Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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All I Have is Running Paint 

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by Emily Ralph Servant

We spent months planning our painting party at the school. We found cute hawk print stencils, matched the burgundy and gold of the school colors, and waited for a stretch of warm weather to coincide with school vacation. 

We cleaned off years of class numbers that overlapped on the pavement where the elementary school kids lined up. We were not only going to repaint the numbers, but we were going one step further; we planned to paint lines of hawk prints (the school mascot) to show the kids where to line up. For months, we had watched the teachers yelling at the kids at the end of long school days, trying to keep them in straight lines in the tight space. If we could bring some peace to dismissal time, we felt like we were doing God’s work. 

The day finally arrived, with temperatures rising into the fifties over New Year’s weekend. It had rained over Christmas break but we had a dry forecast. A bunch of people had offered to help, but when the day came, only two neighbors showed up. Together with my first-grade daughter, the four of us measured, taped, stenciled, and painted. We talked about life, about faith, and about our community.  

A few hours later, we stepped back to admire our work. And, boy, did it look good. 

My church, Refuge, is shaped around empowering people who want to live like Jesus and with Jesus in our neighborhoods. With the encouragement of Mosaic’s missional lead, Noel Santiago, Refuge has been using the church planting grant we received from the conference to support our members in loving our neighborhoods. Refuge paid for the paint and supplies we needed to spruce up the school and I was excited about this connection between my church expression and my community. 

The next day, I got an email from the school/community liaison. She sent me some photos.  Despite the forecast, it had rained overnight. Before the paint dried. And all our beautiful paint had run down the sidewalk. 

I was frustrated. I was embarrassed. Instead of improving the situation, we had made it worse. And with the cold stretch, it would be months before the weather, the school’s schedule, and my free time would line up again. 

Soon afterward, our virtual Refuge gathering was studying the story of Jesus choosing his apostles in Luke 6. The CEB version we read describes how Jesus took his disciples up the mountain, named some of them as apostles, and then brought them back down the mountain, where they stood in front of a large crowd of Jesus’ followers (vs. 12-17). I thought about how I would have felt as one of those newly-named apostles, standing in front of hundreds of people as one who had been chosen to join Jesus in his public ministry. 

Jesus—the one who taught so powerfully, healed all the sick, set people free from oppressive spirits, creatively navigated conflict, stood strong in the face of opposition—had chosen me to join him in his work of making the world right again. 

And all I have is running paint. 

I felt so inadequate. How could I ever live up to this call? 

But as we practiced listening prayer in response to this passage, I realized that the big crowd wasn’t looking at me; they were looking at Jesus. Jesus was the attraction. As long as I was pointing people to Jesus, I was enough. Jesus is already present, healing my neighborhood, and I get to be a part of it. 

Running paint and all. 

Emily Ralph Servant

Emily Ralph Servant is the Leadership Minister for Strategic Priorities for Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Emily has served in pastoral roles at Swamp and Indonesian Light congregations and graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Seeing Each Other As Children of God

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by Sue Conrad Howes, Director of Pastoral Services, St. Luke’s Penn Foundation 

Originally published on the St. Luke’s Penn Foundation blog. Reprinted with permission  

When I first began working as a chaplain in mental health, I was anxious. I said to my supervisor, “I’m not really sure this is the place for me to do my chaplaincy as I have never done chaplaincy in this arena before.” My supervisor gently replied, “Do you think you’ll be able to interact with each client as though s/he is a child of God?” I said, “Yes.”  Then he said, “That is all you’ll need to do.” 

I am reminded of those wise words so often in my work. In fact, I try to remind myself of my goal each day, thinking, “God, help me see each person I meet today as your beloved child.” When I remember the guidance that I was given, I can do my work better and not get caught up in the stigmas, diagnoses, or addictions that the people with whom I work face each day. It allows me to see the client, not as a diagnosis or an addict, but rather as a child of God. Suddenly, I know how to interact with this person – I love them, as I should all children of God. 

I share this story as a sort of confession. Even as a chaplain for a mental health facility, I too have struggled, and sometimes still do, with knowing how best to serve, support, and encourage persons with mental health issues and addictions. Also, when I started in mental health, I felt like I needed to do a lot of reading and research on mental health diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.  Again, my wise advisor told me, sure, you can learn about them, but it’s probably best when you first meet a client/patient that you not even know what his/her diagnosis is. “Just treat them as a beloved child of God.” Although learning about different diagnoses has been helpful in better understanding the clients, I have learned that their diagnoses do not define them or how I enter into a relationship with them. Our relationship is already cemented by my belief that we are both children of God, worthy of love and acceptance. 

May is Mental Health Awareness month. I wish we didn’t have to have a special month to promote it, but the stigmas of mental illness are still prevalent today. When I find myself guarded about interacting with a client due to his/her illness, I ask myself, “Would I be treating them this way if they had a diagnosis of diabetes or cancer?” We accept those illnesses and freely want to support those persons, but we still are challenged in accepting mental illnesses. 

I challenge you this month and in the year ahead, as you interact with persons in your congregation, your family, and your community with mental illness, to remember first and foremost that they, like you, are a beloved child of God. Be kind, gentle, and loving to them and yourself. 

Sue Conrad Howes

Sue Conrad Howes is a chaplain at St.Luke’s Penn Foundation and is an ordained pastor in MC USA. She and her husband live in Quakertown, PA and are members at West Swamp Mennonite Church.

Mosaic Mennonite Conference Receives $21,000 Grant for Vital Worship Initiative

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Participants of the Anabaptist Worship Network 2023 songwriting retreat, which included four people from Mosaic Conference. Photo by Darryl Neustaedter Barg.

Mosaic Mennonite Conference (Lansdale, PA) has received a $21,000 grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship to discern the theological distinctiveness and ethnocultural diversity of the church’s music. The project will provide tools to effectively evaluate CCLI Top 100 contemporary worship music from an Anabaptist theological perspective and provide suggestions to broaden the Top 100 list to better represent the diversity of the church.  

The project, entitled “Anabaptist CCLI Top 100 and Beyond,” is organized in partnership with the Anabaptist Worship Network and is part of a cluster of similar projects which have been called together by the Centre for Congregational Song. The project will be led by Rev. Dr. Emily Ralph Servant (Leadership Minister for Strategic Priorities for Mosaic Conference); Rev. Dr. Sarah Kathleen Johnson (Assistant Professor of Liturgical and Pastoral Theology at Saint Paul University); and Anneli Loepp Thiessen (PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Music Research at the University of Ottawa).  

“We aspire to create a theological framework for evaluating some of the most widely sung worship songs from an Anabaptist perspective. We aim to work together across Anabaptist traditions, with representatives from the Mennonite Brethren, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church USA, Church of the Brethren, and Evangelical-Anabaptists, on the team,” shared Sarah Kathleen Johnson, who is representing the project on the Together in Worship leadership team.

From right: Emily Ralph Servant (Mosaic Leadership Minister), Stephen Zacheus (Jemaat Kristen Indonesia Anugerah; Sierra Madre, CA), and George Makinto (LA Faith Chapel) travel to the Anabaptist Worship Network 2023 songwriting retreat. Photo by George Makinto. 

“We are attuned to the reality that definitions of Anabaptist theology will be distinct depending on the community, and that differences abound across distinctions of racial/ethnic identity, rural vs. urban location, average age of congregation, and more. Our intention is to identify shared pillars of Anabaptism and explore how song lyrics may align with or disrupt these values,” added Anneli Loepp Thiessen, Co-Director, Canada, of the Anabaptist Worship Network. 

The team will go through the CCLI Top 100 and identify whether songs resonate in an Anabaptist context, reflected with a color coding. The bulk of this work will be completed at an in-person gathering in the fall of 2024.  

“Recognizing that the CCLI Top 100 represents songs limited in origin to predominantly white Evangelical communities in the U.S. – and further is dominated by men – we aspire to create a list of contemporary worship songs that better represent the breadth of the church,” Loepp Thiessen further explains.  “This list will intentionally highlight songs in languages beyond English, gender diverse songwriters, songs by people of color, and songs that represent immigrant and refugee communities, and songs with expansive language for God.” 

“We are privileged to extend our intercultural worship capacity through the grant from Calvin,” shares Steve Kriss, Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference. “This builds on continued partnership and gifted contributors to enrich the spiritual life of Anabaptist communities within and beyond Mosaic Conference. We are grateful for Calvin’s leadership, trust and generosity.” 

This program is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by the Lilly Endowment.  

2024 Mosaic Women’s Event: Unity

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By Lisa Stenger, Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA)  

Cheering and laughter erupted as Pastor Leticia Cortes (Centro de Alabanza, Philadelphia, PA) sprints into the room, wearing a big smile. Cortes opened this year’s Mosaic women’s event with a powerful message from Ephesians 1: All praise of God’s glorious forgiveness, grace, and love for us through our Lord Jesus Christ, who blesses us with hope and peace, guaranteeing our inheritance because we have been chosen.  

Participants sing together in worship. Photo by Marta Castillo. 

Over 53 women of different ages and geographical areas (including Colombia, California, and Florida) and 18 Mosaic congregations, gathered on Saturday, April 27, for an unforgettable time of fellowship, spiritual growth, and worship. Ripple (Allentown, PA) hosted the event, which was also offered by Zoom and hosted by members of the Mosaic Sistering Committee, Sandra Güete (Sarasota, FL) and Michelle Curtis (Ambler, PA). Marina Stevan (Indonesian Light, Philadelphia, PA) led worship, which was celebrated in English, Spanish, and Indonesian. Translators were also key to building unity in communicating. 

Guest speaker Sue Park-Hur, Director of Racial/Ethnic Engagement for Mennonite Church USA, shared how, as women, when we struggle, we often try to hold our lives together by ourselves. We opened in prayer with Matthew 11:28-30 MSG, expressing how we are not alone, and God intends for us to live as one body.  

In John 17:20-23, Jesus had an intimate powerful conversation in prayer, demonstrating oneness with God. The disciples were sent in complete unity, and Jesus sends us to experience this same oneness and deep love together. The entire gospel of John invites us to practice this oneness. 

How do we do this? 

#1 Hospitality: Receiving a person with a heart of hospitality. Showing love for friends and strangers by washing their feet and providing them with food and shelter. What does this look like in your culture? 

#2 Invitation: Help others see Christ in our lives. Jesus invites us to risk rejection to invite strangers to experience oneness. The journey of discipleship and self-giving love is to serve, and you will also be served.  

Unity is found in radical hospitality rooted in Christ’s love. Jesus offers us sacrificial love, forgiveness, and restoration. The women gathered enjoyed small group table discussions in response to the message, to dig deeper and share ways they practiced love to others. 

Fellowship during lunch. Photo by Marta Castillo.

Charlene Smalls, Ripple pastor and member of the Faith and Life Commission, planned and served a delicious homemade meal made by volunteers. Each table was set with a stunning bouquet centerpiece of multi-colored flowers wrapped around pens. The sisters of Centro de Alabanza crafted these for us to take notes during session time. We enjoyed some brief time with the children before they returned to the childcare volunteers to continue their fun.  

In the afternoon session, women were invited to partner to express this oneness in love by drawing a cross onto each other’s hands and saying to their sister in Christ, “The Christ who lives in me, lives in you.” We held hands and worshiped with praise in song and prayer.  

Jenny Bishop-Kempf (Deep Run East), led a craft of glass bead magnets that magnified the words from John 17. These beautiful pieces will be a blessed reminder of Jesus’ love that lives in us and that we share with others.  

Curtis concluded the event with remarks focusing on our Lord’s sacrificial love, partaking in communion, and reminding us that the Christ living in us unites us.  

In the afternoon, women made a magnet craft using words from John 17. Photo by Marta Castillo. 

Lisa Stenger

For eleven years, Lisa Stenger has been the Office Administrator for Deep Run East Mennonite Church (Perkasie, PA). In addition to her primary job, she serves on the Mosaic Nominating Committee. She is a member of neighboring Deep Run West Mennonite Church. She and her husband, Howard, live in Bedminster, PA. They have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter.

The Art of the Mosaic Conference Office

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by Mosaic Conference Staff

Those who visit the Mosaic Conference Office, located on the campus of Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, are greeted with a warm welcome, a hot beverage and a snack, and the beauty of unique art.  

Artist Phill Hunsberger (Vincent [Spring City, PA]), Ivan Derstine, and Mosaic Director of Finance Conrad Martin hang the Psalm 23 Tile Art. “The Lord’s Shepherd”

There are nearly 30 pieces of art in the offices, which have come from as far away as Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, and Mexico, and were also created by artists from within Mosaic Conference congregations.   

Between 2020 and 2022, Emily Ralph Servant, now Leadership Minister for Strategic Priorities, led a team of staff who gathered artwork for the Mosaic Conference Office.

“As we designed our new office space, we wanted to be intentional about every choice we made to foster a sense of community, collaboration, and creativity,” Ralph Servant reflects. “We have so many gifted artists in our conference in a variety of mediums. At the same time, we discovered that members of our conference didn’t always know about the artists among us. It made sense to share the diversity of Mosaic art on our office walls—this is who we are!” 

The office features original paintings by Mosaic women: a Madonna image by Maria Gant who is originally from Brazil (Ambler [PA]); an abstract work by Donna Backues (Philadelphia Praise Center); a pastoral scene by Lois Kulp (Boyertown [PA]); a waterfall at Conference-Related Ministry Spruce Lake, painted by Berdine Leinbach (Souderton [PA]). 

Madonna by Maria Gant

Other walls are graced by pen and ink drawings, including a mandala by long-time Franconia staff member Gay Brunt Miller (Spring Mount [PA]) and two Frakturs, which ground Mosaic in its Pennsylvania Dutch roots as Franconia Conference and Eastern District. Fraktur is the traditional, ornate ink and watercolor folk art that typically offers a blessing or a scripture text. 

The office also features the intersection of art and woodworking: the tables in the break room and lobby were designed and built by Franconia board member Merlin Hartman to incorporate the Mosaic logo; potter Phill Hunsberger (Vincent [Spring City, PA]) shaped an 8-foot long graphic portrayal of the 23rd Psalm, displayed on aged hardwood; three works of art created by the winners of a youth art contest facilitated by Garden Chapel (Dover, NJ) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic have been etched into wood panels. 

Across the alcove from the 23rd Psalm hangs a piece woven by participants in the programs of Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry Ripple Inc; nearby walls display a cross-stitch donated by Methacton (Norristown, PA), and a tapestry gifted to the conference from Nations Worship Center when they were received as a member congregation. 

“Hands of Friendship” quilt

In the conference room hangs the “Hands of Friendship” quilt that was created from 25 fabrics representing the cultures of 20 different countries from which Mosaic leaders come. The fabrics were gathered, pieced, and quilted by persons from across the Conference, under the leadership of Anna Ralph (Perkiomenville [PA]) and Lynne Rush (West Swamp [Quakertown, PA]). 

Much of the art was gifted to the Conference from individual artists or congregations. Some of it—like an original painting by Rodrigo Pedroza (a member of Mosaic’s sister conference of churches in Mexico) was commissioned in response to the question, “what does it mean to be part of a diverse Mennonite church in Mexico?” Some of it represents our broader connections to global Anabaptist communities, such as the mosaic of the Last Supper gifted to Mosaic Conference by César García, General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference.  

Brooke Martin, Youth and Community Formation Pastor, and Cindy Angela, Director of Communication identified where the artwork would go and helped to identify and label all of it. Angela also printed a collage of photos hung on the wall in the break area, of a variety of congregations and Conference-Related Ministries. 

“As people made in God’s image, we are inspired by God’s Spirit to create beauty from our experiences of joy, pain, longing, and hope,” reflects Ralph Servant. “We are grateful for the art that has emerged as members of Mosaic embody the reconciling love of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world.” 

Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, a snack, and a wander through the Mosaic Conference office to enjoy these beautiful works of art! The office is located in the Longacre Center at Dock Mennonite Academy, 1000 Forty Foot Rd in Lansdale. The office is open Tuesday– Thursday, 9am – 2pm eastern; please call ahead to confirm (267-932-6050). 

What I’ve Been Reading to Stir the Imagination

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by Jeff Wright

Every so often, it is good to step back and ask, “What am I reading?” How do we stir the imagination and prime the pump for what’s next in our lives and ministry? Here’s my current reading list: 

Copyright ©2024 InterVarsity Press

Emilio Alvarez, Pentecost: A Day of Power for All People (IVP, The Fullness of Time Series: 2023). The Fullness of Time Series is a series of slim volumes designed to introduce evangelicals to the traditional church calendar. Previous works on Advent, Epiphany, and Lent are each excellent in creating an intersection between evangelical missional passion and “high-church” liturgical worship. This small book on Pentecost reminds us that Pentecost isn’t just for Pentecostals. 

© 2024 Hachette Book Group

Tim Brown, with Erik Kratz, The Tao of the Backup Catcher: Playing Baseball for the Love of the Game (Twelve | Hatchette Book Group: 2023). This book represents a lot of intersections for me. I’ve been the backup catcher (also known as, “the 25th guy”). I played baseball not because I was good at it, but because I love the game. I’ve always admired the career of Erik Kratz from afar (and now that I live much of the year in Upper Bucks County, fanboy Jeff would like to meet up some time…). 

As pastors, most of us will labor without preaching to large congregations, or appearing on TV, or writing a book. We labor for the love of Christ and His church. Kratz’s story has many pearls of wisdom for those who serve in the work of the Lord. 

© 2024 Menno Media

Michelle Hershberger, Why Did Jesus Die? And What Difference Does It Make? (Herald Press, The Jesus Way Series: 2019). Another strong volume within an important and readable series of slim books. Hershberger does a fantastic job unpacking the meaning of atonement. The elders at Blooming Glen (PA) just read this book, and held a series of lively discussions about Christology. I’ve always believed that we can have vigorous and productive discussions in the church with the right resources. Hershberger has given the church a small theological gem to process a big (maybe the biggest) question in our faith. 

© 2024 Menno Media

Stuart Murray, The New Anabaptists: Practices for Emerging Community (Herald Press: 2024). This book is the long-awaited sequel to Stuart’s earlier book, “The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith.” (Herald Press: 2010). In this volume, Stuart and a band of UK collaborators clothe the Anabaptist movement with a set of spiritual habits and practices that unify the people of God around love for Jesus, serving our neighbors, and making peace. Perhaps if all of us who call ourselves Anabaptist or Mennonite put on this suit of Jesus-centered service and peacemaking habits, we might not have as much to divide over. 

These four books will inspire some, irritate many, encourage most, and entertain readers of all manner of attention spans. This spring, take a break from all the gardening and lawncare, pour a glass of iced tea, and open one of these books…you’ll be glad you did. 

Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright is a Mosaic Conference Leadership Minister. He is also a member of the Missional Priority Team and the official old curmudgeon of the conference staff. When not reading, or cheering for his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, he is serving as interim pastor at Blooming Glen (PA). He has dreams of batting 9th and playing backup catcher for the Mosaic Conference baseball team. 

What is a Mennonite? Sharing our Roots with Conference-Related Ministries

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by Margaret Zook

I was recently tickled to discover that the question, “what is a Mennonite?” can be answered in a two-minute Youtube video.  

But to understand the practical theology which motivates and shapes today’s Conference-Related Ministries (CRMs) and their work of service requires much more.      

CRM St. Luke’s Penn Foundation (SLPF) cabinet members and President Wayne Mugrauer gathered on a recent Monday morning to enter more deeply into the history of Anabaptist Mennonites.     

CRM SLPF cabinet gathers in the MHEP Meetinghouse. Photo by Margaret Zook.
President Wayne Mugrauer & Pastor Sue Conrad Howes share Q&A time at the “What is a Mennonite?” session. Photo by Margaret Zook.

Since 1955, Penn Foundation has been connected to the Anabaptist community as a CRM, reflecting the faith of their founders and the biblical values that influence the organization. In July 2021, Penn Foundation joined St. Luke’s University Health Network, an institution with Catholic roots, creating a fully integrated health network based on shared values. 

To understand the origins of the Anabaptist faith, there is no better place to enter the story than the exhibits and voices of the Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA), another CRM. With stories, humor, and depth, Joel Horst Nofziger, Director of the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania (MHEP), led the group through an interactive tour. 

MHEP’s Director Joel Horst Nofziger, right, and the Mennonite history displays capture attention of SLPF cabinet members. Photo by Margaret Zook.

With curiosity and interest, the group lingered with questions of clarification exploring the connections and uniqueness of Catholic and Anabaptist values.    

It was a rich morning of connections and relationships. I offer thanks to the organizations who invested time and resources to connect faith, beliefs, and works of service.     

Margaret Zook

Margaret Zook is the Director of Collaborative Ministries for Mosaic Conference. She and husband, Wib, are members of Salford Mennonite Church and live in Harleysville, PA.

Submitting to God and One Another as the Pathways Steering Team

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by Marta Castillo

Every group or process I have been a part of has required submission and humility. Before I became a pastor, I thought that pastors and leaders had control in their church and organization, and they were able to get things to go their way. When I became a pastor, especially a pastor on a team with two other pastors, male, one African American and one Latino, in a congregation that was intercultural, I realized that I only got “my” way about 10% of the time. There was a lot of submission to God and to the members of the congregation where I served. It was freeing, humbling, and occasionally annoying. 

As the Pathways Steering Team, our diverse group from all over the conference has worked together over the last year and a half on strategic planning and preparing a recommendation about affiliation with Mennonite Church USA. There have been countless opportunities for us to learn to submit to God and to each other. The reality is that none of us are in control or can get our own way. All of us are seeking to honor God by being submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to the others in our group and the conference. Reverent submission is honored by God. 

Statue at Eastern Mennonite Seminary (Harrisonburg, VA) titled “Love Essence” by Esther K. Augsburger. Photo by Marta Castillo. 

We seek to follow the way of Jesus in Philippians 2 which asks, “Does belonging to Christ help you in any way? Does his love comfort you at all? Do you share anything in common because of the Holy Spirit? Has Christ ever been gentle and loving toward you? If any of these things has happened to you, then agree with one another. Have the same love. Be one in spirit and in the way you think and act. By doing this you will make my joy complete. Don’t do anything to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble.  Value other more than yourselves. None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others. As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did.”  (Philippians 2:1-5, NIRV) 

The posture of submission to God results in humility towards God and one another. For the Pathways Team, it has created fertile ground for unique ideas, unexpected twists and turns, curiosity, and attention to the parts of the body that seem weaker, less represented with opportunities to honor their voice (c.f. I Corinthians 12:12-26). Time and again we are seeing the fruit of submission to another God and the “other,” not in forming the perfect strategic plan, but in honoring God and one another. The way of the Lamb of submission to God leads to honoring God and being honored by God (c.f. Revelation 5:9-12). 

Copyright ©2024 InterVarsity Press

I am currently reading Humility Illuminated by Dennis Edwards (which I highly recommend). In Chapter 3, he writes about how “indispensable humility is for establishing and maintain Christian community…humility is how love blossoms.” (p.12) 

In every meeting, in decision making, in conflict, and transition, we must strive for submission to God, considering others better than ourselves, remaining silent so that others may speak, waiting on God, and believing the intercultural value of mutual transformation open the door to God’s way being revealed and to obedience. We submit to one another to honor each other, and we are changed by the experience. We die to self and end up producing fruit of righteousness.   

The Pathways Steering Team was set up to be representative of the conference. I have heard it said that if we can work together, hear one another, and together present a plan and recommendation to the rest of the conference, then there is hope that the whole of Mosaic can do the same. Walking humbly with God and with each other will be essential for the pathway forward. 

Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo is the Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference. Marta lives in Norristown, PA, with her husband, Julio, and has three sons, Christian, Andres and Daniel and one granddaughter, Isabel.