Mennonitische Rundschau publishes final issue

The last issue of the Mennonitische Rundschau (January, 2007, seen at right) came off the presses at Christian Press last month. This issue brings to a close a periodical whose existence as an instrument of communication, information, and inspiration has been intertwined with Mennonite history for nearly 130 years.

The final issue contains a historical overview of the paper, which began as the Nebraska Ansiedler in June of 1878, as well as greetings and recollections from former editors, correspondents, and readers. Long-time regular contributor David Ewert wrote the lead article, a reflection on “Immanuel: God with us,” as well as his memories of 80 years of the MR in his home.

Editor Marianne Dulder, who had resigned last spring but agreed, after the decision to close the Rundschau, to stay until this final issue, bid farewell to her readers and the periodical with a mixture of gratitude (for the MR’s long, meaningful role and readers’ faithful participation) and sadness. “Although the Mennonitische Rundschau won’t appear any more,” she wrote, “God, who blessed the paper nearly 130 years, promises all readers, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ”