Extending abundance

The practice of preserving food is showing signs of a revival.

For people who are growing produce in garden, shopping at farmers markets and buying community-supported agriculture shares, extra seasonal food can be stored for the winter, suggests Mary Clemens Meyer, a Herald Press editor.

Meyer is profiled in The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, talking about topics covered by a book she and her daughter, Susanna Meyer, co-edited: Saving the Seasons: How to Can, Freeze or Dry Almost Anything.

It’s unclear how many people are hopping on the food-preserving bandwagon, but it’s great that Mennonites are among those still preaching the gospel of more with less. — Celeste Kennel-Shank

Forgiveness in the family

Growing up in Minnesota, a sort of Lutheran haven, I did not hear the word “Mennonite” until I went away to college. My education in the Lutheran church left out many of the unsavory parts of our history, such as the persecution of Mennonites.

Last week the 11th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation approved a statement expressing regret for past actions towards Anabaptists and asked for forgiveness “from God and from our Mennonite sisters and brothers.” They asked for forgiveness not only for past actions, but also for failing to acknowledge this part of their history.

Danisa Ndlovu, Mennonite World Conference president, offered a grace-filled response. He admitted that Mennonites have also made mistakes and offered the Lutherans a foot-washing tub as a sign of a united future in which their relationship is marked by “boundless love and unfailing service.”

The Mennonite response is a beautiful example of how Christians should relate to one another — with a willingness to admit mistakes and a readiness to forgive.

Divisions within the family of Christ are disheartening, so this story of reconciliation is beautiful. Dwelling in the past is not useful. But neither is ignoring the mistakes of former generations.

I hope that Lutherans and Mennonites alike will remember the past and teach this history as an example of the reconciliation that is possible through Christ. — Mallory K. Dignin

A new kind of conscientious objector?

I sometimes wonder why opposition to war in any form is the standard for qualifying as a conscientious objector.

If a war is going on, and a soldier can’t in good conscience fight in it, isn’t that what really matters? Why should a soldier have to be opposed to hypothetical wars in addition to the real one?

I suppose because that makes it a lot harder to become a CO.

Though I generally favor a broad definition of conscientious objection, I agree with the military’s standard in at least one respect.

The New York Times reports that some soldiers who don’t like the idea of serving with gay men and lesbians would like to be recognized as COs.

The concern is prompted by the possible repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The Times quotes J.E. McNeil, director of the Center on Conscience & War, as rejecting the idea that opposition to homosexuality is a valid basis for a CO claim.

McNeil believes a CO has to object to fighting, not to whom he or she fights with. That makes sense to me.

The real CO concern that needs attention is how hard it is for soldiers who have a change heart to get their moral awakening recognized.

Counselors with the German Mennonite Peace Committee’s Military Counseling Network recently helped obtain an honorable discharge for a young man who admitted he didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

Many other soldiers-turned-COs are not so fortunate.

“I honestly believe that many of the [soldiers] who go AWOL or commit suicide are people who are struggling with their consciences,” McNeil told the Times.

War claims many victims, including the soldiers themselves. Some find the enemy within. — Paul Schrag

Success well-earned

If there’s anything better for a baseball player than making it onto a major-league team, it is having the admiration of your teammates, manager and family.

At Erik Kratz’s first game wearing the Pittsburgh Pirates jersey, those who know him described him as hard-working, resilient and positive in his attitude as he played eight-and-a-half years in the minors.

Kratz, a member of Souderton (Pa.) Mennonite Church, played his first major league game Saturday, hitting two singles.

With stories abounding about professional athletes’ misconduct, it’s nice to read about the success of a player called "a great human being" by one of his teammates. — Celeste Kennel-Shank

Fruits (and vegetables) of Spirit-led work

Sorting blueberries and steaming green beans for preserving the other night, I thought of my grandmothers doing the same decades ago, working to stretch summer's abundance into the winter. My Chicago apartment kitchen didn't feel so far away from rural southeastern Pennsylvania.

Yet the places where I grow my produce, and distribute community-supported agriculture shares from a Mennonite-run farm two hours outside of the city, are a world away, located in densely populated areas of Chicago.

In there areas, access to fresh, locally grown produce is all the more valuable, as places to grow or buy it are fewer. Yet challenge can spark creativity, and initiatives are cropping up in rural and urban settings to share God's abundance through fresh fruit and vegetables.

Members of Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville, Pa., are growing produce and donating it to a Mennonite church in a more urban area as well as to local organizations.

Berea Mennonite Church in Atlanta is cultivating land in the city at Oakleaf Mennonite Farm, providing produce shares through a community-supported agriculture project.

Through such efforts, we can produce fruits of the Spirit as well physical nourishment. — Celeste Kennel-Shank

EMU, Christopher Dock grad gets big-league call

The major leagues came calling yesterday for Erik Kratz, a Mennonite who honed his baseball skills at a Mennonite high school and college.

After nine years in the minors, Kratz, a 30-year-old catcher, learned of his promotion to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the Triple-A All-Star Game in Allentown, Pa., on Wednesday.

In an interview after getting the news, Kratz became overcome with emotion.

A member of Soudertown (Pa.) Mennonite Church, Kratz is a graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, Pa., and Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.

Christopher Dock athletic director Tim Ehst said in an e-mail: “Erik’s story is one of athletic giftedness, perseverance and personal values that honor his family and Christian faith communities that have influenced his life.”

Kratz is the first Christopher Dock baseball player to make it to the major leagues. He is EMU’s second major-league alumnus. The first was Larry Sheets, who attended EMU from 1979 to 1983 and played in the majors from 1984 to 1993, mostly with the Baltimore Orioles.

Kratz is the second Anabaptist college alumnus to join a major-league team this year. Chris Heisey, who attended Messiah College, a Brethren in Christ school at Grantham, Pa., has been with the Cincinnati Reds since April 30. — Paul Schrag

‘A Naked Anabaptist’ on Kindle!

Just before MWR’s print deadline this week came this headline from Mennonite Publishing Network: “Herald Press E-Books Now Available.”

“There’s a naked Anabaptist on Kindle!" the story announces.

I’m enough of a Luddite that the e-readers haven’t tempted me yet. When I buy a book, I want to put it on the shelf when I’m done. Like a souvenir or a trophy.

I enjoy books as physical objects. I like the cover art and the typography. I like the paper, because you can underline the best parts and write in the margins.

A book that’s only on an e-reader or a song that’s only on an MP3 player is a little bit less real to me.

But Mennonite Publishing Network needs customers of all kinds — old-fashioned ones like me and gadget fans like my wife, who just got Barnes & Noble’s e-reader, the nook.

As a friend of mine likes to say, “What will the Amish think of next?” — Paul Schrag