Sunday is a day of profound spiritual and social significance for the Amish, representing a complete cessation of the week’s labor to focus entirely on worship, family, and community. This day is strictly observed as a time of rest and spiritual renewal, setting it apart from the six days dedicated to work and commerce. The entire day is structured around communal activities that reinforce the core values of their faith, emphasizing humility and togetherness.
The Traveling Church Service
The central religious activity is the church service, which takes place every other Sunday. Since the Amish do not construct dedicated church buildings, the service rotates among the homes, barns, or large workshops of the district’s members. A typical church district consists of 25 to 35 families, meaning each household hosts the congregation approximately once a year. Long, backless wooden benches are transported from the previous location to the host home using a specialized “bench wagon.”
The worship service is lengthy, typically lasting three hours or more, and is characterized by simplicity and a lack of musical instruments. The congregation sings hymns from the Ausbund, an ancient Anabaptist hymnal, with melodies passed down orally and sung in a slow, drawn-out unison. The service includes two sermons—a shorter introductory message and a main sermon—delivered by ministers chosen from the congregation, along with periods of silent prayer and scripture reading.
The language used is a mixture of Pennsylvania German dialect for the sermons and High German for the scripture readings, connecting the community to its European religious heritage. During the opening hymn, the ministers and deacons retreat to a separate room to decide who will preach that day, as there is no pre-assigned order. Men and women sit separately on the benches, reflecting the community’s commitment to modesty. On “off” Sundays, families often visit other church districts or engage in quiet devotionals at home.
Communal Meals and Fellowship
Immediately following the worship service, the focus shifts to communal fellowship. The benches used for seating are quickly converted into long tables to accommodate the entire congregation for a shared meal. This large, simple lunch is provided by the host family, often with assistance from neighbors in the district.
The food served is intentionally simple and often cold, as the women prepare the bulk of the meal on Saturday to avoid unnecessary labor on Sunday. Typical fare includes homemade bread, cheese, cold cuts, pickles, and various desserts, such as pies and cookies. The meal is served in a specific order, with the adult men eating first, followed by the women with the younger children, and finally the youth. This structured meal reinforces the community’s social hierarchy and commitment to simplicity.
The afternoon is dedicated to visiting and socializing, a practice that strengthens the bonds of Gemeinschaft, or community. Families spend hours in quiet conversation, catching up on news and reinforcing their social network. As the day winds down, the unmarried youth often gather at the host home for a Sunday evening singing, which is a social event featuring non-religious folk songs and serves as a primary setting for courtship.
Strict Observance of Rest
The Amish Sunday is defined by a strict observance of rest. All non-essential labor is prohibited, ensuring the day is reserved for spiritual and social pursuits. This means there is no farm work, no business transactions, and no heavy household chores performed by any member of the family. Shops and businesses owned by the Amish are closed on this day.
The only exceptions to this rule are the minimum chores required for the welfare of livestock, such as milking cows or feeding horses. Even travel is restricted, with movement limited to attending the church service or visiting family and friends. The spirit of the Sabbath rest also extends to avoiding modern technology and entertainment, such as radio, television, or excessive use of telephones where permitted.