Potatoes And Stuff

I’m Old Order Mennonite, (yes I know I have a phone). Mostly nice scenery and day to day life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

[rootvegggiesarelife]

This is the typical after church scene for the Old Order Mennonites, having just finished Sunday service and then heading to host homes for a time of relaxing with friends and eating good food. This is not the case now. The Old Order in Ontario have been very conscious of keeping in line with the correct safety measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cancelling church and fellowship meal as soon as the order went out. This is not done lightly for a people who rely entirely on interpersonal fellowship. The Bishops of the various districts met with public health officials to determine their next step now that certain restrictions are loosening. And church was held for the first time last Sunday for the Old Order in the Waterloo area. Under new guidelines, meetings must be held out doors (which limits the number of people as the Old Order use no sound projection) and each family stays within their own buggy, two meters apart. No fellowship meals are yet held, but we are thankful for this first step

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Garlic Harvest

[rootvegggiesarelife]

I don’t think I’ve ever posted a picture of myself... so there we go! Same as the profile pic. We do not pose for photography but generally, Old Order Mennonites really don’t care about being in photos. This was taken by a friend of mine. This is fairly typical week day clothing for an Old Order guy my age, (Sunday would be different obviously), always black pants, and pattered shirts are more common. I could have just as easily been wearing my straw hat, but that’s more for work.

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Translation is as follows :

“3. Oh Youth, like the lilies,

Mixed with rosed-hues,

You do not know whose pale morning

Will wrestle with cold death;

Oh, don’t put off your repentance,

Remember your Saviour says;

“Those who keep my word, love Me.”

This is the Third verse (my favourite) to one of my favourite hymns out of our hymn book. You can hear our congregation singing. I am very fond of this tune. It is very stirring!!

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Getting ready for breakfast. Old Order Mennonite, St. Jacobs Ontario

[rootvegggiesarelife]

An (Ontario) Old Order Mennonite family coach, set up to hitch a team of horses. (I would soon be washing it, later that day!)

This buggy seats a family of six very comfortably, but there’s a lot of lap sitting. There is one size bigger, the Family bus. The box in the front holds the electric components for the turn signals and lights, as well as the battery.

[rootvegggiesarelife]

What would you say are the differences in old order Mennonite life to the rest of the world? What are some things you think people who aren’t raised in the lifestyle could and couldn’t get used to?

That’s always a difficult question to answer as it can be very dependent on the person. But I can break it down in to two categories. Firstly, Practical Dificulties. This is referring to the fact that the general lifestyle is very different. The lack of modern technology in the home, the use of the horse and buggy transportation, and even the interpersonal relationships within the community are different from that on the outside. One habit I can think was in a meeting with myself, an Old Order Bishop, and an outsider man, when things were winding down, the bishop (who was the host) said: “well, I think it’s time we wrap things up here”. And began working on his own without escorting his guest out. This is not to be rude at all, we are just very practical in our ways, and don’t believe in using more words than necessary.

The more difficult thing would be the spiritual side. One needs to be in complete unity and submission to the group as a whole, and to the faith (Old Order Anabaptist). Not just regarding dress, and such. But one must let go of ones notion of personal individuality for a group identity. “Joy=Jesus, Others, then Yourself” is the mindset.

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Could you share some of your favourite hymns?

Worthy art thou, Lord divine. Come thou fount of every blessing. Be thou my vision. How Great thou art. When Peace like a River (it is well with my soul). Because he lives. Great is thy Faithfulness. This is my fathers world. The Love of God.

Some mennonite hymns in English that are my favourites are: Perfectly Broken, With my eyes fixed on Jesus,

And some from our Liedersammlung church hymnal: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend. Ihr Freunde Jesu, allzumal. Bedenke Mench, das Ende. Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen. O mine Seele, sinke. Ach Herr, erleuchte dine Knecht.

I think that’s a good list off the top of my head!

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Is it possible for someone to join an old order Mennonite group?

It’s Definitely possible, if you were to invest considerable time in building relationships within the community and are willing to give up a lot of the life you had. It’s extremely different. It’s certainly not worse, or better. But it’s a whole different lifestyle and language and culture, as a very wholistic application of Anabaptist faith, that encompasses every aspect of life. So while it is possible and some have, a few have come close, most do not.

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Visit Original Link

I thought I might share some of my own creative work on here. As some of you may have seen from other posts I am very much involved with music and singing, and that is is a significant part of our lives. This is a piece I wrote for myself and three friends in a Conservative Mennonite community, as they can have recorded music. Covid, unfortunately prevented us from doing the project together, so I had to sing it and record it all myself. Fully acknowledging the vast varieties of faiths and beliefs, or lack thereof, I thought I might share some artistic expression of my faith. Hope you enjoy! (Not sure how reblogging works, but if you do, please keep me credited!!)

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Can u share some more pics of your horse ,

Of course!

[rootvegggiesarelife]

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Hello! I’ve always been curious- what breed of horses do y’all typically use? Is there a “normal” breed? For some reason, Standardbreds come to mind.

Yup! generally standards. You’d find some thoroughbred as well more in the Amish, as they often buy retired race horses at auctions.

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Is it very rare for someone to join a Mennonite community? I feel as if it is something one is born into, rather than finding their way to later in life. Thank you for sharing insight on this blog!

It depends on the group! It’s not uncommon at all for folks to join with Conference or Conservative Conference or fellowship churches. It’s definitely not common for outsiders to join the Old Order groups, as the lifestyle and mindset is so wildly different

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Old Order Mennonite children’s Pony Cart. Often the youngers will drive them to school or just around for fun

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Old Order Mennonite school children practicing a song for their school Christmas program. They they did this completely in their own. “The Wonder of Love”, begins in English and ends with a German chorus. (Photos of the Yatton Old Order Mennonite Schoolhouse)

[rootvegggiesarelife]

Hi I hope you don't mind me asking, but how are you old order amish and have a Phone?

No worries at all! Lots of Old Order Mennonites and Amish have cellphones nowadays. Especially the youth. It’s fairly common! You just kinda keep it hidden around anyone who would mind it. But it’s a fairly common thing across the board now