FAIR PLAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH CEMETERY, Oconee County, SC a.k.a. Fair Play Mennonite Church Version 1.0, 15-May-2001, C222.TXT, C222 **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. **************************************************************** LOCATION: --------- Locate intersection of Highways 24 and 59. Drive 4.8 miles south on Highway 59. Turn right on Feltman Road. Drive 0.1 mile until you come to Edgewood Road. Yellow colored church is at the intersection of the two roads. HISTORY: -------- There are 20 formally organized groups of Mennonites in North America that vary in lifestyle and religious practice but all stem from the same 16th-century religious movement. Mennonites also include the Amish or "plain people," known for their conservative lifestyle, use of horses and buggies, and simple clothing. Additional groups of Mennonites--or Anabaptists as they are sometimes called--can be found in about 60 countries around the world. The Anabaptist movement began in Europe in the 16th century when a small group of believers challenged the reforms of Martin Luther and others during the Protestant Reformation, saying they were not radical enough and calling for adult rather than infant baptism. In 1525, several members set themselves apart from the official church by publicly declaring their faith in Jesus Christ and re-baptizing each other. Church-state structures did not tolerate these Anabaptists or "Anabaptizers," meaning re-baptizers. Over the course of two generations, thousands were persecuted. Many met death as martyrs. In order to preserve the movement, the survivors went into hiding. From 1575 to 1850, membership grew primarily when adults passed their faith to their children. Beginning in the mid-1800s, German-speaking Mennonite immigrants who would later form the General Conference Mennonite Church came to the United States and Canada from Prussia and Russia, though their origins were primarily in Switzerland, North Germany and the Netherlands. They formed communities and congregations throughout the United States and Canada. In 1860, a small group of representatives from these congregations gathered in West Point, Iowa, and decided to cooperate as a new North American Mennonite conference, one that would include people of many Mennonite backgrounds. The goal of the new denomination was to strengthen Christian mission and evangelism, provide quality Christian education, and facilitate communication among members. Mennonites and the General Conference Mennonite Church Today Today, though banded together as various groups, Mennonites hold some common beliefs: Jesus Christ is central to worship and to everyday living. Everyday behavior is to follow Christ's example. The Bible is the inspired word of God. Church membership is voluntary, with adult baptism upon declaration of faith. Mennonites are known for their peace stand, taken because they believe Jesus Christ taught the way of peace. Many members choose not to participate in military service. Some take their belief further by objecting to government military expenditure; a few choose not to pay the percentage of their annual income tax that would go for military purposes. Mennonites are also known for their strong commitment to community; interest in social issues; voluntary service to those who have experienced hardship and loss in floods, tornadoes and other disasters; and mission outreach. Today, the General Conference Mennonite Church's tradition--rich, four-part hymn singing; appreciation for Swiss, German and Russian foods; and quiet ways--is expanding. Mennonite churches increasingly include members of many backgrounds, races and cultures. DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in May-2001 HISTORY WRITE-UP : TRANSCRIPTION .. : Paul M. Kankula at (visit above website) in May-2001 TRANSCRIPTION NOTES: -------------------- a. = age at death b. = date-of-birth d. = date-of-death h. = husband m. = married p. = parents w. = wife HARDING, Joy Lynn, b. 6-jun-1981, d. 27-apr-1990, brother richard lynn harding jr HARDING, Richard Lynn (Jr), b. 18-aug-1971, d. 28-apr-1990, sister joy lynn harding MILLER, Anna T., b. 28-jun-1909, d. 3-mar-1990, h. john j. miller MILLER, John J., b. 25-dec-1904, d. 13-feb-1993, w. anna t. miller YOEDER, Harvey I., b. 4-dec-1918, d. 10-mar-1999, w. salome b. yoeder YOEDER, Salome B., b. 16-apr-1918, d. 22-nov-1991, h. harvey i. yoeder