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 June 3, 2026 Board Meeting
Assistant Moderator Janet Panning (Plains Mennonite [Hatfield, PA]) welcomed those gathered and thanked them for their flexibility after the May 18 meeting was rescheduled due to a lack of quorum.
Intercultural Committee Chair Emmanuel Mwaipopo (Nueva Vida Norristown [PA] New Life) opened with a devotional centered on love in the life of the church. Drawing on the song Love Each Other by Graham Kendrick, he invited board members to reflect on both the beauty of Christian love and the places where the church continues to struggle with Christ’s call to love one another.
Assembly 2026 Planning
The board affirmed Psalm 116:1-2 as the centering scripture for Mosaic’s annual assembly, which will be held on November 7, 2026, in Souderton, PA.
The board also considered a proposal regarding virtual participation for delegates. At the request of the Executive Committee, conference staff prepared recommendations outlining how delegates with extenuating circumstances might participate remotely.
Following discussion and questions, the board approved a process that will allow delegates who are unable to attend in person because of extenuating circumstances to participate virtually. Congregations seeking virtual participation for delegates will work through their Leadership Minister, with final approval coordinated through the Associate Executive Minister.
Board Listening Session Reflections
Board members reflected on the spring listening sessions they attended and reviewed summaries from gatherings held so far. A final in-person listening session is planned in California later this summer.
Because the first virtual listening session reached capacity, staff recommended offering an additional online gathering. The board supported the proposal, with invitations being extended to English- and Spanish-speaking congregations that have not yet participated.
Several board members expressed appreciation for the healthy conversation guides used during the sessions and encouraged future opportunities for similarly structured dialogue. After the final session, a summary report of all 2026 listening sessions will be shared in a future issue of Mosaic News.
Congregational Membership Changes
The board formally acknowledged a letter from and accepted the withdrawal of Swamp Mennonite (Quakertown, PA) from membership in Mosaic Mennonite Conference, effective immediately, and sent the congregation with blessing.
Strategic Plan Updates
Ministerial Committee Chair Michael Howes (West Swamp Mennonite [Quakertown, PA]) shared updates regarding the credentialing process and changes implemented since the 2025 Delegate Assembly.
As part of the board’s ongoing strategic plan work, members discussed interest in reviewing how the Church Together conference documents – Faith and Life, Grace and Truth, and Going to the Margins – function within conference life. The board will form a group, which will be named at the Executive Committee meeting in July, to review the documents in light of Mosaic’s strategic plan and bring recommendations to a future board meeting.
March Board Retreat Reflections
The board reflected on the March board retreat and affirmed Maati Yvonne for the circle process that she led. Board members also received letters from the Inclusive Pastors Group expressing appreciation for opportunity for conversation at the March board retreat.
Leadership and Ministry Updates
In his report, Executive Minister Stephen Kriss shared that the Ambassadors summer program is underway with 16 participants and that fundraising efforts for the expanded Ambassadors program continue.
He also provided updates on congregations exploring membership in Mosaic Conference. Two congregations are pursuing membership conversations, as well as one potential Conference-Related Ministry. Board and staff are visiting these potential partners.
Kriss also shared updates on efforts to align staffing levels with current workloads and highlighted various ways congregations are engaging with conference ministries and initiatives.
A review for the Executive Minister, which had been planned last year but delayed until this summer, is underway. Carlos Romero, charged with the review process, will be reaching out to individuals across the conference in the coming months as part of the process.
The next meeting of the full Conference Board is scheduled for August 15.
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.