Mosaic Mennonites

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Building Community: When the Spirit Unexpectedly Changes Us 

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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

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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 

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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.   

Towamencin Congregation Leaves Mosaic Conference 

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Towamencin Mennonite Church (Kulpsville, PA) has voted to disaffiliate with Mosaic Conference and Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). The Mosaic Conference Board was recently informed, via a letter, of the results of Towamencin’s congregational vote.  In the letter from the Towamencin church board, Gerald Leatherman, Towamencin’s Board Chair, acknowledged several growing concerns, including biblical authority, with both MC USA and Mosaic Conference that led to this decision. 

The congregation voted on June 4, 2023, and the members of Towamencin Mennonite Church voted unanimously to withdraw from Mosaic Mennonite Conference and MC USA, effective June 30, 2023.   

“This action was not taken lightly, but was the outcome of much prayer and discernment,” wrote the Towamencin Church Board in their letter. “We announce the decision to you with deep regret, yet with a solid sense of God’s leading.” 

“As Towamencin is in the process of searching for a new pastor, the elders sensed it was necessary for the congregation to discern its affiliation with Mosaic Conference and Mennonite Church USA,” said Mosaic Leadership Minister, Randy Heacock. “Though I only participated in a few years of their 300-year history, I pray they continue to sense God’s leading in their journey.”

Towamencin Mennonite Church has been a member of Franconia Conference and most recently Mosaic Conference since its inception over 300 years ago. The congregation is seeking prayer and God’s guidance as they establish future relationships and accountability within the Body of Christ.  

I Keep Learning

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Outside the window of my home office, the bluebird keeps returning to her nest.  I wonder why.  She built the nest, entertained suitors, chose one to share in the feeding of her nestlings, and then sat on the fence and watched her babies fly away.   

Maybe she returns to the comfort of the familiar. Maybe it’s her forever spot.  I could watch all day, thinking of the line, “Nothing but bluebirds all day long,” in the song, “Blue Skies,” by Irving Berlin.  

Perhaps like my bluebird, I tend to return to familiar places, people, and experiences.   There is such a powerful comfort when I align myself more closely with what I already know, especially when I’m tired.   My bluebird was very busy; is she tired and feeling vulnerable?  Tuck in and rest your weary head, my bluebird. It is okay to rest. 

Photo by Marian Brandt on Unsplash

Soon, with wings fluttering, she is off.   Under a bird’s wings are fragile skin and bones easily able to be damaged, but with the wings down, the bird is protected and guarded.   So why would she lift her wings, and why be so vulnerable? What is so important that she takes the risk?

I watch from behind my window, safe and guarded.  During life, it is easy to watch in my comfortable spot and explore less of the unknown. I have had experience of the good and bad times and have less time left to make use of new possibilities.  Why take the risk?

I can either spend time in safety behind my windows, or I can open the door. How do I balance bold risk with wise safety? When self is yelling, “No, no, too risky!”, the Spirit may be whispering, “There is great Christ-exalting joy in this to be had.”  Open the door, and don’t miss the joy.   

I look again. Is that my bird at the feeder?  The flock of birds noisily thrashes around on the feeder, and then the next group heads in for its share.  Then it’s the ground feeders’ turn.       

Who hangs out with whom? Where and what do they like for lunch?  I don’t know, but an Oxford team that studied bird behavior noticed that birds rarely arrive alone. Birds come in groups–for birds, social connection, or community, is a matter of survival.  

Why should I take the risk and join the people groups and the noisy discussion around what is important for survival?  Why should I risk moving beyond the doors, the locks, and my alarm systems?

“Be friends with one another, kind, compassionate and generous.  Serve one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (a paraphrase of Ephesians 4:32 and 5:21). That’s the community of faith: individually and together, we become mature and grow in Christ. To my bird feeder friends, seed, friends, and nourishing social connections are God’s natural gifts for growth and security.  Maybe we humans can risk the call to community.

Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash

What is the price of a bluebird?   Some loose change, right?  God cares what happens to them even more than we do.  God pays greater attention to us, down to the last detail – even numbering the hairs on our aging heads!  So don’t be intimidated.   Go on, rest, risk being vulnerable, and then join the noisy community.  You all are worth more than a million bluebirds (something like Matt. 10:29-31). 

To read more: “Community: God’s design For Growth,” by Howard Macy from NavPress. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Hope is Ringing Out!

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Reflections from the 2023 Anabaptist Worship Network songwriting retreat 

Although I left home, in late May, at 4:00 AM for my flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, the traffic around LAX was already bumper to bumper. The Canada Air flight was full to the last seat. I was finally able to ponder about what awaited me in Canada: Old style Mennonite songwriting? New hymns in 4-part harmony? Tall, bearded men singing versions of the old 606? 

Emily Ralph Servant (Mosaic staff), Stephen Zacheus (Jemaat Kristen Indonesia Anugerah; Sierra Madre, CA), and I were picked up from the Toronto airport by Matthew Boutda. His humble charm and infectious smile immediately drew us into his story about his Laotian roots and his urban Mennonite upbringing. The image of the traditional bearded Mennonite quickly dissipated. Arriving at the Hidden Acres Mennonite retreat center, just outside New Hamburg, Ontario, we were greeted by a diverse group of Anabaptist worship leaders, singers, and songwriters from Canada, US, and as far away as Congo and Mexico.  

Participants of the Anabaptist Worship Network songwriting retreat, which included 4 people from Mosaic Conference. Photo by Anneli Loepp Thiessen.

The days and nights were filled with worship, collaborative song writing, deep reflections about God and God’s people, eating together, and getting to know each other. Anneli Loepp Thiessen, co-director of Anabaptist Worship Network and retreat coordinator, found just the right balance between worship, collaborative song writing, personal time with God, meals, and group fellowship. She also gave ample time to the sharing of the newly minted songs.  

Marisol Arriaga (Iglesia Fraternidad Cristiana Vida Nueva; Mexico City, Mexico) shares a song with accompaniment from Bryan Moyer-Suderman (Kitchener, ON). Photo by Anneli Loepp Thiessen.
Emily Ralph Servant (Mosaic Staff) and Nathan Grieser (Lancaster, PA) collaborate on a song. Photo by Anneli Loepp Thiessen.

And songs were written indeed! The abundance of ideas flowing out of the gathering from so many creative minds was astonishing. The presence of God was palpable everywhere we gathered. The sounds of guitars, keyboards, pan flutes, violins, flutes, and voices filled the building, the lunch hall, the garage, the veranda, the pavilion.  The anointing flowed freely and gave voice to a surprising variety of songs and musical expressions: Hymns, folksy praise songs, northern testimonial songs, songs with Columbian, Mexican, African, Indonesian melodies and rhythms, in a variety of languages, styles and expressions. Personal laments, adoring worship, and exuberant praise rang though the retreat center, and God-given inspiration was manifest in each work group, expressing itself in a multitude of awesome song creations that gave glory to God. 

One of the most positive aspects of the retreat was the sense of absolute unity and harmony reigning among a group with such diversity. There were no tempers flaring, no political discussions, or divisive opinionating. We all gathered, connected in a deep spiritual place, and let God have his way in us. Peace and love flowed and gave expression to worship. It gave me hope that indeed peace and unity among us is possible when we let God’s presence guide our activities and submit to God’s leading.  

As one of the songs choruses exclaimed:  

“Hope You’re bringing, Hope we’re singing,  
Hope is ringing out! Hope is stirring, leading us to life!” 

George Makinto (LA Faith Chapel), in the middle, shares a song with the group. Photo by Anneli Loepp Thiessen.

Thanks to Darryl Neustaedter Barg and his patience and expertise, we were able to record many songs, which will soon find their way to the Together in Worship website for the benefit of our world-wide Anabaptist community.  

Stephen Zacheus (Jemaat Kristen Indonesia Anugerah; Sierra Madre, CA) shares a song he wrote during an evening songwriting circle. Photo by Anneli Loepp Thiessen.

Thanks to the Anabaptist Worship Network for bringing us together, according to the word of God in Psalm 96:1-3: 

Sing to the Lord a new song; 
    sing to the Lord, all the earth. 
 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; 
    proclaim his salvation day after day. 
Declare his glory among the nations, 
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples. (NIV) 

Who am I? What am I? Where am I?  

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Editor’s note: Doh Nay Kaw attended the Mennonite Church USA Convention in early July with her youth group of Whitehall (PA) Mennonite Church. She wrote this poem as an expression of her experience at MennoCon.  

Who am I? What am I? Where am I?  

These are questions I often perceived myself searching for. After years of many trials and turbulence, the renewal of both mind and spirit never ceased to end.  

Transformation is not linear or comes to a stopping point, it’s day by day, grace by grace, strength to strength. We do not evolve into butterflies and stay like that for the entirety of our lives, but radically embrace on the journey of self-discovery, fears, weaknesses and mistakes.  

Following the flow of life, I grasped to learn from the invaluable lessons and insights that will continue to build my resilience and guide future me into success,  

Who am I? What am I? Where am I? 

I am a soul experiencing what it’s like to be human, learning the depths of my tender heart. 

I am a catalyst to forge a path of transformation unshaken by adversity, letting my spirit be a beacon of love and healing.  

I am present to proclaim redemption can be found in the most unexpected places, and the testament of our scars help us to navigate through the stormy seas of life into infinite possibilities that lie ahead.  

Like Ruth, Immigrants Know Risk — & the Value of Sharing Burdens

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I have been reflecting on what it means to be a first-generation immigrant. The biblical story of Ruth resonates deeply with me. 

Before accompanying Naomi to a foreign land, Ruth expressed her profound commitment by saying, “Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay” (Ruth 1:16, NIV).  

As an immigrant, choosing where to go involves an element of faith, as the future unfolds with unknown possibilities. 

Ruth’s commitment didn’t end there. She continued: “Where you die, I will die — there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:17, NIV). Rejecting the easier option of returning to her own people, Ruth prioritized the relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi. 

Ruth, a Moabite, willingly left behind her family and homeland to venture into a foreign land, where she would reside among unfamiliar people. She knew the risks. 

One risk, for Ruth and for immigrants today, is being made to feel unwelcome. “Go back where you came from” — whether spoken or unspoken — is a common challenge. If someone were to heckle me and demand I go back to my country, my response would be, “I am not a tourist. I am an immigrant, and I intend to stay.” 

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

For some immigrants, returning to their home country is not an option. They may have fled persecution or violence or severe economic hardship.   

When immigrants arrive in a new country, they often isolate themselves, avoiding the settled population’s rejection. This was not the case with Ruth and Boaz. They worshiped a God who breaks barriers and reconciles people, turning foes into friends. 

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Serving in an immigrant community in Philadelphia, it is crucial for me to journey alongside individuals and families, helping them settle in and preparing them for the tribulations that lie ahead. 

Many immigrants have a hard time finding a place to stay. Property owners typically demand background checks, credit scores and proof of income, which new immigrants often lack.  

To resolve this predicament, Mennonite churches and families in Philadelphia step in by offering temporary housing. They provide rent-free accommodations until the individuals or families can secure a more permanent residence. 

Building friendships and alliances, sharing burdens across cultures and generations, are of utmost importance. We should not hesitate to ask for help and extend assistance to others.  

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The burden of tests and tribulations is lightened when we face them collectively.  

Ruth relied on the generosity of others. As a first-generation immigrant, she did not own any land, so she collected food from leftovers. Her story reflects the experiences of immigrants who work in less desirable jobs — leftover jobs that others avoid. 

Ruth recognized she needed a local person’s wisdom. She placed her trust in Naomi, diligently following her instructions. She found another ally and friend, Boaz, who provided protection. Ruth didn’t hesitate to ask for help. She told Boaz, “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family” (Ruth 3:9, NIV).  

Spreading the corner of one’s garment symbolized a marriage proposal. Ruth boldly asked Boaz to marry her, and he said yes — although the Torah prohibited marrying a foreigner. But, as boldly as Ruth, he was willing to take a risk. 

Photo by Austin Kehmeier on Unsplash

I believe that as our relationship with God deepens, we become more sensitive to the needs of others, fostering reliance on one another, regardless of our country of origin, taking risks and sharing burdens. 

This article originally appeared in Anabaptist World and is reprinted with permission.  

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.