Our church district needed another preacher in order to have enough preachers to ordain one of them to be the bishop of our local church. The weeks leading up to the ordination were sober as we wondered who would be chosen. It would be a big responsibility and change to who ever was ordained.
The day finally arrived and church seemed to drag on for the longest time. Finally after the last song was sung and the children were dismissed we all went outside and the doors were closed so that only the members would be there for the solemn event of voting and ordaining another preacher.
What seemed like a long time everyone came out of the church house and I could hardly wait to ask Mom and Daddy who the new preacher was. But when I saw Mom I could see that she was trying not to cry. On the way home they told us that Uncle John Henry was our new preacher.
I felt a little sorry for him but on the other hand I looked forward to hear him.
Several weeks later he preached his first sermon. It was really good and I looked forward to the next time it was his turn to preach.
A year or so later they ordained a bishop, chosen from the three preachers. Once again the lot fell on John Henry. I was happy to know my uncle would be performing all the important events. I still had several years to wait until I was old enough to be included in any of them but it was comforting to know once I was old enough it would be one of my favorite uncles performing the ceremonies.
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How nice that your uncle was chosen.
ReplyDeleteI was very happy about it.
DeleteWhat a blessing for you to enjoy your Uncle. How many years was he bishop? Thank you for sharing parts of your life with your readers. I truly do enjoy reading about your life.
ReplyDeleteHe is still a bishop. It's been over 25 years already.
DeleteI am glad to have met you through blogging, Mary Ann. I enjoy learning about your family and your childhood years. Thank you for sharing the memories with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'm so glad you're enjoying my blog.
DeleteSo why was your mother crying?
ReplyDeleteBecoming a preacher or a bishop is not something that is desired among the Amish. Whomever the lot falls upon will have his life changed drastically, and not necessarily for the better. There's a whole lot of added responsibility, and no compensation.
DeleteOrdinations are always emotional events at Amish churches. My mother was crying in sympathy for her brother.
Very interesting,as John Henry happens to be my brother-in-law and over my Mom's death and funeral I made it know to him that I'm glad God put him into our family.I feel like he's the pillar that holds our family together
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your mother passed away. I'm glad you appreciate having John Henry for a brother-in-law.
DeleteI saw Anna at my brother's wedding earlier this year. John Henry married them. I hadn't heard him preach since 2005. It was nice once again. :)