Mosaic Listening Task Force Update

By Jenny Fujita

The Mosaic Board tasked us, the Mosaic Listening Task Force, with leading a listening process and reviewing Mosaic Conference’s relationships with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Specifically, we are to listen to each Mosaic community and ministry and provide direction for further discernment at the upcoming Assembly on November 5 at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church.

The Mosaic Listening Task Force has met twice so far. The first session focused on sharing general reflections and questions that might be helpful to ask in the days ahead. At the second session, we focused more on reading, processing, and learning. We’ve collected and read letters sent to the Mosaic Board, notes taken from post-MC USA Delegate Assembly Listening sessions, and reflections from Listening Prayer times. These represent a combination of hopes, dreams, needs, and anxieties. 
 
Utilizing a checklist of Mosaic churches and ministries, we are checking off those groups who have shared with us and preparing to reach out to those we haven’t.  We are especially interested in connecting with those who have felt unheard, including some of our multicultural and smaller churches and organizations, as well as others who live, serve, and minister from the margins. 

If you have anything you would like to share about your hopes for Mosaic Conference, particularly in regards to our relationship with MC USA, please email Jenny Fujita at jenny@fmpr.net, and I will ensure that your comments are shared with the entire Task Force. If your church or ministry has not submitted feedback yet, we will be reaching out.  Our Task Force is creating several feedback processes to ensure that all Mosaic groups will be included and recognized by our Assembly on November 5.  Next week we will be announcing dates and locations for further opportunities to share your thoughts and ideas at “Assembly Scattered” meetings in October. 

Already we are beginning to see some themes emerge as we listen, read, and process your input, but we are not yet ready to arrive at any conclusions. We will continue to prayerfully and openly connect and discern.  Our hope is to knit together our mosaic of voices and the Holy Spirit’s leadings in a way that guides us in November and brings Mosaic’s mission and vision to life for and through all of us.