Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

Fasting 101: Hungering for God and God’s Will  

by

by Jenny Fujita

We find two kinds of fasting in Scripture:

  1. Personal fasting – we are to keep personal fasting private and use this practice when we need an answer from God or God’s guidance on something. The goal is to assure that our will is aligned with God’s will. When we’re hungry, we replace that hunger with prayer and Scripture reading.
  2. Corporate fasting – this is the kind of fasting we do together. It’s typically done on Jewish high holy days and Lent, but it can be done at any time as an act of repentance (turning to God) and/or to seek God’s will corporately. Corporate fasting can help answer specific questions and open us to God’s will. When answers come, they must be consistent with what Scripture tells us. This type of fasting is “about us,” not “about me.” As with personal fasting, when we’re hungry, we replace that hunger with prayer and Scripture reading.  

What Fasting Is and Is Not  

  • Fasting is NOT giving up something you enjoy.  
  • Fasting IS giving up something you need.   
  • Fasting requires a physical connection. “One does not live by bread alone,” (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4).  
  • Fasting is NOT about giving up something you’re addicted to. In this case, one must address the problem of addiction.  
  • Fasting is NOT for people with eating disorders or health conditions that prohibit the withholding of food or drink.   

Key Aspects of Fasting

Fasting…  

  • Involves our body, mind, and spirit — it is a holistic practice  
  • Makes us vulnerable  
  • Helps us to seek God from a place of weakness  
  • Is an act of privilege. You can’t fast if you have nothing to give up. Recognize this privilege and blessing that we have something to give up.  
  • Causes discomfort because it deprives us of what we need. This forces us to depend on God and God alone, just as Jesus did in the wilderness for 40 days.

Ideas for Fasting

Each person can choose the kind of fasting that’s best for them. Some ideas include:

  • Food – for a set period of time, eat less food, no food, or fewer meals a day  
  • Temperature – turn down the heat for a period of time in the winter or turn off the AC in the summer  
  • Sleep – sleep less  
  • Sackcloth and ashes – sackcloth is a coarse black cloth made from goat hair. It was a practice of ancient near Eastern people to wear sackcloth and sit in ashes or place ashes on their heads as a sign of mourning, repentance, and when praying for deliverance. This is where our Ash Wednesday tradition comes from. Today we can wear something itchy or put a stone in our shoe.  
  • Withholding water is not recommended  

Two Things to Do During a Fast

  1. Repent – turn and face God and say “I’m sorry” for sins. This apology must be accompanied by a reparative act. This is why Jesus tells us (metaphorically), “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29).
  2. Replace – replace your physical need with prayer and Scripture reading.

Repenting and replacing draw us closer to God and help us to discern God’s will.  

How to Discern What Comes to Us

  • Record what arises
  • Meet regularly to discuss what arises
  • Look for agreement — consensus indicates God’s presence  

An example from Scripture was during the Jerusalem Council in which members of various traditions gathered to discern how to address bringing new believers into the church. After fasting and prayer they reached consensus (c.f. Acts 15).  

Alignment with God’s Will

Alignment with God’s will is what glorifies God, not the fast itself. The practice of fasting is an essential part of growing our relationship with God and we should gain revelations through it. We should ask and expect answers from God when we fast. If we ask a question and receive no answer, we may need to discern the question further and change the question. God always speaks; we may not always hear.

How Do We Hear God?

To attune to the voice of God we can…

  • Journal
  • Be aware of spontaneous thoughts. These thoughts must be consistent with what Scripture tells us.
  • Be still and quiet.
  • Record our visions or dreams.
  • Spend time in Scripture. Read it, memorize it, study it, discuss it, and share the good news.
  • Set aside adequate time for undistracted prayer, including praying aloud.  

For more information, explore Mark Virkler’s writings on hearing God’s voice. 

Jenny Fujita

Jenny is an itinerant preacher and former pastor. She holds a Certificate in Theology and Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary and is a master’s in theology candidate from Northern Seminary.

Guided Painting and Fellowship with Homestead Mennonite

by

by Elizabeth Martinez-Osorio

Since interim pastor Paval Gailans has joined us at Homestead (FL) Mennonite, he has had new ideas for outreach. Noticing that I had an interest in art, he invited me to consider playing a role in reaching out to the community.  

This invitation excited me a lot, and I began organizing what Gailans describes as a “Guided Painting” community event. With the help of the congregation, we purchased the supplies and printed flyers. At the time of the event, we encountered God’s bountiful provisions and God brought some new locals in who were drawn to the idea of painting together.  

Photo provided by Homestead Mennonite Church.

We came together in fellowship with good spirits to try painting, many for the first time. I sat in the middle of a group of round tables. Guests, many who did not know each other, were offered food and beverages along with the materials, paint, and plastic aprons.  

It was an honor to guide the guests of all ages in painting at their own pace. There was a feeling of tranquility in the room. At times, though, someone would begin to find their painting hideous and refuse to continue. Another would feel as if they were getting behind. Another person would deviate from any instruction and try painting something else entirely.  

Photo provided by Homestead Mennonite Church.
Photo provided by Homestead Mennonite Church.

I meditated on these frustrations and different experiences and marveled at the similarities with faith. I loved each person’s painting unconditionally, offering only compliments to the unique interpretation each painting held of its subject (a bowl of fruit or an orchid flower). No matter what each canvas held, all were beautiful in the eyes of the teacher.  

Painting can be scary, because one doesn’t know for sure how it will turn out. There is a vulnerability to the process; a person puts themself into the painting and senses that it might be seen as not good enough. But in watching something take form, amazement can replace worry and fear.  

I compared this vulnerability and internal struggle to the one inside the disciple Peter, when asked by Jesus to take a step onto the water to be with Him. Guests pondered this idea and by the end of our time together, they were greatly satisfied with their achievements. Each in their own time, they made a painting and were also reminded of how God loves them regardless of their mistakes. 

Photo provided by Homestead Mennonite Church.

Elizabeth Martinez-Osorio

Elizabeth Martinez is a young adult member of Homestead (FL) Mennonite Church and a local artist who supports her congregation through creativity, community, and praying.

Faithful Transitions: Reflections on Interim Ministry Training

by

by Hendy Matahelemual

During a cold, snowy week, several pastors from Mosaic Mennonite Conference and Allegheny Mennonite Conference, representing diverse backgrounds, attended the Intentional Interim Minister training in Princeton, New Jersey. 

Beth Kenneth, Consulting and Coaching Ministries Coordinator for the Center of Congregational Health leads a session on the Workplace Big 5 Assessment. 

This training was organized in collaboration with Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) Seminary and the Wake Forest Center for Congregational Health. It took place at the Erdman Center of Princeton Seminary on February 10-13. This training was funded through EMU’s Pathways for Tomorrow grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. 

Before the training, participants were required to complete a Workplace Big 5 Assessment questionnaire to identify their personality types. This assessment was beneficial in helping pastors better understand their personalities, strengths, and challenges, which supports them in ministering more effectively. Some of us were surprised by the traits the assessment revealed, offering new insights into ourselves and our approach to ministry. 

“Spending a week with ministry leaders in an intensive, motivated learning community is a true gift,” shared Rev. Dr. Jacob Cook. 

“This training is an example of how the (EMU) seminary is working intentionally to meet the challenges of our changing context by growing our capacity to collaborate with conferences, local churches, and other faith-based organizations to open spaces for ministry leaders to learn and experiment with practical toolkits.”

The keynote speaker for this training was Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Morgan, who has extensive experience as a pastor and an intentional interim minister. His academic background and ministry experience were invaluable to all of us. 

Before this training, I was not very familiar with the concept of interim ministry. Through the experience, I realized how crucial it is for every leader to be prepared during transitions. Interim ministers can serve as a vital bridge, helping congregations find the right leader for their next chapter. I became a pastor at my current congregation thanks to the success of several interim pastors before me. They helped the congregation embrace and appreciate its heritage while looking toward the future. 

Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Morgan, left, leads one of the sessions. Photo by Jaye Lindo.

“The training helped me to think through what congregations and organizations need in times of transition—how we help congregations celebrate their past and look toward the future with joy,” shared Amy Yoder McGloughlin, executive minister for Allegheny Mennonite Conference. 

Charlene Smalls, chair of the Mosaic Conference Faith and Life Committee and pastor of Ripple Church (Allentown, PA), shared, “I was inspired by how comprehensive the training was, covering the human and administrative aspects of serving as an interim pastor. I was further inspired by my peers—a diverse group united in their deep commitment to pastoral service.” 

Many of us were encouraged by the idea that interim ministry is also an opportunity for seasoned pastors to give back in new ways. 

From left to right Hendy Matahelemual, Jaye Lindo, Ben Wideman, Amy Yoder McGloughlin, Jason Kuniholm, Jenifer Eriksen Morales, Christina Manero, Jacob Cook, Charlene Smalls, Pavel Gailans, and Marvin L. Morgan. 

“What I found most inspiring was that intentional interim ministry can be a meaningful way for retiring pastors to give back,” reflected Jaye Lindo, pastor of 7 Ways Home Fellowship (Bowie, MD) and Hospitality Coordinator for Mosaic Conference. “Their experience and knowledge can guide a congregation through the challenging process of searching for a new pastor. This training provides hands-on tools for pastors to learn more about themselves.” 

Beyond the technical and strategic aspects of interim ministry, many of us were moved by the spiritual dimension of this calling. Interim pastors step into congregations at pivotal moments, providing pastoral care, discernment, and guidance as communities navigate change. 

 “The Body of Christ has many needs. Intentional interim pastors are called to be chaplain-shepherds who meet God’s people in their time of crisis,” added Pavel Gailans, interim minister for Homestead (FL) Mennonite. “It is a time to listen, pray, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, and lead with love and compassion. This training helped me dive deeper into God’s heart for God’s people.” 

This training reminded us that transitions are a vital part of God’s work in the Church. The story of Moses and Joshua illustrates this well—Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, but Joshua carried them into the Promised Land. God assured Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). As we return to our ministries, we do so with trust that God is present in every transition, guiding us with wisdom and grace. 

Hendy Matahelemual

Hendy Matahelemual is the Associate Minister for Community Engagement for Mosaic Conference. Hendy Matahelemual was born and grew up in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. Hendy lives in Philadelphia with his wife Marina and their three boys, Judah, Levi and Asher.

Mosaic Conference explores ministry partnership as Program Entity of MC USA

by

At its January 2025 meeting, Mosaic Conference’s Board decided to explore becoming a Program Entity with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). “Program Entity” status is designated by the MC USA bylaws to “arrange for the delivery of programs and services that carry out specific churchwide goals. [Program Entities] cooperate and network with other parts of the church around common goals.” 

Mosaic would be the first MC USA conference to shift to a ministry partnership via a Program Entity status. Everence and Mennonite Health Services are both currently named as program entities and listed as ministry partners on the Mennonite Church USA website.   

During November 2024’s annual Assembly, Mosaic’s delegates empowered the Board to work with MC USA in developing a plan that would allow Mosaic Conference to establish a “robust partnership” with MC USA. The approved action called on the Board to bring recommended bylaw amendments to the 2025 delegate assembly. 

Since the delegate action in November, Mosaic’s leadership has been gathering information and having conversations with MC USA leaders to explore the option of developing a ministry partnership as a Program Entity. Mosaic Conference moderator Angela Moyer Walter and assistant moderator Roy Williams met with MC USA moderator Jon Carlson and moderator-elect Marty Lehman leading up to MC USA’s Executive Board (EB) meeting on February 8 and have communicated with Carlson by email since the meeting. 

Lehman and Moyer Walter have since met to begin drafting a set of shared agreements integrating feedback from MC USA’s Executive Board, Mosaic staff and Board, and sibling MC USA conferences. Mosaic desires to collaborate with MC USA around core priorities including youth faith formation, intercultural leadership development, and church planting accompaniment. Additionally, Mosaic’s leadership hopes to explore ways to partner through shared values and mutual relationships, rather than transactional services. MC USA and Mosaic leadership will continue to discuss the implications on how members of Mosaic will participate in the life of Mennonite Church USA as a Program Entity. 

At the request of the denomination to work alongside other MC USA conferences, Moyer Walter shared about this proposal with conference moderators in a January meeting; direct conversations with the leadership of other conferences have been ongoing. “I value the healthy dialog we are having with many of our sibling conferences,” reflects Moyer Walter. “They have encouraged us to continue the good work that God has begun in Mosaic.” 

Register for the Mosaic Conference 2025 Spring Assembly

by

In 2025 Mosaic Mennonite Conference will hold a dispersed Spring Assembly alongside the traditional Fall Assembly. The new Spring Assembly format will resemble the 2024 delegate preparation meetings, featuring multiple regional gatherings conducted in various languages.  

These gatherings are designed to address the expressed need for more in-person dialogue and relationship building across the Conference. 

“The Spring Equipping Assembly is an opportunity to work toward our strategic plan pillars of relationship building, leadership development, and clarity and identity,” says Conference Moderator Angela Moyer Walter. “It is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation about what it means to be Mosaic and to partner with what God is doing among us together.”  

This Assembly is for 2024 and 2025 Conference delegates, as well as anyone from within Mosaic Conference who wishes to participate in this equipping opportunity. 

Participants will be equipped on centered-set church models and the core priority guides that are being created as part of the strategic plan’s focus on clarity and identity. There will be no delegate decision making at the Spring Assembly.  

“We’re excited to offer multiple dates and locations for the Spring Assembly, so that as many current and future delegates as possible can participate,” shares Leadership Minister for Administration Brooke Martin. “The schedule will follow the same format as the delegate preparation meetings, which have been successful in the past. We look forward to using it again for this event.”

Dates and locations have mostly been confirmed, and registration is now open. Please mark your calendars and spread the word: 

  • Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen, PA – Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 9:30 AM (ET)
  • Mosaic Conference Offices, Lansdale, PA – Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:30 AM (ET)
  • Zoom Gathering in English & Indonesian – Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 7 PM (ET) / 4 PM (PT)
  • Zoom Gathering in English & Spanish – Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 7 PM (ET) / 4 PM (PT)
  • JKI Anugerah, Sierra Madre, CA – Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10 AM (PT) – Meeting in English & Indonesian
  • Nations Worship Center, Philadelphia, PA – Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 6:30 PM (ET) – Meeting in English, Spanish & Indonesian, starts with dinner
  • Florida in-person gathering (location & time TBD) – Saturday, May 3, 2025 

Register at https://mosaicmennonites.org/assembly/spring/ 

A Pastor with a Heart for the Stranger: Haroldo Nunes’ Call Story 

by

Editor’s Note: Haroldo Nunes (Seguidores de Cristo [Sarasota, FL]) joined the Mosaic Conference board in January 2025 as the Conference-Related Ministry Committee Chair. Read his call story below and get to know our newest board member!  

I am an ordained Mennonite minister with Mosaic Conference. My undergraduate degree is from a Brazilian university, I have taken seminary classes through Mennonite Education Agency, and I am currently studying toward a degree at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.  

Nearly 20 years ago, I moved to Wayne County, Ohio, to serve as pastor at Salem Mennonite Church in Wooster, Ohio and as the executive director of Open Arms Hispanic Ministries.  

I helped to transform Salem Mennonite into a multicultural community of faith where Anglos, Hispanics, and African Americans worship the Lord together, loving and helping each other.  

Open Arms is an organization that accompanies Latino immigrants in building a safe and sustainable life. In 2018, moved by the dire and increasing needs of immigrants in the community, I resigned from Salem’s pastoral team and became the full-time executive director and pastor of Open Arms. 

The experiences of suffering, fear, and the separation of families moved me deeply into this next stage of my calling, where in a full-time role I welcomed immigrants in the community and walked with them, assisting them with material and spiritual needs.  

I also represented Iglesia Menonita Hispana, a racial/ethnic constituency group of Mennonite Church USA, on the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Great Lakes Board for almost 12 years.  

Two years ago, after leading Open Arms to its respected and valued role in the community, I resigned from my position to move closer to family in Ellenton, Florida.  

I am currently looking for the next assignment to serve in the Kingdom of God, and I am glad to be a part of Mosaic Conference.  

I am married to Esmirna, who is originally from Bolivia. Together we have three young adult children. La familia Nunes Maldonado se siente bendecida por sus ministerios y su nuevo ministerio en la conferencia Mosaico (The Nunes Maldonado family feels blessed by our new ministry in the Mosaic Conference). The Nunes family can really feel God’s hand over their lives and past ministries.  

Pastor Haroldo with his family. Photo provided by Haroldo Nunes.

Anabaptism at 500: What Anabaptism Means to Me – February 2025

by

As Mosaic Mennonite Conference commemorates the 500th Anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025, each month we will share a variety of Mosaic voices reflecting on the question, “What does Anabaptism mean to me?”  

Submission from

John L. Ruth, Salford (PA) congregation

I understand baptism to be a sacramental act of accepting God’s forgiveness, God’s renewal of my heart, and entrance into God’s covenant of reconciliation.

The ancient term “Anabaptist” (rebaptizer) is a kind of misnomer. The people in my 16th Century-formed fellowship considered themselves to be baptized only once, since they concluded that a ritual on behalf of uncomprehending infants was not what the New Testament teaches. Thus, though most had received the rite common throughout medieval Christendom, they did not view their conscious baptism of repentance as a second one.

As the oversimplified term “Anabaptist” became common parlance, it is historically useful. But it fails to convey ideas that are just as definitive as baptism to the spiritual / social breakthrough that focused my Mennonite people’s understanding: (1) following “the Word” to (2) covenant or “form a church” in which (3) the use of force is replaced by the loving way Jesus described in the “Sermon on the Mount.” Since many Anabaptists of the 16th Century did not “give up the sword,” it is to the testimony and suffering of the minority who did that I look for my inspiration and model of church. 

Submission from

Maati Yvonne Platts, Mosaic Conference Board Member, Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life 

What it Means to be Black and Anabaptist 

Anabaptism to me means being baptized by my Black preacher Hubert Brown on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1968 when I was ten. It meant what was important in the church was important in the community and what was important in the community was important in the church.  

It meant Brother Markley knocking at ya door when you done missed church a few Sundays in a row. Baking chocolate, fresh mint tea, and hot blueberry pies at summer camp. 

It means fellowship meals and cherry cheese pies from my sister Betty (no shoe-fly pie for me). 

It means loving our brothers and sisters as ourselves: red, brown, yellow, white, or black we are all precious in God’s sight. 

It means a love that was real, serving a God that was real, who cares about community, there was real love and unity, ministry over business, taking care of the poor as well as those in prison. 

It means a heart of gratitude for other Anabaptists that see your ugly and your beauty and love you still. 

It means a heart of forgiveness for those who have hurt you and walking closer with the spirit of humility as you grow old, and patience grows thin. 

Anabaptism means departing from evil to do good; to seek peace and pursue it. 

What Anabaptism means to me is to live free in what Jesus has called me to be, to show love even when others aren’t loving, to stand up and speak out against injustice, yet have compassion for those that hearts and minds just ain’t right. 

It ain’t about being Anabaptist, it’s about the love of Jesus in me. 

Submission from

Bishop Juan Marerro, Executive Director of Conference-Related Crossroads Community Center (Philadelphia, PA)  

What does Anabaptism mean to me?  

These early believers, whose theology and philosophy of ministry that we current Anabaptists descend from, had the heart and conviction to follow what they were convinced was the leading and moving of the Holy Spirit.  

These early believers were radical enough to follow what they saw on the pages of sacred scripture and quickly developed a Christ-centered theology and philosophy of ministry. These Anabaptists, as they were called, held on to the practice of believer’s baptism despite opposition and persecution. Despite drownings and burnings, they pushed on, following the example of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This gives me encouragement to continue in this radical faith and push on despite the opposition we may face as believers in Christ.  

Mosaic Conference Board Update – January 2025

by

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 27, 2025, Board Meeting 

The board welcomed Haroldo Nunes (Seguidores de Cristo [Sarasota, FL]), the new Chair for the Conference-Related Ministry Committee, to the board.

Board member Maati Yvonne Platts (Nueva Vida Norristown [PA] New Life) opened the meeting with prayer and centering devotions around Romans 12: 9-16.

Strategic Plan Updates

The board reviewed the ongoing work on the strategic plan, including updates on the first Vibrant Mosaic cohort; the May Oasis Nations and Generations Retreat; and the core priority guides that staff are working on.

2025 Budget

The board unanimously approved the 2025 budget of $1.425M, pending modifications that more clearly display the Vibrant Mosaic program funds.

2025 Spring Assembly  

The board unanimously approved a 2025 Spring Assembly. The format will be similar to the delegate prep meetings, with multiple regional gatherings in multiple languages.  

The disbursed gatherings will be for equipping delegates on centered-set church models and the core priority guides as part of the strategic plan’s clarity and identity work. These gatherings are being held in response to the expressed need for more face-to-face dialogue and relationship building across the Conference. There will be no delegate decision making at the Spring Assembly.

These gatherings will take place in April and early May (more information will be coming soon in Mosaic News and to delegates). Though intended for 2024 and 2025 delegates, anyone is welcome to attend.  

Intercultural Committee Update 

The intercultural committee shared a recommendation for ongoing equipping on intercultural practices, as well as antiracism and intercultural development inventory onboarding for new board members, committee members, and staff, in addition to ongoing training. 

MC USA-Mosaic Partnership Update 

The Mosaic Conference Moderators have been in conversation with and have meetings planned with other area conference moderators as well as the MC USA moderators and executive board and will bring updates for the March Mosaic Board meeting.  

Affirmation of Committee Minutes 

The board affirmed the minutes of numerous recent committee meetings, including the Ministerial Committee minutes, which included a recommendation that restores Beth Yoder’s credentials to active as of December 4, 2024, after a two-year probation following the process outlined in the Giving and Receiving Council document.