I am an 81-year-old Mennonite woman who has always loved the church. There have been many changes, and yet the church has managed to stay together. I no longer wear a covering but I do a wedding ring. We sing with musical instruments. Not everyone agreed with the changes, but we seemed to know a house divided against itself cannot stand.

Now the church is confronted with perhaps its biggest challenge yet. Do we love each other enough to agree to disagree and still stay together as one peace-church family that lives what it preaches? What will happen to our Mennonite Central Committee relief sales and other worldwide helping institutions if we do not solve this issue peacefully and continue working together?

Let us remember Jesus’ words to love God with all your heart soul, mind and strength, and your “church” neighbor as yourself, and just let God be the judge. Please don’t break my heart.

Roma Schmidt
Hesston, Kan.