March 8, 2010 issue
Insiders, outsiders
By Wayne Steffen Fresno, Calif.Though I share the same pale skin and Germanic heritage as ethnic Mennonites, I see Hugo Saucedo as my brother.
Twenty years ago I, an OTM —Other Than Mennonite — got a job at a Mennonite institution because I admired its work. I’d met a few Mennonites and found them admirable folks. I have always felt welcomed by individual Mennonites. So welcome I started going to church again and married a Mennonite (not really, but she blends better than I, and people think she is). We’re raising two children in the faith.
Still, I struggle with the parts of Mennonite culture I can’t eat. On a good day I can laugh at the idea that a name as common as Miller can be called Mennonite. Other days I just keep quiet.
People tell me the theology and culture walk hand in hand, but they have never seen them travel separately. What’s the necessary connection between Anabaptism and the Name Game? In my early years in Mennoland, more that one person told me, “There’s some Steffens in Ohio; you could be Mennonite.” Does this make joining the church unnecessary?
Hugo obviously loves the theology. So do I. We adopted kids will just both pray it remains enough.
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