Every four years inquisitive reporters try to discern what the Amish are planning to do in the upcoming presidential election. Â I think this is partly due to natural curiosity–what do a “people apart” think about a civic activity such as voting? But mainly I believe people are interested because the largest Amish populations are found in Ohio and Pennsylvania, two swing states heavily contested in…
Autumn used to be my favorite season. I once pitied the folks who lived in areas of the country which don’t really have a legitimate autumn. Since moving to a place with severe winters, I’ve lost a little enthusiasm for the fall (knowing what’s right around the corner – four months of frigid air, ice and darkness – prevents you from enjoying it as much)….
Like the holy kiss, foot washing is a symbolic communal act performed by Amish. Foot washing occurs during the twice-yearly communion service. The authors of The Amish Way note the words of the Dordrecht Confession on the custom: footwashing is “the true washing, when we are washed through His precious blood and purified in our souls.” The authors also describe foot washing as “an act…
You may remember hearing a while back from Anne, whose son Ed joined the Amish. Â Anne has just returned from a visit to see Ed and her new grandson in Minnesota. Â She also spent some time recently in Pennsylvania. Â I think you’ll enjoy this update in which she sheds light on how others, both Amish and non-Amish, have responded to her son’s decision. Two recent…
I’ll admit it’s a little odd to see an Amishman plant a kiss on his neighbor. But it’s a common-enough sight, one you’ll see before Amish church service. What is the Holy Kiss? The holy kiss is a practice with Scriptural basis (more on that below). As with other Amish practices, the way it is done varies. In some groups just the ministers exchange the…
This is another installment in the 10 views series, featuring photos from my recent visit to the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. Â I’ve included a few comments and links to relevant posts that you might enjoy. Sugarcreek is technically in Tuscarawas County. Â It’s often the first little town visitors to the area pass through. Â Many of the buildings in Sugarcreek’s “Swiss Village” downtown area…
From the editor’s notes of a recent issue (August 2012) of The Diary: The Diary has something this month that it has not had for nineteen years! Under BIRTHS this month, you will see that the very first entry is quadruplets! These four girls were born to Amos Masts of Granton, WI. Â Congratulations. Â And good luck. Nineteen years ago, Amos Eshs of Lancaster County also…
Over the past weekend a driver apparently purposely drove his car into a horse pulling a buggy full of Nappanee, Indiana -area Amish teenagers. Francisco Gonzalez was captured on a Wal-Mart parking lot camera turning around and returning to the road to run into the buggy horse, which was killed instantly. Â The boys were shaken but unhurt; what the driver left behind was described as…
Country Style Deli @ The Markets at Shrewsbury 12025 Susquehanna Trail Glen Rock, PA 17327 (717) 235-6611 How about a few photos today from Country Style Deli at the Markets at Shrewsbury (York County, PA). This deli is run by the Riehl family, friends of mine from Lancaster County. Amish markets are typically open for business 3 days per week (Thurs-Sat), though some stand owners…
You have probably heard by now that the Bergholz beard-cutters were convicted in the federal hate crimes trial last week. They will have to wait four months for sentencing, however, until January 24 (appeal remains a possibility as well). Now attention has shifted to whether some of the convicts should remain free or be imprisoned leading up to sentencing. According to the lead of this…