Hi Folks: This came to me from a friend who is also a Ulsterscot, I had mentioned some things about Franklin Co., Pa. to him where he was born and this is his reply. I was talking to him about the Brethren which is a loose group of churches known as the Brethren, they range from the Amish, German baptists, Mennonites, Old Order River brethren and UCC (United Church of Christ). I have studied them for years and they are very interesting people. Gordon --- I was a member of a Mennonite church from age 23 to about 38. Each congregation can be so different in it’s interpretations that it seems like a whole different religion. We had different congregations that were different generations (grandparents at one, parents at another, and young adults at another) off-shoots of each church with slightly different practices. However, all of the congregations would get together for various events, etc. and almost everyone had relatives at the other churches. This also helped to keep the congregations at about 100-125 members, which was considered ideal. Most Mennonites although called Pennsylvania Dutch or old German were actually of Swiss ancestry (but not necessarily). At our congregation, most women stopped wearing caps in the mid-eighties. During the late ‘70’s when it was popular to make home-made wine, many of the women at our church used their lace caps to strain the fermented fruit. The did kind of keep it quiet, but several did it. I thought it was hilarious. There is no way you would have known our church to be a Mennonite church if it weren’t for the sign out front. One also must keep in mind that these people had moved away from the traditional geographic areas where Mennonites, Brethren, etc. are strong. The sense of community was very strong and it was, contrary to many people’s impressions, a really fun group. We were always doing things together. The old idea of a “barn-raising” was always present. We were always building or repairing, etc. and it was made fun....... I mean, hate work, but it was always fun. I learned about carpentry, plumbing, and other skills that have helped me throughout my life. People ask me what Mennonite churches are like and I tell them that it depends on the congregation. It’s impossible to categorize anymore. We had “young” congregations, “Black-Bumper Mennonites,” “Lace-Cap Congregations,” “Farm Mennonites,””Old-Order Mennonites,” some congregations that only want a piano, and some that don’t allow any accompaniment with the singing, etc., etc.,.....and that was just here in Arizona. Adult baptism (Anabaptist), non-violence, Sermon on the Mount, good music, and great pot lucks..........that’s a Mennonite today. Well, I’ve rambled on enough.  - . __._,_.___ Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use. __,_._,___

I had a friend from Switzerland visit, and took her to Lancaster Co., where we took a horse and buggy tour with a Mennonite driver. He said something in PA Dutch and she almost fell off her seat because apparently some of the words were Swiss German. I'd taken German visitors there (and they thought the language was "Americanized" / corrupt German), but she was my first Swiss German speaker, so my first clue that there was a Swiss German influence on the language. Interestingly, though, she knew nothing about the community's connection to Switzerland -- I guess the Swiss got rid of the Anabaptists / Mennonites so thoroughly that no memory of it lingers in their history. Claire K. On Jan 3, 2011, at 8:03 AM, Gordon Crooks wrote: > Hi Folks: This came to me from a friend ... > > --- > > ...Most Mennonites although called Pennsylvania Dutch or old German were actually of Swiss ancestry (but not necessarily).