This week on Jean: An old order Mennonite wedding as Susan's teacher gets married, and Jean answers a question on shunning.

Jean is old order Mennonite from New York State. Jean and her husband David and family live on a dairy farm, and travel their community using horse and buggy. She tells her story exclusively on Amish Stories.

Jean is still accepting more questions folks about her old order Mennonite lifestyle, so please feel free to post your questions and Jean will answer them in future post's. Thanks.  Richard

As I mentioned in previous posts, Susan's teacher was getting married.  Her future husband's son got married the week before.  The next week Susan's teacher and her husband will get  married.  Usually our marriages (old order Mennonite) are done in the home, but Susan's teacher and her husband chose to marry at meeting (church) after service.  Their wedding really had people from both families plus many of her students and former students attended.  The reception was held at Martha and Joseph's house.  We ladies all worked in the baking and cleaning of the house while the men moved the furniture and brought in the tables.  We also had a dishes, pots and pan carriage brought in to set up the tables for the reception. 

Instead of the usual dinner tea sandwiches, salads, vegetable plates, cakes, pies and cookies were serves plus beverages.  Even though it was not a dinner everyone was filled but we had lots of left overs.  It was a very nice reception.  They are moving into her house as he gave his farm to his youngest son. There is going to be a big yard sale as Susan's teacher wants to get rid some of her things because her husband moved some of his things in.  Her husband wants to sell some of his items that he has no use for.  His son wants to sell some of things he has as his wife brought some new items in the house.  Some of the folks are helping to get ready for the sale which will be at the son's farm. 

We do not go to the county court house to get a license when we marry.  Our meeting (church) has it's own marriage licenses.  The license must be signed by the Bishop or minister that preforms the marriage, the bride, groom, and two witnesses.  Once the marriage is performed and the license signed our Bishop or minister must take it to the county seat or court house to have it recorded.  Now this is how we must do it in Ontario County, New York State.  I know it my be different in other states as  it does not have to go to the county seat or court house to be recorded,  but in New York State that's how it is done. 

Another question asked is "if we do shunning like Amish".  We do have shunning, but it is not the same way as the Amish.  When someone does something that they are shunned for, we still can talk with them, do business with them, eat with them, etc.  The person that is shunned can still come to our meeting (church).  We have communion service twice a year and someone who is shunned is not allowed to receive communion.  We hope that they are remorse for their actions or what they did- and have repented to be able to receive communion.  If they have not and are still shunned-they may not attend  communion.

Not many people join Old Order Mennonite. The only person I know that applied and stayed in Old Order Mennonite is Martha who wrote a post about it for Amish Stories a while back.  Maybe she will write another if you are interested.  People find it difficult to give up their worldly items such as cars, computers, etc.

You asked do we believe in salvation-I don't know what you mean in that question.  We do believe that when we die we will go to heaven if we have lived the way the Lord wanted us in Old Order Mennonite.  We also believe we are all sinners.  If you want to know if we are born again-David and I are-we are praying that Michael will receive the Lord.  Are all Old Order Mennonites born again-no that we know of.  Some are.  If this is not what you were asking-please ask again.

Don't want to use all the questions on one post-so I will sign off for this week.

Be With God, Jean

2 Homemade recipes from Jean 

I have several different Baked Bean recipes.  Here is just one of them:

 Baked Beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can navy beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can pork & beans

1 can Great Northern

1 can Lima beans

1 can green beans

1 can waxed beans

1 lg. hot chili beans

1 can tomato soup

1 small can tomato paste

1 lb meat

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

NOTE: Meat could be hot dogs, hamburger, kielbasa, etc.

Pour everything into large cooking pan.  Mix.  Bake 1 to 3 hours at 375 degrees without lid unless starting to dry out.  This recipe freezes nicely.

Good and Easy Pizza Dough

1 pkg dry yeast

1 c. warm water

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp oil

2 1/2 c flour

Mix yeast with water and let set 5 minutes.  Add other ingredients.  Mix well.  Will form dough.  Cover, let set for 10 to 15 minutes in warm place.  Then press on pizza pan round 14". Can be doubled for cookie sheet pan.  Cover with sauce and desired toppings.  Bake at 400 degrees until light brown on edges or done.  
  Enjoy. Jean