Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

Gwen Groff Concludes 24 Years of Ministry at Bethany

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by Eileen Kinch

On November 30, Pastor Gwen Groff concluded 24 years of ministry at Bethany Mennonite Church (Bridgewater Corners, VT). A few days later, she finished her final term on the Mosaic Conference Board. Groff served on the Board for nine years. 

Groff grew up in Lancaster County, PA. Initially, she worked with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in several roles. After she completed her Master of Divinity degree at Lancaster (PA) Theological Seminary, she sought work as a pastor.  Bethany Mennonite Church seemed like the best fit, so Groff and her family moved to Vermont. She began her pastoral role in 1999. 

Groff’s favorite thing about Bethany’s worship service is that after the sermon, the rest of the congregation shares their thoughts and responses. “It does feel like the other half the message,” she said. When people talk about their connections to the sermon, “it just feels very lively.” 

Bethany Mennonite Church began in 1952 as a church plant by Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite Church. Today, Bethany, a rural congregation, has about 40 regular attenders. Some join by Zoom for health and distance reasons. 

As Groff considers her two and a half decades at Bethany, she feels very good about the labyrinth that is mown into the church’s large meadow. The church holds an outdoor summer communion service there. She likes that the labyrinth encourages contemplative practice. Groff is also grateful that her congregation passed a clear affirmation of welcome for LGBTQ folks in 2020. 

Groff joined the Franconia Conference Board in 2015. A significant event during her tenure was the reconciliation between Franconia Conference and the Eastern District Conference — and then the process of choosing a name for the new conference. She emphasized her gratitude for Mosaic’s commitment to intercultural priorities.  

“I think our challenge [as a conference] is what to do with our theological differences,” Groff reflected on her tenure as a Board member. As the Conference becomes more diverse “in terms of culture, race, geographical area,” she notices that uniformity is waning, but hopes that “unity is growing.” 

For the time being, Groff is doing some interim pastoral care work. She plans to continue her studies with Shalem Institute, where she is taking courses in prayer and spiritual formation. She does not have immediate plans for what she would like to do next but recognizes that the way is sometimes made by walking, similar to the winding paths of a labyrinth. 

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.

Mosaic Members Participate in Actions for Ceasefire 

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by Jennifer Svetlik

“We cannot effectively respond to the immense humanitarian needs if there is not an immediate ceasefire,” implored Seth Malone and Sarah Funkhouser, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Representatives for Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, in a statement to Salford Mennonite Church (Harleysville, PA), which is their sending congregation. “Israel has heavily restricted our capacity to deliver aid, which is leading to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.”  

“We lose hope when the US government continues to materially and diplomatically support this war. We ask for continued prayers for those affected, and we ask for your action in this moment. Do not let this government rest from your letters, calls, and protests,” they urged. “We cannot be complicit nor complacent in this moment – now is the time to act. We need this to stop now.”  

Over 100 Mennonites from Mosaic and beyond gather at Sen. Bob Casey’s office in Philadelphia. Photo provided by Mennonite Action.  

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, members of numerous Mosaic congregations responded to this plea by participating in Day of Mennonite Action for a Ceasefire, organized by the newly formed group Mennonite Action.  

Prayer and song, peaceful witness, and advocacy visits were held at the offices of PA Senator Bob Casey, PA Rep. Madeleine Dean, and PA Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, urging them to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and for a just peace in the region. Over 140 Mennonites participated in these three actions, including members from Mosaic congregations Ambler, Indonesian Light, Methacton, Perkasie, Philadelphia Praise Center, Plains, Souderton, Salford, and Zion, among others.  

“As Mennonites, our faith calls us to be peacemakers, and we extend our prayers to all those affected by this conflict, asking for an end to the violence and a renewed commitment to dialogue and understanding,” shared Hendy Matahelemual, Pastor of Indonesian Light Church, during the prayer service at Sen. Casey’s office in Philadelphia.  

“May our vigil not only serve as a plea for a ceasefire but also as a collective affirmation of our shared responsibility to promote a world where the pursuit of peace is at the forefront of our actions and prayers,” Matahelemual implored. 

During the visit to Rep. Dean’s office in Glenside, PA, the group arrived at the door singing, “We will follow Jesus.” Staffers did not allow the group to enter, so they squeezed together on the sidewalk, praying and singing and recording their message for Rep. Dean. 

Around 30 participants from Mosaic Conference gather for a prayer service outside of the Glenside, PA office of Rep. Madeleine Dean. Around 150 people who were committed to praying for the day of action signed their names on a paper chain which was visible at the Montgomery and Bucks County advocacy events. Photo by Joe Landis.  

“Although we did not get to meet with either representative … I am grateful that we were able to speak with district staff at each office,” shared Tori Jones Long, lead organizer for two of the events and a member of Salford. “It was meaningful to be able to share about our core values, our 70-year history of peacemaking in Palestine, and our deep conviction to live in alignment with the peaceable way of Jesus. My prayer is that we will continue to bravely and publicly advocate for peace.” 

Participants from Mosaic Conference pray, sing, and share testimony inside the Langhorne, PA office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. Photo by Joe Landis. 

Michelle Curtis, Co-Pastor of Ambler, reflected, “What stood out most to me was that we were all there because Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. We were there because Jesus goes out of his way to look out for those who are suffering and forgotten. That means the people of Gaza, who are being bombed and starved by Israeli troops. It means the Israelis who were killed or taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. It means Muslims and Jews around the world who are living in fear because of what’s happening in Palestine and Israel. Jesus cares about all these people. And he asks us to care too.” 

Around 41 advocacy events took place across the US and Canada with Mennonite Action on December 19, involving the prayer and witness of 1700 Mennonites and interfaith allies, making it the largest coordinated Christian day of action for ceasefire since Oct. 7, according to Mennonite Action.

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Communication Associate/Editor for Mosaic. 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. 

A Prayer Journey 

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by Emily Ralph Servant

When I was a child, I believed in miracles.  Prayer could move mountains; we prayed fervently and often.  By the time I was a teenager, I had a list of people and circumstances for whom I prayed every morning, early, before the rest of my family woke up. My (literal) prayer closet heard many petitions for healed bodies, restored marriages, world peace. 

By the time I was in my twenties, I found my prayer life had grown stale. After many years of interceding for people and situations without seeing healing, restoration, or peace, I found prayer to be painful. I couldn’t push requests out of my mouth when my heart didn’t truly believe that the answer would be “yes.” 

In seminary, I was introduced to contemplative prayer. It took a while for me to learn how to still my racing thoughts and simply sit in God’s presence, but eventually I began to experience God’s powerful and healing love flowing through me as I came to God without wishes or demands. It was enough to be with God and know that I was loved. 

This practice of contemplative prayer was tested in my early thirties, as I struggled with depression and anxiety, healing from past trauma. Stilling an anxious mind was challenging; experiencing God’s presence felt impossible when my body and heart startled and ached.  I found myself longing to believe that I could ask God for peace, restoration, and joy, and God would make it happen. 

But there was no magic wand. 

Still, time and again God met me, holding me close in the quiet and the pain. And as the peace, restoration, and joy slowly filtered back, I wrestled to make sense of a lifetime of conflicting experiences of prayer. I visited other congregations in Mosaic Conference and heard stories of times when the church prayed for healing and the cancer disappeared.  Yet someone I love still endures chronic pain after decades of intercession. I remembered times when funds miraculously showed up to pay a pressing bill. And I also remembered when I begged God to intervene with justice and mercy and still my child was taken from me. 

I have found that, anymore, I don’t often have words to give to God. When someone I know is hurting, I rarely ask God for anything more than “Please!” Most often, I simply hold them in the compassionate, redeeming presence of God, trusting in the one who said to a sick man, “I do want to!” (Luke 5:13, CEB) 

“There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good.”

1 Corinthians 12:3-7, CEB

In this stage of my prayer journey, I find myself grateful for those in my life who have energy and faith to intercede for others. Rather than feeling condemned by them, I see them as Aaron and Hur, who held up Moses’ arms when he was getting tired (Exodus 17). I Corinthians 12 says that the church is a body made of many parts, each with its own gift. Maybe others have the gift to pray for healing and transformation, and I can receive that gift with gratitude. 

And perhaps I bring my own gift to the church. I am noticing that, as I stop filling my time with God with words, I have more space to listen. God speaks—in the stillness, in Scripture, in life circumstances, through other people, even in unexpected places in my neighborhood. When I listen for God and then change in response to what I hear, I am transformed. The world around me is transformed. Prayer changes things. 

Emily Ralph Servant

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

Passion for Helping Others in Word and Deed 

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JENN SVETLIK STAFF PROFILE

by Mosaic Communication Staff

“I deeply appreciate Mosaic’s missional, intercultural, and formational priorities,” shares Jenn Svetlik, editor/writer for Mosaic Conference. “I feel humbled and privileged to be able to hear so many stories from diverse people from various cultures and perspectives and help share them widely within our Conference.” 

Since 2020, Jenn has occasionally written articles for Mosaic News. She joined the Mosaic communication team on a short-term basis in September 2023. She recently was invited to stay on in a continuing role. In early 2024, her part-time role will include editing, writing, and overseeing the production of the weekly e-newsletter Mosaic News.  

Jenn Svetlik and her youngest child kayak at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia.

“This fall, I got to know the Conference much more deeply through writing and editing articles and coming to Assembly for the first time. I have been awed by how passionate the staff is about being faithful to God’s call for us as a Conference,” Jenn shares. “So, when I was asked if I would like to continue and expand my work with Mosaic, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!”  

Jenn is a cradle Catholic who grew up in the suburbs of Houston, TX. Her growth into a personal faith commitment coincided with her youth group’s study of Catholic social teaching. As part of that formation, the group spent time at the Houston Catholic Worker, a house of hospitality for newcomers arriving from Central America. Those transformative years led her to continue to work in houses of hospitality in Austin, TX during college and develop her capacity to speak Spanish.  

Three generations of Svetliks make vánočka, Czech Christmas bread, in Texas.

Jenn first encountered Mennonites and Mennonite theology through connections within the Catholic peace movement and at Sojourners, in Washington DC, where she was a fellow in the organizing and advocacy department after graduating college. During that time, she met Sheldon Good, who eventually became her spouse.  

Her first decade of post-college professional experience was spent working in faith-based nonprofit organizations in Washington DC, including several years with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, accompanying volunteers in Nicaragua, Tanzania, Micronesia and the US.  

After leaving DC, Jenn, Sheldon, and their oldest child served briefly with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Iraq, before settling in Lansdale, PA.  

Jenn has an MA in Theology from Washington Theological Union and is passionate about faith formation opportunities. She has the opportunity to put that passion into practice as Children’s Ministry Director at Salford (Harleysville, PA), where she is a member.  

Jenn also works supporting fundraising and communications for Roots of Justice, an antiracism training organization. She is also a teaching assistant for the online education program of the Center for Action and Contemplation.  

In all these roles she is excited about the intersection of formation and communication and how communication can support deeper faith formation work.  

Beyond her many paid jobs and caring for her two elementary-school aged children, Jenn enjoys being active and spending time outdoors, such as swimming, biking, kayaking, yoga, and gardening.  “Having my hands in the soil, supporting plants in their growth, making compost, and harvesting and sharing fresh food are all central spiritual practices for me,” Jenn shares.  

Jenn Svetlik (far right) with her spouse, Sheldon Good (far left), and children during a family vacation to Montreal, summer 2023. 

She also really enjoys camping with her family, especially at Hickory Run State Park in the Poconos. “Growing up my family did lots of camping road trips to National Parks across the country. Between those memorable trips and travel as an adult, I have had the opportunity to visit 46 of the 50 states.” 

Differences That Unify, Not Divide

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by Mary Nitzsche

When I was in the ordination process, I was serving as a Leadership Minister for Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Since I was not pastoring a congregation, the pastors I accompanied were asked to evaluate my readiness for ordination. One pastor, whom I will call Sam, struggled with whether he could support my ordination given his theological interpretation of scripture. Sam took this matter so seriously that he re-read the scriptures about the role of women in leadership, discussed his perspective with trusted colleagues, and prayed about this decision. In his prayerful discernment, he came to his prior conclusion that women should not be ordained.  

Sam communicated his position in a lengthy written document sent certified mail to me and multiple conference leaders. The letter ended with his conviction that he would not stand in the way of the conference decision. There were no threats to leave the conference or denomination if there was support for my ordination. There were no threats he would no longer accept my leadership role in accompanying him in ministry.

Mary Nitzsche (left) was ordained as Regional Pastor of Ohio Conference at Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville, OH on November 16, 1997. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

 

My ordination was supported by the other pastors, conference leadership, and the Ministerial Committee of Ohio Conference and Central District Conference. With his congregational responsibilities, Sam was not able to attend my ordination on November 16, 1997, 26 years ago. 

Because I was unsure of how my ordination would impact our relationship, it took six months after my ordination to have the courage to call Sam. I asked if I could visit his congregation and get to know them. The first thing out of Sam’s mouth was, “Would you be willing to preach?”  

I was shocked and I hesitated to respond. How could he invite me to preach in his congregation while not endorsing the ordination of women, I wondered. Without needing to understand his reasoning, I accepted the invitation with humility and tears of joy. I had experienced God’s grace like never before.  

From this gracious brother, I learned the importance and priority of relationship over belief. I learned the importance of prayerful discernment on matters of belief with an openness to new interpretations. I learned that two people can take scripture seriously, study it carefully, follow Jesus faithfully, and interpret the same scripture differently. I learned that when there is disagreement, there can be mutual respect rather than judgment, and a willingness to remain in fellowship rather than separate. While I understand there are times when separation may be best for a relationship or faith community, I do not believe this should be the norm.  

Before his impending death on the cross, Jesus’ prayed three times for his current and future disciples, “that they will all be one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21 NLT). Jesus’ disciples had different personalities and different understandings of Jesus and his mission, and as such, the oneness to which Jesus was calling them did not mean sameness. 

Jesus’ invitation was to remain in relationship even when perspectives are different. In a polarized world in Jesus’ time and now, oneness is a sign of faithfully following the teaching and practices of Jesus. I learned this 26 years ago from my gracious brother in Christ, and I hope my life has demonstrated Jesus’ prayer over these many years of ministry.  

Mary Nitzsche

Mary Nitzsche is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and two grandchildren.

Sharing Stories Across Languages and Perspectives

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Staff Profile for Andrés Castillo

by Jennifer Svetlik

“I like journalism, writing, and helping people from different backgrounds share their stories,” reflects Andrés Castillo, Intercultural Communication Associate for Mosaic Conference. “Stories are a way of sharing what the Conference does, even in the midst of differing perspectives and beliefs. Working for Mosaic Conference allows me to be a part of the challenging work of holding together these various perspectives.”  

Andrés officially began his new Mosaic role, part-time, in November 2023. Prior, he had been working off and on for Mosaic conference since 2019. His role will expand to a full-time, one-year position in January 2024.  

In this role, Andrés is writing newsletter articles, making updates to the job postings and announcements page, responding to the Mosaic office email account, and greeting and supporting those who visit the Mosaic office in Lansdale, PA. As part of the Intercultural and Communication teams, he has recently been participating in Conference-related events and reporting on them in Spanish. 

“It is rewarding to hear many different stories and viewpoints, and also be able to practice Spanish and Russian,” Andrés shares. He is also looking forward to planning events with the Intercultural team that involve not only sharing food, but also exhibiting art and music from various cultures.  

Andrés really enjoys providing Spanish-English translation for Mosaic’s communication, whether long reports or brief announcements. Prior to coming on staff with Mosaic, he worked for a translation and linguistic quality control company as a translation project manager. This prior experience helps Andrés understand the needs of each translation job.  

Andrés has the distinction of currently being the only member of Gen Z on the Mosaic staff. “Working for Mosaic in my 20s seemed interesting because I’d be the only person of my generation on staff, and I think and act differently because of the perspective my life experience provides,” Andrés reflects. “I think having someone from my generation is a benefit and challenge at the same time, because my generation is an angry one, and we prioritize different things than the older generations.”  

Andrés grew up in Norristown (PA) and now lives in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania with BA degrees in Spanish and Russian language. He attends Methacton congregation (Norristown, PA) with his grandparents. He appreciates that the congregation is very accepting, and also enjoys the open sharing time during the second hour after worship. 

Andrés Castillo, Mosaic staff member, makes shoofly pies (a PA Dutch baked good) under the direction of his nana. Photo provided by Andrés Castillo.  

In addition to the English, Spanish, and Russian he knows, Andrés is casually studying Polish these days in preparation for an upcoming trip to Poland and Slovakia. He hopes to eventually learn Arabic.  

He enjoys practicing mixed martial arts, playing video games, exploring Philadelphia, and going to the gym. He plays guitar, bass, and drums and enjoys writing and playing music with three hardcore bands comprised of his good friends.  

As a cook, Andrés enjoys trying new recipes from other cultures, especially Slavic, Hispanic, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. “But these days, I mostly cook on a budget and eat vegetarian food, sometimes even inventing new vegan creations by accident,” Andrés says. “I eat a lot of chickpeas.”  

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.

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.