Mennonites
By: Raven Maine
Mennonites? What the heck is that?
Seven Priorities
Christian Community: Congregations worship together, practice scripture, have Christ-centered unity, and learn agreeing and disagreeing in love.
Holistic Christian Witness: To share the good word of Jesus Christ. It reflects God's coming reign by striving for justice and peace.
Stewardship: Reflects the act to surrender all they have for the sake of God. It is a care for creation, whole-life stewardship, and a practice for mutual aid.
Leadership development: To develop leaders at all levels of the church.
Undoing Racism and Advancing Intercultural Transformation: Dismantle individual and racism in the church. The goal is to develop competence, heal racial divisions, and value all gifts of God.
Church-to-Church relationships: Reflect the desire to give and receive gifts in the body of Christ, while also work toward unity as a witness to the world.
Why aren't Mennonites mainstream?
The Mennonites are mostly known for their Pacifism, meaning they don't believe that violence is the answer. They are committed to this idea.
The Star of Bethlehem
Adoration of the Jesus
Symbol of the Mennonites
Holidays, rituals, rites? Give us some information here
Epiphany- On the sixth of January, traditional Mennonites go to a church service to commemorate the three wise men who came to visit Jesus.
Good Friday/Easter- Good Friday is celebrated to reflect on the Death of Christ, while Easter Sunday is celebrated for Jesus' resurrection.
Ascension Day- On the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday, Mennonites have morning church services in honor of Jesus' ascension into the heavens after he had finished work on Earth.
Pentecost- On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Mennonites go to morning services in celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Funerals- With funerals it isn't uncommon for people that are not related to the family whatsoever to attend community funerals
Butchering- Many Mennonites butcher and process their own livestock.
Halloween- Most Mennonites don't celebrate Halloween as it is seen as Satan's Day. Children of the Mennonite religion are discouraged to participate in this holiday. As an alternative they might have an Autumn Harvest Festival.
Convention
Citations:
2. Smith, Jeff. "4 Beliefs That Set Mennonites Apart From Other Christians."Newsmax. N.p., 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.
3. "Epiphany in Canada." Epiphany in Canada. Time and Date, 1995. Web. 01 Feb. 2016.