Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

 Staff Transitions this Fall in Mosaic Conference 

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By Jennifer Svetlik

The summer and fall months have brought numerous staff transitions for Mosaic Conference. These changes seek to respond to needs the Conference has identified as we continue to live more fully into our missional, intercultural, and formational priorities, through the Pathways Strategic Plan and the Vibrant Mosaic Program.   

Departures:  

Mike Clemmer ended his role as Leadership Minister in August 2024, a position he had served in for nearly nine years.  

Mary Nitzsche will retire and end her role as Leadership Minister in September 2024. From 2017-2022 she served as Associate Executive Minister. 

Conrad Martin will retire at the end of October after nearly 24 years serving as Mosaic’s Director of Finance and the FMC Properties Board’s Chief Operating Officer.  

New Staff: 

Javier Marquez began in July 2024 as Mosaic Conference’s first staff person in Colombia, serving as Communications Coordinator for Mosaico Colombia. In 2019-20 he worked as the Conference Communications Intern through Mennonite Central Committee’s International Volunteer Exchange Program.  

Jaye Lindo began in August 2024 as Hospitality Coordinator, supporting the Vibrant Mosaic program, Mosaic Institute, and Assembly planning by coordinating logistics for events and classes, including travel and lodging. 

Gary Alloway began in September 2024 as a Leadership Minister and serves as pastor of Redemption Church of Bristol (PA).

Tim Weaver began in September 2024 as an interim Leadership Minister and is a retired Chaplain from The Community at Rockhill (Sellersville, PA). 

Paulus Thalathoti began in September 2024 as the incoming Director of Finance. He is the director of the Conference-Related Ministry Peace Proclamation Ministries International and a pastor.    

Sue Conrad Howes who had previously served as Communication Team Lead and editor of Mosaic News from 2020 to January 2024, has returned temporarily as Assembly Registrar and Translation Coordinator.  

New Roles for Current Staff  

Danilo Sanchez, Mosaic’s Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation, and Emily Ralph Servant, Mosaic’s Leadership Minister for Strategic Priorities became the Co-directors of the Vibrant Mosaic Program in July 2024.

Brendan Sagastume became the Intercultural Communication Associate in August 2024, after his time as a summer Ambassador with Mosaic ended.  

Brooke Martin became the Leadership Minister for Administration in September 2024, a change that reflects her increasing responsibilities for the growing staff and programing of Mosaic Conference.  

Ertell Whigham, Leadership Minister, has increased his time in accompanying congregations in their missional, formational, and intercultural transformation.  

“I’m so grateful for the gifts and commitments of our staff team,” shared Stephen Kriss, Executive Minister of Mosaic Mennonite Conference. “We have been blessed through the years of leadership and service of those moving toward retirement. Mike, Mary, and Conrad have been true servants and stewards of the church with a posture of hard work, deep care, and sincere humility.” 

Kriss continued, “Our new staff members are also persons with deep experience and commitment. I’m grateful for the diversity of their gifts and their willingness to step in to the complexities and possibilities of Mosaic. We continue to be blessed with persons who feel a sense of call into our shared work together.” 

The staff of Mosaic Conference is comprised of 26 full-time and part-time persons.  

Conference staff accompany and support congregations, credentialed leaders, Conference-Related Ministries and ministry partners, serving over 100 affiliated Mosaic communities and ministries in nine states along with partnerships in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Staff members work regularly in English, Spanish, and Indonesian languages.   

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic.

Mosaic Conference Seeks Support for Hurricane Milton Recovery

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By Jennifer Svetlik with interviews by Javier Marquez

On October 10, Hurricane Milton, at one point a Category 5 storm, caused flooding and tornadoes across Florida and left at least 17 people dead. As the storm neared, some Mosaic congregation members in the Tampa and Sarasota areas evacuated to locations further north and east. Leaders of the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) clean-up projects in western Florida evacuated to Homestead Mennonite (south of Miami) for several nights before returning to their work, and Homestead also provided meals to the community during the storm.   

“We had time to prepare and stock up on essential items. We also covered the windows with wood to protect them,” shared Pastor Secundino Casas (Evangélica Menonita Shalom [Tampa, FL]). “We prayed to God, then took refuge in what we assumed was the safest area. Shalom is a very close-knit community of faith so in every good or bad situation that happens to us, we are always together.” 

As a result of Hurricane Milton, trees were knocked down and the building of College Hill (Tampa, FL) had minor damage. The front porch was damaged at the Seguidores de Cristo building (Sarasota, FL). Both congregations have been able to manage the needed repairs with resources from within their communities.  

“We were in prayer for the entire community, for the church, and for all its leaders,” shared Haroldo Nunes (Seguidores de Cristo). “We must first trust in God’s promises and His assurance, so that we can then express them to our brothers and sisters.” 

North Tampa (FL) Fellowship and Iglesia Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) were the Mosaic congregations most impacted by hurricane-related damage. The North Tampa building needs roof repair. The Luz y Verdad building experienced wind damage and rain leaking in several places and needs various repairs.  

MDS reviewed the needs of both buildings and are recommending that the fundraising for these repairs be handled internally. Mosaic congregations are invited to consider partnering directly with North Tampa or Luz y Verdad to fundraise for these repairs.  

Mosaic Mennonite Conference is seeking to raise $10,000 for roof repair at North Tampa, and flood repair at Luz y Verdad.  

The Shalom Fund, which responds directly to immediate needs within Mosaic congregations and their communities, is accepting donations to support the repairs needed at North Tampa and Luz y Verdad. Thank you to those who have already given generously! 

The Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) building was impacted by wind and flood damage.
The Luz y Verdad (Lakeland, FL) building was impacted by wind and flood damage.

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in 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. 

Javier Márquez

Javier Márquez is Writer & Communication Coordinator for Mosaico Colombia. He is an Anabaptist Colombian pacifist and poet. He is based in Bogota, Colombia.

Entering Assembly with Gratitude

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by Stephen Kriss

Two years ago, amid a lot of emotions, we gathered in person at Assembly for the first time “as Mosaic” at Souderton (PA) Mennonite. It was hard and holy. It felt different. Our theme focused on God’s chesed, or lovingkindness and pre-existent grace, which I’m still convinced will be essential for Mosaic to thrive, along with yieldedness and the ability to go the second mile (c.f. Matthew 5:41).  

This week, we will gather again to mark the conclusion of the Pathway process and recognize our ongoing growth and challenges. We discerned to keep our meeting date ahead of a contentious US presidential election, knowing that it could bring additional emotions into the space. We continue to experience growing pains. After two years together, the Pathway team has given us a new strategic plan, already approved by the Board, with priorities that include relationship building and clarifying our identity. 

Amid all of this, I am coming to Assembly grateful. Over the past number of weeks, the majority of Mosaic delegates have been engaged in listening and discerning. This is a hard time to do church across difference. We have language, culture, and geographic differences on top of our theological, social, and political ones. I’m grateful for each person who has given time, energy, prayer, and sometimes restless sleep to this process thus far. It is evident that we care about our future together, even when we disagree about what that future could look like. 

Nearly 200 delegates will take their places at the Assembly table groups, to encounter God together, bringing their own experiences and wisdom of their communities to the table. We will use the method of red, yellow, and green colors as a way to avoid up/down decisions. This approach allows us to hear dissent and move toward yieldedness.  

We will vote to affirm the Pathway Team’s recommendation to establish a healthy partnership with MC USA. This is a vote to keep the process moving for another year so that we can clarify what partnership means, with bylaw adjustment options coming in 2025. It extends chesed so that we can have better clarifying conversations about our relationships with Mennonite Church USA and allow those of us who had griefs and concerns to be heard and to listen as well. In the year ahead, we will learn more together to be able to make more informed decisions, deepened and broadened by our engagement with each other and MC USA leaders. 

In some ways, this process keeps us in what can feel like the wilderness (c.f. Exodus 15-16). We cannot move forward, and we cannot go back. The wilderness was a time of learning new behaviors and of distraction and complaining. There was manna and quail. There was a golden calf and broken tablets. 

Being together in a wilderness can help us learn about God’s provision. It gives space for praise led by worship leaders like Miriam. It gives time for young adults like Joshua and Caleb to grow into their leadership skills. It’s also a place of becoming a people redefined no longer by enslavement but by a new identity that emerges as both beautiful and broken. 

I’m grateful God has brought us this far. We know it’s by grace. And as we gather with a bustling group that bursts the seams of Souderton Mennonite’s meetinghouse, we know the Spirit will show up. I humbly and expectantly look forward to experiencing the Spirit’s leading us, together. 

Stephen Kriss

Stephen Kriss is the Executive Minister of Mosaic Conference.

10 Things to Know Before Assembly 2024

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1. Read the docket and other important documents before Assembly. Print out a hard copy (if you want one) or bring an electronic device on which you can read it. We will not be supplying hard copies. 
 
2. Ahead of time, review the FAQ document to understand how the voting will work (including red, yellow, and green colors) for delegates regarding the partnership recommendation with MC USA. 

3. On Saturday, Nov. 2, enter Souderton Mennonite Church through the main carport entrance. There is a parking lot across the street from the meetinghouse, on Chestnut Street, and parking around the building. Plan that parking and getting through the registration line could take 15 minutes.  

4. Doors open for registration at 8:50 am. Arrive early for community time in the Fellowship (Exhibit) Hall where Conference-Related Ministries (CRMs) and other agencies will be available to connect. Worship will begin at 9:30 am.  

5. From 12:30-2 pm, both the Exhibit Hall and lunch will be available. Be sure to plan time to visit both!   

6. Marta Castillo will be available during lunch in the lunchroom to meet with credentialed leaders who still need to complete items to renew their credentials. Stop by to ask questions or to verify what you still need in order to renew. 

7. Please bring a handheld rhythm instrument, such as drumsticks, for the peacemaking and drumming time during our afternoon session. If you don’t bring something, your hands work great too! 

8. Our Assembly Support Fund remains open for online giving and also through a collection basket at lunch. Your gifts offset the travel costs for delegates coming from a distance (FL, CA, VT). 

9. A prayer room is located next to the delegate session room, off the coffee area, from 9:30 am-4:30 pm. It is available for anyone to pray or receive prayer. 

10. In addition to the mid-day luncheon, light snacks (including PA Dutch and Mexican pastries), coffee, and tea are provided throughout the day. Childcare is available. There is no childcare during lunch. 

We look forward to seeing everyone on November 2! Need more information? Visit the Assembly Webpage. 

“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!” – Celebrating Conrad Martin

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After 23 years of faithful service to Franconia Conference and then Mosaic Mennonite Conference, Conrad Martin (Blooming Glen [PA]) will retire from his role as Director of Finance and FMC Properties Board’s (the property-holding company of the Conference) Chief Operating Officer on October 31, 2024.  

His work has touched each person who is a member of a Mosaic congregation or Conference-Related Ministry. Since early September, he has been training the new Director of Finance, Paulus Thalathoti (Plains [Hatfield, PA]). 

Some of those he worked with on the Conference’s Finance Committee reflected on Martin’s impact over the years.  

“Our Conference has been so blessed by the dedicated attention Conrad has placed on the stewardship of our resources–dollars, properties, and relationships,” shared Barb Rice, (Deep Run East [Perkasie, PA). “As a long-time Finance Committee member, I was always confident that every detail was properly accounted for.”  

“Conrad always had his finger on the financial pulse of the conference and was able to give helpful financial insight to projects or mission opportunities as they arose,” reflected Cory Longacre (Souderton [PA] Mennonite), who has served as the Finance Committee Chair for the past seven years.  

“He served Franconia Mennonite Conference (FMC) and Mosaic faithfully as if the assets and accounts were his own. I appreciate how Conrad is working diligently to pass the baton to Paulus and finishing strong, so our conference doesn’t miss a beat.” 

As Martin has been reflecting on his years in this role, he has recalled many memories and wanted to share some of the highlights:  

Three-legged stool 

“The first Conference executive I worked for, Phil Bergey, described Franconia Conference as a three-legged stool. The first leg was the many congregations of the region, meeting the spiritual needs of individuals. The second leg was the many Conference-Related Ministries (CRMs), meeting physical needs. The third leg was the many Mennonite businesses, meeting the financial needs of the Conference, churches, and CRMs. I pray we can continue to foster strong relationships with each of these groups.” 

E3 

“I loved E3 (Equipping Leaders, to Empower others, to Embrace God’s mission). This was the mission statement of Franconia Conference for many years. The staff set aside a full day to finetune the statement, so that it was meaningful and memorable.  While this is not the formal mission statement of the Conference today, it can still be the way we do ministry.” 

One IVEPer can change the world 

“Her name is Henny Samadi. She came to the Conference from Indonesia through the Mennonite Central Committee IVEP program. She helped the Conference connect with independent Indonesian congregations that were new to south Philadelphia. I will never forget her youthful exuberance and how her work continues to reverberate many years later because of how those Indonesian congregations are such an important part of our Conference now.” 

If you build it, they will come

“In the early years of becoming a multilingual conference, Conference leaders decided to purchase translation equipment. We didn’t need it often at that time, but they had the foresight that we would eventually have many languages in the Conference and would want everyone to be able to participate. I was given the small job of setting up the equipment and handing out headsets at Assembly. I enjoyed that task because it gave me the opportunity to meet new people.” 

Owning a shopping center  

“It was the dream in the 1980s of a few businesspersons within the Conference to purchase a shopping center, renovate it, put good tenants in place, and sell it to the Conference to become an income stream for the Conference for years to come. In 2001, I sat in on the settlement of the purchase, in the presence of these visionaries. One of hats I wore was to manage this facility. It continues to be a blessing to the Conference financially.” 

Did it have to be on Christmas Day? 

“Managing a shopping center isn’t always convenient. One Christmas I got a call that the power was out at the shopping center. My day was filled with several trips there, monitoring the progress by the power company, as a transformer on the property had blown out, causing a loss of power to the whole neighborhood. It was not the merriest of Christmases.” 

Daring to dream 

“In the early 2000s, Conference leaders were wrestling with the concept of property ownership. Many people wondered why the Conference owned a farm. We were blown away when an offer came to buy the farm for more money than we could have imagined it was worth. We began to dream of all the ways the Conference could use this money. Growth of ministries, assisting congregations, and investing funds for the future. A Conference Vision and Financial Plan taskforce was formed and held lots of discussions. In the end, I believe the right decision was made; hold onto the farm property and sell the development rights (ensuring that the farm would stay a farm).” 

Investing in the Kingdom 

“In the mid-2000s, Phil Bergey took a trip to the Netherlands to learn about the remnant of Mennonites living there. Phil shared that they are incredibly wealthy, but the church is nearly dead. The message I carry from his trip is that putting money into savings or properties isn’t the only way to invest the resources that have been entrusted to you. Spending money on ministry is an investment in the kingdom of God, not unlike the parable of the talents.” 

Merger and tears 

“It was the dream of many in Franconia and Eastern District Conferences to ‘undo’ the separation between them that had existed for more than a century. The process of bringing the two together took many years. The day of the merger vote was emotional for many people. As we tabulated each vote, I remember counting; yes, yes, yes; on and on it went. I will never forget the look of shock that Sherri Binder (the merger taskforce chair) had when I informed her of the unanimous decision to merge. I was in tears. It was a joyous occasion.” 

COVID loneliness 

“While many were able to work from their homes during the pandemic, the nature of my work led me to come into the Conference office every day. It was lonely being the only person in the office. I had experiences working alone in various assignments I had overseas, so perhaps these helped prepare me, but it was still difficult. I appreciated the support I received from my fellow colleagues from a distance.”  

Elderly wisdom 

“One of the reasons the loneliness of COVID was so difficult was because I had many years of Conference work sharing meals with wise elders. Although there were many, I mention two: Claude Good and Noah Kolb. It was energizing to talk with Claude about his days in Mexico and his excitement of connecting with persons from around the world during the onset of The Worm Project. He also taught me a lot about humility. Noah taught me so much about gardening, that it became one of my favorite hobbies. I miss those conversations.” 

A Rich history 

“I would be amiss not to name the influence Rich Moyer had on my early years with the Conference. He came to the Conference in the 1980s and carried so much history that was invaluable to me, as a newcomer to eastern Pennsylvania and Franconia Conference, in adjusting to my job. I had several years of overlap to learn from him. I hope the memories of the past 23 years will not be lost after I leave.” 

Just-a-swingin’ 

“Phil also described Franconia Conference as a swing (based on the teachings of Leonard Sweet). To swing, one needs to lean back and kick their feet out. He said the Conference was leaning back on our rich 300-year history, all the way back into the arms of Jesus, while simultaneously kicking forward into the future, in alignment with where the Spirit is leading us. I hope we continue to define Mosaic Conference as one that builds on its strong historical foundation, as we move out into the future.” 

A simple blessing 

“I pray that God will continue to bless the work of Mosaic Conference as we strive to be faithful in our work and to be good stewards of the resources God has given us.” 

Thank you, Conrad, for your intentional and thoughtful stewardship and leadership over all these years! You will be missed. 

Conrad Martin at his last Mosaic Staff Meeting where he was gifted a plant for his greenhouse.

Congregational Profile – Ark of Christ

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Ark of Christ was approved by Mosaic’s board as a member congregation and will be welcomed at Mosaic’s Assembly on November 2, 2024.

Ark of Christ Church, located near Anaheim, Los Angeles, California, aims to reach the lost for Jesus. Many of its members come from Indonesian backgrounds, and the church is focused on sharing the Gospel and making disciples. Services are held at 2 PM in English, offering a welcoming place for everyone to grow in faith and experience Christ’s love.

Congregational Profile – Bethel Worship and Teaching Center

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Editor’s note: Bethel Worship and Teaching Center was approved by Mosaic’s board as a member congregation and will be welcomed at Mosaic’s Assembly on November 2, 2024.    

Bethel Worship and Bible Teaching Center (Levittown, PA) was born in the basement of the home of Pastor Samuel Charles three years ago.  

Formerly a co-pastor of Solidarité et Harmonie (Solidarity & Harmony) in Philadelphia, PA, Charles prayed about whether he was called to start a new congregation. 

In January 2023, the immigrant families who had regularly gathered were able to move into a former church building for their worship service. In addition to Sunday worship, which often includes a fellowship meal, there is a Friday bible study that meets on Zoom.  

Worship is in Haitian Creole, and there is a thriving children’s program in English. The church offers a place for recent immigrants to build networks, find jobs, and become more integrated into U.S. society. They hope to start an ESL program. 

“The primary reasons our congregation desires to become a member of Mosaic Mennonite Conference are that we intend to formally align ourselves with the Conference, and we desire to advance the teaching of Jesus Christ and the tenets of Anabaptist theology within the Haitian community,” shares Pastor Sam Charles. 

Bethel invites the intercessory prayers of Mosaic Conference congregations, especially for the spiritual wellbeing of Bethel and for the leaders to receive God’s wisdom and make a positive impact on the community. They also ask for prayers that the congregation might be able to acquire the building that they currently occupy.  

“The long-term objective for Bethel is to facilitate positive change within the community,” Pastor Charles adds. “We hope the church can have a significant, beneficial impact on those in need of spiritual guidance, and that those who are currently lacking in such support will be encouraged to embrace the teachings of Christ. The aim is to establish a presence within the Haitian community where the teachings of the Bible and practice of worship are held in high regard.” 

The Bethel congregation gathers to celebrate their 3rd Anniversary in October 2024. Photo by Stephen Kriss. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in 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. 

What to Expect at Assembly 2024

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On Saturday, November 2, around 350 people, including delegates and credentialed leaders from across the country, will gather in Souderton, PA for the 2024 Mosaic Conference Assembly. Guided by this year’s theme, “Walk Humbly,” we will worship and pray together, eat and fellowship, and have engaged conversations on the future of Mosaic including our strategic plan, Vibrant Mosaic program, and denominational affiliation.  
 
The day will begin with worship, which is open to all, even those not signed up as a guest. It will also be live streamed for those not attending in person. There will be lively music and a sermon from Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, who will preach on the theme of humility, guided by the text of Micah 6:8. 

Our worship service will also recognize newly credentialed leaders, honor those among us who have died in the last year, and pray for the work and workers of our Conference-Related Ministries.   

The morning delegate session will follow worship, and each delegate will be seated at a table group with a table leader. All table leaders were invited to a training prior to Assembly, which is part of the initial work in the intercultural priority of the strategic plan. Each table group will commit to a covenant which says, in part:  

“As we talk during delegate sessions or chat in the breaks, we commit to practicing God’s loving-kindness, faithful truth, and humility.
Loving-kindness: Listening carefully to words, feelings, body language, and silence while keeping confidentiality. 
Faithful Truth: Taking responsibility for our words, using “I” language, speaking clearly, and naming feelings without blaming others. 
Humility: Assuming the best of others, honoring the consensus of the group, caring for those with a dissenting opinion, and remaining open to God’s Spirit, even if it means changing our mind.”

This kind of covenant had been used with Assembly tables groups in the past and is being reinvigorated this year.  

During the delegate sessions, three new member congregations (Ark of Christ [Anaheim, CA], Bethel Worship and Teaching Center [Levittown, PA], and Resplandece Mennonite [Pembroke Pines, FL]) and one Conference-Related Ministry (The Worm Project) will be welcomed.  

There will be times of singing praise and having communion together. There will also be an opportunity to learn more and discuss the Vibrant Mosaic Program and the strategic plan. Instructions for the vote will be given (reference the FAQ document for more on the different colors that will be used) and delegates will be invited to respond to the partnership recommendation (ballot text available in the docket). 

Makinto, Associate Pastor of LA (CA) Faith Chapel and Director of Conference-Related Ministry Amahoro International, will again this year lead the group in a powerful peacebuilding and drumming ritual, guided by Micah 6:8. Participants should bring a handheld percussive instrument such as drumsticks (or plan to drum with your hands.) 

What to Expect: Prayer Room

All are invited to spend time in the prayer room during Assembly. The room is a space for intercessors to gather and pray onsite for the Assembly participants and proceedings. Intercessors who are not onsite commit to praying from where they are. Each is invited to pray for a half-hour block of time from the start of Assembly until its conclusion.

Any assembly attendees who want a quiet space for reflection can visit the prayer room. (The prayer room is located near the delegate hall, off the coffee space. Please follow the signs.) If an intercessor is present, they will be available to pray with any who comes in and desires prayer.

While the focus of the prayer room centers on the Assembly proceedings, the prayers can include personal concerns that attendees may have beyond the Assembly agenda.     

There will be an extended period for lunch and relationship building, including time to visit the Fellowship (Exhibit) Hall, to visit with Mosaic Conference-Related Ministries and other agencies. This space will be open prior to worship and throughout the lunch period for visiting before or after eating. At 2pm, the Exhibit Hall will close. 
 
Beyond the Saturday Assembly is a weekend of connecting and being community together. On Friday morning, Rev. Dr. Edwards will speak at a brunch for the leaders of Conference-Related Ministries and other Mosaic leaders. In the evening, the Renewing Nations and Generations annual gathering for People of the Global Majority/People of Color will offer participants time to connect, worship, eat, and learn together on this year’s theme of “Might from the Margins.” Sunday will include some pulpit swaps and visits by guest pastors. 
 
We look forward to seeing you at Mosaic’s Assembly on November 2. For further information, please see Mosaic’s Assembly webpage.