Spring 2016 | vol 25, no 3
What a difference love makes!
Did you know? by Rachel & Glenn Wadel, Chambersburg, Pa. The Ausbund, one of the Traveling from Europe to America in 1832 was no small feat. oldest hymnals still in use, For Katherina, an unmarried mother of two young children, it was used by Mennonites must have been daunting. Determined to find a better life in from its first printing in 1564 the new world, she boarded a ship in Rotterdam, Holland. until early in the 19th century. Katherina’s daughter did not survive the brutal living It is the only hymnal used by conditions on the voyage and was buried at sea. Katherina the Amish since their and 5-year-old son Johann made it to the port of Baltimore, beginning in 1693 and is Md. From there they traveled to Chambersburg, Pa., where it written completely in is said there were a number of German immigrants of German. Lutheran faith with whom she could communicate and The Ausbund used by the relate. Amish today is almost In Chambersburg, identical to the first complete Katherina married a volume published in 1583. man who was not The nucleus of the accepting of her son. Ausbund’s 800 pages is 51 After the boy had hymns written by Anabaptists been verbally and awaiting death in a Bavarian physically abused by dungeon between 1537 and this man, Katherina 1540. The volume also told her son, Johann, includes hymns written by he would need to find earlier Anabaptist martyrs somewhere else to such as George Blaurock, live. Then she packed Felix Manz, and Michael a few things in a Sattler. small bag and let him Many of the tunes for the go. hymns were borrowed from As he walked along secular folk songs. Such the Conococheague tunes may have been used Creek north of town, to keep authorities from he met Mennonite detecting outlawed farmers, Christian Anabaptist gatherings. Since and Samuel Lehman. They asked young Johann where he Rachel & notes have never been Glenn published for these hymns, was going. He didn’t know. “Where is your home,” they asked. Wadel the tunes must be passed “I don’t have one,” he answered. “Would you like to stay with (above) orally from generation to us,” they asked. Johann said, “yes.” enjoy a generation. The Lehmans gave Johann not only a home, but genuine break from The words of the hymns love and care. Growing up in a Christian home resulted in their duties speak of great sorrow, of Johann embracing Christianity and the Mennonite way of life. as host and deep loneliness, and of He became a Mennonite pastor, bishop, and successful hostess at strong protest against the farmer near the Lehman farm in Chambersburg. He and his Menno-Hof. world’s wickedness. Their wife, Nancy, were parents of two daughters and ten sons. (March 2016) tone, however, is not one of Today thousands of Americans, mostly Mennonite, and despair, but of triumph and most living in Pennsylvania and the eastern United States, hope that God will not trace their heritage to Johann Peter Wadel, the great, great (cont. on page 3) grandfather of Glenn Wadel. We, Glenn and Rachel (Shank) Wadel, are grateful for cont. on page 2 What a difference love makes! (cont. from front) from all around the world and from many the opportunity to have volunteered at religions. During our three month stay at Menno-Hof the first three months of 2016. Menno-Hof, we hosted visitors from nearly There are similarities between our every state in the United States and also personal heritage and the stories of the from Australia, Africa, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, thousands of Anabaptists who were exiled Canada, China, Columbia, France, Germany, from their European homelands because of Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Paraguay, mistreatment and persecution in the Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Thailand, and Venezuela. Faith communities What a difference love makes! In the case included Agnostic, Amish, Apostolic, of Johann Peter Wadel, one might think it Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic, Brethren, “As a was cold and heartless to release such a German Baptist, Hindu, Islam, Latter Day Christian, young child from home. But under the Saints, Lutheran, Mennonite, Muslim, Pagan circumstances of frequent beatings, the and Reformed Church of America. this tour mother was actually demonstrating love for We really enjoyed our time at Menno-Hof. inspired her child by letting him be removed from the Where else can we have the opportunity to me to be a abusive situation. Because of the love and touch the lives of such a diverse collection of faithful caring of the Lehman brothers opening their people? Even though we both grew up in follower of hearts to this homeless child, countless Mennonite homes in Pennsylvania, and have Jesus in numbers of Wadel lots of Mennonite and spite of all descendents are alive today. “Our daily prayer was Anabaptist friends and The absence of love also acquaintances, our experience adversity that Christ would be seen makes a difference—a tragic with the Amish was limited. and perse- difference. Love was absent in us—and in Although we spent only three cution.” when the state-church Menno-Hof—as we months at Menno-Hof and —April 2016 authorities considered the presented tours about have much more to learn, we visitor early reformers to be heretics the Anabaptist history have become better acquainted and set out to eliminate them. with their practices and have that is dear and Some of the Menno-Hof developed a genuine respect for presentations show the terrible meaningful to us.” the Amish communities. It is torture, persecution and interesting to know they executions of the early perhaps have as much Anabaptist martyrs. We are made aware of diversity in their styles and practices as we the tremendous strength and courage of Mennonites. We try to not define us, or them, those like Michael Sattler, who were executed by the few persons we may have met. And in for their faith. describing their practices we try to avoid One Menno-Hof visitor reflected, “I wonder using the words “never” or “always.” if I would be able to take a stand like that. I We are impressed with the way the Amish think I need to be strengthened in my faith.” and Mennonite story is presented at Another gentleman was quite engrossed in Menno-Hof. The designers and planners over reading and studying the displays in the back 30 years ago certainly put a lot of creative room when his wife was nearing the end of thought into its layout and building. It’s the tour. She came to the tour guide and especially assuring to hear Amish visitors tell said, “I want you to know this is his second us they feel the information is presented time here. When he was here the first time he accurately. This is the positive result of the was an unbeliever. This place set him to input of the four different denominations in thinking of his need for the Lord and it has the original planning, and their continued changed his life.” involvement on the board of directors It is amazing how many visitors express responsible for Menno-Hof’s operation. It’s a their sincere appreciation for Menno-Hof. It beautiful thing to see people of different clearly makes a lasting impression on people practice unite in a single (cont. on page 3)
by the numbers 10,500 —the approximate 23 hosts and hostesses lived at Menno-Hof in 2015, blessing many, many number of donated visitors. These volunteers were from... volunteer hours in 4 Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan, 2015! and 4 of the United States: Florida, Kansas, Michigan and North Carolina.
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Plan to attend! 8th Annual Singspiration Sunday, September 11, 5 p.m. Come and enjoy a cappella singing of familiar hymns on the Menno-Hof lawn in the traditions of the Amish Church, Amish Mennonite Church, Conservative Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church USA. There will be ice cream and pretzels
and more singing inside following the worship service. Bring lawn chairs for seating. Rain location: Farmstead Inn pavilion, Shipshewana (just north of Menno-Hof)
Did you know? (cont. from front) forsake the faithful. In these hymns, the Amish Wish List find reassurance for their commitment to humility ~ new microwave for volunteer apartments and nonconformity with the world. The most familiar Amish hymn, the ~ flat screen TV with built-in DVD player “Loblied” (“Hymn of Praise” #131 in the Ausbund), is used as the second hymn of every What a difference love makes! (cont. from p. 2) Amish church service. Singing all four stanzas of purpose to keep the Amish and Mennonite the “Loblied” takes from 15-20 minutes, story alive. depending on the Amish community. The Amish And what a difference love makes in the sing in unison with an Amish vorsinger (fore- workplace ! When we love what we are doing, singer) setting the pitch. The vorsinger sings the everyone’s work is more pleasurable. It has first syllable of each line. The congregation joins been a joy to work with the capable and on the second syllable and sings slowly in unison for the rest of the line. efficient staff of Jerry, Susan, Charlotte, Don About 10,000 Ausbunds are printed every and Bill, and the local volunteers that keep the year, most of them going into use in the plain place alive and well. churches. There is very little property owned Our daily prayer was that Christ would be jointly by all the members in an Amish church seen in us—and Menno-Hof—as we presented district except for the church benches and tours about the Anabaptist history that is dear hymnbooks. Some small districts may own less and meaningful to us. Thanks to all who have than 30 books, while the larger ones may own shown us love and have contributed to the over a hundred. enriching of our lives through this experience. What a difference love makes! Listen to the “Loblied” online: soundcloud.com/user-884703095/das-loblied Rachel & Glenn Wadel live in Chambersburg, Pa., and attend Marion Mennonite Church. They have three children and seven grandchildren and enjoy gardening, quilting, hunting, carpentry, biking and volunteering.
Beginnings & endings | host & hostess THANK YOU!
Lloyd & Erla Koch, New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada | June
Joe & Jan Yoder, Middlebury, Ind. | June 24-30
Fred Tillery | June & July
Ora & Rhoda Mast, Lancaster, Pa. | July
Jim & Bonnie Beachy, Paoli, Ind. | July 25-30
Lauren & Suzanne Yoder, Black Mountain, N. Car. | August
Larry & Maxine Miller, Macon, Miss. | August
3 DIRECTOR’S DESK ow, what a time for those intoxicating than alcohol. It may make people W who love politics! Hardly a act out of character, make claims and day goes by without some new accusations without merit, damage family and slant on an accusation that has friend relationships with little awareness or been leveled by one politician regret, compromise values once held in high against the other and the news esteem and simply devote more time and energy media is filled with the latest juice than is healthy for any individual or family. available. I don’t think all individuals or politicians Jerry Beasley I can hardly have a cup of allow these things to happen but I do think it is executive director coffee in our local restaurants clear a bit of caution is appropriate for all of us if without hearing the latest wisdom of some locals we align ourselves with political parties and about the candidates and issues being shared issues and wade around in the politics of the with great enthusiasm. I once heard an day. My prayer is that we all remember we are in individual say that for those that immerse the world but not of it—we are expected to be the themselves in it, politics may be more light and salt of the world. So...caution!
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SHIPSHEWANA, IN 46565 PERMIT NO 17
Reunion is published quarterly to keep Menno-Hof staff: our friends informed of happenings at Jerry Beasley, executive director Menno-Hof. Send questions or Susan Miller, managing director comments to director at Charlotte Long, program and communication associate [email protected] Bill Yoder, facility and grounds Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite associate Don Miller, facility and grounds Visitors’ Center associate PO Box 701 510 S Van Buren St, SR 5 Board of Directors: Shipshewana, IN 46565 Larry Chupp, president, Shipshewana, Ind. Tele: (260) 768-4117 Lovina Rutt, vice-president, Goshen, Ind. Fax: (260) 768-4118 Donna Jones, Shipshewana, Ind. Orie E. Lehman, Shipshewana, Ind. E-mail: [email protected] Daniel B. Miller, Goshen, Ind. Web site: www.mennohof.org Steve Miller, Goshen, Ind. Jim Neff, Goshen, Ind.
Hours: Wayne Schrock, Millersburg, Ind. Monday—Saturday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m. Don Stauffer, Union, Mich. Summer hours (June, July, August) Alvin J. Yoder, Shipshewana, Ind. Monday—Friday: 10 a.m.—7 p.m. Fern Yoder, Millersburg, Ind. Saturday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.