2-Hour Delay for Wednesday, February 12 |
Ephrata Mennonite School is on a 2-Hour Delay for Wednesday, February 12. |
School Closed - Thursday, February 6 |
Ephrata Mennonite School is now closed for Thursday, February 6th. |
February 2025 - Update from Mr. Good |
Pilgrim Marpeck
As we continue to celebrate the 500th year of the Anabaptist movement, I’d like to remember one of my favorite Anabaptist leaders, Pilgrim Marpeck. He stands out as one of the most intriguing leaders of the Anabaptist movement in the 16th century. His life and thought reflect a remarkable blend of theological conviction, practical engagement, and an enduring commitment to his faith despite relentless opposition.
Born around 1495 in Rattenberg Austria, Marpeck grew up in a well-off family. He trained as an engineer and became a mining magistrate, a prestigious position. However, his life took a decisive turn when he encountered Anabaptist teachings. Dissatisfied with a state church and its union of political and religious power, Marpeck embraced the radical call for a believer’s church, one that prioritized voluntary faith and discipleship, and was committed to following the teachings of Jesus.
Marpeck’s break with the established church came at great personal cost. He lost his position and wealth. Forced to flee, he became a wandering leader and theologian, serving Anabaptist communities across Europe. Unlike some of his contemporaries, who leaned toward sectarianism, Marpeck sought to maintain engagement with all Christian traditions. And while some Anabaptist leaders adopted a polemical tone, Marpeck’s writings often reflect a pastoral concern for unity and understanding, making him a unifying figure within the often fragmented Anabaptist movement. His graciousness even extended to the Catholics and Protestants who both persecuted him. He spoke of them as his “dear brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Marpeck emphasized discipleship, community, and the role of the Holy Spirit. He rejected both the sacramentalism of the Catholic Church and the formulaic “doctrinalism” of Protestant reformers, advocating instead for a dynamic, Spirit-led faith. For Marpeck, true Christianity was lived out in the context of a committed community of believers who embodied the teachings of Christ in everyday life. This emphasis on practical faith made him a champion of “right living” and mutual accountability within the church.
Marpeck taught that the New Testament’s revelation of Christ superseded the legalism of the Old Testament, emphasizing the transformative power of grace. This perspective shaped his approach to baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which he viewed not as mere rituals but as profound expressions of faith and commitment.
Pilgram Marpeck’s legacy lies in his commitment to a faith that integrated belief and practice and recognized no difference between “faith and works.” He demonstrated that it is possible to live a life of conviction without succumbing to dogmatism or isolation. I’d idealize EMS being a community that embodies this spirit. A willingness to live the Anabaptist vision with conviction, while also being charitable towards, and engaging with, all Christian traditions. May we all embrace his example as we seek to live out the Anabaptist vision in modern times. Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
January 2025 - Update from Mr. Good |
A New Direction As we close the year 2024 and step into a new year, it is natural for us to use the psychology of new beginnings to inspire change and growth. Reflecting on this theme, our series on Anabaptist history highlights the leadership of Menno Simons in steering the Dutch and Low Country German Anabaptists in a new direction.
Following the tragic events at Münster—where some Anabaptists took up arms, embraced extreme apocalyptic eschatology, and practiced polygamy—the movement found itself in desperate need of clear, principled leadership. Into this chaos stepped Menno Simons, who courageously guided the Anabaptist movement despite great personal risk to his life, family, and social standing. Like Michael Sattler, Menno Simons had been ordained as a Catholic priest. He served as a vicar in Utrecht, Germany, but initially took his calling lightly, indulging in drinking, gambling, and partying.
Over time, Menno began questioning Catholic doctrines, particularly the concept of transubstantiation—the belief that bread and wine mystically transform into the flesh and blood of Christ. As he studied the Bible earnestly, he reflected, “I didn’t get very far in it before I saw that we had been deceived.” This deep engagement with Scripture led Menno to conclude that baptism should be reserved for adults who could profess their faith. In 1536, he was rebaptized, marking a significant turning point in his life and faith. Menno quickly emerged as a leader within the Anabaptist churches and became a prolific writer, using his pen to influence and guide the movement.
One of his key contributions was a pamphlet condemning the actions of Jan van Leiden, the Anabaptist leader at Münster. Menno also distanced himself from his brother Pieter, who had been inspired by the violent faction at Münster and joined an Anabaptist group that used force to seize a Catholic monastery. Pieter was killed in the ensuing conflict. Menno, however, advocated a return to the nonviolent teachings of Jesus, participating in meetings with Dutch Anabaptists where he championed the rejection of violence and apocalyptic justifications for it. His work, The Foundation Book, became a cornerstone for the Anabaptist vision, restoring focus on following Jesus’ teachings and repudiating the errors of the Münsterites.
Menno’s influence on the movement was profound. Due to his long life, more of his writings have been preserved than those of any other Anabaptist leader. Here at Ephrata Mennonite School, we are fortunate to have a complete collection of Menno Simons’ works, though, sadly, they remain largely unread—including by me! Despite being pursued relentlessly by authorities across multiple states, Menno was never captured and continued his work until his death in 1561 at the age of 65.
Menno Simons once wrote, “True evangelical faith is of such a nature it cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked; it feeds the hungry; it comforts the sorrowful; it shelters the destitute; it aids and consoles the sad; it does good to those who do it harm. It prays for those who persecute it. It seeks those who are lost; it binds up what is wounded; it heals the sick. It becomes all things to all people.”
As we embrace the opportunities of a new year, may we be inspired by Menno’s example and words to live out our faith with purpose and compassion.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
December 2024 - Update from Mr. Good |
Munster Anabaptists: A Lesson That Should Give Us Pause
As we approach Christmas, we often celebrate the message of “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” Rightly so, for Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. As the newborn King, He inaugurated a new nation ruled by love and peace. Anabaptists, who aspire to be "Kingdom Christians" — citizens of the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdoms of this world — are often referred to as part of the “historic peace churches.” We rightly celebrate this tradition by remembering people, like Dirk Willems, known for their courageous acts of suffering love. Reflecting on our 500-year anniversary, it is important to honor these stories. However, any honest retrospective must also acknowledge shortcomings. The Anabaptist story includes episodes that stand in stark contrast to the peaceful Kingdom of God, serving as necessary warnings for us.
Most notably, when Anabaptism spread to northern Germany and the Netherlands in the mid-1500s, Melchior Hofmann became captivated by “end times” prophecy. Believing Christ’s return was imminent, he taught that Strasbourg, Germany, would become the “New Jerusalem.” Hofmann even staged his own arrest to fulfill a prophecy by his Anabaptist peers that he would be imprisoned, miraculously freed, and serve as an “Elijah” figure ushering in Christ’s return. None of this came to pass; Hofmann was never released and ultimately died in prison.
Two of Hofmann’s followers, Jan Mathys and Jan van Leyden, took these ideas even further. Mathys, claiming to be a modern-day Enoch, and van Leyden, proclaiming himself a modern David, preached that they were ordained to use force and violence to establish Münster, Germany, as the “New Jerusalem.” After expelling the Protestant and Catholic populations, they set up a “Christian government” under their absolute authority, forcing all residents to be rebaptized as Anabaptists. Their rule grew increasingly extreme, introducing polygamy, with Jan van Leyden taking 16 wives. This extreme movement achieved what many thought impossible: uniting Protestants and Catholics against a common enemy. Together, they besieged Münster. During the fighting, Mathys declared himself a Gideon and prophesied that God would grant him victory if he led a charge against the besieging forces. Instead, he and his followers were killed, and Mathys’s head was placed on a pike. Eventually, the city fell, and its Anabaptist leaders were executed. As a grim warning to revolutionaries, their bodies were displayed in cages hung from St Lambert’s church steeple. These cages remain there today, though the bodies have long since decayed.
This tragic chapter offers several lessons. First, the way of the sword is not the way of Jesus. There is no such thing as a “Christian” nation, and attempts to create one often fail as spectacularly as the “Christian government” in Münster. Anabaptists did no better at “Christian” government than did the Protestants or Catholics. Second, an unhealthy focus on end-times prophecy, coupled with personal revelations and overconfidence in Biblical interpretation, can lead to devastating consequences.
Amid this chaos, God raised up Menno Simons, who played a critical role in restoring the Dutch Anabaptist movement to harmony with the Schleitheim Confession and the way of Jesus. We will explore his story in the next article.
As we celebrate Christmas in our communities, let’s remember that Jesus founded a Kingdom unlike the kingdoms of this world. Though a present reality, His Kingdom is ruled by peace and suffering love. It is marked by the way of the cross and service. Immigration to this Kingdom is open, and its President’s term will never end. The government rests on His shoulders. Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
November 2024 - Update from Mr. Good |
Dirk Willems As the mornings grow colder, the leaves change and fall, and the holidays approach, I find myself embracing a spirit of gratitude. God’s faithfulness is evident as the seasons turn and the years pass. I often remind students that each day of life is a gift worthy of thanks. Though life can be unimaginably difficult at times and tragedy may strike, we can always turn to God—the One who watches over us, preserves our comings and goings, walks with us through life’s darkest valleys, and comforts us with His Spirit. Some in our EMS community have felt these truths deeply in recent weeks.
This year, as we near the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement (in 2025), I feel especially grateful for the legacy of the early Anabaptists. In recent months, we’ve revisited the inspiring stories of Grebel, Manz, Blaurock, and Sattler. Here, I’d like to recount the story of Dirk Willems, whose witness for Jesus Christ continues to echo through history as a profound call to live in the way of Jesus, the way of the cross, overcoming evil not through violence but with courageous, suffering love.
Dirk Willems was born in the Netherlands and, sometime before 1569, was rebaptized as an adult in Rotterdam. As an Anabaptist, he began meeting with others in his home to study the Bible, eventually baptizing several of them himself. This act led to his condemnation by the Catholic Church. In 1569, Dirk was arrested and imprisoned in a castle. Given only bread and water, he lost significant weight. Desperate, he fashioned a rope from rags, lowered himself out of the window, and escaped.
When his escape was discovered, Dirk was pursued across a frozen pond. Being much lighter due to his prison rations, he crossed the ice safely, but one of his pursuers, a heavier man, fell through the ice, calling for help. Dirk could have taken this as God’s deliverance or justice and kept running, but instead, he turned back and saved the man—doing what even the other pursuers would not.
The guard he rescued wanted to let Dirk go, but the burgomaster (chief magistrate) reminded him of his oath, insisting Dirk be brought back. Imprisoned again, this time in a more secure location, Dirk was placed in stocks. Not long after, on May 16, 1569, he was burned at the stake. In a cruel twist, the wind blew the flames away from his upper body, prolonging his suffering. His cries, reportedly heard as far as the town of Leerdam, bore witness to his steadfast faith, as he repeated “O Lord, my God” over 70 times.
Dirk’s testimony has endured for 500 years, remembered by Mennonites, Amish, and others. Even in his hometown of Asperen, a street bears his name. His act of “enemy love” is immortalized in a famous etching in the Martyrs Mirror, which you can see below. At Ephrata Mennonite School, we are honored to carry forward this legacy of faith.
This Thanksgiving, consider sharing these stories with your family. Let’s give thanks for those who came before us, whose faithful witness demonstrated the way of the cross and the gospel of Jesus Christ. May we, too, be inspired to walk in the way of suffering love.
Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
October 2024 - Update from Mr. Good |
500 Years: Michael & Margaretha Sattler As we continue to reflect at Ephrata Mennonite School on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement, we are sharing the stories of our historical heroes with our students. This fall, while many celebrate figures like Columbus—who, despite his bravery, was also violent and brutal—we, as ambassadors of another kingdom, honor our own heroes. These are individuals who, like Jesus, took up their crosses and laid down their lives in acts of suffering love and forgiveness. Last month, we revisited the stories of Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock.
This month, I want to focus on the Anabaptist hero, Michael Sattler. Born in 1490 in southern Germany, Michael sought God from an early age. After becoming a Benedictine monk, he grew disenchanted with Catholicism and studied the reformers like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. Eventually, he left the monastery and married Margaretha. In March 1525, they moved to Zurich, where they embraced the Anabaptist movement initiated by Grebel, Manz, and Blaurock. Michael, a learned former monk, quickly emerged as a leader within the Anabaptist circles.
Initially, the Swiss Brethren were somewhat disorganized, with shared beliefs but varying interpretations. The movement needed structure and definition. With Manz executed, Grebel deceased, and Blaurock on the run, Michael stepped up to organize a meeting of Anabaptists in Schleitheim, Switzerland, in February 1527. There they drafted the Schleitheim Confession, the first formal Anabaptist confession of faith. This document articulated fundamental beliefs such as adult baptism, nonviolence, the separation of church and state, and the refusal to swear oaths, all rooted in the teachings of Jesus.
Shortly after this milestone, Michael and Margaretha were arrested. Michael was charged with being an Anabaptist and with being a traitor for opposing the European war against the “infidel” Islamic Turks. When confronted, he boldly acknowledged his faith and challenged the magistrates on scriptural grounds. Further, he declared that not only did he oppose war with the invading Turks, but even if he believed it was right to fight, he would rather fight against the Europeans and with the Turks who he said at least made no pretense of knowing and following Jesus, the Prince of Peace, while simultaneously killing other pious Christians. Needless to say, this infuriated the magistrates. They yelled at him that he could contend with the sword and the hangman’s noose.
Michael was sentenced to torture and death. His tongue was cut out, red-hot tongs were used several times to tear out pieces of his flesh, and he was ultimately burned alive at the stake. In his agony, he prayed, “Almighty Eternal God, You are the way and the truth. Because I have not been shown to be in error, I will, with Your help, testify to the truth and seal it with my blood.” A few days later, Margaretha was drowned. She refused a pardon, stating she would rather have joined her husband in death.
The Sattler’s left behind an extraordinary testimony, counted worthy to suffer for Christ. May we be inspired by their example to live lives fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
September 2024 - Update from Mr. Good |
500 Years: A Legacy Of Faith & Courage
In 2025, we as a Mennonite school have the opportunity to commemorate a pivotal moment in our history. Five hundred years ago, on January 21, 1525, three students—Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock—gathered in Zurich, Switzerland, to take a bold stand for living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. This meeting, where Grebel re-baptized Blaurock, sparked the Anabaptist movement, a movement that has shaped our identity and mission as a school.
At the time, Europe was in religious upheaval. Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, was challenging the practices of the Catholic Church, and Grebel, Manz, and Blaurock, who had studied under Ulrich Zwingli at the Grossmünster church, began to question several key teachings. They opposed:
Initially, Zwingli supported these views, but he later reversed his stance. The three students, however, remained steadfast, advocating for adult baptism, church discipline, and radical discipleship. Their commitment came at a high cost—Felix Manz was arrested, tried, and drowned for his beliefs, becoming an early Anabaptist martyr. Over the next century, many more Anabaptists were persecuted for their faith, suffering torture, exile, and death. The Swiss Reformed Church, in alliance with the state, led this persecution. However, in recent years, the Reformed Church has repented, and relationships have been restored with Anabaptist communities.
As we mark this 500th anniversary, we will reflect on and teach these stories within our school community. Let us remember the courage of these early Anabaptists, who, like Jesus, many laid down their lives for their beliefs. Take this opportunity to explore our history with your family. In 2025, Anabaptists will gather in Zurich to visit historic sites and participate in services, including those at the Grossmünster church on Ascension Day, as we continue to remember and heal.
This year as a school community we will be teaching and reflecting on these stories. We must not lose sight of our own identity and the original Anabaptist vision that birthed our movement. The Anabaptist heroes of faith, who like Jesus, took up their crosses and laid down their lives in acts of suffering love, are tales worth telling. Let us honor this inspiring 500-year legacy with the same radical commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus. Like Dean Taylor, Anabaptist author and speaker, often asks, “What if Jesus really meant every word He said?”
Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |
August 2024 - Update from Mr. Good |
From Summer To School By August, we are well into the so-called “dog days” of summer. The hot, sultry weather has been around for a while, and our minds start to turn toward fall and the “back to school” season. Here at Ephrata Mennonite School, anticipation builds as we look forward to the quiet hallways becoming filled with the noise and life of students. Laughter and talking fill the air, creating the hum of school life. For those of us who have always loved school, we feel our excitement build with the coming of lesson plans, student chapels, recess, hot lunches, athletic events, quizzing practice, and much more. Being part of a Christian school is a privilege. The work of discipleship and teaching the next generation is holy, sacred work that is rewarding, yet not always easy. It is an honor to partner with you, our parents, who entrust us with your most valuable possessions—your children.
This year, we look forward to our “7-year visit” from our accrediting agency, the Middle States Association, widely regarded as the gold standard of accreditation for all public and religious schools (grade schools, high schools, and colleges). Our vision for accreditation is to hold ourselves accountable, promote a culture of learning and continual improvement across our school, and model what we desire to see from our students. We believe excellence in all things, including academics, brings God glory. Our 4-day accreditation visit is scheduled for the last week of February 2025.
Our focus this year is our slogan, “Learning to Serve.” As our school prayer posted on the front pillar notes, we desire to be a community that is, like Jesus, dedicated not to being served but to serving. We aim to disciple and teach our students to serve their classmates, teachers, and parents in both small and large ways. As school staff, we will strive to model this culture of service well, serving as an inspiration to live like Jesus. Join us in discussing this focus with your children and how this can be incorporated into your family life.
Pray for us this year. We know that invariably there are times and spaces in a school year that are difficult and challenging. Pray that we would be guided with wisdom and love from God as we face these challenges. We are ever aware of our personal insufficiency and inadequacy. We desire to lean not on our own understanding but to be led by our forerunner, Jesus Christ. This summer has felt more relaxing, and for that, we are grateful. With the building completed, most of our new processes created, and no “special events” (ribbon cuttings, etc.) to facilitate, it is hard to imagine how we managed last summer. But God was faithful, and here we are. Looking forward to seeing students on Tuesday, August 20th!
Mr. Joshua Good Administrator |