The Simple and Joyful Tradition of Circle Letters
Greetings from our Amish community! I hope this letter finds you well and happy in this beautiful month of February.
We have been having mild weather lately, which is a pleasant surprise for this time of the year. We are thankful for this grace from God, as it makes work and travel more comfortable. We are all looking forward to seeing the signs of Spring, such as the green grass, the budding trees, and the singing birds. We all know this weather may change at any time, and we may still face chilly days ahead, but we are grateful for each day God gives us and try to enjoy it.
Last week, I told you about the Amish tradition of decorating their homes with useful things that honor God and avoid idolatry. This week, I want to tell you about another Amish tradition that brings them joy and connection: Circle Letters.
A circle letter is a simple and low-tech way of keeping in touch with people who share a common bond. It is a pack of letters that gets sent around to a group of people, usually 12 or fewer, who write to each other regularly. The circle letter can include family members, cousins, friends, or even people who have the same name or birthday.
The way it works is that the first person on the list writes a letter and sends it to the second person. The second person reads the letter, adds their own letter, and sends both letters to the third person. This continues until everyone on the list has received the pack and written a letter. The last person sends the pack back to the first person, who removes their old letter and adds a new one. And the circle goes on and on.
The circle letter is a wonderful way to stay updated on each other's lives and share news, joys, sorrows, prayers, and advice. They write about many things, such as travels, sewing, quilting projects, special visitors, injuries, special school functions, illnesses, etc. They try to write about interesting and meaningful things, not just the daily chores. They also include verses or sayings that inspire them or make them laugh.
Sometimes, a circle letter can be started by one person sending a letter to another person with just one name on the letter. The next person can add more names to the list, and so on, until the circle is complete. Circle letters are a fun way to make new friends and learn about different communities and families.
When they receive a circle letter, they try to send it on within three days and not more than a week. They know that everyone is eager to read the letters and write back. Sometimes, the letter will come postage due because of all the letters. The postage cost is one reason to keep the number of people down to 12 or fewer. Another reason is that it can be hard to find the time to write a long letter. Many people use lightweight paper for their letters to reduce the postage cost. Some people who know each other locally will use the same sheet of paper for their letters, and each person will only use one side.
Some circle letters will have an annual circle letter meet, where as many people as possible in the circle letter will meet together to enjoy a day of visiting and enjoying each other's company. This is a rare and special occasion, as some people in the circle letter may live far away or have never met in person. It is a blessing for them to see the faces and hear the voices of the people they have written to for so long.
Most circle letter participants will keep a notebook where they will place their letters when they remove them from the circle letter. This creates a notebook of their memories that they can have and reminisce about as they grow older. Some people will also pass their notebooks to their children or grandchildren, who can learn about their ancestors and stories.
In addition to making baskets, here are some of the highlights for the Amish families crafting the items available on the AmishBaskets.com website this week:
The Mast Family
This week, the Mast family has embraced the calm and quiet following the bustling time spent preparing to host church over the previous two weeks. With services not returning to their farm until later in the year, they've found comfort in the daily rhythms of farm life and crafting baskets while reflecting and preparing for the coming spring and summer seasons. Rosa is looking forward to planting an extra large flower garden this Spring.
The Yoder Family
As Rebecca's health wavered over the past week, the Yoders experienced an outpouring of familial love this week. In a heartwarming display of care, her sister traveled from the northern part of the community, bringing the warmth of family and the comfort of a home-cooked meal. Their Friday was brightened when her sister prepared a feast of her honey-mustard baked chicken, with the sweet finale of chocolate brownies lifting everyone's spirits.
The Gingerich Family
This week, the Gingerich household was filled with the warmth of family and the remembrance of a life well-lived. While they bid farewell to a cherished relative, they welcomed their eldest son from Minnesota. His return visit after a year away was a joyful occasion, rekindling fond memories and the close-knit ties that define their family. Alongside two visiting families, they found strength and comfort in each other's company, celebrating the legacy of their loved one with stories, laughter, and the shared love that endures.
"It's better to be small and shine than to be big and cast a shadow."
— Amish Wisdom
