The Amish Turns of Time Trilogy by Olivia Newport

Author:Olivia Newport [Olivia, Newport]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-68322-139-5
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2015-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

As Bishop Yoder intoned a solemn closing prayer, Andrew was uncertain what the meeting had accomplished. Nothing that was said would lead anyone to a change of mind about the need for shunning friends and relatives who worshipped on the Maryland side of the border, and no one suggested a new formal congregational vote on the question. Neither those who spoke nor those who kept silent surprised Andrew.

Nothing had changed.

People milled between the benches, exchanging news and opinions. Andrew doubted anyone would forgo the shared meal. Amish farms were spread widely enough that many families did not see each other except on church Sundays or organized frolics. The fellowship was as essential as the worship or a congregational meeting.

Andrew drifted toward John Stutzman, who was restoring order to the furniture at the front of the meetinghouse.

“Thank you for speaking up,” Andrew said. “Many in the congregation agree with you.”

“More should speak up,” John said. “The ministers should know what is on our minds.”

“They know.” Andrew’s fingers thrummed the high back of a chair. “They’ve known for years.” The fall communion was coming. No one would want to defy the bishop and imperil communion for everyone.

“Mose gave a good sermon.”

Andrew nodded. “It’s puzzling why he does not have more opportunity to preach. With four ministers, he should be preaching one sermon out of four.”

“The lot only means that each Sunday Mose has a one in four chance he will be called on. What happens one week has nothing to do with the next.”

It seemed to Andrew that over time the odds should even out more than they did. “Folks might find greater appreciation for the sermons if Mose preached more often.”

“Gottes wille.” John gestured to shift Andrew’s attention. “Here comes someone you might like to hear from.”

“Good morning, Clara.” Andrew hoped his smile was sincere without revealing too much.

“Good morning,” Clara said. “I hope you are both well.”

The two men nodded. Andrew considered Clara’s features and coloring. The same strain that distracted her in this place the week before—when he helped clean up her bucket, rags, and broom—gripped her now. He knew her well enough to know when the smile on her face was an intentional arrangement of muscles and not a spontaneous response to what her eyes saw.

Clara glanced around. “I haven’t seen any of the Brennermans today.”

“I heard there was illness in the house,” John said.

“Not little Naomi, I hope.”

“Her mother, I believe,” John said. “She’s been poorly for several days.”

“She must be very ill for the whole family to stay home,” Clara said.

“Perhaps several of them are afflicted now,” John said.

John made reasonable statements. He could not know that Clara would be particularly concerned for Naomi.

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