On the Banks of Jacobs Creek

Daniel Hertzler tells the story, both sorrowful and inspiring, of how  Scottdale (Pa) Mennonite Church emerged in 2003 from the opportunities and crises faced by the Mennonite congregations in which it has roots—North Scottdale Mennonite Church, Kingview Mennonite Church, Mennonite Church of Scottdale—and Mennonite Publishing House.

“Hertzler promises to write an honest account of the Mennonite presence in Scottdale. An honest account means that Hertzler is candid about the . . . successes and weaknesses of the people playing on this stage of history. Grasping the story of one congregation is challenge enough to say nothing of three.” —John Sharp, historian; author of My Calling to Fulfill: The Orie O. Miller Story; and former Scottdale pastor, in the Foreword

“The Mennonites of Scottdale are not perfect people. No one is. But they are faithful, generous, creative, and resilient. I know this from firsthand experiences. I also know these qualities . . . through reading On the Banks of Jacobs Creek. —Donna Mast, pastor of worship and pastoral care, Silverwood Mennonite Church (Goshen, Ind.) and pastor at Scottdale congregations 1997-2011, in the Pastoral Reflection

“Hertzler understands well the interrelated missions of Mennonite Publishing House and three congregations in Scottdale. He captures the symbiotic nature of the relationship between church and workplace as he writes an accurate account of how the churches functioned, who led them, and how leaders managed inevitable change. Photos and anecdotes add interest to this detailed history.” —Dorothy Cutrell worshiped at Scottdale Mennonite Church for over thirty years, served there as elder, teacher, librarian, and more, and worked at Provident Bookstore (a division of Mennonite Publishing House)

The Author: Daniel Hertzler, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, is author of  the memoirs A Little Left of Center (Dreamseeker Books, 2000) and On My Way (DreamSeeker Books, 2013). He was an editor at Mennonite Publishing  House 1952-1990, including as editor of Gospel Herald 1973-1990