 Fifty Years of Public Service.............................................................................................P. C. Hi eh ert 105 John Samuel Coffman: His Life and Work...............................................................John S. Umble 110 Blessed Relief...............................................................................................Mrs. Evelyn Stolfus Tit era 116 The Agricultural Revolution of Our Day................................................................. Harley J. Stucky 117 The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.............................................................Harry D. Wenger 122 Portrait of a Prophet.............................................:.............................................................. Inez Unruh 123 Education for Responsibility...............................................................,.................... John D. Unruh, Jr. 125 Gardening ........................................................................................................ Ruth Baughman Unrau 128 More about Habaner Pottery......................................................................................Robert Friedmann 129 My Contact with Thomas Mann... ........................................................................Frank T. Kauffman 131 A Discovery in Anabaptist Hymnody......................................................... Rosella Reimer Duerksen 132 Samuel Geiser Copies an Old Hymnbook.................................................................Cornelius Krahn 135 Ein alter Handschriftenband.............................................................................................Samuel Geiser 136 Coutrship and Marriage among Russian Mennonites..................... Katharine Woelk van den Flaak 13S Low German Children's Rimes........................................................................ Warren Kliewer 141 Mothers and Daughters...................................................................................Ruth Baughman Unrau 142 Books in Review........................................................................................................................................ 143 Henry A. Fast, Irvin B. blorst, John F. Schmidt, Cornelius Krahn, D. C. Wedel, John Thiessen, Alice Loewen. Mennonite Life is an illustrated Quarterly magazine published in January, April, July, and October by Bethel College, North New­ ton, Kan. Entered as second-class matter Dec. 20, 1946, at the post office at North Newton, Kan., under Act of March 3. 1879. G.o.*d>uLttosil in 9A±ue (From left to right) /vleLVIN G1NGERICH, Goshen College, spent two years in Japan representing Ihe Peace Section of the M.C.C. (p. 99). WARREN KLIEWER, M.A., University of Kansas, will teach English at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas (p .1 0 1 ,1 4 2 ). P. C. HIEBERT, educator and chairman of the M.C.C., now lives in retirement in Hillsboro, Kansas (p. 105). HARLEY J. STUCKY, Professor of History, Bethel College, gave this paper at a Men’s Brotherhood meeting (p. 117). JOHN D. UNRUH, JR., A.B., Bethel College, is doing work in the M.C.C. office, Akron, Pennsylvania (p. 125). RUTH BAUGHMAN UNRAU, homemaker and teacher in Commerce Department, Bethel College, writes as a hobby (p. 138, 142). ROBERT FRIEDMANN, Philosophy Department, Western Michigan College, is doing extensive research on Anabaptists and Hutterites (p. 129.) FRANK T. KAUFFMAN, born in Congerville, III., member of General Manager's office, So. Pacific Railroad Co., San Francisco (p. 131). ROSELLA REIMER DUERKSEN, Ann Arbor, Michigan, earned a Ph.D. degree in Anabaptist hymnology at Union Theological Sem. (p. 132). CORNELIUS KRAHN, director of Bethel College Historical Library and co-editor of MENNON1TE ENCYCLOPEDIA (p. 135). SAMUEL GEISER, Brügg bei Biel, Switzerland, is a Mennonite historian and musicologist (p. 136 f). KATHERINE WOELK VAN DEN HAAK, born in Russia, grew up in Canada, graduated from Bethel College in spring of 1959 (p. 138). NOT SHOWN LEROY GRÄBER w as a member of Building Council of the Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman, S. D. (p. 102). EVELYN STOLFUS TITERA, Wheeling, West Virginia, of Mennonite background, writes as a hobby (p. 116). HARRY D. WENGER, Hesston, Kansas, is evangelist and chairman of Mission Board of Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (p. 122). INEZ UNRUH, B.S., Bethel College, teaches at Indian school, Arizona, under Bureau of Indian Affairs (p. 123). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Photography: Pp. 110-16, Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College and J. S. Coffman family; Cover and pp. 120-21, United States Department of Agriculture; p. 130, Josef Vydra and Ludvik Kunz, PAINTING ON FOLK CERAMICS, Prague, 1956; pp. 133-34, Ervin H. Schmidt. MENNONITE LIFE AGENTS EASTERN USA Montgomery News Stand Country Store P. T. Friesen Bookstore BlufTton, Ohio Meade, Kansas Friendly I5ook Store Winkler, Manitoba Qunkcrtowu, Pu. Book and Bible Store Evangel Book Shop Mountain Luke, Minn. CANADIAN Steiubaeh, Manitoba Herald Bookstore Souderton, Fa. Tile Bookshop Golden Rule Bookstore Mennonite Book Store Freeman. South Dakota HU King St. East Kosthern, Sasic. Weaver Book Store Kitchener, Ontario J. A. Friesen & Sons 1320 G St. A. F. RatzlafT Hague, Sask. Lancaster, I’a. Henderson, Neb. I*eter II. Dirks Printshop Virgil, Ontario Derksen’s Christian Supply CENTRAL AND WESTERN Christian Book & Bible Store North Clenrbrook, II. C. 10!) South Grand G. D. Woclk Henry Nikkei Gospel Book Store Enid, Okla. Leamington, Out. Economy Corner Goshen, Indiana The Christian Press Coaldnle, Alberta Menu. Brethren I’ub. House Goshen College Book Store 157 Kelvin St. EUROPEAN Hillsboro, Kansas Winnipeg, Manitoba Goshen, Indiana Mcnnonitengeiueinde Mennonite Bonk Concern Crossroads Co-op D. W. Friesen & Sons Suedwall 1!) Berne, Indiana Goessel, Kansas Altona, Manitoba Krefeld, U.S. Zone, Germany Th« Need for a By MELVIN GINGCRICH NE of the most significant historical develop­ the vast upheavel in Asia today unless one sees it as a ments of this century is the Asian Revolution. It social revolution affecting every aspect of society—polit­ O is affecting more people, over a larger area, in ical, economic, cultural and religious." a shorter period of time than any other revolution in As a result of these revolutionary forces, the East is history. More than half of the world's population is in­ being rescued from its former apathy and fatalism. Hope volved in this vast, major social revolution. The hold oi has come to life in the Orient. The peoples of the East the West over the countries of Asia has been broken and arc looking forward to the day when their children will with this break have come far-reaching political, eco­ not need to go to bed hungry almost every night and nomic, social, and religious changes. Only recently the when there will be schools, hospitals, doctors, and nurses white man still held a privileged position in much of for them. Certainly Christians of the West dare not the Orient, but today the theory of white racial superiority criticize them for desiring to have the benefits of modern is discredited and the white man can work in the Orient civilization which we demand for ourselves. With their only on the basis of the equality of the races. limited financial
Load more

Recommended publications
  • International Trends
    Wedding Cultures INTERNATIONAL TRENDS - Jean Oosthuzien Weddings – All Around the World INTERNATIONAL WEDDING TRENDS Agenda Recap of Christian Weddings Other Wedding Customs Chinese Weddings Pakistan Weddings German Weddings Planning a Wedding Creating a Budget Case study of the budget How do we go about a themed Christian wedding ? Let’s take… John and Jane’s wedding THE PARK HYATT, DEIRA, DUBAI 14TH FEBRUARY 2016 2.30 PM Themes Valentine’s Day Hearts Colour Schemes Reds Creams Whites * Flowers and Colours Red Roses for bride’s bouquet. Red Rose corsage for groom’s lapel. White Rose bouquets for the bridesmaids. Bridesmaids will wear red dresses. Groom will wear a red tie. Bridal Wear – Vintage Parisienne Glamour. Food and Drink French champagne with strawberries for drinks reception. Dinner Menu: Duck Foie Gras, peach chutney, brioche – Panfried Beef Tenderloin – Grand crus chocolate mille feuille – tea, coffee and petit fours. French macaroon wedding cake The top table will seat 10 people: The Bride and Groom, Basic Floor Plan Bride’s Mother and Father, Groom’s Mother and Father, 2 Bridesmaids and 2 Groomsmen. Top Table Each round table will seat 10 guests. The central round table will display the cake and will be moved after cutting of the cake to make way for a central dance floor. The band will be positioned near the top table in the evening. * Event Flow Summary N.b. civil ceremony has already taken place in prior to this celebration so the couple are legally married. 1.45 Groom arrives at Marina Garden for ceremony with his Groomsmen and parents.
    [Show full text]
  • Aus Dem Leben Des Missionars Johannes, Heinrich, Christoph Lilje
    JOHANN HEINRICH CHRISTOPH LILJE * 15.09.1833 † 23.09.1920 Married on 25.09.1871 ANNA CAROLINE LILJE (BECKRÖGE) * 09.06.1847 † 10.09.1935 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 2 FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION .............................................................................................................. 6 SECTION I: THE MISSIONARY JOHANN HEINRICH CHRISTOPH LILJE .................................................................... 7 1 The greater Lilje family: Lylye, Lillie, Lilie, Lilje, Lilien, Lilye, Lillige ....................................................... 7 1.1 Steinhorst .................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Lüsche .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.3 Allersehl ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Gerdau ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 2
    [Show full text]
  • Missouri Folklore Society Journal
    Missouri Folklore Society Journal Special Issue: Songs and Ballads Volumes 27 - 28 2005 - 2006 Cover illustration: Anonymous 19th-century woodcut used by designer Mia Tea for the cover of a CD titled Folk Songs & Ballads by Mark T. Permission for MFS to use a modified version of the image for the cover of this journal was granted by Circle of Sound Folk and Community Music Projects. The Mia Tea version of the woodcut is available at http://www.circleofsound.co.uk; acc. 6/6/15. Missouri Folklore Society Journal Volumes 27 - 28 2005 - 2006 Special Issue Editor Lyn Wolz University of Kansas Assistant Editor Elizabeth Freise University of Kansas General Editors Dr. Jim Vandergriff (Ret.) Dr. Donna Jurich University of Arizona Review Editor Dr. Jim Vandergriff Missouri Folklore Society P. O. Box 1757 Columbia, MO 65205 This issue of the Missouri Folklore Society Journal was published by Naciketas Press, 715 E. McPherson, Kirksville, Missouri, 63501 ISSN: 0731-2946; ISBN: 978-1-936135-17-2 (1-936135-17-5) The Missouri Folklore Society Journal is indexed in: The Hathi Trust Digital Library Vols. 4-24, 26; 1982-2002, 2004 Essentially acts as an online keyword indexing tool; only allows users to search by keyword and only within one year of the journal at a time. The result is a list of page numbers where the search words appear. No abstracts or full-text incl. (Available free at http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Search/Advanced). The MLA International Bibliography Vols. 1-26, 1979-2004 Searchable by keyword, author, and journal title. The result is a list of article citations; it does not include abstracts or full-text.
    [Show full text]
  • Marriage and Weddings: Past and Present
    Features Marriage and Weddings: Past and Present By Gayla Ohlhauser Aspenleiter Edited by Carolyn Schott Prehistoric man simply seized his bride uncle requested and anticipated the arrival by force. of the older, beautiful daughter, but she But as civilization progressed, marriage already had a boyfriend so the father sent by force was exchanged for marriage by another daughter instead. The father purchase – a bride was sold to the highest probably felt that it would be her only bidder. chance to marry as she had become quite In our own German-Russian culture, scarred as a result of smallpox and was marriage for a price was sometimes blind in one eye. What a surprise this must practiced in South Russia in the 1800s in have been for the uncle meeting his new many of the villages. For example, in The bride for the first time. The uncle was 51 German Colonies in South Russia 1804 to years old and his new bride was just 22.” 1904, Volume II, Rev. Conrad Keller writes, Wedding customs probably varied some “If the bride is from another village or in detail in the different German colonies of community, the matter [marriage] becomes Russia, but the process of marriage was somewhat more complicated. The fiancé brought about by mutual consent of the then selects a spokesman to ask the bride parties, instigation of the parents, or the in marriage on his behalf, or, as it happens use of a matchmaker. A young man wishing in recent times, he engages a ‘broker’ who to marry had to get permission from his solicits the selected bride for a price.” family first, then permission from the Even today in America this custom still parents of the bride-to-be.
    [Show full text]
  • Weddings of Essex County Mennonite Church Members 1926-1946 Weddings of Essex County Mennonite Church Members 1926-1946
    MATT. 19:6 WEDDINGS OF ESSEX COUNTY MENNONITE CHURCH MEMBERS 1926-1946 WEDDINGS OF ESSEX COUNTY MENNONITE CHURCH MEMBERS 1926-1946 The bride or the groom or both were members of a Mennonite congregation in Essex County at the time of her/his marriage. United Mennonite Church names and dates have been compiled from the church register. Mennonite Brethren information has been supplied by Peter Bartel. Editorial Committee Henry N. Driedger Astrid Koop Martha Wiens Leamington, Ontario 1986 TABLE OF CONTENTS WEDDINGS 1926-1930 1 The Wedding of Sara Toews and Frank G. Dick 6 by Anna Dick Klassen Wedding Invitation of Maria Schmidt and 7 Nickolai Thiessen WEDDINGS 1931-1935 8 The Wedding of Katherina Esau and Abram G. Dick 13 by Anna Klassen Signatures of Wedding Guests of the Wedding of 14 Jacob Unger and Justina Dick WEDDINGS 1936-1940 15 A Small Wedding by Agatha Dick 20 WEDDINGS 1941-1946 22 Wedding Invitation of Helena Bergen and Johan Dick 29 Wedding Invitation of Elizabeth Dick and Jacob Founk 30 and Wedding Invitation of Annie Dick and Cornelius Konrad Drawings by Henry Pauls 31 Some Memories of Weddings by Isaac Tiessen 35 Mennonite Wedding Traditions by Astrid Koop and 38 Martha Wiens 1 2 WEDDINGS OF ESSEX COUNTY MENNONITE CHURCH MEMBERS 1926-1946 1926 Henry Tiessen and Susa Enns August 1, 1926 by Elder Jacob H. Janzen This wedding was performed on a Sunday afternoon in an upstairs room of Arthur Brown's hotel at the corner of Talbot and Princess, Leamington, Ontario, one of the buildings used by the Mennonite immigrants for worship.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Costuming in Two Pre-Wedding Rituals for Women in Northern Scotland
    The Role of Costuming in Two Pre-wedding Rituals for Women in Northern Scotland The Role of Costuming in Two Pre-wedding Rituals for Women in Northern Scotland Sheila M. Young Elphinstone Institute University of Aberdeen Scotland Abstract The blackening and the hen party are two pre-wedding rituals for women. The blackening has its roots in a feet washing ceremony, which although once widespread across Scotland is now generally found in rural areas in Northern Scotland. The hen party is a more recent urban phenomenon, enjoying unprecedented popularity. These two rites of passage appear to co-exist happily. Shukla (2005) notes that “successful transitions between life stages are not only socially relevant, they are personally significant milestones, visibly marked by a change in bodily presentation.” This paper will explore that “change in bodily presentation” by examining the role costume plays in the blackening and hen-party rituals. There is a huge variety in what the bride and her attendants wear, where the ritual dressing takes place, and at what point during the proceedings. I will show that the purpose of dress and adornment in each of these rituals is varied, from singling out the bride and making a statement, through to establishing group identity. Furthermore, the purposes have changed through time, significantly in the case of the hen party. Setting the scene his paper explores the role played by costume in two pre-wedding rituals practiced by women in Northern Scotland, the blackening and hen party, and how that role has changed since the 1940s. Costuming is just one of many significant Telements, such as organisation and planning, journeying, games, eating and drinking, and gifting, in the two events that I explored as part of my doctoral research.
    [Show full text]
  • The Peace Stance of the Conservative Kanadier Mennonites, 1874-1945
    Nonresistant or Pacifist? The Peace Stance of the Conservative Kanadier Mennonites, 1874-1945 by Victor David Kliewer A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Joint Master’s Program Department of History University of Manitoba / University of Winnipeg Winnipeg Copyright © 2011 by Victor David Kliewer ABSTRACT This thesis argues that the conservative Kanadier Mennonites, who first came to Canada in 1874, were committed to absolute pacifism. This commitment—one of the basics of their faith—caused major tensions with the host society, notably in times of war. In this thesis I investigate three kinds of resources, each offering a different perspective on the pacifist conviction of the conservative Kanadier Mennonites. The first consists of three migration accounts; the second includes six sermons; the third is a unique set of minutes of the Ältestenrat—the Council of Elders—which record the deliberations of the church leaders who met with government officials to negotiate the alternative service program for conscientious objectors during World War II. The documents demonstrate that the conservative Kanadier Mennonites were not socially or politically engaged pacifists but that their commitment to absolute pacifism was an integral part of their overall understanding of being Christian. according to the pure teaching of our Lord Jesus in the New Testament we are forbidden to take revenge, and in the spirit of the gospel, which is a spirit of peace, we are likewise forbidden to use any sword, weapon, or gun against our enemies.
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory to Archival Boxes in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division of the Library of Congress
    INVENTORY TO ARCHIVAL BOXES IN THE MOTION PICTURE, BROADCASTING, AND RECORDED SOUND DIVISION OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Compiled by MBRS Staff (Last Update December 2017) Introduction The following is an inventory of film and television related paper and manuscript materials held by the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division of the Library of Congress. Our collection of paper materials includes continuities, scripts, tie-in-books, scrapbooks, press releases, newsreel summaries, publicity notebooks, press books, lobby cards, theater programs, production notes, and much more. These items have been acquired through copyright deposit, purchased, or gifted to the division. How to Use this Inventory The inventory is organized by box number with each letter representing a specific box type. The majority of the boxes listed include content information. Please note that over the years, the content of the boxes has been described in different ways and are not consistent. The “card” column used to refer to a set of card catalogs that documented our holdings of particular paper materials: press book, posters, continuity, reviews, and other. The majority of this information has been entered into our Merged Audiovisual Information System (MAVIS) database. Boxes indicating “MAVIS” in the last column have catalog records within the new database. To locate material, use the CTRL-F function to search the document by keyword, title, or format. Paper and manuscript materials are also listed in the MAVIS database. This database is only accessible on-site in the Moving Image Research Center. If you are unable to locate a specific item in this inventory, please contact the reading room.
    [Show full text]
  • What's in a Name?
    I N G AT 200 R Y B E E A L R E S C emc 1812 ~ 2012 Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street ▪ Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 What’s in a Name? [email protected] ▪ 204-326-6401 www.emconference.ca What’s in a Name? Evangelical Mennonite Conference What’s in a Name? © 2012 by Evangelical Mennonite Conference Copying rights are given to churches and individuals as required for group study Find a printable PDF of this study online at www.emconference.ca/bicentennial Library no. 978-0-986049-2-2 Cover design and layout by Marilyn Dueck printed in Canada by Evangelical Mennonite Conference Steinbach, Manitoba Table of Contents Introduction ____________________________________________________________________________1 What’s in a Name? Christian _______________________________________________________________2 Arley Loewen, Blumenort EMC, cultural consultant What’s in a Name? Anabaptist ______________________________________________________________6 Cameron McKenzie, Fort Garry EMC, associate professor of biblical studies, Providence University College What’s in a Name? Mennonite _____________________________________________________________10 Darren Plett, senior pastor, Pleasant Valley EMC What’s in a Name? Kleine Gemeinde _______________________________________________________13 Royden Loewen, Chair of Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg What’s in a Name? Evangelical _____________________________________________________________18 David Thiessen, Fort Garry EMC, former EMC conference pastor What’s in a Name? Church ________________________________________________________________22
    [Show full text]
  • Weddings Use Red, Pink, and Lavender Flowers and Ribbons
    For The Wedding Ethnic Traditions As people migrated to America, they brought their traditional customs with them. Since America is the true melting pot of the world, "next generations" tended to not only follow the old traditions, but seemed to expand them to include other ethnic ideas. african american Many African American brides have chosen to blend cultures. However, some are still choosing to wear traditional African clothing. Although white is still being used in bridal bouquets, bouquets of jeweled tone flowers that complement the brighter colors are also being used. These include antheriums and birds of paradise. Strips of kente cloth, raffia, lotus pods, and African beads are also used in the decorations. chinese Chinese American couples are usually married in a Christian wedding ceremony. The bride loves a very full look to their flowers and often prefer pink orchids. They also like cherry and apple blossoms because they symbolize new life. Chinese weddings use red, pink, and lavender flowers and ribbons. White ribbons and flowers are never used because they signify death. Red is considered good luck at a Chinese wedding; therefore, it is a prominent color when choosing flowers or decorating. Numbers are also an important consideration. Groups of nine and six are used because they sound like the words for prosperity and wealth in Chinese. Two is also used because it means double happiness. Nothing is put in groups of three or four because the word three sounds like death in Chinese. Traditional Chinese weddings hold a tea ceremony after the wedding and before the reception to pay respect to the older generation.
    [Show full text]
  • Miller Umbc 0434M 11891.Pdf (2.594Mb)
    ABSTRACT Title of Document: SINGING SONGS AND CARRYING CANDLES: THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASHKENAZI JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND RITUALS FROM TALMUDIC AND CHRISTIAN SOURCES, C. 850- 1300 CE Laina Sara Miller, Master of Arts, 2018 Directed By: Dr. Susan McDonough, Professor, Historical Studies This thesis studies the communication of wedding traditions between Jews and Christians in medieval Europe, focusing specifically on the Jews of the Ashkenazi region, and challenging the traditional understanding of the origins of medieval Jewish wedding rites. While the “inward acculturation” phenomenon as defined by Ivan G. Marcus has become a larger focus of the historical study of medieval Ashkenazi Judaism, there has been very little study of how living among medieval European Christians affected Jewish wedding rituals. This thesis argues that the long history of shared community between medieval Ashkenazi Jews and Christians allowed Jews to borrow, adopt, and adapt Christian rituals to fit their own desires for wedding practices, while the rise and fall of an intensifying adversarial relationship between Ashkenazi Jews and Christians led the newly powerful Ashkenazi rabbis to reject these origins in favor of the Biblically-focused approach which would come to dominate traditional Judaism. SINGING SONGS AND CARRYING CANDLES: THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASHKENAZI JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS AND RITUALS FROM TALMUDIC AND CHRISTIAN SOURCES, C. 850-1300 CE By Laina Sara Miller Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Historical Studies 2018 © Copyright by Laina Sara Miller 2018 ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ceremonies Within Your Ceremony
    CEREMONIES WITHIN YOUR CEREMONY Unity Candle Candles will always be popular and, especially because of one idea we’ll discuss with you, we think a Unity Candle is worth considering as you plan your wedding. Candles may not work well in outdoor venues but, even then, we can suggest ways of including them. The Unity Candle symbolizes lives being united in marriage. It is a large candle lit by the Bride and Groom, sometimes by the bridal couple along with their children, indicating that all are now an inseparable part of one another. It also says to in-laws and friends that they, too, have been brought into this joyous whole. Sometimes the smaller tapers used to light the larger Unity Candle are blown out afterwards, sometimes they remain lit because individuality remains even within unity. Your officiant will describe to your guests the meaning of this ceremony and sometimes pronounce a blessing upon the newly formed family. The Bride and Groom typically are not expected to say anything (though they may whisper sentiments to one another). Sometimes mothers or other loved ones are given an opportunity to speak. Sometimes a soloist will sing, or music will be played, or a reading will take place. Sometimes candle sponsors (often Godparents) will stand with the bridal couple. Sometimes spiritual or religious connotations are involved. We will tailor the Unity Candle ceremony to fit what you want to remember. Many treasured thoughts may be symbolized in the lighting of the individual tapers and the Unity Candle. Your choices will determine who lights these candles and how this may be used to honor loved ones or give pledges to your children.
    [Show full text]