Amish and Old Order Mennonites gathered March 28-29 in Shipshewana, Ind., for encouragement, teaching, singing and fellowship. Held at the Shipshewana auction, the event drew about 1,600 people from at least 15 U.S. states.

Speakers covered topics such as “Anabaptist Faith, Past, Present and Future,” “Protestant vs. Anabaptist,” “Two-Kingdom Separation” and “Gelassenheit.” Talks were given in English to “respect all Anabaptists,” according to the event brochure.

The gathering was the first of its kind. “It was a mostly Amish-directed event from start to finish,” said Chester Weaver in an email.

Weaver, an Amish-Mennonite, presented “The Russian Mennonite Story” and “The Nazi Mennonite Story,” which were new topics for many in the audience.

The gathering was a “nice experience,” said an Old Order Mennonite from Pennsylvania. Feedback from questionnaires indicated overwhelming affirmation for holding similar events in the future, Weaver said.