This article was originally published by Mennonite World Review

‘Die Mennonitische Post’ celebrates 40th anniversary

Die Mennonitische Post, one of the last remaining German-language publications in North America, celebrated its 40th anniversary in June.

Mennonite Central Committee, which supports the Post, has longstanding relationships with Low German-speaking Mennonites in communities and colonies across North and South America.

Post editors — from left, Abe Warkentin, Isbrand Hiebert and Kennert Giesbrecht — hold volumes of issues published during their tenures. Warkentin, the founding editor, served more than 20 years. Hiebert was managing editor in the early 1990s, and Giesbrecht has been at the helm since 2002. — Die Mennonitische Post
Post editors — from left, Abe Warkentin, Isbrand Hiebert and Kennert Giesbrecht — hold volumes of issues published during their tenures. Warkentin, the founding editor, served more than 20 years. Hiebert was managing editor in the early 1990s, and Giesbrecht has been at the helm since 2002. — Die Mennonitische Post

MCC promotes German literacy and education through two publications: the Post, a newspaper published twice a month, and Das Blatt, a children’s monthly magazine.

Post editor Kennert Giesbrecht said the paper owes its long life to support from MCC and the 13,500 subscribers from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Belize, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and beyond.

The paper’s goal, aside from promoting literacy and education, is to connect these communities.

“It’s all about informing people, broadening their horizons and building bridges between the Mennonite communities,” he said. “Almost half of the paper is letters where people write about what’s happening in the colonies and their lives.”

The Post founded Das Blatt in 1989 and published a number of German books. It also has a large book ministry, sending German books to Mennonite communities in Latin America. These three components make up Mennonitische Post Ministry.

Over the last 10 years the Post doubled its readership, largely because it’s now printed in four locations, making shipping easier and more cost-effective. The Post is printed in Steinbach, Man.; Asuncion, Paraguay; Santa Cruz, Bolivia; and Chihuahua, Mexico.

Giesbrecht said the Post hopes to expand and reach more isolated communities.

“Mennonite communities in Latin America are spreading out and starting new colonies in Peru, Colombia and Brazil,” he said. “It’s our goal to also reach those communities, too.”

For some of these colonies, the Post is one of the few periodicals received.

“The Post and the Blatt are widely accepted and trusted by Mennonite communities that would close their doors on many other organizations,” Giesbrecht said.

Anna Neufeld, Nellie Neufeld and Anna Ballardt prepare lunch in 2013 for residents at Guia de Paz, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for Low German Mennonites living on colonies in Bolivia. MCC provided support for the nine colonies and churches that worked together to complete the center. — Nina Linton/MCC
Anna Neufeld, Nellie Neufeld and Anna Ballardt prepare lunch in 2013 for residents at Guia de Paz, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for Low German Mennonites living on colonies in Bolivia. MCC provided support for the nine colonies and churches that worked together to complete the center. — Nina Linton/MCC

Through its Low German program, MCC assists families with applications for legal status and other resettlement issues. MCC helps Low German communities connect with local services and maintain relationships with leaders in the communities. This helps remove barriers between Low German communities and those around them.

In Latin America, MCC works with local leaders and organizations to address poverty, conflict, literacy, health and disasters. This includes operation of resource centers that provide reading material and other resources, and support of agricultural programs and disaster relief efforts, as well as addictions treatment facilities.

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