Old Colony Mennonites: New York Times

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   For an in-depth, colorful view of the Old Colony Mennonites in Belize, check out this documentary by the New York Times, published more than a year ago.

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Mennonite Headcoverings (Part 1)

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  They are worn as traditional garments by some, as a symbol of church membership by others, and as a Biblical commandment by some. Styles, patterns, color and age of when to use it depends on the church's interpretation of it. Also, please note there is a difference between a bonnet and a veil . Both are a form of headcovering, but are not the same.                    Old Colony Mennonites                     Shipyard & Little Belize When at home, unmarried girls sometimes leave off their headcovering                     The headcovering is usually a white kerchief (veil) placed over the whole head and tied in the back, just behind the ears and a little below the hairline. Solid white, flowered white, and white with drops of colors. Married women switch to black after their wedding day. A thicker, bulkier one is used by...
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Mennonite Headcoverings (Part 2)

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                   The Kleine Gemeinde  They believe the headcovering is mandatory as found in the Bible; however, as time goes by it is being viewed more as a necessary garment required by the church after baptism than as a symbol of Biblical obedience. Some of them wear the covering without a clear understanding of exactly why they must wear it. Thus, while pre-teen girls do not wear any headcoverings, by the age of 15 or 16 they are considered to be of "joining age". Although they are not physically forced to join, the verbal and emotional pressure placed on them by parents and peers is more than enough to convince them to enter baptism classes ( this is the opinion of an ex-KG girl who spoke to me. ) From then on the black triangular, fall-back headcovering is worn, held with clips, until she decides to leave the KG church.                 Holdeman Mennonites     Beli...
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Holdeman Mennonites: My Opinion

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       My Opinion of the One True Church      First of all, the Holdeman (official name Church of God in Christ, Mennonite) church is not the  only true church. John Holdeman in the 19th century did not receive any special revelation like Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion. In all fairness, he was a sort of Martin Luther, seeing and realizing a need to break away from the lax and lukewarm old Mennonite church in order for a spiritual revival and renewal to begin its work. Well, a revival did happen. A return to the original teachings of the Anabaptists to a certain extent. However as time went by and the church grew and became more organized, the main focus-apostolic teachings-became somewhat obscured by the belief that "we" are the true church. This led to rigid Mennonite traditions that eventually led the church into turmoil in the 1970's in the US. William and Viv Stoppel have written extensively on the Holdeman church and even do...
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