Church Library
If you want to check out a book and no attendant is in the library, use the notebook on the desk. Write your name, name of book and the current date. Remember that the book is due back after three weeks.
The College Mennonite Church Library provides a variety of adult and children’s books to check out. We also have an assortment of puzzles. Come put one together at the puzzle table or check one out to put together at home. The library is open Sundays 9:00 am until noon. Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Curious about the books in the church library? Check out the library catalogue by clicking the link below. You can search by title, author or subject.
Uncomplicated:
Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life
248.4 Yod – Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life by Brenda Yoder (Herald 2024) draws on “skills honed by our grandmothers and lived out by the Amish.” The author, who broadcasts a podcast and blog, lives on a farm near Shipshewana. 203 pp.
Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
248.4 Ear – Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley (Zonderavan 2021) helps distraught Christian parents “find meaning in the daily chaos of raising kids.” Earley is the author of The Common Rule. 223 pp.
The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation
248.8 Wor – The Me I Was Made to Be: Helping Christian Parents Navigate the Identity Conversation by Christie Penner Worden (Herald 2024) explains the challenges that children face nowadays in regard to relationships, gender identity and other previously “binary” assumptions in Christian culture. The author works in Christian ministry to children. 213 pp.
Portraits from the Human Faces Tour: Mental Health Struggles and Resilience
248.8 Swa – Portraits from the Human Faces Tour: Mental Health Struggles and Resilience by Ted Swartz and others (Author, n.d.) is based on the touring company’s experiences in performing Swartz’s play about mental health, Laughter is Sacred Space, Ted’s response to the death of his partner Lee. The many photo portraits are by Steven Stauffer.
192 pp.
192 pp.
Chasing the Amish Dream: My Life as an Amish Bachelor
289.7092 Bea – Chasing the Amish Dream: My Life as an Amish Bachelor by Loren Beachy (Herald 2014) consists of 40 short, witty, warm experiences narrated by a former Amish columnist for The Goshen News. Loren is a teacher and auctioneer living in rural Goshen. 191 pp.
Doors Cracked Open: Teaching in a Chinese Closed City
289.7092 Fri – Doors Cracked Open: Teaching in a Chinese Closed City by Fran Martens Friesen and Mary Ann Zehr (Resource 2024), who taught English in a Sichuan city “closed” to foreigners in the 1980s. The authors managed to communicate within the restraints, and gradually observed Communist China opening up the culture to other influences. 170 pp.
Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent
242.332 Ger – Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent by Sherah-Leigh Gerber and Gwen Lantz (Herald 2024) provides for each of the six weeks of Advent a poem, a custom, the lectionary text, a recipe and short devotionals. 173pp.
Memoirs
92 Vor – Memoirs by Marilyn Helmuth Voran (Author 2023) published by Marilyn and Melvin’s three children—Miriam in NH, Steve in CO, Laurel in MI—with tributes to their parents’ churches,
East Goshen and College Mennonite. 102 pp.
East Goshen and College Mennonite. 102 pp.
Riding the Amish Bus: A Memoir of Following God’s Call
92 Rid – Riding the Amish Bus: A Memoir of Following God’s Call by Frances Ridenoure (Author 2024), who rode the Amish bus from Florida to Goshen, her hometown, to begin a new era in her life. The book was nurtured by the author’s writing group at CMC, including Leonard Penner, Kathryn Aschliman, June Alleman Yoder and Rachel Nafziger Hartzler. 340 pp.
My Life Stories
92 Tho – My Life Stories by Everett J. Thomas (Author 2024) was generated by 30 story prompts from the “Storyworth” program. The author is a longtime member of CMC.
The Dream Lives on: Dorothy’s Word
92 Wor – The Dream Lives on: Dorothy’s Word was edited and published by Jacob W. Elias (Wipf & Stock 2023) for his friend Dorothy Word, retired teacher and member of Parkview Mennonite Church in Kokomo when he was pastor there. Word published 41 articles about African-American notables in the Kokomo Tribune. Elias gathered them for publication in this book, after her death.
Miracle in Lane 2
DVD92 Kau – Miracle in Lane 2, a Disney feature film (90 min.), written by Joel Kauffmann and Don Yost, based on the life experience of Justin Yoder (at 12 yrs.; deceased 2024). All were longtime CMC members.