Mosaic Mennonites

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As a Leader, I’m Tempted

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by Hendy Matahelemual

A church asked me to preach as part of a series on the prophets. The week I was scheduled, the prophet was Jesus. When I prayed about what to say, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to talk about how to lead like Jesus. I was taken aback. “No, not leadership,” I thought. 

Leadership is one of the most challenging topics for me to preach about. Perhaps this is because I struggle with self-confidence. Most of the time I don’t feel like a good leader. 

Henry Nouwen’s book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, gave me encouragement. Nouwen writes that a leader is tempted to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. In my leadership roles, I’m tempted to try to be everything to everyone. Especially in an immigrant community, the pastor’s role is not limited to preaching and leading Bible study. We are expected to be so much more: handyman, driver, interpreter, legal counsel, realtor, and 24/7 emergency and information hotline. The community might have unrealistic expectations. If we are not careful, burnout and depression are around the corner. 

When Jesus was tempted in the desert, the devil tried to get him to use his power for the wrong reasons. I think the devil uses the same tricks on leaders today. I have fallen into the “relevance” trap because I want to be recognized as a pastor who helps people. There’s an urge inside of me to be useful for my congregation, conference, and community. 

There is nothing wrong with helping meet people’s needs. But the motive must be genuine love, not a desire to impress others or fill a void in one’s own life. Meeting the world’s needs might solve an immediate problem but not an eternal one. Maybe you fixed someone’s furniture or helped resolve an asylum case. These good deeds don’t meet the deepest human need: God’s love. 

“God’s love can be manifested through personal connections,” Nouwen writes. “We live in a culture where everything is measured by results, achievements, and numbers, but there’s less emphasis on relationships and connections. As leaders, we need to be irrelevant to this culture by being vulnerable as individuals who also need love from God and care from the community.” 

The next temptation is to be spectacular. In Indonesia, I worked as a pastor at a megachurch. We had an average attendance of more than 2,000 people and about 40 staff. Every year, we baptized around 100 people. 

When I moved to the US, everything changed. I pastor a small congregation. At one point, we had fewer than ten people in our Sunday service. I had to work two or even three jobs to support my ministry. In the first three years, we baptized three people. My wife and I felt like failures. Friends back home asked why we were wasting our time and energy. They said we should return to Indonesia. 

We are glad we stayed. I learned a lot leading a small congregation. The congregation sees me as I am. I cannot hide behind the pulpit on a big stage, out of reach. Others see my vulnerability and our lives become intertwined. My congregation sees our struggles in marriage, parenting, and making ends meet. At first, this seemed like frailty. But we grew to understand it as a blessing. Others love us as we are. 

Nouwen says a leader needs the people as much as they need the leader. I’m trying to grow as a leader while being led by others, and to lead like Jesus by not giving in to temptation to be relevant, spectacular, or powerful.   

A version of this article originally appeared in Anabaptist World and is reprinted with permission.

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.

Nurturing Accessible Children’s Ministry

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by Jenn Svetlik

Mosaic Conference declares, “We believe God’s design is for all people in all places to flourish and to be transformed by loving, mutual relationships with God and one another.” Persons with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent (having developmental or neurological function that differs from what is considered “typical”) are a part of this beautiful mosaic.

“Some of the children in our early elementary Sunday School class have trouble sitting and staying in their chairs. These children have specific sensory needs for movement,” shares Rachel Mateti, Children and Youth Minister at Plains (Hatfield, PA) Mennonite Church. “The barrier to their learning was the expectation to be still and quiet. To help with their sensory needs, we purchased wobble seats for our classroom. When using them, the children are more focused and able to follow the lesson.”

This is a small example of what a congregation can do to remove the barriers that disable certain people, so that all divine image-bearers can participate fully and share their gifts.

God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

1 Cor 12:6-7, NLT

Plains has been working at this effort for over a decade, seeking to understand the barriers that people with disabilities face, and making both community life and facilities welcoming to persons of all kinds of abilities. Heather Gingrich, who leads the congregation’s Autism Support Group, recently co-wrote an article for Anabaptist Disabilities Network about their support group, congregational learning, and their new inclusive playground and accessible park.

Spring Mount (Schwenksville, PA) is another Mosaic congregation who has been working for years to make their space welcoming for those with autism and sensory processing needs. The emerging work at Salford (Harleysville, PA) on building community with neurodivergent children was recently featured on the Shine Curriculum blog.

About 20% of people are neurodivergent or have a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability. That means there are families in our congregations who are impacted. “In being proactive about planning to welcome families impacted by disability, I think back to the old movie Field of Dreams,” shares Mateti. “If you build it, they will come.”

These are some examples within Mosaic Conference, but some of us have been curious about other congregations across the Conference:  

  • How have you been working at creating accessible environments for people of all abilities?  
  • How does your congregation understand disability?  
  • How do you talk about inclusion of those with disabilities and neurodivergence?  
  • What are you doing or would like to be doing?  
  • What questions do you have about this work and what support would benefit your congregation?
Children play in the spinning cocoon that is part of the new accessible, sensory-friendly playground. Photo provided by Plains Mennonite. 

We are gathering congregational leaders (pastors, children’s faith formation leaders, and volunteers) for a workshop with the Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) on Saturday, January 27, at 9 AM-12 PM/ET. We hope you might join us either in person at the Mosaic Conference Office in Lansdale, PA or via Zoom.  

The workshop, Nurturing Accessible Children’s Ministry for families of children with disabilities or neurodivergence, will be led by Bonnie and Lyle Miller of ADN. Some of the topics will include:  

  • Congregational Vision: what is the goal of a congregation in increasing accessibility? How can we proactively plan to welcome families with different needs? How can we create a sense of belonging that values each person who comes through our doors, and their unique gifts?  
  • Relating to families: Identifying needs, communication, and creating care plans 
  • Community: Nurturing care for the whole family, congregational awareness and education

Click here to learn more and register for the workshop with Anabaptist Disabilities Network on Saturday, January 27. Suggested registration is $25/person. The registration deadline is Friday, January 12.

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is a member of the communication team, helping with editing, writing, and content creation. She was born near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in an intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.

Personal Advent Resources for Pastors 

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Photo by Max Beck on Unsplash

“As a congregant, I was able to soak in Advent in a special way, but as a pastor, I find it harder to stay focused when it’s my job to ‘make Advent happen,’” admitted Michelle Curtis, Co-Pastor of Ambler (PA) Mennonite. 

Advent can sometimes get so busy for pastors and congregational leaders that personal devotion time can get sidetracked. To support fellow pastors during this time, a few Mosaic pastors share recommendations, reflections, and resources.  

“I enjoy the calm centeredness of the Advent wait,” shared Sandy Drescher-Lehman, Pastor of Methacton (PA) Mennonite Church. “It’s been hard for many people to understand the importance of saving the hymns of Jesus’ birth until the end of the month when the rest of their lives are influenced by Christmas decorations and gift buying for two months before the actual celebration of Jesus’ birth.” 

“I come from a family that was distrustful of anything ‘high church’ and was also anti-ritual,” said Pastor Nathan Good, Pastor of Swamp Mennonite Church (Quakertown, PA). Pastor Nathan explained that his congregation has a strong history of embracing rhythms of the church calendar and has stronger rituals and practices in these areas. “I have come to appreciate these seasons more as a result,” Pastor Nathan reflected.  

“More than simply a liturgical season, Advent is remembering that God is with us, for us, and in us, this is our eternal hope, for Christ’s return in glory,” shared Tomas Ramírez of Iglesia Luz y Vida (Orlando, FL). “Even when we put up lights and exchange gifts as others do in this season, for us who are centered in Christ and his coming, we are focused on hope.” 

Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash

Hendy Matahelemual, Pastor of Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA) reflected, “Our church is focused on the Jesus story and how we can become more Jesus-centered in our theology and practice. So that’s what Advent means to me … to really understand the work of Christ from the beginning.”  

“In Advent, we wait for God to act and find that God acts through fragile and broken humanity,” shared Nathan Good.  “So even though we feel weak and unable to make a difference, we know and trust that God can use our fragile efforts to transform creation through love.” 

Looking for some personal (or congregational) nourishment this Advent season? Here are a few recommended resources from other Mosaic leaders:  

Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ. Recommended by Hendy Matahelemual, Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA). 

Bless the Advent We Actually Have Free Advent Devotional by Kate Bowler, which includes scripture, blessings, reflections, and discussion questions to “make the act of waiting holy.” Recommended by Sue Conrad Howes, West Swamp (Quakertown, PA) 

The Grand Miracle from the Christian History Institute, featuring gorgeous art, scripture, and writings of C.S. Lewis. Recommended by Michelle Curtis, Ambler (PA). 

Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal by April Yamasaki, this book is helpful for those struggling with an anti-ritual past. Recommended by Nathan Good, Swamp (Quakertown, PA) 

Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado. Recommended by Tomas Ramírez, Iglesia Luz y Vida (Orlando, FL). 

Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens. Recommended by Andrew Zetts, Salford (Harleysville, PA) 

25 Days of Advent Family Devotional, available in six languages, daily verse of scripture telling the Christmas narrative, created by Brooke Martin, Youth and Community Formation Pastor for Mosaic. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is a member of the communication team, helping with editing, writing, and content creation. She was born near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in an intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.

Long-Haul Goodness 

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by Patti Loughridge and Sandy Drescher-Lehman 

While some folks may suffer from long-COVID, our congregation, Methacton Mennonite Church (Norristown, PA), wondered how we could practice long-haul goodness.  

From a congregational conversation in the summer of 2021, a group of us began to talk about forming what we called a “Green Team.” We soon created a mission statement to inform our efforts:  

We honor our responsibility to faithfully steward God’s creation, by guiding the community of Methacton Mennonite Church on a path to greater environmental care, both corporately and individually, through education and ecologically sustainable practices. 

(L-R) Patti Loughridge, Green Team Leader, and Pastor Sandy-Lehman with one of the new trees at Methacton Mennonite Church.

The Green Team began to share some of our life-long practices with each other and the congregation, such as ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose. We also brainstormed together to think of new initiatives we could do individually and together.  

Eventually, an idea emerged from our prayers and dreaming. As good Mennonites, our initial impetus was both practical and financial. We wanted to have less lawn to mow, which would save us money and reduce our carbon emissions. We decided we should focus on a small section of our church property.   

Besides the practical and financial benefits, the team soon realized other benefits for this emerging idea of an outdoor sanctuary, such as taller grass that would enhance pollinating habitats for bees, butterflies and ladybugs, opportunities for nesting for certain bird species, and the insurance of water retention to slow down the effects of run-off and erosion.  

Then the dream of planting trees was added to our outdoor sanctuary, for many reasons. Trees are beautiful and sacred, they provide a food source and shelter for wildlife, they help cool our planet, they absorb carbon dioxide and give off clean oxygen, and they help keep rainwater in place, re-charging the ground’s water supply. To create this forest-like outdoor sanctuary, our church community was invited to “sponsor a tree,” in memory or honor of a loved one or for their own tending in the years to come.  

Members of Methacton planted 25 tree saplings on their church property in October. 
Various native trees, such as maples, redbuds, oaks, sweetgums, and walnuts, were planted on Methacton’s church property.

After two years, our dreaming and planning became a reality. The anticipated weekend finally arrived in October. Together, we dug holes, planted, mulched, and placed a wire cage around each young tree, 25 in all, to protect it from the plethora of deer that visit our church property. 

Now, 25 native trees’ leaves are turning colors on the edge of our lawn, giving glory to their Creator, with thanks to the people who had the vision, funds and sweat equity to inspire us. We stand in awe of the increased greening of the earth as we watch the young maples, redbuds, oaks, sweetgums, and walnuts bless the world for years to come. 

All photos provided by Sandy Drescher Lehman.

Patti Loughridge

Patti Loughridge received a degree in landscape design from Temple University and has enjoyed her lifelong career as a Horticulturist. Even when not at work, Patti enjoys puttering in her garden, growing vegetables, cooking, and finding new ways to make the earth a greener place. Patti attends Methacton Mennonite Church and serves there both as team lead for the Green Team and as a member-at-large on the Core Ministry Council.

Sandy Drescher-Lehman

Sandy Drescher-Lehman enjoys reading, writing, eating good food with people who also love to do that, pastoring at Methacton Mennonite Church, and riding tandem with her husband, John. Together they find joy in making beautiful spaces, and hosting Hipcampers, Wild Church, and retreatants on the land they tend, called FernRock Retreat.

Amid War, Staying in Bethlehem is Costly 

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by Eileen Kinch

Photo by Sameeh Karram on Unsplash

As Israel hunts down Hamas militants with sweeping attacks throughout Palestinian territories, the devastation is felt by both Muslims and Christians. In the West Bank, faculty at Bethlehem Bible College cling to hope that Christian friends in Gaza hold on to life. 

“Bethlehem has been under siege,” reported Andrew F. Bush on Oct. 31. A part of Methacton Mennonite Church (Norristown, PA), Bush directs the college’s Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. “The Israeli Defense Forces’ closure of all the roads into Bethlehem is strangling its economy. With little money, families are conserving their resources. Few cars are on the road. Restaurants are closed.  

“These troubles are light, though — and everyone in Bethlehem knows it — compared to the devastation of Gaza. The prevailing mood in the city … is one of depression and anger at the indiscriminate bombing in all parts of Gaza, and the thousands of innocent Palestinian lives lost, including 3,500 children.” 

Although many foreigners streamed out of Bethlehem at the war’s outbreak in October, Bush felt his family needed to stay because the college’s peace studies program is more critical than ever. 

“Staying is costly. It causes great anxiety for our adult children in the States,” he said. “We also must work through our moments of panic when an app on my phone alerts us to an incoming rocket. 

“By remaining in Bethlehem, we have been able to walk with our Christian friends through these dark weeks. Some faculty at the college have needed support when their family members were killed by an Israeli missile that struck the St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church in Gaza that was sheltering Christians on Oct. 19.” 

“In that one attack 17 Christians lost their lives, in addition to the several thousand that have been lost in the whole Gaza Strip,” wrote BBC President Jack Sara of the college’s commitment to help deliver aid to those impacted by violence. “We are equally saddened but the loss of lives, but also very concerned that soon Gaza will not have any Christians left there at all. 

The college’s founder, Bishara Awad, went to the US as a young man in the 1960s for higher education. When he returned to work with Mennonite Central Committee in Palestine in 1972, Awad noticed that many other Palestinians did not have the same educational opportunities. In 1979, he founded Bethlehem Bible College as an option for Palestinians to receive a theological education without international travel. 

Today the college offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It is also home to the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice, a program that teaches peace and justice from a Palestinian perspective. 

BIPJ began in 2021 when BBC, which identifies as a “Palestinian Christian Evangelical university college” and welcomes students of all denominations, relaunched its peace program, which had faltered for logistical reasons. Bush, professor emeritus of missiology at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, came to BBC in 2019 and developed an online format for the program. 

Peace runs deeply through BBC. For founder Bishara Awad, peace came only after he was able to forgive the Israelis who killed his father in 1948. When Awad was 9, his father was killed by an Israeli bullet when he left the house and walked into the street. Awad and his siblings were playing in the backyard. 

As Palestinian Christians, Awad and his family held strongly to Jesus’ teachings against war and violence. But he harbored anger and bitterness toward the Israelis. It was not until he was an adult that Awad was able to forgive them and be released from his hatred. After this, he became a more effective teacher. 

“It is only right that from the city of the birthplace of the Prince of Peace, we sow seeds of peace throughout all the world,” he said in 2021. 

Editor’s Note: A longer version of this article originally appeared in Anabaptist World on Nov. 2, 2023, and is re-published here with permission. To view the full article, please click here.  

Eileen Kinch

Eileen Kinch is a writer and editor for the Mosaic communication team. She holds a Master of Divinity degree, with an emphasis in the Ministry of Writing, from Earlham School of Religion. She and her husband, Joel Nofziger, who serves as director of the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, live near Tylersport, PA. They attend Methacton Mennonite Church. Eileen is also a member of Keystone Fellowship Friends Meeting in Lancaster County.

Assembly 2023: Gathering to Worship God’s Faithful Truth

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Around 250 people gathered for worship during Mosaic’s Assembly on November 4, centered on the theme of emet, God’s faithful truth. Songs and scriptures were proclaimed in the languages of Mosaic congregations, prayers were offered, and newly credentialed leaders were anointed and offered anointing to all present who wished to receive it.  

There was a time of remembering the seven credentialed leaders that had died over the past year, one who had retired, as well as a congregation that had closed, and three congregations who had left Mosaic.  

As representatives from Line Lexington (PA) and Towamencin (Kulpsville, PA) congregations came forward for prayer, Mosaic representatives laid hands on them, and Executive Minister Steve Kriss offered a prayer. 

“We have the privilege today to do something that Mennonites have not often done well… These communities are still our neighbors, our siblings,” said Kriss. “We pray for the three congregations who have left Mosaic to flourish…and may we overextend our greetings of peace, embrace of love, and shared joy.”   

In her sermon, Hyacinth Stevens, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee East Coast, offered guidance for the rest of the day, “Let us not prioritize schedules over the practice of presence.”  

Morning and afternoon delegate sessions followed worship. Read more about the delegate sessions here.

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is a member of the communication team, helping with editing, writing, and content creation. She was born near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in an intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.

Mosaic Assembly 2023 Report: Bound Together, Sharing Differences 

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Hyacinth Stevens, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee East Coast, was the speaker during Mosaic Assembly Worship.

To read more about the worship service, click here.

“Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken, bind us together, Lord, with love,” prayed Hyacinth Stevens, Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee East Coast, in her sermon during Mosaic Assembly Worship on November 4. In subsequent delegate sessions, more than 300 persons gathered would reflect on the question, “What binds us together as Mosaic?”  

This was just the second time that Mosaic Conference gathered in-person for Assembly, bringing together delegates from California, Florida, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church.  

After a transformational worship service that centered on Psalm 116 & 117 and the theme of emet, God’s faithful truth, delegates called on the Holy Spirit as they gathered to give feedback during the delegate sessions.  

The morning delegate session, led by Angela Moyer Walter, Conference Moderator, began with an introduction of the Mosaic moderators, Board, staff, and committees, greetings from Jon Carlson, MC USA Moderator, and a prayer from Roy Williams, Assistant Conference Moderator. Delegates got acquainted using an identity chart as a tool to help “bring your whole self to the meeting,” explained Gwen Groff, Mosaic Board member and Pastor of Bethany (VT).  

At the beginning of the morning delegate session, Angela Moyer Walter introduced Mosaic’s boards, committees and staff members.

After table discussion, a communion service in Spanish, Indonesian, and English invited everyone to “bring to Christ in communion all the beautiful and broken parts of us.” 

An extended time for lunch and fellowship preceded the afternoon delegate session, in which the Pathway Steering Team provided context on the feedback gathered over the past year.   

Members of the Pathway Steering Team provided background information for the afternoon delegate session.

Pathway Steering Team member Mark Reiff explained, “The newness of Mosaic Conference means we need to ask, ‘Who are we?’ before we ask, ‘With whom do we affiliate?’” Reiff continued, “There is a lot of breadth in how each of our congregations come to Mosaic’s missional, formational, and intercultural priorities and articulating that helps us as we dream about what God is calling us to.”  

In table groups, delegates shared feedback on the Pathway Strategic Planning listening tour summary and named what goals they would have for Mosaic’s three priorities and how to achieve the goals.  Themes that emerged from the large group sharing time were the desire for more opportunities for fellowship and deeper relationships, more connection and communication between congregations, and a greater emphasis on antiracism. Some felt impatient with the Pathway process, and others recognized the difficulty of communicating across differences.  

After hearing the large group feedback, Marta Castillo, Associate Executive Minister responded, “We ask you to continue to pray, and to trust that we love and care for the Conference as much as you do, to trust that we are taking time to do this with as much integrity as we can. Thank you for your participation in this process.”  

A highlight of the afternoon was a session on peacebuilding and reconciliation through drumming, led by George and Mukarabe Makinto, Associate Pastors of LA Faith Chapel. The room was divided into parts, each given a phrase from Ephesians 4:1-6, to offer repeatedly with a rhythmic instrument or beating of hands on the tables. “Each rhythm is different, just like life, and when it comes together, builds a beautiful mosaic of rhythm,” Makinto shared.  

Drum circle led by George and Mukarabe Makinto, Associate Pastors of LA Faith Chapel.

Later in the afternoon, delegates reflected on which biblical stories and personal experiences shape their understanding of what it means to be a Spirit-led Mosaic Conference.  

To close the day, Assembly participants sang a song written for Mosaic Conference by Makinto and Leadership Minister Emily Ralph Servant, which represented the cries of so many gathered, to remain bound together, sharing across differences: “Let your faithful truth abound… Spirit heal us, Spirit lead us over hills and deepest valleys, prepare ye a way.”

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is a member of the communication team, helping with editing, writing, and content creation. She was born near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in an intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.

Mosaic Institute: Finding Our Place in God’s Story 

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By: Rose Bender Cook

All newly credentialed leaders in Mosaic Conference are required to take four courses from the Mosaic Institute. These courses introduce them to Anabaptist history and Mosaic Conference priorities as well as help foster collegial relationships across geography and culture. 

One of the assignments in the first course is called, “Great Cloud of Witnesses.”  Students choose from a list of noteworthy Anabaptists that spans 500 years (e.g., Felix Manz, Christopher Dock, Anne Allebach, Clayton Kratz, and James and Rowena Lark) and present a first-person monologue of their character.   

Over years of teaching this course, I have noticed that the students are less likely to choose from the list of names on the syllabus.  More often, they want to research people that connect their story to the larger Anabaptist story.  These are some recent questions students have asked me: 

  • “Can I research how the Anabaptist movement went to Indonesia?”  
  • “I want to interview Ransford Nicholson and learn about the Jamaican Mennonite Conference.”   
  • “I grew up in the beautiful village of Abiriba, Nigeria, and it had Mennonite doctors and nurses. Can I research how and why they came to that village?”  

As they research and share these new-to-me stories, I am learning history, too.   

During the course, students share their own pathway to Anabaptism. We also learn early Anabaptist history through original source documents and John Roth’s book, Stories: How Mennonites Came to Be.  We learn Mosaic Conference history by going to the Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA) and by connecting with congregational leaders and local Conference Related Ministries.   

The students and I hear the story of God’s people in the past and develop relationships that help us imagine God’s future story.  As we learn about people and places like Menno Simons, the Germantown (PA) Meetinghouse, the formation of Norristown (PA) Nueva Vida New Life, we hear the testimony of God’s call to a life of peace and justice after living through genocide in Burundi; we learn what it means to be faithful to God’s call while organizing with the Poor People’s Campaign in New York; and, we hear about experiments of immigrants becoming pastors in predominantly English-speaking congregations.  

Though teaching the traditional curriculum is still important, a higher priority for the Mosaic Institute is that students find themselves in the Anabaptist story and in the even grander story of God’s church. 

Ministers and leaders gathered for a Mosaic Institute course in May 2023. Left to right: Steve Kriss, Executive Minister; Rose Bender Cook, Mosaic Institute Director; Effiem Obasi Otah of Faith Chapel (CA); Marcos Acosta of Homestead Mennonite Church (FL); Joe Paperone, connected to Bethany Mennonite Church (VT); Mukarabe Makinto of Faith Chapel (CA), and Sherilee Samuels of College Hill Mennonite Church (FL).

Photo provided by Rose Bender Cook.

At Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church, where I am one of the pastors, we are in a series called Build Your Church, Lord, and we have been asking members to pray this phrase daily.  I have been amazed (once again) by the church in Acts. In the face of persecution and divisive conflict, the church is still ultimately one of widening the circle of Jewish Christians, Samaritan Christians, Ethiopian Christians, and Gentile Christians.  The Spirit leads the way.  Each group finds its place in God’s story.   

In the current milieu of Christian nationalism and culture wars that seemingly define the issues that divide our congregations and our conference, my experiences with Mosaic Institute classes ground and remind me of the long and wide story of God’s people and God’s church.  I am convinced that our Conference name is both descriptive and prophetic. We are Mosaic, and we are becoming more so—in all the beauty and richness.   

Continue to build your church, Lord.  May your glory and your kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

Rose Bender Cook

Rose Bender Cook is the Interim Leadership Minister for Formation and the Mosaic Institute Director. She is also a pastor at Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church.