Editor's Note: This photo illustrates the variety of theological viewpoints and cultural customs within the Amish church. Gloria and her family are New Order Amish and they are okay with being photographed. Other New Order Amish permit photography in non-pose positions, while the more conservative Amish generally eschew photography. Interestingly - and this is only from my personal experience - many of the more conservative Amish no longer can articulate why they don't want to be photographed. Tradition? Theological interpretation? Now, not ALL conservative Amish are this one, some can and do point to specific religious reasons. Again, in my view, the acceptance of photography in Gloria's church just shows how organic and spiritually diverse the Amish church is and how it evolves with times. My advice is still to avoid photographing the Amish, if less for theological reasons than basic politeness. You aren't going to pull into someone's driveway - Amish or non-Amish - and start snapping photos of people. That same standard should be applied to the Amish. - Kevin Williams
The Yoder family...Gloria in the background, with Daniel and then the children from left, Julia, Austin, Elijah, Jesse, and Rayni
Anyway, Gloria wrote this week about how getting a foot soak has helped battle illness in the house and she wanted me to share this photo.
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