Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Lament or Repent

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SCRAPE … CRACK… SCREECH. My stomach flipped. What just happened?

A day earlier, my husband Jon warned me that our automatic garage door wasn’t working quite right, and he would fix it over the weekend.

“Just double check that the door goes up all the way before you pull out, ok?” Jon said.

“Sure. No problem,” I said. Then I promptly forgot.

I went through my morning routine, pressed the garage door button and heard the door going up. I put my car into reverse and…. Yikes.

My car badly damaged the bottom of the garage door. I dreaded the eventual conversation with Jon, but I needed to take responsibility and help to make it right. A little repentance was called for.

A few years ago, on a windy day, I came home to find my garage door opener not working. Annoying, but no big deal. I parked in our driveway and went inside the house.

Inside, a few appliances were blinking as if the power had gone off and on and the house had a strong, burnt odor. Some light switches worked while others didn’t. One electrical outlet had burn marks just above it on the wall. I was puzzled.

I checked the power line that leads to our house from the road. A huge branch had landed on that line and pulled it away from the side of our house. It was still attached and live, but severely damaged.

The fallen power line had sent an electrical surge through our house, completely damaging many appliances. We were frustrated, but thankful that our house didn’t catch fire in the surge.

The difference between these situations? There was no blame or fault to be found in the second. There was plenty of disappointment, discouragement, and some sadness. Yet there was nothing that could have or should have been done differently to prevent it.

I was certainly at fault in the first story, and it was important to acknowledge that and learn from my mistake so that it wouldn’t happen again.

As Christians, we need to practice this type of discernment more broadly. There is a difference between situations that call for lament and those that call for repentance.

If we repent when we should lament, we take on responsibility that isn’t ours to bear. We are not in charge of the wind, cancer, or earthquakes. We are not responsible for the actions of others when they choose ways that cause suffering. These are situations that call for lament. We sit with the sadness, disappointment, frustration, and anger. We lay it out before God and pray for the Spirit to be present amid suffering.

There are situations, however, when lament is not appropriate. There are times when we bear responsibility for what has gone wrong. We acted wrongly or failed to act when we should have. I am responsible for my words, actions, and reactions. If I throw up my hands and lament my own poor judgment or sin, without taking responsibility, I am not being honest, nor am I seeing clearly.

I am also missing an opportunity for God’s grace to transform me. Grace is for those who fall short, who have more learning and growing to do. If I deny my need to repent, I deny my need for grace. If I don’t receive grace, how will I be transformed?

As a pastor and Mosaic member, I have noticed a variety of responses to difficult situations. I feel a call to practice clearer discernment in the midst of difficulty. May we all grow in our discernment between the times that call for lamentation and those that call for repentance… as individuals, as churches, and as larger institutions. As we practice this kind of discernment, may God bring us hope as we lament and transformation as we repent.

Training for the Walk of a Lifetime 

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Photo supplied by MEA

Mosaic Leadership Minister Marco Güete is training to walk 253 kilometers (157 miles) of El Camino de Santiago in Spain from May 17-June 7, to benefit the Anabaptist Bible Institute (Instituto Bíblico Anabautista). El Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in northwest Spain. 

This journey has been 36 years in the making.  

In 1988, Güete and a group of Hispanic pastors envisioned an Anabaptist Biblical Institute in every Hispanic church or community. “We saw the need and felt called to train members and leaders of the Mennonite Hispanic churches with Biblical and theological, non-formal, academic formation,” Güete recalled.  

The group founded Instituto Bíblico Anabautista, known as IBA, and thousands of students have studied through IBA since. Many have graduated with certificates or diplomas and are serving Hispanic churches today as leaders and pastors. Local congregations host study centers, and volunteer tutors and teachers lead the groups.  

Affordability is a priority for the program, and fundraising is critical to keep tuition costs low. “I am walking El Camino to ensure that Hispanic leaders, men and women from all ages, in all congregations and communities, have access to the valuable Anabaptist Biblical and theological resources through IBA to help navigate the Christian journey,” Güete explained.  

Güete serves as the Director of Hispanic Ministries through Mennonite Education Agency along with his work as the Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference’s Florida congregations. 

Güete is hoping to complete his journey in 15 days and is seeking sponsors to raise $40,000 to support the program and provide scholarships. “Our El Camino walk is powered by the love of the Holy Spirit and built on the commitment and support of individuals and congregations,” Güete said.  

Online donations can be made at MennoniteEducation.org or Paypal.me/MennoniteEd.  

We Don’t Talk About Bruno

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Can you tell I have a toddler in our house that controls the TV?   Yes, I’m late to the “Encanto”- themed party.

The movie, “Encanto,” is an animated Disney film about a Colombian teenage girl who faces the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers. It is a great story about acceptance on many levels.  Although Disney can be controversial, they have done very well at capturing the feelings and emotions of a person who is left out or isolated for one reason or another.   

The story is about a set of triplets, Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno. Bruno’s gift of precognition causes multiple conflicts that lead to the family vilifying him, while Mirabel, Julieta’s youngest daughter, is treated differently for having no gift at all.   

However, we don’t talk about Bruno in this story. We don’t talk about Bruno out of fear. But honestly, we don’t talk about Mirabel either. We don’t talk about Mirabel because of shame.  Spoiler alert: Mirabel had no gift, or so she was told.  

Fear and shame shut down doors. Fear and shame dim people’s light. Often the thing that holds us back is not real – it’s a distorted truth. It’s not the whole story, just the part where we stop.   

We stop at the part of the story where the character that enters the scene is a scene-stealer.  She/he enters the scene of our lives to shut us down. We don’t talk about Bruno! 

But why not???? 

Bruno is misunderstood. Bruno is only shared as a rumor. Nobody waits and listens to the whole truth about Jesus … I mean, Bruno.  

In the business world, I encounter many people whose lives have been stopped because we don’t talk about Jesus.  

We don’t talk about Jesus in a world that needs that him.  Jesus is the necessary healing part of all our stories.  Jesus is the balm that soothes our wounds.  

We need to talk about Jesus more. Many people are hurting because they heard a rumor about God or were told something like, “I’m an authority on God and his word says that he doesn’t like this or that.”  Or they heard, “Until you fix this, you just can’t be one of us.” Fear, shame, and half-truths keep people away.

I’m not an authority on Jesus or the Bible, but God uses me every day. God chose to use me: with flaws, a work in progress and all. Just as I am.  

Sometimes I am used to offer a hug, or a kind word, or a prayer.  Often times it’s just to offer a question: “Do you believe in God?” or, “Do you believe God talks to you?” or, “Do you know Jesus?” I try to listen to the Holy Spirit for the way to approach the question, because everyone is different. We need to listen more than direct the conversations. When we do, the word of God will do the work.  When this happens and relationships are built, then the focus is on Jesus. 

There are many souls out here that are broken, hurting, messy, and flawed. We had better be talking to everyone about Jesus, and discipling people to develop their own relationships with God through open Bible studies – not just guided ones – and not just by inviting them to a service.   

Let’s keep working on discipleship by all means necessary in love, because our whole world needs Jesus.

A Place of Peace and Rest

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The year 2020 will forever stand out. It was a year that changed both our world and our lives. The year 2020 was also the year that gave birth to a vision at our church – a Peace Garden. Mary Lou Cummings and the Ministry and Community Connections Teams at Perkasie (PA) Mennonite Church envisioned this place.

The dream and vision of the Peace Garden was a spot of natural beauty that would become a place of rest and peace to all in the community.  People who drove or walked by could stop to smell the flowers, choose a book from the crafted book box, or sit and rest on the repurposed bench. This vision became especially significant as we lived through the first year of the pandemic. Being outdoors gave us an appreciation of the constancy and beauty of God’s creation, and experiencing nature’s constant movement, even with the many unknowns, gave us a sense of security and encouragement. 

Early in the life of this garden, as I finished working in the Peace Garden one afternoon, there were a few passers-by that made some lovely comments. Their comments helped us to realize how this little, and as yet incomplete, garden was already inspiring our local community. During lockdown and social distancing, we still had a way of reaching out to others.  

The Peace Garden in full bloom. Photo by Sue Lawrence.

The crafted book box, which is now part of the Little Free Library network, was repurposed and placed early in the life of this project. A diligent team’s vision and purpose are to keep it stocked with books that are welcoming, portraying justice and diversity.  

The bench attracts people to take a book from the free library and browse. Photo by Sue Lawrence.

After working in the garden on a Thursday afternoon, in the fall of 2020, I brought my grandkids to see the place. They asked if we could walk on the patio, choose books, and sit on the bench. There were four or five youngsters on bikes who came up as we did this, waiting until we were done. These school-aged children carefully discussed how to open the book box safely, Covid-style, and collaboratively decided to use their T-shirt ends to handle the latch!  

As we continued to work in the garden over the next many months, preparing the beds, turning the soil, and planting, we were greeted and encouraged by people walking by. There seemed to be an overall feeling of gratefulness and thanks from our neighbors. 

A woman who was on a walk, stopped to chat and admire how the garden was coming along, saying that it was a great idea.  

A young man who was walking his dog came to donate a book. He told me how he had donated some other books recently when he noticed the box was empty and encouraged his wife to stop by and enjoy the garden too. He also shared his knowledge of many other free library boxes in the community but stated that he likes the fact that this one has a bench where you can sit, choose a book, and enjoy.

A grade school-aged girl on her bike, shouted, “Hi,” as I was working one day. As I looked up and responded, she smiled. As she rode away, she said, “You know, I come here every day to do my homework. I’ll probably see you again!” 

Spring flowers in the Perkasie Mennonite Peace Garden. Photo by Sue Lawrence.

“You know, I come here every day to do my homework. I’ll probably see you again!” 

This spring, a Peace Pole will finally be added to our little garden. Long-awaited, it will stand strong, declaring peace, love and justice for all.

My Unfinished Puzzle

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For Christmas, my daughter gave me a 1,000-piece puzzle of 120 different birds. I noticed the pieces were irregular and not typically shaped. Like other puzzles, I began putting together the border and sorting the pieces according to color. Soon I realized this method was not working, and I was frustrated with the slow progress. I decided to abandon the border and my standard method for sorting pieces.  

My new sorting method divided the pieces into categories according to the bird’s eyes, bills, wings, feet, and color. With this new strategy, I completed several birds and saw some progress. Not all my problems were solved, and my progress was slow, but this new approach renewed my hope and helped me visualize what at one point seemed impossible. Within a month, more birds were pieced together. Much to my surprise, I found the last pieces of the border near the completion of the puzzle.  

Slow progress on the bird puzzle. Photo by Mary Nitzsche.

My puzzle was nearing completion after weeks of work. But I was scheduled to be away from home for three weeks, and I tried completing the puzzle my last night at home. Again, I was frustrated that the pieces didn’t fall easily into place. I like to finish tasks and check them off my list! Making the choice to leave the puzzle unfinished, rather than sacrifice sleep the night before a long day of travel, was difficult. The next morning, I left my home, and about 24 puzzles pieces waiting to be put in place upon my return. I was at peace with my decision. My husband, Wayne, promised not to finish the puzzle in my absence. 

The puzzle the night before the trip, with 24 pieces to complete. Photo by Mary Nitzsche.

This puzzle is a metaphor for my new phase of life as a semi-retired pastor. I am not eager to complete the puzzle of how to use my extra time. I am not eager to fill my time with additional ministry, activities, or volunteer work. I view this time as an unfinished puzzle.  

My process is to patiently rest, wait, observe, and sort the pieces according to what captures my attention. I may get invitations or discover new opportunities that I am not yet ready to pursue or accept. There might be times I struggle with not knowing what is next. My strategy or plans may need adjusting. I am content to wait to “complete” the semi-retirement puzzle, trusting that the Spirit will nudge me, and I will know how to respond to invitations I receive or initiate. 

The day after I returned home, it did not take long to complete the puzzle. It was worth the wait! I spent the next week admiring the beauty of the puzzle, learning the names of birds I could not identify, and resisting the temptation to begin a new puzzle too quickly. Patiently waiting, admiring, and expressing gratitude to our Creator God for the beauty and diversity of these 120 birds is a spiritual discipline I value and hold as I live into my new season of life. 

I knew when it was time to take the puzzle apart and put the pieces back in the box … until I am ready to do it again. 

The completed puzzle! Photo by Mary Nitzsche.

Mosaic Budget Ends Positively for 2021 

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The Mosaic Conference fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 on a positive note. Giving from congregations was slightly higher than expected for the 2021 budget year. With 85% of Mosaic congregations giving financially to the Conference, as they were able, we recognize that every congregation gave something to enrich the Conference, whether financially or in other ways. We are grateful for the generous support of our congregations. 

During the previous fiscal year (2020), the Conference received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan which was recorded as a payable in 2020. This past year, the loan was forgiven by the bank, so that was included as income for 2021.  Approximately half of the PPP income was set aside in a pastoral assistance fund with the remaining portion designated for Mosaic’s operating budget. As a result, the total income for the operating budget this past year was higher than budgeted. 

As activities increased throughout the Conference in 2021 due to fewer pandemic-related restrictions, expenses increased from 2020. Nevertheless, expenses were still less than what was budgeted, making our bottom line net a positive. Some expenses were increased, such as travel, but other expenses were lessened, such as the Mosaic Annual Assembly, as well as the biennial Mennonite Church USA Conference, due to virtual participation.  

For 2022, more has been budgeted for Leadership Development, Leadership Minister travel, and Missional Operations Grants (MOGs), with the goal to strengthen and support our congregational leaders and encourage new congregational ministries.   

Our Mosaic Stretches Around the World 

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Last month I had the privilege of traveling with board members of Healthy Niños Honduras (HNH) to bear witness to the work and outreach of this Conference Related Ministry (CRM). For the HNH board, of whom the majority is from Mosaic congregations, this was an opportunity to re-engage after two years of limited travel and engagement due to COVID.  

Healthy Niños Honduras is one of three CRMs whose work extends beyond the US borders.  (The other two are Peace Proclamation Ministries International in India and Taproot in Indonesia.) With these ministries, our Mosaic stretches around the world.   

(L-R) Herman Sagastume, Steve Kriss, & Randy Nyce with donations of water filtration systems. Photo by Marlene Frankenfield.

Healthy Niños Honduras builds on the legacy of the Mama Project founded by Priscilla Benner of the Methacton congregation. HNH Executive Director Herman Sagastume, is part of our Mosaic Conference Board as Chair of the Conference Related Ministries Committee. Herman is a Honduran-born physician who relinquished his medical practice to lead the growing ministry from Pennsylvania. On this trip, I was reminded of the passions of those who lead our CRMs, like Dr. Sagastume, and of the commitment of board members, from across our Conference, who care deeply and serve generously to ensure the health and witness of these diverse ministries. 

Children at the HNH Nutritional Center. Photo by Rick Kratz.

Honduras is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere (after Haiti) with significant needs for nutrition, housing, and education. Honduras is also violent, with its two largest cities — San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa — often appearing in lists of the most dangerous cities in the world. Though we saw evidence of challenging poverty and were careful with our own security, I also saw Honduras as beautiful, friendly, resilient, and full of possibility.   

I realize that others often think of Philadelphia, where I live, as poor and violent as well.  As I stared at the cityscape of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, I was reminded of how the stories we learn about a place are often narrow.  People and places are complex and are often many different things all at once. (See Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s The Danger of a Single Story.) 

In Honduras, we met with leaders of the Mennonite Church there. They shared about their own expanding network of Church-related ministries. We visited the burgeoning bilingual White Dove Mennonite School. We heard of the new community centers for mature adults. We listened to initiatives of youth and young adults who are pushing into mountainous, rural regions with the message of the good news and discovering the depth of human need in these remote communities. 

Community members receive education about safe water. Photo by Rick Kratz.

Coming back from Honduras, I’m grateful for the work of HNH, along with the work of all our Conference Related Ministries, from schools to camps to community centers and retirement communities, large and small, local and international, well-established and just beginning. Last year we welcomed Midian Leadership Project as our newest CRM.  This year we recognize the 125-year legacy of Frederick Living (our oldest CRM and the first Mennonite-related retirement community).  Our mosaic of Conference Related Ministries extends our peaceable witness of Christ in the broken and beautiful world in creative, dynamic, and hopeful ways. I’m grateful that we have prioritized this work and witness anew within our Mosaic structure.  

As Director of Collaborative Ministries, Margaret Zook leads our Mosaic staff team, working with Randy Heacock to connect with CRMs.  Our CRM Committee is made up of persons with diverse experiences and ministry and nonprofit leadership.   

While there are many challenges to our ministry and witness these days, there is still great opportunity as we learn to continue to bear witness together. By sharing our gifts, our passions, and our questions, together we can respond to real needs in our communities and beyond. 

HNH board members pour a concrete floor in Honduras. Photo by Rick Kratz.

Haciendo Iglesia en Tiempos Difíciles (Doing Church in Difficult Times) 

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Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo and I traveled to Puerto Rico in mid-March and participated in the Convencion de Iglesias Menonita Evangelicas de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Mennonite Conference) as part of a Mosaic Conference Partner in Ministry exploratory trip.

This Convencion has a long and treasured history arising from Mennonite work that continues to this day.  Marta and I had the opportunity to lead workshops, preach, and share about the work of Mosaic Conference. 

When we arrived in San Juan, we were greeted by Pastor Jose Luis and Sister Linette Vargas. Marta and I stayed in different hosts’ homes in La Plata, the hometown where both my father and my wife, Juanita, grew up.

Mennonite Church of Aibonito, location of the closing worship service of the 74th Annual Puerto Rico Mennonite Conference. Photo by Noel Santiago.

Early the next morning we made our way along winding, curving, and sometimes horseshoe turning roads, as we drove up to the beautiful, sunny, and breezy town of Barranquitas. Here, the Palo Hincado Church hosted the assembly. 

Delegates and visitors gather for the PR Conference Assembly closing worship service and installation of the new Conference Executive Secretary, Jose Luis Vargas. Photo by Noel Santiago.

Delegates and visitors from the island gathered. COVID fist bumps, masked-covered smiles, and choruses of “Dios te bendiga, come estas, tanto tiempo” (God bless you, how are you, it’s been so long) filled the little church. Cars piled into the available parking spots and others had to find space where possible. 

The sessions were called to order. The Assembly theme, “Haciendo Iglesia en Tiempos Difíciles,” (Doing Church in Difficult Times) was noted and the Exodus text read: 

Éxodo 15:2 (NVI) – El SEÑOR es mi fuerza y mi cántico; él es mi salvación. Él es mi Dios, y lo alabaré; es el Dios de mi padre, y lo enalteceré. (Exodus 15:2 – The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. ESV) 

The worship was lively and uplifting; reports of 12 churches were read revealing active, community engaged churches seeking to grow through witness, service, and invitation. Quality, passionate leadership helped guide the work of the Convencion. 

Challenging institutional realities were noted by their Conference Related Organizations and Institutions. The challenges at Academia Menonita Betania, a Mennonite K-12 school, are being navigated by competent, committed leaders who along with other organizations/institutions, support the work of the Convencion. Prayers for increased resources and teachers were lifted and continue to be welcomed. 

The tasty and delicious Puerto Rican cuisine of arroz con gandules y pollo (yellow rice with peas and chicken) among other dishes, were graciously prepared and served by warm, friendly folks who expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving. As always, no puede faltar el cafecito (we can’t do without the coffee). 

As Marta and I shared about Mosaic Conference, Convencion leaders received the affirmation of the assembly to explore the possibilities of a Partner in Ministry relationship between Mosaic and the Conference of Evangelical Mennonite Churches of Puerto Rico in the coming year. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us as we walk together in this potential partnership. 

Installation and commissioning of new Puerto Rico Conference Board members. Photo by Noel Santiago.

The climax of the assembly was the Sunday closing worship service held at the Iglesia Menonita de Aibonito (Aibonito Mennonite Church) where Pastor Jose Luis Vargas was installed as the Executive Secretary of the Convencion.  

As Mosaic Conference, we’ll keep exploring what partnership possibilities might look like this year and trust that God’s kind and gracious guidance will clarify future possibilities that will continue to bear fruit for advancing God’s mission in the world.