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2009-01-20 issue:

Top 5 quirky queries in 2008

by Mennonite Media

Print Article

Staff who respond to questions sent to 10-year-old Web site Third Way Café of Mennonite Mission Network are rarely surprised by any inquiry.

Here are five of the top 10 questions of 2008 (see here for all 10):

Fruitcake anyone? We have new neighbors who are Mennonite. I make wonderful fruitcakes and would like to give one to them. But the fruitcakes spend a month soaking in brandy, and I don’t want to cause any awkwardness or discomfort by offering an unacceptable gift. Your advice, please.—Karen
 
Spiritual barbeque? I was looking for Mennonite sites on the Web when I came across yours. I looked at your photo gallery and was shocked to see that although you call yourselves Mennonites, you look like Protestants with people dressing down at church like it’s a spiritual barbeque get-together and not a worship of God. Golf clubs have a better dress etiquette.—[Name withheld]

How did Mennonites vote? I am managing editor of the national Mennonite paper in the Netherlands: “Doopsgezind NL.” Here in Holland we have closely followed the U.S. presidential elections, and I think it is safe to say that most Dutch Mennonites are happy Obama won. At the same time we would like to know how (the majority of) U.S. Mennonites voted. Is there any way to find out?—Marijke

Missional vs. disciple-making? I was recently on your Web site reviewing the FAQs. Thought provoking and well done. I have one more question. What is the difference between a “missional church” and a “disciple-making church”?—Judy
 
Why seven sweets and seven sours? I live in Cape Town, South Africa. In some research I have been doing on food culture, reference was made to the Seven Sweets and Seven Sours of Mennonite customs. I can’t find any reference to it on your site or any other. Can you tell me what this is?—Jill
 
House of David? My father was a missionary in Navajo Country. When we visited Mennonite missionaries in the Wide Ruins, he referred to them as “House of David.” Is there something in the Mennonite tradition that would have led him to call them that?—Anna