May 22ndA Visit to Two Hills
One of the things I appreciate about these weekly issues of the MCA Communiqué is the regular provision of “A Menno Minute.” The phrase itself threatens to be almost inbred, possibly little meditations by Mennonites talking about themselves, pieces that nobody would read. But it is not that; instead it is the first thing I scroll down to each time it shows in my inbox. (There he was, our new MCA moderator, Keith Retzlaff, introducing himself in the last issue). Also “Minute” is so wrought with possibility. Is it 60 seconds worth of distance run, or is it possibly a ‘moment’, a kairos surprise, a learning or inspiration that can show up here, there, or anywhere. Figuratively speaking, therefore, the minute may be about last month, or year, or perhaps 5 centuries ago as per the latest “Anabaptism at 500 Study Bible” project being worked on right now. Indeed, a minute has many possibilities.
Three weeks ago I was privileged to join with a group of urbanites to visit some strange new people, neighboring Mennonites now living in Two Hills and surrounding community, about an hour east of Edmonton. For a few of us this was a second visit, appetites whetted by an earlier trip about a year ago. The main reason for this second excursion was at invitation of those same people. Our first visit to these immigrant Mennonites was a get-to-know-you occasion. And now we had the invite to come again, meaning that the first was not a big intrusion, just a short visit with good memories. Kommt wada, a common statement of welcome among Low German Mennonites. Most of us in this tour group are urban Mennonites. We are those who have adapted to ‘ways of the world,’ including higher education.
To our rural hosts, we are probably characterized as ‘the learned ones.’ We the visitors probably do not see ourselves in so generic a way. We are a mix of school teachers, preachers, administrators, and medical professionals including nurses and a doctor. From our vantage, our hosts may be perceived as the ‘unlearned ones.’ That also would be oversimplified.
Fascinating, both similarities and differences discovered simply by being among them for a few hours. By visiting one factory (owned by an Old Colony Mennonite) and three churches I was easily able to identify some common characteristics, diligence, pride, and preachers. For more, see my blog post linked below.
Most fascinating is how a hundred years of either auswanderungs or urbanization have not created much change in the people. Now I wonder is this a DNA factor – case under study is Russian Mennonites, many of us in the cities easily accommodating to more generic gospel churches. Indeed our need for Jesus was comfortably acknowledged among all on this visit, common quote several times, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Considerably humbling is the reality that these rural churches are full, and most of our city churches need more people! Speaking with one of the preachers, he smiled when I suggested I was having kind of a “back to the future” feeling. I think he knew which movie I was referring to.
This rural visit has become very educational for us educated ones, and apparently encouraging for our country cousins. I now look forward to further fellowship with my African brothers and sisters in the city, and an Interfaith Community knocking at our doors, ready for our message of peace.