The staff members of mPress aren’t the only ones diligently reporting on Pittsburgh 2011. The local news media have also been eager to investigate what it means to have more than 6,000 Mennonites flock to the city.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the city’s dominant newspaper, featured several articles on the Mennonite assembly throughout the week.

On Monday, an article written by Ann Rogers offered an overview of the Mennonites, including an opening paragraph to dispel stereotypes some may hold of the faith tradition.

“These aren’t horse-and-buggy Mennonites,” wrote Rogers. “They wear modern clothing, use technology and often hold professional jobs. But all Mennonites share a biblical faith that requires pacifism and teaches that patriotism should never overshadow commitment to God’s kingdom.”

Rogers also updated her Twitter account throughout the week, including her Tuesday tweet that said, “Not your grandpa’s Mennonite conference. Gospel band rehearsing with drums, guitars and trumpet.”

On Wednesday, Diana Nelson Jones of The Post-Gazette followed several youth groups as they performed their servant projects at a ravine called Heth’s Run. The article highlighted the youth group’s hard work and their willingness to give back to the hosting city.

On Thursday, an article in The Post-Gazette titled “Live to serve: Mennonites bring more than a convention to town” focused on the servant projects as well.

“While many of the group’s members are here to listen to speakers, attend workshops and discuss aspects of the church’s mission, 2,900 youth are donating 10,000 hours of work to 47 local organizations,” the article reported.

Thursday’s article also offered an encouraging look at how Mennonites have been perceived by outsiders this week in Pittsburgh.

“These out-of-towners are enriching Pittsburgh far beyond dollars in cash drawers and heads in beds,” the article said.