Village News

“The world is still straining to do everything faster and paying a heavy price for it. The toll taken by the hurry-up culture is well documented. We are driving the planet and ourselves towards burnout. We are so time-poor and time-sick that we neglect our friends, families and partners. We barely know how to enjoy things anymore because we are always looking ahead to the next thing. Much of the food we eat is bland and unhealthy. With our children caught up in the same hailstorm of hurry, the future looks bleak.” ~ Carl Honore

Slowing down for our children as we drive by their schools should not be the only time that we slow down for them. As we can see at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV), in the past, people were busy trying to survive, but they designated time for gathering with their community. They knew that spending time within a community, family, and friendships is essential for survival. For all three to do well, we need one thing we are now short on: time.

There is a time to rush, such as when your hand is on the plow and the frost is coming, but there should also be a season and a rhythm of rest.

Growing up on a small farm, I always enjoyed winter because my mother would have more time to play games with me. Ever since she was a child her autumn was busy, but her winter was slow. Now that our modernity doesn’t let winter limit our activity, we need to add the rhythm of slowness to our day. The measuring of time helped with our survival, but now it dictates us.

This fall, as you think about the people you are thankful for, be sure to let them feel that you are grateful for them by sharing your time with them. Play a game, take a slow walk, or share a long talk.

While the heritage buildings at MHV are now closed for the season, our outdoor grounds remain open. We have a path around the pond with several new trees planted. We have benches for you to sit and enjoy the Canadian geese as they fly around. It is a different experience to visit the village in October than when there are thousands of people during the August long weekend. It is time to slow down.