Menno Simons: Pioneering a Way of Peace
This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts.
These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries.  Menno Simons.
"I just want to punch that Derrick right in the mouth!" exclaimed Jan Simons one evening at supper. "He's the meanest kid in all of Wismar, maybe even all of Germany!"
Menno Simons looked across the table at his wife Gertrude and sighed. Would their son never learn what they'd been teaching all these years? "Why do you think Derrick treats you so badly?" asked Menno.
Jan set down his spoon and considered the question. "Derrick said his parents know about your books. He said we Anabaptists don't belong here--that we should move away. I'm sick of moving, Father, and I'm tired of bullies like Derrick."
Menno Simons was a leader of a new Christian group called Anabaptists. For this reason, he and his followers were hunted criminals and had to move from town to town.
"We're not moving any time soon, Jan. The officials of Wismar say we can stay and we don't even have to hide." said Menno.
"But that won't change Derrick's mind. I just want to teach him a lesson," said Jan.
"Son, you remember what happened when Uncle Peter and the others used force to try to create a Christian community, don't you?" asked Menno.
"Yes, I remember." Jan stared at his soup for a moment. "Do you miss them Father?"
"I sure do. But, without their sacrifice I might never have had the courage to stand for my own beliefs. They had good intentions, but their methods were all wrong. Violence is never the answer Jan. You'll just have to come up with another plan to handle Derrick," said Menno.
The Ship in the Ice
A few weeks later, Menno and Jan were walking along the docks of Wismar's icy harbor. "Look," said Jan, "there's a light in the harbor. No ship would sail now, would it, Father?"
"I don't think so," said Menno. It was December 1553, and the coldest weather he had ever seen in northern Germany. "No ship has left Wismar for a week."
"Maybe a ship is trying to come into port then."
"If so, it will take the city rescue crew to save them from the ice," said the preacher.
"Now, that's a job I'd like!" grinned Jan.
 Menno shook his head. "It might sound exciting, but it's also dangerous. We'll see what happens by morning."
The next day when father and son passed the same way, no one had rescued the people from the frozen ship. After asking a few questions, they discovered why.
"Those are John Lasco's people out there," growled a city official standing with other onlookers on the icy dock. "They're part of the Reformed Church, and Germany is Lutheran now. We Lutherans don't want them! We already have enough trouble from the Anabaptists."
Menno Simons' face got very grim. He grabbed his son's arm and hurried down the street.
Learn how Menno dealt with treacherous friends in Part 2 of this Menno Simons Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin insert.
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