Looking Back, Moving Forward: Reflections on MennoExpressions from FMCers
Images from past issues of MennoExpressions
Sue Turner
First of all, I loved and love MennoExpressions and have some very fond memories.
Reading rituals. I always waited until I got home to read it. A bit of an interesting fact: it started out that each family had a copy put in their mailbox. This was done before worship. Then it was discovered that people were reading them during the morning worship service. Needless to say, that particular ritual was stopped. The copy was put in the mailboxes AFTER worship.
Special issues. I always liked when they featured the H. S. students, and what they were going to be doing after graduation. Sometimes current social issues were addressed. I always enjoyed when there were photos, children’s art, poetry, and recipes.
The FMC community is geographically spread out. All different kinds of topics, writers, and talents helped to draw us together. I think MennoExpressions was one avenue of helping to get to know each other.
Bob Walson
MennoExpressions over my 37 years at FMC are the documentation of our community living together in written form for posterity. It also presents the ideas and thoughts of people who usually do not talk much out loud. To me it is a series of snap shots of our lives together at FMC. Peace and grace on the journey.
Lisa Miller
I cut out a MennoExpressions article written by Angela Plank when she was a freshman at Goshen, a little preview of what to expect. I’m pretty sure I wrote an article, too, when I was in MYF. I remember the recipes from Devon and the HS graduation issues.
Pattie Mishler
I have saved a few special ME issues. As I looked through them, I discovered an issue from May 1, 2016, that was especially fun to look at again. The theme title was “In the Midst of.” There were 12 pages of interesting responses to read from all ages of writers pondering that statement. Let’s try something similar again!
Heidi Amstutz
I remember when MennoExpressions started, my good friend Starla crafted the calligraphy title in bold print. This was the “header” for many years. I remember always looking forward to Devon’s recipes and comments, as well as a famous Top 10 list on various topics (maybe compiled by Robin Helmuth?). I also enjoyed when younger children were interviewed for their candid answers, and the Senior Graduation issues with photos, write ups and future dreams. I would often save hard copies of ME to look back at, (and now with the digital versions I can find them easier!). We even had a collection of hard copies of MennoExpressions bound and in the library for reference purposes. MennoExpressions has evolved over the years as a creative expression of so many gifted FMCers and editors. Thank you to Beth and Andrea for keeping the publication going!
Ellen Stoesz
I remember from the beginning that Erv Boschman required premium stock paper for printing. I always read the entire issue front to back, usually in one sitting. I appreciate reading what people are thinking about various topics. I think it helps us know one another, understand one another, and grow community bonds. The articles introducing the graduates are some of my most memorable. Connor has saved a lot of issues, but I have not. Since it’s gone digital, I fear I have missed reading a lot of issues and I’m not always aware when it’s coming out.
Marcy Major
In thinking about MennoExpressions, the first thing that came to mind of what I liked most was the introduction of graduates. Then I went upstairs to a folder where I keep the physical copies of MennoExpressions, and sure enough all the graduate issues were at the top!
I missed when they started being published online. For whatever reason I would read a few articles, and need to put it down, but then I would never get back to it. So, I feel like I miss a lot of the online publications.
One issue that stands out for me is the 20th anniversary issue published in 2007. I really liked the collage of titles & photos & artwork that Dean Habegger put together. Robin Jones’ article in the 20th anniversary issue said the issues over the years had “such a combination of pure creativity, news, good natured ribbing, and background information on people, institutions, and events.” I like that!
In glancing back and looking forward, it’s also clear that we focus on many of the same themes now that we did back then: building community, being a welcoming church, creativity, forgiveness, heritage/our stories, belonging, and peacemaking.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
