SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Persecution of Anabaptists in the 16th century by Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed churches created centuries of mutual mistrust and suspicion. In the last 30 years, however, these churches have persistently reached out to Anabaptists.
Two of the most traditional Anabaptist groups — Old Order Amish and Old Colony Mennonites — were only vaguely aware of each other 24 years ago. Since then, they’ve built a relationship of trust based on a common interest in education that preserves separation from the world.