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| Jerk-Over Temple Jerk-Over Temple 16x42, 2002, oil on canvas. Available for Purchase Religion has often mandated modest clothing styles. The evolutionary flow of the figures in this painting remains open to interpretation. Is it a progression from the nudity of Adam and Eve towards the Amish? Or is it assimilation from the plain clothing to casual attire, eventually leading to full exposure? The body is a costumed temple that reflects communal moral codes. The couple dance in a worshipful King David posture, denying prudish notions that the body is intrinsically evil. The body is set free in a state of spiritual adoration. Dancing is condemned by conservative Mennonite groups. In North America there are over one-thousand different Christian denominations, based on differing interpretations of scripture. These divisions are also numerous among Anabaptists. The Old Order term jerk over describes those who leave their denomination for a more liberal group. The progression is often from Amish, to Beachy Amish, to Conservative Mennonite, to Mennonite Church U.S.A. As congregations become more liberal, a loss of cultural distinction is inevitable. Some of the main cultural issues involved in the jerk over experience for American Mennonites are: · Language: Use of Pennsylvania Dutch or English · Transportation: Horse and buggy, bicycles, black bumper cars, automobiles · Clothing: Hats, beards, cape dresses, prayer bonnets, neckties, buttons, silk stockings, white wedding dresses · Entertainment: Owning a radio or television, attending cinema · Modern Conveniences: Farm equipment, electricity, telephone |
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A RESPONSE TO THE PAINTING: I just want to say thanks for your work. I appreciate it more than you can know. I see so many of my feelings represented in Pop-Mennonite. I grew up the daughter of a Conservative Mennonite pastor in the Grantsville, Maryland region. I hold many wonderful memories and much bondage from my past. My great-grandfather was a bishop in the Grantsville area. Recently I found a report that one of my aunts had written concerning him. It was informing the leadership at the Greenwood Mennonite church that he would not be coming down to Delaware to perform communion for them. The reason: they allowed buttons on their coats and that was too “worldly”. He could not, in good conscience, take communion with the group because they did not use hook and eyes. Two of my great-grandfathers were preachers. My grandfather was a deacon whose job was to warn those who were doing wrong. My father was a bishop, and recalls the time that communion was denied a man because the brim of his hat was the wrong way.…can’t remember if the brim was turned up or down. A dying bishop made the next bishop in line promise that Maple Glen Mennonite church would never change. This is the reason they stayed conservative and old order |
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