As always, one of the pleasures of a gathering like this is the people you meet. It was nice to meet cmbl, GaryK, Josh, and YorkandAdams for the first time. And to see PeterG, Wayne and family, Dan and family, Ernie and family, and more. I'm sure I'm missing a few. I would guess that 1/3 to 1/2 the group were MennoNet members and their families. It was a diverse group, including members or attendees from such groups as the Conservative Friends, Old Order River Brethren, Mennonites, Beachy Amish, and the NJ State Police.
The stories of folks who have interest or experience in joining conservative Anabaptist groups were particularly impacting. I talked to one young man who decided to join the OORB and it seems not to have been a major challenge. Others are really struggling hard. There is much to be learned by both "seekers" and "cradle Anabaptists" when cultures merge. It was very good to be there. There were a number of single folks whose zeal to follow Jesus in a radical way was quite inspiring.
It was a great place to take my children, particularly my older sons. The exposure to people of a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, and hearing hard issues being discussed, is really good for them. It's a bit of a chore to make something like this happen with a larger family, but it was worth it.
I would like to thank Ernie for the work of organizing the gathering.
Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. -Heb. 13:3
