Conference News

The Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, announces a new exhibit As Large as Palaces: Pennsylvania German Barns. The exhibit focuses on the history, functions, and architecture of the beautiful nineteenth century Pennsylvania German barns in southeastern Pennsylvania. As Large as Palaces features a reconstruction of an original barn’s threshing floor and bents (or framing sections), along with a granary and a recreation of cow stable from the lower level of a barn. Vintage barn photographs and diagrams of barn architecture, as well as examples of 19th century farm tools and equipment show how barns were designed to house animals and provide for crop processing and storage. The exhibit will run until October 29, 2007.

As Large as Palaces takes it title from eighteenth century mapmaker Lewis Evans who commented about Pennsylvania farmsteads that “It is pretty to behold our back Settlements, where the barns are as large as pallaces, while the Owners live in log hutts; a sign tho’of thriving farmers.” The early European emigrants placed priority on barns because of their good animal husbandry – shelter was needed for animals and to store hay and grain for feed. Early barns in southeastern Pennsylvania during the settlement period were usually rough structures of logs and thatched roofs, but by the mid-eighteenth century, the Pennsylvania German barn had evolved into a substantial building of log or stone. As more and more acres came under cultivation and production increased, more storage was needed. By the mid-nineteenth century farmers built even larger barns, no longer of log, but of frame, brick and stone.

The unique style of Pennsylvania German barns was influenced by both practical needs and European traditions, particularly Swiss (Sweitzer) barns. Pennsylvania German barns are noted for their two-level post and beam architecture and for the earthen bank or barn bridge on the back-side of the building. The multi-level design was a practical design. The lower level was used to house animals. The upper level was used to store hay and straw in the mow and grain in an enclosed granary with room to accommodate grain threshing and unloading hay in the center bay. Feed from the top level could be easily thrown down to the stabled animals below. The barn bridge helped insulate the bottom level of the barn and allowed hay wagons to be driven into the upper level for unloading. Another identifying characteristic of a Pennsylvania barn was the forebay or overhang on the bottom side of the barn that shaded the stable area in summer and also provided protection in the winter.

Farm life centered around the barn and family members spent many hours milking cows, feeding animals, assisting with calving, loading and unloading hay, and threshing grain. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, agriculture thrived, grew, and changed but the barn remained the hub of farm life. Increasing mechanization and sanitary standards brought more changes to farming in the twentieth century and barns were renovated to deal with the changing times. Stanchions and cement floors replaced wooden stables and earthen floors. Milking machines and farm machinery increased production and decreased some of the grueling hand labor but many people still have memories of going out to the barn to milk on an icy winter morning or of unloading hay in the heat of the summer.

Barns represented community life too. Barn raisings were an event for the entire community – men worked together to construct and put the barn framework in place and women provided a hearty meal for the laborers. Barns were also used for social functions – barn dances were an opportunity for Saturday evening fun. The hay mow was a place for children to explore on a Sunday afternoon or a retreat for solitary contemplation and prayer. Today the landscape of southeastern Pennsylvania is changing rapidly and Pennsylvania German barns are no longer a common sight. The barns that remain are a legacy to our communities – their architecture and building materials convey a sense of history, craftsmanship, and hard work.

The Mennonite Heritage Center invites individuals, groups, and children’s groups to visit the barn exhibit. Call 215.256.3020 ext. 114 for more information about scheduling a group visit. Special speakers and programs are also planned throughout the year. A “Farm and Garden Day” will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Historian Alan Keyser will speak on “The Functions and Activities of a Nineteenth Century Barn” on May 17 at 7:30 pm. A day long tour of area barns is planned for June 16, 2007. Jeff Marshall, Heritage Conservancy (Doylestown, Pa.), barn preservation specialist, will speak on “Barn Architecture and Barn Preservations Options” on September 18, 2007 at 7:30 pm.

The Mennonite Heritage Center is located at 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, Pa. Exhibit hours are Tues-Fri 10 am to 5 pm, Sat 10 am to 2 pm, Sun. 2 to 5 pm. For information on this and other events and exhibits, check the Mennonite Heritage Center web site: www.mhep.org, email: info@mhep.org, or call 215-256-3020.

by Rachel Howe

On the first Sunday of 2007, Philadelphia Praise Center (PPC) gathered for Sunday worship in a newly renovated building in South Philadelphia. The building was constructed at the turn of the 20th Century as a home for a Mission Brethren congregation but had most recently housed a Baptist congregation and catering business. Already on the first Sunday, the congregation filled the building’s first level to near capacity. The congregation reached record level attendances of 250 over the holiday season at its previous location, a few doors away.

The less than two-year old congregation purchased the building with the assistance of Mennonite Church USA’s Church Extension Services in early November. Renovations started immediately with a goal of worshiping in the new space for Christmas. However, the process took much sweat, prayer and teamwork and on Friday January 5 moving day arrived. The congregation was excited to pitch in and help to move from a leased facility on the same block of McKean Street. Some stayed to early morning hours to make sure all was just right for the first Sunday. The new building now gives more classrooms for Sunday school with a nursery for parents and young children.

Pastor Bastian Yosin spoke on this first Sunday about how this church building, needs to become a house of prayer, house of glory, house of communication and reconciliation and a house of change. PPC desires to reach every nation, every culture and every tribe in Philadelphia for the sake of the Gospel.

I am actually part of that prayer. I came to PPC in September of 2006 and immediately felt the presence of the Lord. The congregation welcomed me with open arms and has not let go. God’s passion is evident in everyone. It does not matter what language you speak. I have learned so much from sitting, listening and watching.

I am learning a new language and a new culture. This is what Christianity is all about–stepping out in faith not knowing what each day might bring but knowing that God will bring good things to pass. This new building is just the next step of many for us as congregation to reach the city of Philadelphia for the Glory of God. Congregational leader Melkie Tirtaspura said that the church is becoming known as a place where miracles happen among immigrants in South Philadelphia.

On February 11, PPC will celebrate its two-year anniversary. This is a time to celebrate where God has brought us from and where God will take us in the years to come

Rachel Howe is originally from Akron, Ohio, and relocated to Philadelphia this fall. A graduate of Valley Forge Christian College, she is living a dream within the caring community of PPC while falling in love with the City of Brotherly Love.

Eileen Viau

On Sunday morning, November 5th, the Spring Mount Mennonite Church (SMMC) building was empty. Signs on the doors invited everyone to a special worship service at the Lower Frederick Firehouse to celebrate the ordination of Don McDonough.

An ordination in a firehouse? Strange, but fitting. This community building has been the venue for other congregational activities: Vacation Bible School programs and Open Windows Nursery School Spaghetti Suppers. It seemed appropriate that Don, who has been serving as Associate Pastor, with a special gift of outreach to the community, be ordained there.

Don’s friend and mentor, Kirk Hanger, pastor of Franconia Conference Partner In Mission congregation New Hope Fellowship in Alexandria, Virginia, preached the sermon, “The Church’s Coach.” He emphasized that pastors are coaches and the church is the team, not spectators. Based on scriptures from Acts, Hanger gave examples of the various coaching techniques that Barnabas used. He equipped Paul to work with the Gentiles, empowered Paul and others by opening doors and instilling self-confidence, and embraced John Mark even though he was a “tough case.”

The 150 people in attendance, including the McDonough extended family and friends, praised God through various styles of music and enjoyed a meal together following the service. All offered support and blessing to Don, as he continues to serve as SMMC Associate Pastor complementing the ministry of Pastor Michael A. King as these coaches along with the entire team minister to the Spring Mount congregation and its surrounding community.

Jim Bishop
bishopj@emu.edu

I sat in a pew close to the front of the sanctuary and marveled. My baby brother Michael, age 47, was about to become an ordained minister.

For me, it wasn’t a question of his being qualified, only that the process leading toward this special day had been under way for some time and I wasn’t fully aware until an invitation to the service arrived:

“Join us in a service of ordination for Michael S. Bishop as minister of music and worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church.”

Michael? A full-fledged, credentialed pastor, serving a congregation of some 700 members? I decided on the spot that my wife Anna and I would do our best to be there.

This was only the third time I’d attended an ordination. It seemed a solemn occasion, recognizing the serious business taking place. At the same time, a sense of anticipation and celebration permeated the proceedings. A recurring theme was a strong sense of the congregation affirming and calling Michael to this significant task.

The process started in 1989 when Michael and wife Brenda began attending the Blooming Glen church with Michael accepting a role as “music coordinator.” This eventually led to his being licensed as minister of music in 2002.

In his ordination message, church historian, veteran pastor and master storyteller John L. Ruth of Harleysville, Pa., identified the components necessary for individual members to form an orchestra of worship and praise, based on Ephesians 5:19.

“We resonate to music, harmony and rhythm, especially when we sing,” Ruth said. “Michael has the gift of song, a gift with a significant tradition in the Mennonite Church. Singing is a spiritual feast; we are called to be stewards of this rich treasury and heritage.

“In our hymn singing, we offer our hearts in praise to God and let the words dwell in our hearts richly,” Ruth told the congregation.

“Michael has the gift of enthusiasm, a sign that this congregation recognizes in this commissioning,” he said, adding: “But it’s as important to love the church as it is to love its music. When this happens, you can sense it in the singing.”

Following the message and comments from Blooming Glen colleagues, Michael and Brenda and their children Greg, Jon and Megan gathered in front as James M. Lapp, senior ministry consultant for the Franconia Mennonite Conference, led the ordination charge.

Lapp anointed Michael’s hands for ministry, and several persons led poignant prayers, recognizing the variety of expectations that people have for pastoral leaders. The congregation then responded with a litany of commissioning.

The ordination was a holy moment that I felt privileged to be a part of Afterwards, I asked John Ruth about the symbolism and significance of ordination.

His response: “Ordination means that the congregation has placed a deep level of trust in the person being recognized. The life, health and spirituality of the church is seen as ‘safe’ in the hands of this person.

“It’s somewhat analogous to the Quaker tradition of ‘recording a moment,’ an official recognition of the spiritual gift or gifts that the one being ordained has been exercising,” John said.

Beyond this, “It is accrued evidence that a special need within the congregation now becomes more explicit. In this case, it’s a recognition and confirmation of Michael’s special gifts in leading music and worship.”

Ruth noted that the ordination process included involvement with the larger fellowship of Franconia Mennonite Conference with certain rights and privileges arising from that association.

What all this will entail for Michael on a daily basis is not fully known, as congregational leadership at Blooming Glen is in transition, with the lead pastoral couple planning to retire and another taking a pastoral position in Kansas. Mike will also continue working full time as co-owner of Bishop Excavating with his brother, Bob.

During the service, I reflected on the incredible demands placed on persons in pastoral ministry – the variety of expectations, the need to juggle chainsaws, parishioners pushing in different directions at once, the temptation to misuse the power and authority that comes with the position.

It requires an extraordinary combination of thick skin, a heart of love and compassion and perseverance when the going gets tough. I hope and pray that the expectant and celebrative atmosphere that pervaded the congregation, evidenced in part by the spirited singing, will characterize Michael’s ministry at Blooming Glen.

Jim Bishop is public information officer at Eastern Mennonite University