Mennonites and Christ's Militia

Does the above message truly reach others for Christ?

    Facebook™ is both and neither good or evil, but it is loud.  Someday, Sociologists will be able to quantitatively sift through this mound of networked words and images to understand, describe and, um, er, yes, well… judge current generations.

    Now let me be straight up – I am a bona fide pacifist non-resister in the tradition of the Brüderthaler, and at the same time, a proud descendent of about 1000 years of military heroes – in fact, my last name was conferred on the family for heroic service on the battlefield some 1100 years ago in the forests and estuaries of the Batavian lowlands.  I have dated military and spend a lot of time worrying about and supporting our boys and girls (my friends, cousins and former girlfriends) in the forces around the world.  But… I am still a non-resistor, a Mennonite and an American.
    So, I understood when my cousin posted the above graphic on her Facebook page, but do indeed find myself, well, yes -- offended.  This isn't the first time -- she has a history of posting similar graphics (see below) and so I am used to the fact that we see things very differently, but...is there a double standard here?  And does this truly reflect a Christian witness?

Pietist Passion of J. S. Bach

J. S. Bach by Haussman

   So J. S. Bach was not Mennonite, but his music has been sung in Mennonite churches for at least three centuries and will continue to shape and influence Mennonite music and church services for several more.  While I am unable to share much of the actual performance with readers of a blog such as this, a couple of ideas from Bach’s libretto did happen to stand out during this year’s performance – a couple of very touching original passages reflecting a high degree of spiritual pietism and a rather in-depth prescient study by Bach of the Postmodern concept of intertextuality.

A Short Note from Stouffville, Ont....

Guernsey stamps honoring Major-General Sir Isaac Brock and Shawnee ally, Tecumseh

• May 10, 2012 - 1:18 PM  From YorkRegion.com...

More than Mennonites have heritage of peace

 
Re: Mennonites protest war celebration, May 3.

    We applaud the Mennonite community in protesting the June 16 military parade and fly-by to “celebrate” the War of 1812 in our community.
   This event would have costs, both financial and cultural.
   The War of 1812 was won in Canada because of the First Nations who fought in this war. The Calandra/Harper Conservative government should be ashamed of their current treatment of First Nations. Spend the money on appropriate housing.
    The Calandra/Harper agenda of re-making Canada as a military nation only supports their purchase of fighter planes at an unknown cost and for an unknown need.
    Our reflection on war is personal through two uncles who fought in the war. One left this country as a happy teenager and returned a broken man unable to function in our society for the next 60 years. The other uncle was injured at Vimy Ridge, never talked about it and died at a young age.
    Our community has roots in First Nations, Mennonites and many other peace-loving people. For the Calandra/Harper government to ignore our heritage of peace is wrong. 
   To remember is to work for peace.

Lovanna & Jim Sanders
Stouffville
 

From YorkRegion.com...

More than Mennonites have heritage of peace 

Stouffville Mennonites Protest War Celebration 

Tacos de requesón menonita

Queso Mennonita, aka Queso Chihuahua

Tacos de requesón menonita 

Mennonite Tacos

Mennonites in Mexico are known for their excellent cheeses, especially queso Mennonita.  Recently, Chef Marisa Rodriguez published this recipe for Mennonite Tacos using cottage cheese -- a well-known ingredient to North American Mennonites but less familiar to our Mexican neighbors.  

The original recipe might be found via this link:  Mennonite Tacos

Chef Marisa Rodríguez | NorteDigital

"Nuestro estado de Chihuahua se caracteriza por elaborar productos lácteos de muy buena calidad, y uno de ellos que muchas veces no sabemos en qué utilizarlo es el requesón que el día de hoy les presento.

Es un plato muy sencillo con este ingrediente y muy útil para esta cuaresma, el requesón se elabora con el cuajo de la leche que nos sirve para elaborar los famosos quesos menonitas y muchos más.

Tiene un sabor muy neutral que podemos consumirlo en recetas tanto dulces como saladas y en esta ocasión les comparto unos tacos de requesón con una mezcla de pico de gallo lo que lo convierten en una comida muy diferente pero igualmente rica, ¡elabórenla y disfrútenla!"

Suzuki, Plett and Gadamer

rotschlone

  Southern Manitoba is probably the closest Russian Mennonites will come to again realizing the concept of an integrated Russian Mennonite commonwealth. So the region commends itself for study in the areas of sociology and political science.

    Recently, (21 March 2012), noted Canadian scientist Dr. David Suzuki and PC Senator for Manitoba, Don Plett, got into an exchange that clearly illustrates the concept of openness, or rather its lack, in Hans-Georg Gadamer’s discourse theory or “rules of play.” 

    In as much as both Plett and his hometown of Landmark, MB, are of strong Mennonite heritage, this brief “exchange” between the two ideological social leaders is notable for its reflection as to the potential evolution of Russian Mennonite norms and values.