Old Order River Brethren

[Ernie]

This is a thread to become more familiar with the Old Order River Brethren.

Singing in Pennsylvania
The tune of the second song is really unique. (starts about 2:45)

I'm amazed at the number of visitors from other conservative Anabaptist groups.

[MaxPC]

I enjoyed the singing. I'll have to research the OORB some more. I recall that they're a small group.

[Bootstrap]

That singing is fascinating. The harmonies remind me of Shape Note singing, but this is much slower, yet still rhythmic.

[cmbl]

I'm amazed at the number of visitors from other conservative Anabaptist groups.

I met a Beachy woman from OORB background recently, who said that if I visited one of their meetings, they'd make me feel at home. Looks like that's true.

[Wayne in Maine]

I know those tunes well.

The song book only has the words and meter. The song leader selects the tune (which everyone knows!) for the particular meter. I was never able to tell if, in every case, the same tune is always used for the same song. Of course if you are a visitor who does not know the tune, the songs are slow enough and melodious enough that it's easy to pick up a harmony.

[Wayne in Maine]

I'm amazed at the number of visitors from other conservative Anabaptist groups.

I met a Beachy woman from OORB background recently, who said that if I visited one of their meetings, they'd make me feel at home. Looks like that's true.

That's absolutely true. You would enjoy good fellowship - maybe for an entire afternoon.

[PlainJane]

I can't see the video, but thought I'd recommend a book. It's called "Faith of Our Fathers" by Norma Miller, available from Grace Press & Conestoga Bookstore in Ephrata, PA.

We were at OORB services a few days ago, and spend time with them (sometimes quite a bit) for probably two years now.

They seem like a very solid group, with a lot of open & friendly people. We appreciate a lot about them. If you saw my husband, you might think he was one.

They did lose a dear elderly brother very recently, and very suddenly. If the Lord brings them to your mind, please pray for H's wife and family.

[Biblical Anabaptist]

I'm amazed at the number of visitors from other conservative Anabaptist groups.

Apparently this is the Sunday morning service of the love feast. I have been to the Saturday evening service but never to the (love feast) Sunday morning.The love feast is a time when a lot of visitors attend from other churches and , believe it or not, other OORB factions. It appears this video is from The Franklin Co (Horst) group as I recognize some of the folks, one being my aunt who passed away several years ago. The Horst group in Franklin Co has a meeting house but still meets in a shed or barn for their lovefeasts.

[Josh]

Does OORB have multiple factions?

[Biblical Anabaptist]

Does OORB have multiple factions?

Locally the "Horsts" and the "Stricklers". I think there may be another faction either in Lancaster Co or Iowa. Interestingly, although the two local groups divided years ago they still attend each others love feasts and have a joint funeral committee to coordinate funerals. One of the groups is actually a merger of what was formerly 3 factions.