Osiah Horst grew up in an Old Order Mennonite family in Canada. Osiah’s father Isaac wrote a column for a local newspaper which eventually grew into the book A Separate People: An Insider’s View of Old Order Mennonite Customs and Traditions, a witty and incisive look at Old Order Mennonite society. Isaac penned 2 dozen […]
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I’d like a chance to win, Erik! Thanks!
Thank you
Very interesting, thank you for doing this.
LOVE the ending comment, about Mennonites and Harrison Ford not being connected. He’s right… there are some benefits to being “the quiet in the land.” The fact that the Amish so fascinate people in mainstream America, while the Mennonites are largely overlooked, has long been something I’ve wondered about. I wrote several posts on my blog. Here are links to those posts:
http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2010/12/english-riddle.html
http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2011/01/thoughts-about-english-riddle.html
http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2011/01/mennonite-perspective.html
I would love to have my name entered into the mix, though the odds are pretty low, and I’ve never won a thing in my life. I suppose there is a first for everything… smile.
Oh, I meant to say — great post! I enjoyed this interview very much.
Saloma
What a facinating interview! Thanks Erik for the opportunity to hear from the OOMs. Would LOVE to read the book!
Book Giveaway
I’d love a copy of this book! If there’s anything I love it’s books about Mennonites and the Amish. Such a peace abiding group of people. Thanks for the offer!
Oh, I definitely want to read this. Hopefully, I will
be a lucky winner.
Thank you for an opportunity. I think we all enjoy these.:)
Book Giveaway
I would love to be able to win this. Thank you for all you do Eric.
OOM questions
Thank you, Scott, and everyone else who’s taken a moment to share. I’ve just been reading through some of Osiah’s responses to people’s questions and just think it’s great to have the follow-up from him, especially since generally less is known about Old Order Mennonite life and customs.
I figured this interview would stimulate more questions. One thing I like about A Separate People is the writing voice that Osiah’s father Isaac has–it’s very conversational, and the book is written as if you are taking a walk through an Old Order Mennonite community with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide at your elbow.
Book Giveaway
Love to win….I love reading about the Mennonites and the Amish….very inspirational way of life……………….babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
Biblical basis for OOM lifestyle
I am curious about the biblical basis for the ways and customs of the OOM. I believe that the value the Amish place on living apart from the non-Amish world is based to some extent on a few verses Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians. I think the Amish views on how the hair should be worn stem from another verse in Corinthians.
From what I read above, it seems like living apart and conforming to a certain hairstyle are less of a concern for the OOM community than for the Amish. What biblical tenets do the OOM look to as the basis for their special and unique beliefs and practices? Do they differ from those revered by the Amish?
reply to question about Biblical basis
I am sorry to take so long to respond and have only a few moments this morning. To the question about the Biblical basis for OOM practices, they are very similar to that of the OO Amish. We have the very same Anabaptist background and the two groups work together on such issues as Social Security, photo id and other similar issues that both groups are opposed to. Our family was acquainted with the Stoll and Wagler families from Aylmer, Ontario and a number of us have had articles published in the Pathway Publications. The biggest differences between the two groups aside from the method of shunning, are more cultural factors than faith based. i will look at these posts later today and respond to more questions but right now I have to run. Thanks, everyone for your interest.
Book Giveaway
Would love to win. thanks
Book "A Separate People"
I have friends who are Mennoite and I am always looking for more information about Amish and Mennoite families. I like the lifestyle and try o live in a plain manner in my daily interactions with others and within my family. I would really appreciate having this book.
Thanks for the interesting article. I would love to win this book!
I would very much like to be included in this drawing for the book. I read books about the Amish and Mennonites every chance I get and would also like to read this one.
Thanks,
Deb
Fascinating Erik! Count me in please!
thanks.aj
Sounds like a great book, would love to win a copy!
I used to know Issac Horst when I lived in Ontario, working at Pathway Publishers.
I would love to be included in the giveaway. I hope I am not too late.
Thank you!
Free Book!
Yeah, I’d like a chance to win that book! Thanks
Thanks and question
The OO Amish practice shunning, what keeps the OOM growing? Do they shun as well?
OOM on Shunning
OO Mennonites shun differently. Two of the 18 articles in the Dortrecht Confession which both Mennonites and Amish use deal with the Bann or exclusion from the Lord’s Supper and shunning. The OO Mennonites do not shun anyone that leaves the church. The bann applies to anyone who falls seriously outside of church order and is unrepentant. Shunning then applies but is unlike most OO Amish shunning in the extent to which it is taken. Anyone that is in “the bann” is excluded from taking part in church council, communion, and feet washing and from eating with the immediate family at special occasions such as weddings and funerals.
Book give away
Please enter me….I would love to read this book.Thanks jackie_tessnair@yahho.com
Book give away
Loved your blog page and would love to read the book.
Great interview
I don’t want to enter the giveaway (let someone else have the joy of winning) but will probably buy the book soon.
I do want to say this was a really well written interview. I especially liked hearing about the OOM. It’s fun reading about groups with a totally different lifestyle, sort of like reading western fiction.
Eric, does it help your site in any way (other than the community spirit) to get comments? I am an avid reader but have rarely seen a need to comment.
Commenting is good!
Tom, thanks for reading, and in answer to your question–definitely.
Comments definitely add “meat” to the blog–I post something new 5 days a week but reader comments are a big part of adding to the knowledge and experiences shared here. Also the activity of commenting helps it get found in search engines. Last but not least I enjoy hearing from people and getting feedback, so I’d be lying if I said that comments didn’t motivate me to regularly post new posts, at least a little 😉
You are welcome to comment anytime you feel like sharing something but of course no obligation. Anyway, nice that you asked.
I read anything that I can find about the Amish. I love the history and tradition. I’d love to win!
I shared the information on facebook. Please put my second entry in for the book giveaway.
love this paiting on the cover of the book. Please enter me in the contest!
An interesting article/interview. Would love to read the book! Hope to win! Thanks for this great website!
Book giveaway
Sounds like an interesting and informative book. mk
Great Post
This was a fascinating interview. I’d love a chance to win a copy of the book.
Book Giveaway
We have very close Mennonite friends in north Florida. We love Plain people, love to learn more and more about them, and would love to have this book!
Book Giveaway
It looks like a very interesting book, and I would be so happy to win one 🙂 Please enter me in the contest.
Osiah Horst on Old Order Mennonites/ Book Giveaway
Thank you so very much for sharing such a beautiful look into the life of the Old Order Mennonites through the eyes of Osiah Horst. I would feel very honored to receive this gift.
Free book
Thanks for writing, Erik, so we have “a breath-of-fresh-air” things to read. I would be glad for a free book.
Book Giveaway
This book looks like a fantastic opportunity to get a glimpse into the OOM world. Thanks.
A Chance to Win!
Hi, this is Shawn, and I would really like a chance to win this book. I’m actually thinking about starting up a new Amish/Mennonite-type of group, here in Santa Cruz, California. I’m wondering if the Lord wants me to do this? I just came back from New Wilmington in November, because the Lord told me to return here. So, here I am. But lately, I’ve been getting information about starting a new group here. Even this morning, somebody told me the Bible says to start with 10 people. So anyway, I would really love to have one of these books. It would help me get started, I assume, if that’s what the Lord would have me do here. Plus, another thing is, I would love to find out more about how the Mennonites live. I’ve done alot of studying about the Amish the past couple of years or so, and I would like to find out more about Mennonites as well. Thanks. Shawn
Contest
Enter me please.
Also would like to win this book, also will post on Facebook…..
win the book
I would very much like to be a winner of one set of books
The article answered alot of questions and am sure th book will answer more
Thank you for the chance
Leaving a comment
Comment on Osiah Horst
I too, loved to read Pathway Publications. It’s a sad comment that people’s individual talents (your Father’s writing ability) were not accepted or appreciated. But, individuality is not something that is generally encouraged in the Amish or OOMennonites, is it?
Things are changing in that regard. The Pathway Publications have had an impact and I think my father helped break the ice as well. He and my sister Esther (Horst) Bowman had numerous articles and poems published. Esther has published several books of poetry as well as children’s books. Currently, several OO groups jointly sponsor an annual writers’ meeting to encourage and stimulate an interest in writing. The meetings are very well attended and some travel to writers’ meetings in other areas as well.
book giveaway entry
thank you Erik and Osiah for the opportunity to win the book. yes… please… include me. Erik, thank you for the questions you asked Osiah (most of them are questions i’ve always had)… and thank you Osiah for being so gracious in your answers.
Hello, I’ll enter my name in the contest. Thank you Osiah for answering our questions and making available your father’s writings.
Book give away
I would so enjoy having this set of books! Thank you!
Book Give Away
Loved this article! I definitely need to get this book for my husband, whether I win one of these or not! His family is OO Mennonite, and he would love it (and so would I).
book giveaway
Would love to read these books.Just Finished reading “An Amish Christmas In Lancaster County” Hard to put the book down.I am very interested in there way of life.I have just signed up for Amish America email.Just happened to see it on site yesterday. Thank you Janice
Mennonite book
I appreciated the interview, and hope to read the book. Please enter me in the contest. I have discovered this year that I may have Anabaptist roots from my mother’s side of the family, and am learning whatever I can. Of all the emails I receive every day, Erik, yours is one of the first I read, and is never deleted unread.
Wow, Jane, you just upped the pressure on me! 😉 Just kidding, that is really nice to hear.
Very Interesting.
What a great interview. So much to learn. I’d love to read your book.
Would love to enter drawing. Thanks!
Would love to be entered.Thanks.
Thanks, Erik, for this interesting interview. Every time we go to Lancaster I always enjoy riding around amongst the OOM communities as much as the Amish ones. And once you become familiar with the differences it’s easy to tell them apart.
I would love to win a copy of this book so count me in, please!