Dear Listers, In Julius Sachse's book German Sectarians of Pennsylvania on page 430 he spends a small amount of his book discussing a minority sect called the New Mooners or its German Neumondler. He stated that this group held services on the first day of the new moon. They based this belief on Numbers 28: 11. They used trombones in this service. They also believed that prayers and supplications proclaimed during this period magnified their effect. Thye also believed that souls after death wafted into space and there separated the good from the bad. The good would be carried to bliss during the new moon. Sachse suggests that much of these beliefs were brought by the settlers from their European home. The mentions made of the New Mooners in contemporary texts suggests that they were often with Mennonites, Amish, and Dunkers. Their "high priest" was Hans Zimmerman of Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I believe that this man may be descended from the Zimmerman family of Steffisburg, Kanton of Bern. Does anyone on this list have any information about this sect? Does any of these beliefs have their inception in the Steffisburg -- Thun area of Kanton Bern? Are any of these beliefs known in Switzerland or being practiced at this time? Any help would be appreciated. I suspect that this Zimmerman family removed to Sainte-Marie-Aux-Mines in the 1690's with other Anabaptists. I would appreciate any help. Robert Carpenter