A Quiet Palm Sunday in the Heartland

Hello from our Amish community here in the Heartland. We hope this Palm Sunday finds you well and settling into the gentle pace of early Spring. It has been a cloudy week with seasonable temperatures, the kind that make people pull on their boots and step outside to see what the garden needs. Many families have been turning over their plot, clearing away last year’s stalks, and planting the earliest seeds that can handle the cool ground. There is a feeling of quiet purpose in the air, the kind that always arrives when March begins to soften and the promise of new growth feels close.

Palm Sunday in our local Amish homes is a simple day. It feels much like any other Sunday, with no special meals or unusual preparations. Families gather for worship, share time together, and keep the day peaceful. Although the Amish do not place much emphasis on Holy Week as a formal observance, they do speak of Good Friday as the week unfolds. Parents often tell their children the story of Jesus riding the donkey over the palm branches, and how that same week He was tried and crucified. Children learn that Easter Sunday is the day He rose from the grave and overcame death. These stories are passed down in the same plain and steady way that so many lessons are shared in Amish homes, through conversation at the table or while working together.

There are no special traditions in most homes on Palm Sunday. The day moves along with the same quiet pace as any other Sunday. Some families read from John Chapter 12, which tells the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem. Others choose different passages, but the focus remains on reflection rather than ceremony. There are no gatherings with extended family that are unique to this day, and no special foods that mark the occasion. It is a simple beginning to a meaningful week.

Good Friday, however, carries a deeper weight in Amish communities. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and staying close to home. Baptized members fast until noon, spending the morning reading scripture and reflecting on the crucifixion. Children and unbaptized teens do not fast, but they understand the seriousness of the day. According to accounts from Amish writers and former Amish individuals, Good Friday is one of the few non‑Sunday days of the year when work pauses almost entirely. There is no school, and no regular labor except for caring for animals. Families stay home together, keeping the day quiet and thoughtful.

Many Amish communities also gather for church on Easter Sunday, and this is often when communion is shared. Easter Sunday is more communal than Palm Sunday, and the day carries a sense of renewal. While the Amish do not include the Easter Bunny in their celebrations, they do enjoy simple traditions. Eggs are often part of the meal, symbolizing new life. Some communities also observe Easter Monday as a day of rest or visiting, although this varies from place to place.

As this week unfolds, many Amish families here are balancing the spiritual meaning of the days ahead with the practical work of early Spring. Gardens are being prepared, fences checked, and tools brought out from winter storage. The cloudy skies have not kept anyone indoors for long. There is a sense of readiness in the community, both for the planting season and for the quiet reflection that Good Friday brings.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.

The Mast Family

The Mast children had an exciting week as all the eighth graders from the surrounding Amish schools gathered for the annual community spelling bee. The event was held in one of the larger schoolhouses, and families filled the benches to cheer on the scholars. Between rounds, the local sheriff’s office sent two deputies to speak with the students. They shared stories from their own lives and talked about how important it is to make steady, thoughtful choices as they grow older. The children listened closely, especially when the deputies spoke about the value of honesty and the blessings that come from choosing a good path. It was a full day of learning, encouragement, and friendly competition, and the Mast children came home with plenty to talk about.

The Yoder Family

The Yoder children shared a lighthearted story about a neighbor’s pony that has developed a habit no one expected. Early in the school year, the pony was introduced to the English neighbor’s trash cans so it would not be startled on trash day. The plan worked a little too well. Now, every week, the pony insists on stopping to sniff the cans before continuing down the lane. The children are convinced there must have been something interesting in one of those cans, because the pony refuses to pass by without a visit. The youngest Yoder scholars ride with the neighbor’s cart each morning, and they laugh as the pony makes its weekly stop. It has become a small tradition of its own, one that brings a bit of fun to the start of each school day.

"God never promised a smooth passage, but He did promise a safe landing."

— Amish Wisdom