St. Ignatius Amish

ST. IGNATIUS AMISH

By Kevin Williams

We have some interesting Amish and Plain items in the news this week. Let's jump right in!

A buggy heads to church. Stunning scenery is a hallmark of the Amish community near St. Ignatius, Montana

AMISH SINGING: The Amish of St. Ignatius, Montana are a bit more mission-minded than other Amish. The St. Ignatius Amish are New Order Amish and are closely affiliated with the Amish of Flat Rock, Illinois where The Amish Cook lives. It would be unusual to find what is essentially a public performance in any other Amish community. But they view such sharing of music as a form of "witnessing" serving as a beacon and example for others who might be spiritually searching. In that way, Gloria views her authorship of The Amish Cook as a similar form of missionary outreach. I had the opportunity to attend a St. Ignatius singing at the Amish church and it was a very moving, wonderful experience. Click here to read more and if you are in western Montana, mark your calendar for next year!

EX-HUTTERITES SPEAK OUT: I've been following this group of ex-Hutterites as they promote their book and their story. They can't be doing it for the money because, believe me, splitting revenue between a couple of authors on a book is difficult enough, but splitting between nine? Still, whatever their motivation, they feel compelled to share their story with the public. Needless to say, they don't view Hutterite life all that kindly. But I think anytime someone leaves a faith or culture by the very fact they left, their view will be somewhat skewed. Anyway, click here to read about the "Hutterite Nine"

MENNONITES SWEARING: Okay, I don't mean swearing an oath, I mean actually cussing....a small Alberta, Canada town has passed a law that has raised eyebrows among civil libertarians. The law makes cussing an offensive punishable by a fine and outlaws assembly of 3 or more people without prior approval. Critics of the law call it a thinly veiled attempt to curb behavior by rowdy Mennonite teens. Read about this controversial new law and how it is impacting Mennonites here, darn it!

AMISH INJUSTICE? This is one academic's take on the whole Sam Mullet beard-cutting court stuff. I'm not saying I agree completely with it, but his piece does make you think about inconsistency in our judicial system in how punishments are meted out. Click here to read this thought-provoking piece.

TRAGEDY IN MICHIGAN: A fire started in the kitchen of an Amish home at around 10:30 a.m. last Wednesday. Everyone was able to escape except for a 3-year-old girl who succumbed to the flames and smoke. Very sad. Click here to read more.