The Conference Board supervises the business of the conference, including conference committees, and does strategic planning to ensure that the conference is maintaining alignment with its vision and following the lead of the Spirit into areas of growth and change.
Report from the January 26, 2026, Board Meeting
New Conference Moderator Roy Williams (College Hill Mennonite [Tampa, FL]) opened the meeting with a welcome and by sharing Psalm 116: 1-2, a verse he learned shortly after becoming a Christian. Recognizing that many board members are new or in new roles, Williams invited board members to introduce themselves and reflect on that scripture.
The board welcomed Lindy Backues (Philadelphia [PA] Praise Center), new Chair of the Conference-Related Ministry Committee; Jenny Fujita (Blooming Glen [PA] Mennonite), at-large member; and Michael Howes (West Swamp Mennonite [Quakertown, PA]), new Chair of the Ministerial Committee, to their first board meeting.
Board members in new roles are Williams as Moderator; Janet Panning (Plains Mennonite [Hatfield, PA]) as Assistant Moderator; and Haroldo Nunes (Resplandece Mennonite [Pembroke Pines, FL and hybrid]) as Member at Large. Board members spent time getting to know each other better.
Strategic Plan Updates
The board reviewed the ongoing work on the strategic plan, including the use of the priorities guide and Vibrant Mosaic. Vibrant Mosaic is in its second year, with two active cohorts of congregations.
The priorities guide was released during the Fall Assembly weekend, and congregations are encouraged to use the lessons as discipleship opportunities in Bible studies, small groups or sermon series. Congregations who use them are encouraged to give feedback to the Priority Leadership Ministers who will continue to make updates in response.
Assembly 2026 Date
The board discussed possible dates for the 2026 annual Delegate Assembly. While a change in date or location may be possible in future years, in 2026, the board voted that the annual Delegate Assembly will be on November 7 in southeastern PA.
2026 Budget
After reviewing the proposed budget, the board unanimously approved the 2026 (February 1-January 31, 2027) budget of $1.4M. Included are increased calculations from grant contributions and stable contributions from congregations.
Sale of East Greenville, PA Building
The FMC Properties Board proposed moving toward the sale of the building where Bike and Sol operates. The board reviewed and unanimously approved the sale of the East Greenville building, former site of Peace Mennonite, to Bike and Sol at the price of $200,000.
Congregational Alignment and Sustainable Growth
During the executive minister’s report, board members were updated on and reflected on congregations that may vote to leave Mosaic Conference, as well as congregations currently exploring membership. Though no actions were taken, those present reflected on what sustainable growth looks like for Mosaic Conference.
Staff changes and partnership updates, including a recent partnership development with MennoMedia, were also shared.
The annual in-person Mosaic board retreat will take place March 27-28 in Lansdale, PA. In February, Williams and Panning will join credentialed leaders in Florida for their quarterly gathering.
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To share your thoughts or send a message to the author(s), contact us at communication@mosaicmennonites.org.
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.