Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Backpacks for Kids – 7 Ways Home Fellowship

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7 Ways Home Fellowship (Bowie, MD) is praising the Lord for the opportunity to serve their community by supporting the Blue Ribbon Project in Prince George County, Maryland. 7 Ways is committed to finding ways to answer the passionate call on our hearts to help the foster care community.

January’s opportunity included 24 backpacks for foster children, so that they know they are valued and have the physical things they need during transition to new homes. We look forward to more opportunities, as Jesus leads us to what’s next. This is only the beginning!

Ramona Pickett (7 Ways Home Fellowship) hand-sewed masks for each backpacks. Photo provided by Jaye Lindo.
Backpacks were donated to the Blue Ribbon Project from 7 Ways Home Fellowship. Photo provided by Jaye Lindo.

Out of the Clear Blue

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Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference, will retire from her executive role on January 31; she will remain working as a Leadership Minister for three Mosaic churches.

Nitzsche’s journey to Mosaic Conference leadership has been full of unexpected calls, adjustments, joy, and fulfillment. She graduated from Goshen (IN) College with a degree in Elementary Education and taught for three years, including two years in a one room schoolhouse in Nebraska before moving to Elkhart, IN so her husband, Wayne, could study at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS).

While at AMBS, Mary worked part-time in the seminary library and enjoyed taking a few classes through a spousal discount. It was then that Mary felt her first sense of call to ministry, but instead, prioritized starting a family.

Although Mary enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while Wayne pastored a church in Wooster, OH, she continued to feel drawn to ministry. Fortunately, Ashland Seminary was very close by. Three years later, she obtained her M.A. in pastoral counseling.

Just as Nitzsche earned her degree, she and Wayne were asked to serve as regional pastors (similar to Mosaic’s Leadership Ministers) for Ohio Conference. Mary had no pastoral experience at this time and felt “woefully inadequate.” But, “the Conference pastor firmly believed in me,” Mary recalled. As time went on, she found herself “being drawn into the conference work more than the counseling, which surprised me, since I went to seminary for counseling,” Mary reflected.

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.

Mary had served as Regional Minister for Ohio Conference for over 12 years when Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite Church called with an invitation to consider a pastoral role. Again, Mary felt inadequate, since she had never served as a congregational pastor. While Mary was intrigued, moving to a different state, without a job for Wayne, felt very risky. But together, they stepped out in faith. During Mary’s candidacy weekend at Blooming Glen, Wayne interviewed for, and eventually became, pastor of Perkasie (PA) Mennonite Church.

While a pastor at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Mary Nitzsche baptized Frank Odongo as Pastor Michael Bishop assisted. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

For ten years, Mary pastored at Blooming Glen, assuming she would retire there. But Steve Kriss, Executive Minister of Franconia Conference, called with an invitation to Mary to consider the role of Associate Executive Minister, starting in July 2017. “Mary’s pastoral gifts, deep wisdom, attention both to healthy relationships and to process are gifts that have strengthened our Conference communities in these last five years,” Kriss reflected on that call.

“I felt very fulfilled at Blooming Glen, thinking I would just gradually decrease my hours until retirement, until Steve approached,” Mary shared. “I’ve always been surprised with the calls that come to me out of the clear blue. It seemed like others noticed my gifts and had confidence in my skills before I did.”

During her years as Associate Executive Minister, Nitzsche has worked often with Conference policies. “Policies are really important, but they have to be flexible and backed up with relationship,” Nitzsche noted. As her relationships grew, she realized the importance of understanding other cultures. What is normative and appropriate for one group of people may not translate to another. As a result, Nitzsche invested a lot of energy into being more culturally sensitive. “I’ve learned to pay attention to those things and depend on people from other cultures to help shape those processes and policies. It is very rewarding and has enriched my life.”

As Associate Executive Minister of Mosaic Conference, Mary Nitzsche preached at Methacton Mennonite Church in February 2019. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

Nitzsche will perhaps miss this interaction across cultures the most with her retirement. “I’m going to have to be more intentional to include cultural diversity as an ongoing part of my life,” Nitzsche said. “That has been a gift from the Conference.” She also will miss being a part of credentialing interviews—walking with pastors and hearing their stories.

Nitzsche is delighted that Marta Castillo will be stepping into the Associate Executive Minister role on February 1. “She has a great awareness of cultural diversity and speaks three Mosaic languages,” Nitzsche explained. “She’ll be wonderful in this role.”

Disc Golf and Comforters

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Doylestown (PA) Mennonite Church (DMC) started an experiment some years ago by looking “out there.” We assembled a team to explore, ask questions, and identify God’s work that DMC could support. The team began to see fertile soil within us, that God was doing work here within our own souls. We began to see that being missional was our own calling and not something to be hired out.

A major shift happened for me in how I viewed my faith journey. I realized that my faith is to be an integral piece that is a common thread in all the boxes of my life: home, work, church, and play. Jesus is present in all my boxes, encouraging, convicting, and transforming. I began to look for ways to bring these boxes together.

I began inviting people from my different boxes to gather for coffee, football games on TV, and meals. Risk & vulnerability are present when you have your work friends and neighbors meet your church friends. Risk & vulnerability are present when you begin to share your thoughts, dreams, failures, and struggles. I John 1:5-10 invites us to walk in the light, to live an authentic life, to experience forgiveness, and to have fellowship with one another.

Two examples of fellowship that intentionally cross the boundaries of our boxes at DMC are disc golf and knotting comforters.

Lois and Freida Myers have for some time gathered folks from various boxes in their lives to create some interesting mixes of people to knot comforters. We know that when you put people together, fellowship and connection will develop.

Steve Landes plays disc golf any chance he gets and turned it into a missional activity. 

My own story with disc golf began by doing something that I enjoy and inviting others to join me. The fun begins by expanding the group to include random strangers, friends from church and work, and friends of friends. I am a self-proclaimed disc golf evangelist, trying to convert those who don’t play to become those who do play. The Missional Experiment that DMC took on challenged me to invite anyone who would listen to join me in playing disc golf.

Some members of “The Chain Gang” at a recent disc golf outing. 

I created by own vision of this mission in my life. “Build community among a diverse group of people, to create space for trusting relationships to grow and where ministry to one another happens.” My vision became a “fresh expression.”

Fresh Expression is what happens when we move from a missional outlook to a more intentional gathering of listening, loving, and caring. A Fresh Expression is where we experience God and have connection or fellowship with one another: a church, but not one that looks like the traditional church. Fresh Expressions come about by following a passion, building trusting relationships, sharing ourselves authentically, and sharing our faith journey.

Fresh Expression is a movement; it is a thing. It is in dog parks, restaurants, Tattoo parlors, yoga studios, disc golf courses, and living rooms. Fresh Expressions are birthed out of the traditional church, are supported and encouraged by the traditional church, and not surprisingly, are revitalizing the traditional church. Fresh Expressions become a new distinct entity and are not intended to be a new church growth scheme building the church’s roster. The Fresh Expression is church.

Stretched Out

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Every other month I join the Mosaic Women’s Gathering to talk about our annual gathering, share stories, and empower each other. At our last meeting, as we were brainstorming ideas for this year’s gathering, Marta Castillo shared from Isaiah 54, about enlarging our tent, or dreaming big.

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, 
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; 
do not hold back; lengthen your cords 
    and strengthen your stakes. 
3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, 
    and your offspring will possess the nations 
    and will people the desolate cities. 

Isaiah 54:2-3, ESV

After the meeting, I found myself reflecting upon this passage for the rest of the week. As little children, we were often told to dream big. Every Sunday at Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center, the benediction includes, “May God enlarge your territory to the left and to the right…” in Indonesian.

However, Isaiah 54 reminded me that before we can enlarge our tent, we first must let ourselves be stretched out. And as we all know, being stretched out is uncomfortable.

We’re still in the middle of a global pandemic. Throughout this time, I’m sure that all of us had to pivot and adapt to the current situation. Personally speaking, I have felt stretched thin because I feel trapped in a season of waiting yet having too little time to do everything. I can feel overwhelmed, like God is stretching me too hard.

Close-Up Shot of a Person Holding a Pink Slime

However, God has always found a way to gently remind me whenever I feel like I’m at the lowest point in my life. I find strength by being reminded of this passage, that was addressed to the desolate as an eternal covenant of peace.

I am taking away three things from the Isaiah passage: 

1. Do not hold back 

When God is stretching me, I must constantly tell myself to not speed up or put a speed bump on God’s process. I should try to enjoy the uncomfortable. I need to enjoy the stretch!

2. Lengthen your cords 

Sometimes when I feel I don’t have enough to give, I keep telling myself that it’s okay to say no. It’s also okay to ask for help. A tent cord is used to secure a tent to the ground. Our limitations are what ground us and keep us human. In the areas where I feel like I lack, I find peace in knowing that God will be able to fill the empty spaces.

Photo Of People Reaching Each Other's Hands

3. Strengthen your stakes 

A house without a strong foundation won’t last long in the middle of a storm. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in doing things that I forget to recenter myself in God. I can find myself lost. I need to humbly be reminded of how little control I have, and how much I need God to help me through.

Black Ceiling Wall

As I reflected on times when I felt stretched to my limit, I found comfort when I felt God’s helping hands during those times. In my little, God is big. In my weak, God is strong.  

May you find strength and peace in this closing verse, as it did to me: 

“For the mountains may depart 
and the hills be removed, 
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, 
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” 
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 

Isaiah 54:10, ESV

Preparing for MC USA’s Special Delegate Session

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On May 27-30, 2022, Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA) will hold a Special Session of the Delegate Assembly in Kansas City, MO. Each Mosaic congregation is eligible to send delegates to this important meeting in the life of our community and witness together.   

Mennonite Church USA is providing background resources and hosting a series of educational webinars (see below) to prepare delegates and their conferences / congregations for the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly in May.

Mosaic Conference will also be offering preparation work to help resources delegates and pastors in the months ahead.  The resources are intended to help prepare delegates for the upcoming discernment and voting that is planned for this special session.   

Upcoming January webinars:

Monday, Jan. 24, 2022 07:00 PM (EST): The development of resolutions, especially church statements, must seek to follow our ecclesiology. We believe the church exists at the congregational, area conference and national conference levels. While each person is responsible for developing and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our understandings of the revelation of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are refined and tested by the community of believers on the three levels of our church. This seminar will explore the current role resolutions play in MC USA and hope we might shape the resolution process in the future. 

Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 07:00 PM (EST): Join MC USA’s Iris de Leon Hartshorn (facilitator) and panelists Jamie Pitts of AMBS, Pastor Isaac Villegas of Chapel Hill (North Carolina) Mennonite Fellowship and Shana Peachey Boshart of Mennonite Education Agency for an engaging discussion on biblical discernment. In this one-hour webinar, the panel will address three key topics:

  • Biblical and historical understanding of discernment
  • Congregational experiences with discernment
  • Best practices for discernment 

All webinars will be recorded and available on the MC USA delegate resource page. Please visit the delegate resource page for the full schedule and additional information.

God’s Snow Day

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I love snow. I especially enjoy watching it come down and the accompanying peaceful quiet.

As a child going to bed while it was snowing, I hoped that the accumulation would lead to the greatest possible snow event – a snow day! A snow day represented many things for me as a child: the joy of missing school, making snow forts, sledding, warm cookies, and in general, a quiet, peaceful day at home. It was a chance to take a break from the usual schedule of life and just relax.

In today’s world, snow days are certainly not like they used to be. For kids, they still include the joy of staying at home from school, sledding, and playing in the snow. But now, the fun only happens after they have finished their on-line assignments through virtual school. The requirements to complete a certain number of official school days each year trumps having official snow days.

Members of Mike Clemmer’s family enjoy the fun of sledding on a recent snow day. Photo by Paul Jacobs.

As an adult, I also find the joy of a snow day elusive. In fact, for me, there seems to be no such thing as a day “off” because of the snow. Instead, when it snows, I get up an hour earlier so that I can clear the driveway in order to slide my way into the office or perhaps to the store for milk – because life must go on.

As I begin to write this article, there is a fresh six inches of snow on the ground. I have decided that I am taking a snow day. I am determined to not leave the house for anything. Today, life can go on without me for a change.

Photo by Jonathan Charles.

I believe God intended for us all to have snow days. Perhaps not in the usual way we picture them in our minds – with snow and warm cookies – but with the same benefits for our mind and spirit. We would profit from a day of having a quiet retreat from our normal schedules or simply a chance to experience joy and fun in the ordinary. Most importantly, we would all benefit from the possibility of directing our thoughts and actions towards God.

God has already provided for us a snow day each week. It is called, Sabbath. It is a day where we can experience these very things. But just like snow days, we have often neglected our Sabbath days. Instead we use them to continue our daily grind, living out the idea that we need to keep life going, or things will fly apart without us. But without Sabbath, we are the ones who fly apart.

We easily forget that life is not about us and our desires, but rather it is about embracing, honoring, and worshipping God. Life is about allowing the reins of our lives to be in God’s hands. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8, ASV) is both a command from God and a reminder to regularly honor our Creator and Sustainer of life by disengaging from the regular life that we so diligently follow. In doing that, we will find rest for our souls and the joy of life will be restored.

The great thing about snow days and Sabbath days is that at the end of the day, both are of greater profit and worth than any work that could have been done in their place. That’s because God’s work has no equal.

I am hoping for a lot of God’s snow days in 2022, for all of us. I can almost smell the warm cookies already!

Reborn and Learning to Dance in the Rain

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Translated into English by Andrés Castillo

Editor’s Note: This is the conclusion to Pastor Dania Hernández’s Call to Ministry story (Part one and Part two are available). Hernández is Pastor of Peña de Horeb, a Mosaic congregation in Philadelphia, PA.  

In the book, The Artisan Soul, Erwin McManus wrote, “Beyond despair, there must always be hope, beyond betrayal, there must always be a story of forgiveness; beyond failure there must always be a story of resistance. If the story of Jesus ended on the cross it could be a story worth telling, but that story could never give life. Only the resurrection can generate life again.”

Forgiveness from any perspective is beneficial. Forgiveness made it possible for Pastor Dania Hernández to be reborn. Dania did not want to spend her life upset and depressed. She longed to meet herself again. To live. To dream. To be restored. Not to be afraid to love and be loved.

Her story appeared to be a failure, a social disqualification. Contrary to what she perhaps thought, this story became the material from which God worked. There was no tear that God did not wipe away, no prayer that God did not hear, no fear from which God did not deliver her. Only when Dania learned to dance in the rain, only when she understood that the one who decides to forgive is the one who makes the greatest act of self-respect, the chains that had tied her no longer controlled her, and she was finally free.

She found rest that goes beyond all human reasoning, offered by the Holy Spirit who, with a tender and gentle whisper, sang in her ear, “Do not be afraid, I am here with you, do not lose heart. No situation, however hard it may be, will last forever. You can count on me, my love for you is forever.”

I Fell in Love and Got Married Again

Pastor Dania concludes her story with these words:

“I never thought I could be restored, much less love again. I thought that my life ended in the long and painful process of divorce. I was left with nothing, in financial ruin. I longed to love again, wished to study in a Bible seminary, but saw no opportunity.

When everything seemed lost, I envisioned hope in Jesus. His love allowed me to dance in the rain. I understood so many things. God restored me. I recovered financially. I fell in love again and got married again. I approached the heart of God like never before and started studying at the Anabaptist Bible Institute (IBA) where I thank Marco Güete and Violeta Ajquejay Suastegui for all the support they gave me.”

Perseverance Through Hard Times

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We will all go through hard times; the Bible says as much. But the great thing about God is that although we will go through hard times, God also says that He will be with us no matter how hard it gets.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (NKJV) This verse reminds me that, at the end of the day, God knows I won’t understand everything I go through and why I go through it, but it’s ok because I was never meant to know. This verse leads into Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” (NKJV) In these two short verses we can see that not only are we not meant to understand everything, but if we put everything we are going through in God’s hands, He will direct our path.

I saw these verses put into practice in my life in early 2017, when my father, Pastor Tomas, was diagnosed with cancer. In the beginning stages of doctor visits, a lot of things were very uncertain, from what treatment options were available to when and how many appointments my father should have. Through it all, I saw how my father maintained his faith, believing that God would provide a solution, no matter how difficult or uncertain the situation seemed.

The view from Michelle’s father’s hospital room on the 10th floor of the Advent Health Hospital, cancer building. Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

Before deciding on any treatment, my father would make sure to pray and put God first. On those long hospital nights, when it was uncertain when he would come back home, he and my mother, who was in the room with him, would always put on worship music to drown out the beeping monitors. Even after all his hair fell off from the chemotherapy, he would still have a smile of his face and thank God for another day.

Through the ups and downs of cancer, my father always put God first, just as Proverbs 3:5-6 says. This reminded me that although hard times are going to happen, it is guaranteed that our God will help us every step of the way. All we have to do is put God first and simply have faith and trust He will see us through. Although our individual struggles can seem difficult and never ending, God’s promise to us is that we will never be alone.

Pastor Tomas Ramirez (left) and his daughter, Michelle Ramirez. Photo provided by Michelle Ramirez.