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Reflections From the Holy Land 

August 10, 2023 by Cindy Angela

“How was the trip, Josh?  What were some of your major take-aways from Israel?” 

I’ve struggled to answer this question since returning home from a recent learning tour with about 35 folks from Franconia (PA) Mennonite Church.  We traveled together not merely as tourists, but rather as seekers of God on a spiritual pilgrimage.

Unpacking and processing the lessons from our journey will take a lifetime, but one key takeaway was a reminder of all the ways the Gospel is good news especially for “outsiders.”  At nearly every site we visited, I was confronted with this core biblical truth:  The Good News is more inclusive¹ than we might think.

We visited Bethlehem and went to the Shepherds’ Field, where angels announced that the birth of Jesus would be “good news of great joy for all people.”  It was not just for a select few; not just for insiders; not just for those who believe all the right things.

We visited Capernaum, standing on the very shore’s edge where Jesus called his first disciples. The Bible describes them as “unschooled and ordinary.”  Later he calls tax collectors and zealots — traitors and terrorists — to be his followers.  These are the people he calls to follow him?  Yes, because the Good News is more inclusive than we might think.

We visited Magdala and were brought to tears as we considered the courage, sacrifice, and faith of Jesus’ female disciples – righteous women of God who played such a crucial role in Christ’s ministry: followers, students, disciples, patrons, evangelists. 

We stood in the Upper Room, where Jesus got down on his hands and knees and washed the feet of those who would betray him. I find this nearly incomprehensible.  Yet that is what he did. 

We visited the place where Jesus was crucified, touching with our hands the rock in which his cross was set, and we remembered how as he was being put to death, he prayed for his crucifiers: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

And then we went to the empty tomb, where Jesus defeated death and sin and shame, so that everything can be reconciled to God through him.  All things.  All people.  No exceptions.  The Good News is more inclusive than we might think.

We climbed to the top of Mount Arbel, where Jesus met the disciples after the resurrection and gave them the Great Commission.  From that vantage point, atop the mountain overlooking the towns and villages and horizon, one gets a vivid sense of what’s in mind when he says, “Go and make disciples of all nations”: that is, as far as the eye can see.

The list goes on. If I took anything away from our trip to the Holy Land, from my study of Scripture, from following Jesus throughout my life, it’s this.  The Good News of the Gospel is more inclusive than we might think.

And as followers of Christ, our invitation – our mission — is to receive, embody, and extend this Good News to our community and to the world.

May it be so … and may it begin with you.

¹I’m using the word “inclusive” here in its most basic sense: expansive, all-encompassing, comprehensive in scope.

What Color Am I?

August 10, 2023 by Cindy Angela

I was intrigued by zinnias on the buffet table when I arrived at Mosaic’s first White Caucus on July 30 at Salford Mennonite Church (Harleysville, PA). A new variety with speckles was mixed in with the brilliantly colored flowers. I am drawn to color, and yet here I was at a White caucus group. What was I doing?

(L-R) KrisAnne Swartley, Berdine Leinbach, and Emma Frederick enjoy good food and fellowship at the White caucus gathering at Salford on July 30. Photo by Jordan Luther.

Andrew Zetts (Salford) made the most of the amazing weather by hosting the gathering outside. First, we savored a potluck meal with special music provided by local birds. Facilitators Jordan Luther (Methacton; Norristown, PA) and KrisAnne Swartley (Doylestown) created a friendly, safe space for this small gathering of participants from Plains, Souderton, Doylestown, Methacton, and Salford congregations.

Next, KrisAnne Swartley shared how this gathering grew from a request of Mosaic’s Intercultural Committee. Each race and ethnic group within Mosaic Conference meets as a caucus for encouragement, growth, and accountability, so it seemed like a White group should meet, too. Meeting in a caucus can prepare us to interact in a multicultural environment with more cultural awareness and mutual respect.

After prayer, we collaborated on a memory-based retelling of the story of Peter and Cornelius from Acts. We noticed long-held traditions being challenged, personal emotions, and people listening. God felt the need to repeat the message 3 times. The Holy Spirit falling on this diverse group was powerful. The gospel is for all!

Jordan Luther then invited us to reflect on our experiences as White people in a race-based society. How/when did you become aware of your race? Was there a time you learned about your race from an uncomfortable experience? The conversation flowed easily even though I had never met any of these people before. Each of us had different experiences and perspectives on being White. Points of connection were made, and patterns were noticed. The time was blessed.

While counterintuitive, meeting as a White caucus for reflection shows respect for our brothers and sisters of color. Whites need to intentionally do some antiracism work on their own. I know I have much to learn. Current society gives me the choice to think about my race or not. Others are forced to deal with it every day.

I don’t like clicking a box saying I am just White. My identity is so much more in Christ. However, I can grow in awareness, consider new perspectives, and seek mutual transformation with all of God’s family.

Who knows what Mosaic’s mutual transformation will eventually look like, but maybe we will be like a colorful garden with some speckled zinnias!

Speckled zinnias. Photo by Jordan Luther.

If you would like more information about joining the White caucus or another caucus, contact Danilo Sanchez, Mosaic’s Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation.

Guard Each Other’s Dignity

August 3, 2023 by Cindy Angela

In the creation story found in Genesis, God declares that all of humanity carries the image of the Divine. This means that every person we encounter carries the image of God and their dignity should be protected. We should not be causing harm to one another nor do we get to decide who carries the image of God. Instead, we should be protecting each one’s dignity and seeking biblical justice and right relationships with one another. That looks like standing alongside the abused, the vulnerable, and the stranger the way Jesus did.

Those who are consistently harmed by the way the church or our society is structured often are the first to show care when others are being hurt. I remember the wisdom of a Mosaic conference leader who observed that when immigrant communities were under attack in South Philly, the black community rallied to show support. And when the black community in Norristown was hurting, the immigrant community from South Philly returned the support. The mutual care and support didn’t happen just because the churches were in the same conference and it wasn’t just because they were communities of color; they stood up for one another because they understood the command from Jesus to protect the image of God in one another and to defend the defenseless.

I recently participated in the webinar Racial Justice/Queer Justice: Fractures and Intersection in the Mennonite Church, sponsored by Raleigh Mennonite Church and the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. The conversation centered around ways to work for both racial justice and queer justice and to recognize that there are multiple layers to our identities. The panelists in the webinar said that there are some people who are willing to work for racial justice but not queer justice. Likewise, some people who advocate for queer justice have trouble working at racial justice because of racism woven into fabric of our culture. They suggested that the missional work of the church is to become more like Jesus, who invited and welcomed all people to follow him as disciples and to become a part of the new creation.

I’ll admit, it’s only been the past several years that I have become more concerned with queer justice, and I still have more to learn. This webinar was helpful to point out my blind spots when it comes to queer justice. Part of what I teach when I speak about racial justice is that we are created in the image of God and therefore reject any hierarchy that says some humans are better than others. I have come to realize that, if I’m willing to hold that truth when it comes to racial/ethnic communities, then I must extend that same truth for people who are part of the LGBTQ community. I desire for all people to be part of the body of Christ and not to experience harm.

Right now, both immigrant and LGBTQ communities in Florida are experiencing harm. There are laws that are making it difficult for people to freely live their lives, so that they are living in constant fear. This is not theoretical–there are pastors and churches in our conference who are facing these realities. How can we protect the image of God in one another and stand with those who are hurting or afraid?

One of the quotes from the webinar that I wrote down comes from James Baldwin. He said, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” We may not all agree with the philosophies behind or techniques practiced by advocates of racial justice or queer justice but let us all at least agree not to deny the image of God in each of us. As Mosaic Conference, let us be Spirit-led and act like Jesus who stood with the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the stranger.

How a Small, Low-Income Church Bought its Building

August 3, 2023 by Cindy Angela

(L-R) Pastor Maritza (of Christ Lutheran) and Ripple pastors: Charlene Smalls, Angela Moyer Walter, Danilo Sanchez, and Dan Blount celebrate after the ribbon cutting.

Ripple began as a small group of people who were interested in being more like Jesus but were frustrated with traditional forms of church. When the leaders felt a call to move into downtown Allentown, PA from the suburbs, they were welcomed by many. Ripple became a community of people connected with those living on the margins, many of whom live on the street, and joined Franconia (now Mosaic) Conference in 2012.

We typically have 40-50 people in gathered worship on Sunday and connect with many others during the week. We teach that Jesus is the center of our faith, community is the center of our life, and reconciliation is the center of our work.

As a community, however, we did not have a permanent location. Every 1-2 years, we moved due to growth or because our lease was not renewable. We lost friends who could no longer walk to the new location, and we had to find ways of connecting with our new neighbors. We moved five times in eight years.

Ripple Pastor Charlene and Ripple congregant, Joe, at the ribbon cutting of the newly owned church building.

In 2021, Christ Lutheran Evangelical Church asked if we would like to buy our current meeting place for $200,000; it felt like a huge opportunity. Could Ripple really own a building? How could we afford it? How would it change us? Is this what God wanted? What was best for the community?

Dave Dettra, Board Chair, said, “When I first heard about the opportunity … I didn’t think we could ever pull it off.” But as we weighed the pros and cons and listened, it felt like an invitation from God. Ripple members who are accustomed to very precarious and difficult housing situations were excited to have a place of stability in the community. We all loved the idea of being able to put down roots.

We were hesitant in pursuing this, knowing that we weren’t a wealthy congregation. And then we prayed. We thanked God for the opportunity and were excited about the possibilities, but $200,000 was a lot.

In the fall of 2021, we began raising money. We distributed folders for Ripple members to collect quarters so that every person would have a way to participate. No matter the donation, we knew it mattered to God. Each month we celebrated when people handed in a full quarter folder ($10).

We reserved space at downtown concerts to collect donations while handing out popcorn. We held a silent auction and a bake sale. In the first year, we raised $100,000. We applied and received a large grant through MC USA’s Mennonite Men, getting us to the point where it seemed like this really could happen.

Two children participate in the ribbon cutting for Ripple’s newly owned building.

(L-R) Dave, Pastor Danilo, Phyllis, and Pastor Charlene read a litany of dedication at the dedication service

In January 2023, we were pre-approved for a mortgage through Eastern Mennonite Missions. However, with a mortgage, building expenses, and regular church expenses, finances would be tight. The leadership team prayerfully decided we should try and raise some more money before moving forward with the purchase.

And God was faithful. Within weeks, we were contacted by an organization interested in renting our space and a foundation that wanted to partner with us in neighborhood engagement. Then, a supporter offered us an interest-free loan, rather than taking out a mortgage with interest. Suddenly, the building purchase, with its ongoing expenses, was possible. It was truly an act of God.

(L-R) Pastor Danilo, Pastor Charlene, Jeremy B (Ripple Treasurer), Dave D (Ripple Board Chair), Pastor Angela, and Pastor Dan at the closing on June 15.

We finalized the legal details for the sale. We also made plans for a new system to pay bills and manage the needs of the building. On June 15, 2023, we closed on our new building. We held a dedication service with the congregation on June 25th with lots of celebration.

Buying our building was a lot of work, but “God made it happen,” said Dettra. “What I’m looking forward to most is for the church to be even more active in the community and to see how God uses the church to support the community.”

A group photo of those who gathered for Ripple’s Service of Dedication on June 25.

Curious about Ripple Church and what all is happening in our new building? Come and join us for worship and a meal any Sunday at 4pm; we’d love to share our stories with you!

Building Community: When the Spirit Unexpectedly Changes Us

July 27, 2023 by Cindy Angela

Lately I have been reminded of the Spirit’s unexpected, mysterious, and holy transforming work. Our knowledge, understanding, and experiences of God and faith are limited given our culture, families, friendships, faith traditions, and life experiences. These relationships and our experiences form us and shape our beliefs and perspectives.

It is easy to get locked into our perspectives as being “right and faithful.” It is difficult to see God, faith, and life from another perspective unless life’s circumstances or relationships challenge our understandings. But these are the circumstances which the Spirit’s unexpected, mysterious, and holy transforming work often happens.

Being a part of a faith community all my life, I have a perspective of what community is and how to build community in that setting. In times of challenge, pain, suffering, I rely on my faith community to strengthen, care, and offer hope. Like many Christians, I have wondered how people who do not claim faith get through difficulties without faith in God or a faith community to provide support and hope.

Recently, my perspective of community was expanded beyond my “churchy” understanding and experience. I witnessed the power of a group of friends gathered in a non-church setting — a bar — having deep, authentic conversations. These friends have been present to listen, care, and support each other during a cancer diagnosis or treatment, job challenge or loss, or death of a family member.

Photo by Daniel Funes Fuentes on Unsplash

I also witnessed the importance and value of community building at my grandson’s school. Administration, teachers, and staff work diligently to connect students and their families of different or mixed cultures and religions to feel valued, included, and accepted. At school assemblies, activities, and programs, the diversity and uniqueness of their students and community is highlighted and celebrated.

I have also witnessed how tragedies, addictions, or mental illness provide opportunities for building communities of support, care, accountability, and hope. The groups that form around a shared life experience often represent people of different cultures, faith experiences or traditions, and sexual identities. These groups are often more accepting, authentic, vulnerable, and open to sharing deeply, holding each other accountable, and honoring their differences than I experience in the church.

In these three examples, I am reminded that the Spirit’s unexpected, mysterious, and holy transforming work often involves circumstances and people that challenge my perspectives. The Apostle Paul wise words in 1 Cor. 13:12-13 reminds me, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (NTL).

In these three examples, I learned that the Christian church is not the only entity intentionally valuing and building supportive, caring, compassionate, and accountable communities where all its members are valued. Unfortunately, the church often divides over theological disagreements rather than doing the difficult, slow work of building a community that acknowledges, owns, and learns to live with their diversity. This Spirit-led and mutually transforming work requires attentiveness, humility, curiosity, patience, and grace for self and the other.

My perspective and understanding of God, life, and community are expanded when I allow the Spirit to soften, shape, and lead me.

Truth to Power

July 27, 2023 by Cindy Angela

Recently I participated in the Poor People’s Campaign Moral Poverty Action Congress, a three-day gathering of hundreds of poor and dispossessed organizers, advocates, and faith leaders from over 30 states. The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is a re-launch of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final campaign in 1968, tragically cut short by his assassination. He called for a “revolution of values” and was beginning to organize the poor across all lines of division: race, geography, gender, and ethnicity, into what he called a “Nonviolent Army of the Poor.” 

Over 50 years later, the crises of poverty that King identified are in nearly every way worse in our country. The present iteration of the campaign launched in 2018, with six weeks of nonviolent direct action at state capitols, calling for an end to systemic racism, poverty, militarism, ecological devastation, and the distorted moral narrative of Christian nationalism. We’ve continued organizing by identifying, developing, and uniting leaders of the poor, and slowly but steadily building a movement. 

This day of the gathering, we descended on Capitol Hill in DC and met with every legislator in our states to deliver our policy demands. As a tri-chair of the campaign in New York, I, along with my fellow tri-chairs, Jamel Coy Hudson and Kelly Smith, had the opportunity to meet with US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. We were joined by the National Poor People’s Campaign co-chairs, Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. 

Rev. Joe Paparone (second from left), tri-chair of the New York State Poor People’s Campaign, and others recently met with US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (second from right) and US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (far right). Photo by Shailly Gupta Barnes.

As we prepared for the meeting, we had low expectations. We’ve been part of these kinds of visits before (though not with such prominent legislative leaders), and we suspected we would barely have a chance to speak and that the legislators would either be dismissive of us or defensive about their records. They might also fill the time with niceties and small talk. 

None of that happened. For nearly an hour, two of the most powerful leaders of the most powerful nation in the world listened to poor people. 

Jamel called on them to defend our democracy by protecting voting rights. I shared about members of my community who are essential workers and whose wages aren’t nearly enough to survive. Kelly put it best, saying, “We are not ashamed of being poor or afraid of being called poor. We know why we are poor–it’s not our fault. We are poor because of policy. We know deals are being made, and we are sick and tired of those deals being made on the backs of poor people.”

We talked about how every day in that Capitol building, there are legislators putting forth policies designed to kill poor people, and we needed to hear, publicly from congressional leadership, what they were going to do about it. 

At the end of his life, Dr. King said, “If [poor people] can be helped to take action together, they will become a new and unsettling force in our complacent national life.”

We are under no illusions about who these leaders are or what they might do. They were polite; they listened; they responded respectfully. We will meet with them again. We will continue organizing, developing, and uniting leaders from among the poor and dispossessed of society to build that new and unsettling force. 

One thing is certain, the most powerful people in the world will not be able to say they didn’t know we were coming. 

Pathway Process Continues Work

July 27, 2023 by Cindy Angela

As part of the Pathway Process that was affirmed by a majority of delegates at the November 2022 Conference Assembly, the Pathway Steering Team (PST) continues to work on the two-year strategic planning process, as developed by the Mosaic Board.

June and July were critical months for Mosaic’s Pathway Process and the PST. During these two months, 16 focus group sessions (which included 125 participants) and 14 individual interviews were performed by the PST. Those that were included in these focus groups and interviews were: Board members, Conference committee chairpersons, Conference Staff, Conference Related Ministry (CRM) leaders, and Credentialed Leaders.

The interviews and focus groups provided continued dialogue and data gathering regarding Mosaic’s strategic planning process, with the purpose “to set a pathway within our priorities, to clarify our relationships with each other, other Anabaptist communities, and Mennonite Church USA.”

The dialogue questions, designed by the Steering Team and Grovider consultants, were the next step for the Pathway Process, following the 2022 Listening Tour and feedback from congregations, leaders, and CRMs throughout the past year. Led by members of the PST and Grovider consultants, all sessions and interviews were completed by late July.

Moments of hope, vision, optimism, pain, frustration, clarity, and complexity were all part of the dialogue. Stories illustrated how the Spirit is currently working through our congregations and CRMs. While sometimes difficult for peace-loving participants to share, challenges, fears, conflicts, and disappointment were also named. Many expressed their expectations, hopes, and dreams for the future. Overall, the dialogue was rich and diverse, as leaders from congregations and CRMs, staff, and board members grappled with our calling and priorities as a conference and broader denomination, amid the challenges of this season.

In the coming weeks, Grovider Consultants will consolidate the data from the focus groups and interviews and provide the Pathway Steering Team with a memo of the findings. The Pathway Steering Team will share feedback with Conference delegates before and during the fall Assembly on November 4 for further discernment and discussion.

We encourage you to continue to fast and pray for listening, discernment, and yielding to God’s Spirit in the work of the Mosaic Conference and the Pathways Process.

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