No, I’m not talking about the presidential election. But I am looking forward to the first Assembly of Mosaic Mennonite Conference in just 23 days from today, November 7-8, 2020.
Like many of you, I am disappointed that the first Mosaic Assembly (and my first as moderator) will be held via Zoom, rather than in-person. One of the annual highlights of assembly for me is the opportunity to connect in-person with so many people across our conference community. I’m saddened that this will not occur.
I’m grateful, however, that we can still gather with one another in a way that helps to foster safety and care for each other. And, I’m excited about the many terrific and creative plans that are taking shape for Fall Assembly. You won’t want to miss it! If you have not yet registered for assembly, please do so now, by clicking here. It will take less than a minute. We want to ensure everyone is registered ahead of time.
What can you expect in the delegate sessions on Saturday? Brevity. The sessions will be much shorter than usual, due to us meeting via Zoom. For some, this may be music to your ears. The final schedule is being finalized, but we are anticipating approximately 2 ½ hours total in delegate sessions on Saturday. Our starting times are 11am (Eastern)/8am (Pacific).
One of the significant agenda items is to celebrate, bless, and affirm eight congregations, located in Florida, as official members of Mosaic Conference. We hope to have “live” sharing and reporting from these congregations. Welcoming these diverse faith communities into the conference is another tangible expression of us “living-into” our new name: Mosaic.
The other key agenda item is to highlight an updated vision/mission statement for the conference. One of the charges for our reconciled conference from the Structure and Identity Task Force was “for the Board to address the articulation of the mission and values…to be brought to the Delegate Assembly for affirmation at the 2020 Annual Assembly.”
The Conference Board, with input and feedback from staff, has been diligently working at this. We will offer a draft vision/mission statement at assembly, with time for delegate discussion and counsel.
In addition to these two agenda items, we will hear an update from the newly-formed Mosaic Conference Nominating committee, as well as receive greetings/blessing from several church-related agencies.
In the midst of the challenges we’ve all experienced in 2020, I’m grateful for the ways that I’ve witnessed God working among us as Mosaic Mennonite Conference. I look forward to gathering together, in 23 days, to celebrate what God has been doing.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.