As summer turns to fall (and Rita is for some reason still here), anxiety settles over the family as the time of ordination draws closer. They all pray hard that Father will not be chosen. Mother and Father fast for two days. I am so confused.

Alas, their prayers and fasting ARE NOT ANSWERED. Father is one of the two nominations for deacon. Dorcas almost faints in church, like his execution date has been announced. So apparently he's now one of two options and there will be voting or something? There is ZERO explanation because it's assumed all readers are Mennonites and already know what this is.

On Saturday, they all fast and pray, and Rita and Dorcas say their hearts hurt, because Father never wanted to be a preacher. So apparently being ordained means becoming a preacher against your will. This is so weird. What the heck.

At the ordination service, they draw lots and Father is not chosen, but instead a man with a bunch of little kids. Dorcas feels her heart fill with sympathy for them. This just seems like such a bad system.

Then the chapter ends. This is the shortest chapter of the book.