"No two persons ever read the same book" ~ Edmund Wilson
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mennoite Discussion #2
Rhoda’s parents are deeply religious. What are some of the more notable ways their faith manifests itself? What qualities do they possess that you admire? Were you surprised by anything you learned about the Mennonite community?
Like Christy, I kept getting the Mennonites confused with the Amish. I guess I've read too many Jodi Picoult novels, but I was surprised they had electricity and drove cars. I know, I know, my ignorance.
I think I read this book incorrectly. I wasn't really paying too much attention to the faith aspect. I mean, I know they were all about not being "vainglorious" and they didn't dance. I know that men were most definitely heads of the household and women were....not sure of the right word. Not exactly oppressed, but you get the idea. Right?
The qualities that I admired were not necessarily faith based. They had a great work ethic and didn't waste money. Surely, I'm missing something....Mandy???
Like I said before, I was pretty surprised that Mennonites had electricity. Even more surprised that her parents had a computer. But that's just my ignorance
There are a lot of things I like about Mennonites. Some of my friends who chose the Mennonite tradition did so in part because of the Mennonite commitment to non-violence. I love that.
I had forgotten (or didn't realize the full extent maybe) the deep ethnic ties that exist within many Mennonite communities. Since some of my graduate school friends CHOSE to be Menno, I forgot that the tradition has some deep roots as an ethnic community in addition to a religious one. I sometimes wish I was a member of a religion so closely tied to my ethnicity. I like the many traditions and find myself jealous not to have more traditions sometimes.
I have more to write here (that perhaps will answer the question :-)), but that's all for now. I have to head to Target...
Some of the things that stuck out to me in this book that I admired about Rhoda's parents was their commitment to simple living, frugality, and hospitality. Of course the first two of these can be taken to an extreme, but I appreciate the willingness of Mennonites to make do with what they have AND to share what they have with others. There's something intriguing about Christians who take seriously the command to be in the world, but not of it.
Also, the way her mother cared for the other people in her life through cooking and visiting was beautiful. I wish I was that hospitable. I own two cookbooks put out by the Mennonite Central Committee (which are fabulous btw), but I still haven't turned into that woman with a casserole always ready in case of an emergency. Sigh.
I also appreciated Rhoda's parents' willingness (to some extent) to allow their children to develop into their own people. I never got the sense that Rhoda's parents didn't love or support her. Even when they (certainly) didn't agree with her decisions, they were there for her. That's brave...especially for someone in her father's position.
I am also glad that Rhoda hashed out the Amish/Mennonite differences. Thanks Rhoda!
Her parents reminded me so much of my own family. I live on Autrey Road (see last name) and everyone here is an Autrey. Everyone here has a garden and an open door policy. If it is time to put up corn and you are around, then you are helping put up corn. If there is extra corn after all the pulling, shucking, cuttting, and canning then it is placed in those Wal-mart bags we all love to hate and is driven to local widows, elderly, and anyone else that might have a need in the community. I kinda feel like the Mennonites would do the exact same thing. As my Dad always says "Waste not, want not."
4 comments:
Like Christy, I kept getting the Mennonites confused with the Amish. I guess I've read too many Jodi Picoult novels, but I was surprised they had electricity and drove cars. I know, I know, my ignorance.
I think I read this book incorrectly. I wasn't really paying too much attention to the faith aspect. I mean, I know they were all about not being "vainglorious" and they didn't dance. I know that men were most definitely heads of the household and women were....not sure of the right word. Not exactly oppressed, but you get the idea. Right?
The qualities that I admired were not necessarily faith based. They had a great work ethic and didn't waste money. Surely, I'm missing something....Mandy???
Like I said before, I was pretty surprised that Mennonites had electricity. Even more surprised that her parents had a computer. But that's just my ignorance
There are a lot of things I like about Mennonites. Some of my friends who chose the Mennonite tradition did so in part because of the Mennonite commitment to non-violence. I love that.
I had forgotten (or didn't realize the full extent maybe) the deep ethnic ties that exist within many Mennonite communities. Since some of my graduate school friends CHOSE to be Menno, I forgot that the tradition has some deep roots as an ethnic community in addition to a religious one. I sometimes wish I was a member of a religion so closely tied to my ethnicity. I like the many traditions and find myself jealous not to have more traditions sometimes.
I have more to write here (that perhaps will answer the question :-)), but that's all for now. I have to head to Target...
Some of the things that stuck out to me in this book that I admired about Rhoda's parents was their commitment to simple living, frugality, and hospitality. Of course the first two of these can be taken to an extreme, but I appreciate the willingness of Mennonites to make do with what they have AND to share what they have with others. There's something intriguing about Christians who take seriously the command to be in the world, but not of it.
Also, the way her mother cared for the other people in her life through cooking and visiting was beautiful. I wish I was that hospitable. I own two cookbooks put out by the Mennonite Central Committee (which are fabulous btw), but I still haven't turned into that woman with a casserole always ready in case of an emergency. Sigh.
I also appreciated Rhoda's parents' willingness (to some extent) to allow their children to develop into their own people. I never got the sense that Rhoda's parents didn't love or support her. Even when they (certainly) didn't agree with her decisions, they were there for her. That's brave...especially for someone in her father's position.
I am also glad that Rhoda hashed out the Amish/Mennonite differences. Thanks Rhoda!
Her parents reminded me so much of my own family. I live on Autrey Road (see last name) and everyone here is an Autrey. Everyone here has a garden and an open door policy. If it is time to put up corn and you are around, then you are helping put up corn. If there is extra corn after all the pulling, shucking, cuttting, and canning then it is placed in those Wal-mart bags we all love to hate and is driven to local widows, elderly, and anyone else that might have a need in the community. I kinda feel like the Mennonites would do the exact same thing. As my Dad always says "Waste not, want not."
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