Amish Life on “Inbetween” Sundays
We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the warm Summer days. As we move through July, the fields are lush and green, and the long days are perfect for spending time with family and friends.
In our Amish community, Sundays are a special time for gathering and worship. Every other Sunday, families gather for church services, a tradition that strengthens their faith and bonds. But what happens on the "in-between" Sundays when there is no church service in the district? This week, we explore the activities and traditions that fill these Sundays with joy and community spirit.
On these "in-between" Sundays, the Amish engage in various activities that bring families and neighbors closer together. The afternoons are often spent reading, playing games, making greeting cards, or enjoying a friendly softball game. These simple pleasures reflect the Amish values of simplicity and togetherness.
Neighboring church districts usually coordinate their services on alternating Sundays. This means that on Sundays, when one district has a church service, the young folks from both districts gather in the afternoon to play games and sing songs in the evening. Popular games include card games like Phase 10 and Dutch Blitz, as well as board games and softball.
Evenings on these Sundays are often filled with singing. "Singings" are a cherished tradition, where youngsters of courting age come together to sing hymns in Germain and enjoy each other's company. These gatherings are not only a time for fun but also a way to uphold the Amish faith.
Family get-togethers are also common on "in-between" Sundays. Neighbors may invite each other for supper or brunch, or families may spend the day together, enjoying each other's company. These gatherings are a testament to the close-knit nature of our community and the importance of family in Amish life.
Hosting these events involves some preparation, such as fixing food and cleaning the house. Everyone takes their turn to host the Sunday evening "singings" and serve supper to the young folks. This spirit of cooperation and mutual support is a cornerstone of Amish life.
The meals shared during these gatherings are often homemade and delicious. Sunday evening suppers typically include casseroles, salads, and homemade desserts. These meals reflect the Amish tradition of hospitality and the joy of sharing food with loved ones.
One memorable aspect of these gatherings is the tradition of courting couples pairing up after the Sunday evening "singings". The boys take the girls home in their buggies, a charming custom that highlights the simplicity and romance of Amish courtship.
Here are a few happenings the families who are dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com have shared with us this week.
The Mast Family
This week, the Mast family is joyfully immersed in picking blackberries from their garden. The bushes have yielded an impressive harvest. With more quarts than they can use, they were delighted that their neighbors, the Mosies, opened their produce stand for the season so they could sell a few quarts. The Mosies' stand features peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, green beans, honey, and maple syrup. The local bulk food store also consigns a few items, such as peaches.
The Yoder Family
The Yoder family made a journey last weekend to visit their cousins, who live about two hours south of our community. They returned on Monday with 17 adorable yellow ducklings. These fluffy little creatures have quickly become a charming addition to the Yoder household, delighting everyone as they paddle around in their small pan of water. Along with the ducklings, the Yoders brought back several giant cushaw squashes and nearly a bushel of heirloom tomatoes.
The Gingerich Family
The Gingerich family has been working on the second cutting of hay from their pasture this week. They use horses for all the tasks except the half of the hay that was baled into large round bales by a local English farmer. The Gingerich family was impressed by a clever backpack, worn by an Amish neighbor, who kindly drove the horses pulling the wagon. It included a water reservoir and a straw, allowing him to stay hydrated while managing the team of horses.
"A good time to make a friend is before you need one."
— Amish Wisdom
