News
Oct. 11, 2011 - New full texts available
I've started adding chapters to the site of Het leven en de verrigtingen van Menno Simons, voorafgegaan door eene inleidende verhandeling over den oorsprong en de opkomst der doopsgezinden, voornamelijk in de Nederlanden.
This biography of Menno, written by A.M. Cramer, was published in 1837 by Johannes Müller (Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
Mar. 22, 2011 - New full texts available
I've started adding full-text chapters to the site of Menno Simons. His Life, Labors, and Teachings. This biography, published in 1916, was written by John Horsch.
Jan. 10, 2011 - 2011: a special year for Mennonites
2011 is a special year for Mennonites all over the world: it's exactly 450 years ago that Menno Simons passed away (1561). Dutch Mennonites will commemorate several other historical events as well. In 2011 it is:
- 275 years ago that the Mennonite Seminary in Amsterdam was founded (1735)
- 200 years ago that the Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit (ADS), the conference of all Dutch Mennonite congregations, came into being (1811)
- 100 years ago that the first female, academically trained pastor, Anne Zernike, started her ministry in Bovenknijpe, Friesland.
These events will be celebrated by all kinds of special gatherings and activities. One of the festivities will be an international Symposium on Peace Theology on June 23 and 24, 2011, organized by the Dutch Mennonite Seminary and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Teylers Museum in Haarlem, one of the oldest museums in Europe, will show art from Jan Luyken, who illustrated the Martyrs Mirror.
Other activities include bicycle and hiking tours, stage plays and exhibitions. The complete schedule of events can be found here.
Aug. 20, 2010 - Menno goes Twitter
Menno Simons.net has opened its own Twitter account. Do you want to receive (almost) daily inspirational quotes from Menno, then why not follow him?
Jan. 11, 2010 - Dutch youths plan Menno journey, by bike
To commemorate the rebaptism of Menno Simons the Mennonite congregation of Joure (Netherlands) plans a bicycle journey to Bad Oldesloe, the place where Menno died and lies buried.
On their website (sorry, only in Dutch), they write that this year it is exactly 475 years ago that Menno was rebaptized. Although this may or may not be true (Menno left the Catholic church in January, 1536, and many believe he was rebaptized shortly thereafter) the idea sounds great. The twelve day journey will take place in July, 2010 and will cover about 416 kilometers (approximately 260 miles).
More info and an application form can be found here.
Oct. 27, 2009: Menno Simons.net gets a total makeover
The website has been completely updated: a new design, more categories, more pages, and an improved search engine. Hope you like it!
Oct 1, 2009: Timeline II: Living Echo of Menno Simons
Timeline II is a full color accordion fold book (nearly ten feet long) that presents the 500-year-old history of the worldwide community of Mennonites. The book is composed by Jacob Schiere and graphically designed by his daughter Nelleke. Paper for the covers is fabricated at the 17th century wind-powered paper mill 'De Schoolmeester' (The School Master) in Westzaan, The Netherlands.
The updated Timeline II is based on the Anabaptist Timeline published in 1985. Author Robert Kreider and his graphic designer daughter Ruth created an educational tool that today can still be found in many Mennonite churches across North America and Canada.
Timeline II has been available in English since July 2009. Spanish and German translations are now available as well and can be ordered through The Mennonite Publishing Network. Are you looking for a French or Dutch version, check out the shop of the International Menno Simons Center.
Sept. 13, 2008: Steel meetinghouse replica unveiled near Witmarsum
On September 13, 2008 a meetinghouse sculpture was unveiled near Witmarsum (Netherlands) right next to the famous Menno Simons monument. As part of a modest opening ceremony seven prominent Dutch mennonites lit candles inside the church.
The steel construction is a replica of a brick church that was built on this site in 1828 to replace an older meetinghouse known as 'Minne Siemens' old preaching house'. Contrary to what it says on a plaque near the monument it is unlikely that Menno has ever preached here.
The open sculpture of colored steel on a brick floor symbolizes the varieties of Mennonites all over the world.
The steel meetinghouse sculpture just outside Witmarsum.
Mennonite minister Wiske Beuker of Witmarsum (left) and Sikke Roosma of the Stichting Doopsgezinde Monumenten Friesland light candles as part of the opening ceremony.
The steel meetinghouse replica just beyond the renowned Menno Simons monument.