Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 24

2DTallahassee Democrat Saturday, January 10, 2004 Religion kww.T VI AH ASSKK.f oni Monday Health Fitness Jeff Herring Janie Nelson PopLife Tuesday Famiues John Rosemond Wednesday Food Diking Drive-Thru Gourmet Recipes PopLife Thursday Home Garden David Marshall Martha Ctouiait Friday Limeught Mark Hinson Kati Schardl Saturday Religion Leo Sandon Religion Sunday Life Mark Hinson Dave Barry Weddings Chess Stamps Happy First Birthdays Hats Off PopLife calendar Lynda Hirsch "Soaps" I Sunday: a look at the early years of LeMoyne PopLife rv A laCm M-viii'liiiiiiit'iilTi'niil MENNONITES From Page ID -j Us-: A RALPH LAUERKnight Ridder Tribune Kathleen Miller, center, the lower school teacher, works on the spelling with Lilly Weaver, right, as Hannah Yoder waits her turn. A student asked about the best course for the nation. Weaver replied that it is important to pray for those in authority to use their judgment and wisdom. He reminded the students that Mennonites do not vote or get involved with politics because it goes against their belief of shunning "worldly pursuits." Although Mennonites do not believe in going to war, they do not protest against the government's declaring war, Weaver said. "We understand that the government protects local citizens.

If they choose to engage in war, we're not going to stop them," he said. "We pay our taxes. Part of those taxes go toward purchasing arms." Weaver said that keeping track of current events is important for his social stud-; ies lessons, but he doesn't rely on television, radio or newspapers. Instead, he subscribes to weekly and Christian news magazines and uses a telephone service called Tell Me to get a synopsis of the daily news. As the school day progressed, the children took breaks for recess and lunch, but they also sat quietly and completed their, class work with no prompting.

There was almost no talking between classes. Discipline is key at home and at school. Weaver said. "We have very high standards; we expect children to be disciplined at home before they come to school," he said. Mennonites believe in disciplining their children by spanking.

Gareth Yoder saidr "In no way do we believe in harshness. We believe in being firm and loving with our children. My authority as a father comes from the word of God." Although all current students are Mennonites, Weaver said that non-Mennonite. children may enroll if they do not have television in their homes and are well-behaved. Technology is used when it is deemed: practical.

Students can use computers for some schoolwork, for example, and they can access the Internet if adults supervised "We don't believe the Internet itself is evil, but there is so much evil on the Net; we don't want our children to be exposed to Weaver said. After school, the focus is on work and; the family. Several students, including Quentin Weaver, 14, have part-time jobs. Weaver does carpentry work. "Most of my friends are Mennonites," he said.

"I don't miss TV or anything." When he isn't working, he enjoys fishing or riding horses. Justin Friesen, 11, said he either goes to his father's shop to help build lawn furniture or goes home and cares for 26 chickens. MeanwhileVat the Yoder home, severai children are working with their animals Bryan, 18, is training his border collie tot herd cattle. "We are known as a people apart, Weaver said. "Jesus said, TVe are in the world, we are not of the We want to; teach our children our values, which are not the mainstream values." 'r.

mill mi ,1 i I Monte, near Kansas City, joined others who moved from Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Lott, Texas. In fact, the Grandview Mennonite community was formed as "the daughter church" of the one in Lott, said Chester Weaver, principal and one of the teachers at tiny Grandview Gospel School, in the same building as the Mennonite Although Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana or Kansas more often come to mind when the Mennonites are mentioned, Lott and Grandview have similar-size Mennonite populations. Of Grandview's 1,450 residents, about 180 are Mennonites. Smaller settlements exist in Grays Prairie, in Kaufman County, Texas, and Bastrop, near Austin. Besides building their church and school, many established businesses.

Harold Friesen's Quality Wood Products makes lawn furniture. Leland Ulrich builds backyard decks and roasts coffee from his farm in Costa Rica. Weaver grew up in Lancaster, where Mennonites first settled in the United States after escaping mistreatment in Europe. Mennonites have sometimes faced persecution because of their nonviolent, nonre-sistant views, which include opposition to fighting in wars. During World War I and World War II, vandals sometimes painted Mennonites' barns yellow to symbolize cowardice.

Recently in Lancaster, some Mennonites were attacked. 1 On average, however, the United States has been a safe refuge. "By far, the United States has been the best country for us," Weaver said. And he said there have been no problems in Grandview. In fact, they came to the town because it was so welcoming, Weaver said.

Grandview offered the rural setting that many Mennonites favor. Cheap land prices lso lured them, Weaver said. "Mennonites aren't wealthy people, so the land prices were a consideration," he said. The Rev. Marlin Kreider, who came from Lott to found the Grandview congregation, said that the first services were held in the Cleburne Community Center find in Keene.

He first visited the Lott congregation while driving from Pennsylvania to visit his son, who was doing mission work in Costa Rica. After he had visited Lott several times, Kreider said, he was asked to pastor its church. Although the Mennonites dress differently the women wear head coverings and long, simple dresses, and the men have beards and wear dark trousers and shirts they are an accepted part of Grandview. The Rev. Landy Senter, pastor of First RALPH LAUERKnight Ridder Tribune Celia Yoder, 15, uses a food processor to help make dinner for her family in Grandview, Texas.

They took their name from a Dutch priest, Menno Simons, who converted to the movement. The Yoders are among the newcomers to Grandview. Phyllis Yoder said that she and her husband felt that God was leading them to live there. "We came down several times before we made our decision," she said. "It was the church that brought us down." Weaver described the Mennonite community as an interdependent place where everyone supports one another.

Phyllis Yoder said that even though she does some shopping in stores, she buys her milk and eggs from other Mennonites. Her family was helping a church member repair a chain saw. Mennonites never lose sight of their responsibilities to family, church and school. The Grandview Gospel School and church are in a plain white building with a pink roof. The teachers focus on math, social studies, spelling and music.

Each subject is taught using Bible-based textbooks from two Mennonite publishing companies. The students' day begins with the spirited singing of hymns with no instrumental accompaniment. Weaver, 50, who leads the singing, lets students select the hymns. If any falter in their singing, he tells them to "Have courage. Sing with courage." Weaver has been teaching for more than 20 years.

"Teaching is only partly about academics," he said. "We talk about values and ideas. Making life interesting for the children that's what delights me." Weaver discussed the beginning of the steel industry in the United States and related how President Bush recently lifted tariffs on foreign steel producers. United Methodist Church in Grandview, said that although the Mennonites don't work with other churches in the area, they are involved with community projects such as visiting nursing homes. "They are friendly and approachable, but they kind of do things on their own rather than working with other churches," Senter said.

There are about 1.2 million Mennonites around the world. The communities vary on how much assimilation with American culture is appropriate. The Grandview residents say conservatives such as themselves avoid television and the use of the Internet for entertainment, but not all Mennonites do. Mennonites share a history beginning about 500 years ago during the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland, which emphasized adult baptisms, independent churches and separation of church and state. The movement also opposed the taking of oaths and the holding of public office.

CHANNEL Tvllailvssee Ditontvr From Page ID ZlM CHRISTIANS he said. Wright, of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, has been approached about hosting a program that deals with politics and race relations. "We've had several elected officials to approach us about a political program, to have some kind of voice," Cole said. "They would like to be able to plug into the Christian community." 1 I TEMPLE still in analog," she said. "We really want to target the local churches here.

There's really not a place for Christians to voice their opinions locally on television." One of the station's main goals is to bring more locally produced public-affairs programming to the community, Cole said. "We're going to offer a weekly pastors' program where pastors will be invited to come in and talk about community issues," 2150 Belle Vue Way 575-8114 We cordially invite alt the un-chun hed regardless of color or local churches on our Channel 21 looking for a new home," Evans said. "The channel will serve that request, and we're excited." Clack said she thinks there are still plenty of analog cable viewers in the area for local programming. Besides WTBC, the rest of Comcast's religious programs have been moved to the digital channels. "The larger audience is bisfiop Phalp SpetohUi.

Pastor D. national origin to come and fellowship with us in our services. Yry J. r-. i Sunday School GRACE CHURCH A.M.

A. r.tL .7:30 MOttMNG rVORSHaa i Bnu Study Tuesday -Fmoav Night BYRON D0BS0N Democrat Station general manager Tod Cole says he will measure the new channel's success by local pastors' level of involvement. THE A if METHODIST emmeu YGV THE LUTHERAN CIIUKCIIES WELCOME YOU UNITY of Tallahassee Rev. Bill William Sunday Service 930 i 0am 2850 Unity Lane Tallahassee, Florida 32303 850-562-5744 www.unityaflallahBasBe.com RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) Sunday Worship am All Are Welcome 878-3620 2(101 Magnolia Dr HOUSE OF 10,000 MOURE FRAMES 2003 N. Monroe St (comerofN.

Monro fit Bradford) 385-7275 dosed Mondays Pastora: Dr. Ciene Jenkins and Rod Bunion Graduates of Dallas Seminary Hufiday Hrhool. all agra 9:46 a.m. Worahip Hervica 10:46 am. (rowth Group, all ntfp 6:00 p.m.

Youth A Children? Programs 731 N. Gadsden St. 224-9606 JOHN WESLEY 1738 Old St Augustine Road 877-1738 "The Church with the Warm Heart" Sunday Schedule: Contemporary Service 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship -11 :00 am Dr. W. Gerry Gilmer, Pastor Unitarian Urtiversalist Church The Baha'i Faith TALLAHASSEE 9:30 am.

4 11:15 am 2810 Nonb Mcridtia tomi 385-5115 i.ta aunoay services meelaf Community Christian CrhW mw FOURCAKS ErSinAMYStimLMeitinjii Eftff Imarf tt 11 Introduction to the Bahj'l Faith ErniSMj. Join tat No donatkm pttaat I Co -Rev. Amy am Sunday Service Sunday School Nursery A Home for (jxral aith www nettally comuuet KILLEARN 2800 Shamrock South tin KtHcam Ettun) Robert Tinaan), Pastor Betsy Ouelletts, Associate Pastor Bill Rhoads, At listant Pastor :45 1 11:00 amXon)mporary Worship 1:30 1 11:00 am Traditional Worship 45 4 am -Sunday School 1:46 am Childrani Ctiurtn Voum Ftllcwirilp Sundayi at m. Chart out our arabarlr www "In The Center of the Community ssbyteriaa Church (U.SA) CHURCHES WELCOME YOU UNITY Church in Christ Rev. Joan OnBarbiaris Owan Sunday Service 10am I 8S51 Buck Luke Road Tallahassee, Florida 32317 85D-656-1678 www.webpan.comucic liikliraiiNmraw wtoa uatry m.

6 fMm mJuinfeM Keny Forest Ptory. Sunday sfrviccs incliulc nursery (up to age 2), Sunday scluxil (up to 5th Rfak') and a Spiral Nails class a service only) livkly gmup fur Middle School, llji Sdnxil and ('xillege sludcnls Siiiiill (jnHips and Bibli studies (or all a(j'! iiTt tlirouglioiit die wk Mamtnthivfmifiifmthintidt trocrirj First I RAY OF HOPE FAITH 2200 Minium Raai 383 B1S1 S( ID 9-130 AM Vimiiir SMmcm mi 1 1:00 mi Cimmmiri Smivki 6 PM In FitimwsHir Hau 2821 S. Monro Street 877-4823 Calvin J. McFadden, Pastor Worship Sanrtot am. 4 10 30 am (Sun.) Biota Study p.m.

(Wed. Musk Ministry. 7:00 p.m. (Thurs.) hkr Umm fata, lata Uattak McfaJ EPIPHANY (loms) 8300 Deeriake Rd West 385-7373 Charles Kosberg, Pastor Nunery Pmvtdrd 8:30 am Traditional Worship Service and Children's Church 10:00 am Sunday School Hour 10:00 am Contemporary Service' 11:30 am High Energy Praise Service and Children's Church Epiphany Lutheran School Pre-Srhool 8th grade www.eplphanystar.org FAITH EVANGELICAL rwus) 4738 TlinMMviiJj Ro. Pwm 383-1125 Sunday Wnasmr 10:00 a.m.

Sun Sua. 8 Amu Baa Qaw 11:15 km. FKKKjimGiHm www.farthUllaliaaaia.Oft GRACE (elca) 2919 Mioconwrx Rd. PMofrt 877-5423 O.R. Eauan, Pashm Sunday Wcwihip .8: 15 A 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School ..9:15 a.m. ST. STEPHEN (fxcA) 2198 North Mfridian Road 385-2728 Sunday Worship 8:30 ft 11am 11 am wrvrcr hat a slufltd nunery Sunday School Adui.t Ci.assks Pam Wrllons, Pamir THE UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHURCH STUDENT CENTER 925 Wnrr JwmuoN Pihink 2246059 An I.C-MS Cow.iim.ation on thk cammis or Fuwiiia SrAir llNrvmsmr imviw, nit FSU and Tam.aha.wmi Community ihiim THF. CLASSICAL UlTHtlAN IHAIiniON. Thomas E.

Doiirman, Pastor Sunday Worship 11 :00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. www.univeraltylutheranchurch.oin A New Hope to the Hill" Church www lailhpcusa org TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA Lafayette Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 11:00 a Tt SAINT PAUL'S Corner of N. Meridian 4 E.

Tharp Rev. William S. McLoud, Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Boles, Associate Pastor 8:30, Worship Schoot-AH Agea Youth Activities 'Ihe Chvrrh Rt tnkp httn" iiU E' 'A Dangerous Diet" Phoiw: 877-4428 wwwWmI 422D Mihan Driva This Sunday's Sermon "Ihe One Ihing that Is Lacking" Sunday Worship BiIjIp Siutly for Adults 8 00 am Traditional Worship 9.30 am Contemporary Worship 1 1.00 am Youth Activities 5.00 pm Ivening Worship 6:00 pm Bible Study options for all aqesl TRINITY "A Church with a Hear) lor the City" Located tt Park Duval 222-1120 John G. Willis, Pastor Art McClellan, Executive Pastor Worship 8:30 and 11am Contemporary SUN Service.

Sunday School 9:45 and Hern Radio Service (WNLS 1270 AM) 11am Youth Proqram 6-6pm Mothers' Morning Out Visit our website at www.tumct.org Fellowship 31 58 Shamrock South (m Kiiimtn EMatet) 893-0617 Sunday School ..............9:00 a.m. Worahlp 10:30 a.m (Chart Can Pmvktod) Come Worship With Us! iji. ff.rr.ri.