Presented By Anne Wall

The opinions of this do not necessarily reflect that of the greater Community

Judaism Hinduism Muslim Baha I Buddism Scientology Tao Christian- Catholic or Protestant

Old Orders Old Order Amish Old Order s Waterloo- Markham Beachy Amish Church Conservative Churches of Swiss Origin Conservative Fellowship Conservative Church of Ontario Fellowship Churches Midwest Fellowship Northern Light Gospel Missions Reformed s Other Conservative Groups of the Church of Eastern Canada Northwest of Canada Conservative Churches of Russian Origin Chortitzer Sommerfelder Church of Manitoba Bergthalar Churches of Saskatchewan Reinlander Church Old Colony Church of Russian Origin Evangelical Mission Evangelical Evangelical Brethren Church of God in Christ, Canadian of Brethren Churches

Most and Amish groups have common historical roots. Protestant Reformation (1525) Formation of a fellowship of Anabaptists (rebaptizers) Menno Simons, a Catholic priest Jacob Amman (1693) his followers became known as Amish

1. Baptism: to baptize only those who place voluntary faith in Christ 2. Confrontation: to practice the discipline of confrontation leading to reconciliation or removal (as opposed to torture and execution) for those who hold opposing beliefs 3. Communion: to practice the Lord s Supper in memory of Christ (not as a sacrament to receive God s grace) 4. Separation: to be separate from the world of evil, sin and violence (including all Protestant and Catholic churches to the extent that they embrace the world)

5) Leadership: that Pastors (not priests) shall be chosen by local churches (not appointed by a dominating hierarchy) and will lead us as servants of the congregation 6) The Sword: to reject all violence, whether for attack, defense or punishment and to refuse employment by the state, who bears the sword outside of the perfection of Christ 7) The Oath: not to swear oaths of loyalty or word-keeping, which may be necessary for adversaries but not for brothers and sisters working together for common good

Swiss-South German Dutch-North German Migrations since the 1920s

Simply a label connected to one of our protestant leaders, Menno Simons Within the faith there are many groupings It is important to know which group you are talking about

Historical Family background has roots in the Anabaptist/ faith ie) be identified by your last name Culture Ethnic affiliation based on shared experience of religious persecution, separateness Faith-Anabaptist There are many different nationalities (African, Asain, Indian) due to evangelical and relief efforts

First Generation Canadian, Russian descent Swiss African-Canadian Hispanic Mexican Amish

Country Membership Organized Bodies Africa 679, 053 39 Asia & Pacific 315, 645 33 Caribbean & South America 186, 339 110 Europe 64, 575 24 North America 529, 108 37 total 1, 774, 720 243

Old Colony Chortizer Bergthaler Reinland Sommerfeld Kleinegiemende Rudnerweidner Evangelical Church Evangelical Mission Church

Referring to a dialect Originated in the plains of Germany, Holland, Prussia/Poland, Russia/Ukraine Wide diverse community May have lived in Mexico, Belize, Bolivia, western Canada, Paraguay, Kansas, Texas, California, Russia or Ukraine May or may not have lived on colonies

Community life concept Colony life Family life Community life Sovereignty of God

Colonized Thinking Accept fatalism Accept suffering and death Have a reluctance to formal learning

45, 000 Low German Speaking s in Southern Ontario 10, 000 Low German (or descendants) in Elgin County Your job will be easier

Survival mentality Identity crisis not knowing who we are or who we should be, low self-esteem Not aware of greater community and history Pride in core values (marriage, family, work) Threats around us, the unknown and unfamiliar we have limited knowledge and experience, we feel insecure Trusting others, we are used to managing ourselves, if others want to help we don t think they know how

With skepticism; because of our limited education, understanding and experience With our conscience; so much of what we feel strong about is no longer black and white Resolving conflict, church leaders are expected to resolve conflict within the community Self governance Generational poverty and its impacts Come from homogenous, uniformity and sameness to an area of diversity

Because we have a long history that has told us to keep things with way they are Because we have always been told that we must resist change in order to stay united Change disrupts the norm, system Changes need to be approved by the church, colony we change together, not as individuals Change is a recipe for chaos, disaster and trouble

School life changes Social System Changes Adjusting to Community Changes

Personal withdrawal Anxiety Insecurity Fear Mistrust Depression

Strong family values and loyalties Strong work ethics Children learn to work in their play Children are seen as competent Making do with little, resourcefulness Strong sense of belonging to a community Strong sense of morality Willingness to accept hardships and hope for the future

To simply think about the people, as the dominators do, without any self-giving in that thought, to fail to think with the people, is a sure way to cease being revolutionary leaders. Paulo Feire Pedogogy of the Oppressed

Language and Origins Education Religious Values Dress Food Hygiene Social Problems Traditional Male/Female Roles Family Oriented Immigration

Low German!! Not Mexican Not aware of greater or non- Community Pride in core values (marriage, family, work) Threatened by the unknown and unfamiliar Passive non-aggressive, no swearing Trusting others---distrust of law enforcement Relationship above all else Resolving conflict Self-governance

Immigration story Patience, respect and acceptance Do not assume that you have been understood, use simple terminology Watch your language Relationship, trust!!! Integrate God somehow Women are not alone with men, visa versa Use the church Use hierarchy of the family