Amish Church

I’ve been looking forward to this new addition to Amish America for a long time.  Various questions seem to recur on Amish topics.  I thought it might be nice to put together a resource to try to answer some of those questions. The Amish Online Encyclopedia (AOE) covers a variety of subjects including Amish culture, [...]

Continue reading New to Amish America: The Amish Online Encyclopedia

Hi everyone, and thanks for all the feedback on the semi-controversial book video.  I meant to post something from here in Lancaster County much sooner, but funny thing, every Amish home I visit claims their Wi-Fi connection is down.  Frustrating. As I’m on some dodgy illicit kerosene-powered land line tucked away in a tobacco barn [...]

Continue reading Checking in on the kero-net from Lancaster County

A while back I wrote a post on Raber’s Almanac, an annual guide used by the Amish. The Almanac includes an extensive listing of Amish church districts and their ministers.  It also includes a Scripture and hymn schedule for church service as well as some folk wisdom and even a dab of astrology, which I [...]

Continue reading Raber’s Almanac

Thanks to all who’ve been asking if I’m in the hospital or have disappeared somewhere.  Not the case.  Have just been cranking away on the book before the June 1st deadline.  Hence the minor hiatus.  But look to be easing back into more regular posting soon.  Have certainly been missing it. Gave some friends in [...]

Continue reading Amish church wagon

A recent re-read of a piece by Steven Nolt in Mennonite Quarterly Review–‘Who are the Real Amish?  Rethinking Diversity and Identity among a Separate People’– made me recall a common dilemma when discussing our Plain neighbors. ‘The Amish’ is a moniker that tries to do more than it really can, which is blanket a group [...]

Continue reading The trouble with ‘the Amish’

Catching a ride to church, one week back.  Not my usual vehicle.

Continue reading Sunday trot

Two more Pennsylvania winter scenes, of a school and Amish church gathering, again courtesy of Rick.  I think the horse in the top shot–did you spot him?–might be winking at the camera.  But can’t be sure.  Rick? And on a side note, I will be back in Lancaster County in February. Til then, or beyond, [...]

Continue reading Two more from NW PA

“It is very definitely a gray area, in fact it is nearly black.” An anonymous Amish friend from Lancaster County has offered candid answers to some questions on Amish life.  In this first of two parts, he comments on topics such as the Amish presence in the media, Amish internet usage, friendships with non-Amish people, [...]

Continue reading An Amish America Q-and-A with a Lancaster County Amishman

Ira Wagler, who grew up Amish in Aylmer, Ontario, explains in a humorous and informative post the ins and outs of Sunday singing in Amish church. An excerpt about tthe second song sung at all Amish church services: Years ago, before my time, in Aylmer, a stranger attended church one Sunday. At Nicky Stoltzfus, the [...]

Continue reading A humorous look at Amish church singing

Being selected to the Amish ministry is both a blessing and a burden.  Due to the challenges involved, the responsibility is not one that many Amishmen dream of and you won’t find anyone campaigning for the office. The position of bishop is probably the most demanding.  I was recently on the phone with an Amish friend [...]

Continue reading The Amish minister’s burden