Paul Schrag’s analysis of recent Mennonite history on unity and disunity, as presented in “Subtractions add up” (Oct. 13) and “Confessing honestly” (editorial, Nov. 3), along with Dan Nester-Detweiler’s response (letters, Nov. 3), probe high-priority questions: Which issues are primary and demand unity? Which are secondary and allow for diversity? Schrag’s proposal that Mennonite World Conference’s “Shared Convictions” might be a starting point for a new Confession is of the essence, given its content, its manageable length and its inspiration drawn from our Anabaptist forebears. We would do well to re-examine the 1527 Schleitheim Confession, which expresses the center of our Anabaptist faith.

Leonard Gross, Goshen, Ind.

If and when Mennonite Church USA reworks its Confession of Faith, I suggest each article be written as a song. This would nudge us toward poetry and parable — language frequently employed by the Hebrew prophets and Jesus. Singing our confessions would prompt us to embody the unity we seek and symbolize our desire to harmonize even if we don’t agree with every word. We might not even need to write anything new. How about Voices Together No. 134, “Bring Many Names,” for our God confession and No. 1, “Summoned by the God Who Made Us,” for what we confess about the church?

Joel Miller, Columbus, Ohio