by Brenda Oelschlager
Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA) welcomed neighbors from across the region on May 4 for the first of a series of Community Prayer Nights. This heartfelt evening of unity, worship, and intercession was held to lift up individuals, families, and organizations impacted by acts of chaos and injustice beyond their control.
Rooted in Christ’s call to love God and neighbor (Mark 12:30-31), the evening invited participants to share in song, prayer, and communion—asking God to bring peace to anxious hearts and hope to troubled communities.
This new series of prayer services draws inspiration from a pre-election prayer and communion gathering that Zion Mennonite hosted with local congregations in November 2024. With a broader vision, the current initiative now includes invitations to Christian churches in nearby towns, building a growing circle of support and spiritual solidarity.
Four area faith leaders offered prayers throughout the night, each woven between hymns and reflective worship:
- Steve Godsall-Myers, retired Lutheran pastor, Advent Lutheran, (Harleysville, PA)
- Jenny Fujita, member of Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite
- David Heckler, Lutheran pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran and Christ UCC, (Quakertown, PA)
- Mike Hendrick, retired chaplain and member of Zion Mennonite
The presence, prayers, and voices of the community made the evening deeply meaningful as a time to seek God’s presence and strengthen bonds of fellowship.
Upcoming Community Prayer Services:
- Sunday, June 1, 7 p.m. at Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite Church
- Saturday, September 14, 7 p.m. at Zwingli UCC in Souderton
Additional dates for July and August will be announced soon. All are welcome to attend these ecumenical gatherings.
Brenda Oelschlager
Brenda Oelschlager attends Zion Mennonite. Her past work has included community relations positions in the Pennridge and Souderton Area School districts and also with the Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton, PA.
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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.