Mennonites are a branch of the Christian church, with roots in the radical wing of the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Part of the group known as Anabaptists (because they rebaptized adult believers), the Mennonites took their name from Menno Simons, a Dutch priest who converted to the Anabaptist faith and helped lead it to prominence in Holland by the mid-16th century. Modern day Mennonites number almost 1 million worldwide, with churches in North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Mennonites are known for their emphasis on issues such as peace, justice, simplicity, community, service, and mutual aid.
In keeping with their spiritual roots, Mennonites still believe in the close textual readings of the Scriptures and a personal spiritual responsibility as the basis of their faith. Radical from the beginning, but later considered conservative in many of their beliefs, Mennonites have come
to represent a spectrum of backgrounds and beliefs. Pacifism is one of the cornerstones of the Mennonite faith, prompting many young Mennonites to elect service to the church rather than military service. The Mennonite church emphasizes service to others as an important way of expressing one’s faith. A disproportionately large number of Mennonites spend part of their lives working as missionaries or volunteers helping those in need, nationally or internationally, through agencies such as Mennonite Mission Network or Mennonite Central Committee.
The first Mennonites came mainly from Swiss and German roots, with many of the important martyrs of the early church coming from the area around Zurich. To escape persecution, many Mennonites fled western Europe for the more accommodating religious climate of the Americas or Catherine the Great’s Russia, giving these two groups distinctly different cultural heritages. When the Russian Mennonites were eventually forced out of Russia in the last half of the 19th Century and the early 20th Century, many migrated to the western states and provinces, where today there is a large Mennonite population. Many people in the older generation of this group continue to speak a low German dialect called “Plautdietsch” and eat traditional foods. Swiss German Mennonites migrated to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, settling first in Pennsylvania, then eventually across the Midwestern states. They too brought with them their own traditions, including hearty foods and the German language. Today large Mennonite populations can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas, although Mennonites live in all parts of the United States and the world.
The Amish, who separated from the Mennonites in the late 1600’s, are widely known for their plain dress and rejection of modern technology and conveniences. Unlike the Mennonites, they form an exclusive and tight-knit community, with the church dictating much of what may or may not be done: for example, each local church district would dictate rules regarding the use of telephones, if indeed they are permitted at all. While certain conservative branches of the Mennonite church still dress simply and require women to wear head coverings, Mennonites generally are not culturally separatist, choosing to embrace the larger communities outside of their church rather than forming a separate community around the church. Where the Amish believe in keeping themselves spiritually focused by limiting their interaction with modern society, Mennonites believe in practicing Jesus’ teaching of service to others in a broader context.
by Prof. John D. Roth
Michelle Dula - Lead Pastor
Michelle Dula became lead pastor at Blossom Hill in April of 2015. Michelle holds a B.A. in Psychology and Elementary Education (Eastern Mennonite University), an M.A. in Reading Education (Millersville University of Pennsylvania), and an M.Div. (Lancaster Theological Seminary). Michelle has served as Associate Pastor at both Blossom Hill Mennonite Church and Akron Mennonite Church. She was also recently nominated to the Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA. Michelle enjoys working in her garden, reading, traveling with her husband and two children, and entertaining in their home.
- mdula@blossomhillmennonite.org
- (717) 569-5869
Mindy Nolt - Associate Pastor
Mindy Nolt became associate pastor at Blossom Hill in October of 2015. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with minors in TESOL; Spanish; Missions; and Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies(Eastern Mennonite University), a graduate diploma in Forced Migration & Refugee Studies (American University in Cairo, Egypt), and a Master of Divinity degree (Lancaster Theological Seminary). Mindy and her husband, Jared Hankee (MCC), have three children: Willow, Moselle and Cyrus. Together they enjoy music, sports, camping, gardening and Lancaster city living. Mindy and Jared perform music together occasionally at local venues. She is a singer-songwriter and released an album, Movers and Lovers, in 2014.
- mnolt@blossomhillmennonite.org
- (717) 569-5869
Marsha Ruttkay - Office Administrator
Marsha Ruttkay is Blossom Hill’s Administrative Assistant, and has been working for the church since since 2015. She lives in Lancaster with her husband Lou and enjoys music, movies, exploring her roots, gardening, baking, bird watching and walking her dog, Ziggy.
- office@blossomhillmennonite.org
- (717) 569-5869
