What can I expect in worship at Mennonite Church of Normal: FAQs

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1) What is a Mennonite? Are you Christians?

2) So, where did the name ‘Mennonite’ come from?

3) If Mennonites aren’t Catholics and aren’t Protestants what do you consider yourselves?

4) Why doesn't your building look like a church?

5) What is worship like at Mennonite Church of Normal?

6) How are children involved on Sunday mornings?

7) What accommodations are available to persons with disabilities?

8) How often and in what manner is communion practiced here?

9) How do people dress for worship on Sundays at MCN?

10) How do I follow what is going on in the service?

11) I’ve heard that Mennonites sing very well. How is singing featured in the worship service?

12) So, how many song books do you have and how can I tell them apart?

13) Why is money being collected in plates that are passed back and forth during the worship?

14) What is so special about your fellowship time coffee?

15) What is Christian Education? Is that like Sunday School?

16) What is a potluck meal and are visitors welcome?

1) What is a Mennonite? Are you Christians?

Mennonites are a Christian tradition that began in the time of the Reformation in Europe, around the early 1500s, with a movement of believers known as Anabaptists. The Anabaptists or "re-baptizers" were inspired to radically reform the Christian Church as it had come to be. They got their name because they insisted that water baptism should be reserved for adults only. This conviction led them to baptize one another as adults, even though they had been baptized as infants. Mennonites believe that Jesus Christ belongs at the center of a life of faith and that it is possible by God’s Spirit to follow Jesus’ teachings in daily living. Some special Mennonite emphases are: peacemaking, nonviolence, voluntary service, community interdependence, mutual economic support, and reading the Bible together.

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2) So, where did the name ‘Mennonite’ come from?

Followers of Menno Simons, a former Catholic priest and prominent second-generation Anabaptist leader and teacher, came to be referred to as “Menn-ists” and, later, “Menno-nites.”

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3) If Mennonites aren’t Catholics and aren’t Protestants what do you consider yourselves?

From its beginnings, Anabaptism was a very different movement. It represented some of both the Catholic and Protestant traditions. Alternate ways of thinking expressed in the Reformation were:

• In regard to the issue of whether people are saved by faith alone or by doing good deeds or "works:" Anabaptists understand that it is by faith we are saved, but that being in right relationship with God is tied to a transformed lifestyle.
• In regard to how truth is to be understood: The Anabaptists emphasize that Scripture, rather than tradition holds final truth. The Anabaptists place the authority for understanding truth from Scriptures in the gathered disciple-community led by the Spirit, rather than in the interpretation of the scholars and magistrates.
• In a time when the government made religious decisions for the people, the Anabaptists believed in religious freedom, or free choice without government interference or mandates from religious institutions.
• The Anabaptists choose peacemaking and dialogue rather than war and inquisition as the way to settle conflicts.

Ultimately we are not so concerned with being Anabaptist, Catholic, or Protestant, but simply being faithful disciples of Jesus! (Answer Credit: Third Way Café).

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4) Why doesn't your building look like a church?

Because persecution drove the Anabaptists into hiding, their worship took place in secret places like caves, barns, and forests, not in formal buildings. This shaped their understanding that the ‘church’ is the people who are gathered together for worship. Because we understand as well that our "church" is the people gathered together, less emphasis is placed on conforming to a certain style of building. Our particular building was designed by Goshen, IN architect Leroy Troyer to incorporate energy-saving measures that were, at the time, cutting-edge. The building was constructed by volunteer labor from within the congregation.

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5) What is worship like at Mennonite Church of Normal?

Our primary worship time occurs on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. Mennonite worship styles vary from congregation to congregation, but we hold in common the same essentials which the early Anabaptists valued in worship: Scripture reading, prayer, preaching and singing.

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6) How are children involved on Sunday mornings?

A professionally staffed nursery is provided for children from birth through kindergarten during worship, and for birth to age 2 during the Christian Education hour. Older children are encouraged to participate in the worship service and are given special attention during the Children’s Time portion of the service. We invite parents and caregivers to help their children find the Bible reading and follow along and to sing hymns along with the congregation.

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7) What accommodations are available to persons with disabilities?

Our ground-level worship space is wheel-chair accessible. We provide personal audio amplifiers for those with hearing difficulties. Large-print hymnals are available for those with sight-impairment.

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8) How often and in what manner is communion practiced here?

We practice open communion—all who have publicly committed to following Jesus Christ are welcome to participate. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper six times each year, on a varying schedule. We understand communion to enfold a variety of images found in Scripture (the Last Supper, the Great Banquet, etc.) and at different times may emphasize particular symbolism related to those Bible images.

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9) How do people dress for worship on Sundays at MCN?

For us at MCN, styles of clothing vary widely among participants. Women wear slacks and jeans to church as well as dresses. Likewise, some men wear suits while others are more comfortable in jeans or khakis and polos. In the summer, you will see some persons in shorts.

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10) How do I follow what is going on in the service?

Each Sunday you may obtain a bulletin from an usher which contains announcements, the order of worship and information about Christian Education classes. A worship leader guides the congregation through the service. A song leader directs congregational singing, often with an accompanist on organ or piano.

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11) I’ve heard that Mennonites sing very well. How is singing featured in the worship service?

Four-part singing is a long-standing Mennonite tradition and in many congregations, all singing was a cappella (or unaccompanied). Today, in addition to a cappella singing, we include accompaniment on organ, piano or other instruments. With congregational singing forming such an integral part of worship, most Mennonite churches use a song leader to lead singing, which is different from churches where the congregation follows the lead of an instrument or a praise band.

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12) So, how many song books do you have and how can I tell them apart?

Our primary book of worship songs is Hymnal: A Worship Book , sometimes referred to as the blue hymnal. MCN also uses a two-part supplement series which gives particular attention to the gifts of the worldwide church and to the variety of religious experience within our de-nomination. Sing the Journey ("the green book") explores the life of the Church and its mission in the world, corresponding to the season between Pentecost and Advent. Sing the Story ("the purple book") uses the seasons of the church year from Advent to Pentecost to tell the story of the life, ministry, death, resurrection and reign of Jesus Christ.

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13) Why is money being collected in plates that are passed back and forth during the worship?

The yearly spending plan of the congregation is supported through the regular donation of monetary gifts, called tithing, by members of the congregation. Each member is asked to discern for themselves what portion of their annual income they will happily give back to God for use by the church. Tithing is a symbol of each member’s commitment to the mission which God has for our church.

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14) What is so special about your fellowship time coffee?

We intentionally set aside space and time for opportunity to visit and reconnect with each other every Sunday morning. Coffee and snacks are available from the kitchen (behind the Atrium wall) between Worship and Christian Education. The coffee we serve is Fair-Trade coffee from Equal Exchange. The coffee is more expensive, but a higher portion of the revenue returns to the growers themselves, promoting living wages and encouraging farmers to better care for the environment.

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15) What is Christian Education? Is that like Sunday School?

Yes, Christian Education used to be called Sunday School. We believe that we are all on a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and we emphasize study of the Bible together. We strongly encourage each person to participate in one of the classes that meet each Sunday morning after worship. The children meet from 10:45AM -12:00PM. Adults meet from 11:00AM -12:00PM. Adult classes meet on a quarterly basis, and are listed in the bulletin.

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16) What is a potluck meal and are visitors welcome?

Our potlucks bring together two of life’s greatest joys: good fellowship and good food! Fellowship meals are regular events on the third Sunday of every month (Third Sunday Fellowship Meal). Families bring dishes to share and their own table service, unless otherwise announced. Occasionally the food is provided, with donations taken toward costs. Visitors are always welcome at our table!

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