Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

Advent Resource for Families

by

Mosaic Conference is again offering this FREE Advent resource for families. If you desire Advent and simplicity, here is a family practice that is centered on Jesus’ birth story.

“My family has participated in this practice for the past two years, and it has become a Christ-centering tradition for us in our home,” shared Brooke Martin, Mosaic Youth and Community Formation Pastor, shared. “We light a candle, marking the days until Christmas, and read the verse cards which build each day, pointing to and celebrating Jesus’ birth narrative. It is simple.”

Please feel free to share the link with your congregation or community.

Dinnertime family devotions include burning the daily Advent candle and reading part of the Christmas Story. Photo by Brooke Martin. 

Mosaic Annual Assembly Wrap-Up

by

It was “Mutual Transformation,” not COVID-19, at the forefront when Mosaic Conference met for its Assembly on November 6, 2021. While in-person gatherings were originally planned, COVID-related upsurges led to a completely virtual event. Up to 175 logins were recorded during the annual delegate session.

From the beginning, the theme of transformation and the opportunities brought about by the Conference’s growing diversity were center stage. In the first hour, Moderator Ken Burkholder and Assistant Moderator Angela Moyer Walter, led the delegates in reflections on the theme’s text, Romans 12:2-10. Burkholder reminded the delegates that transformation only occurs when Jesus is at the center of who we are as a church.

Following, two congregations, Peña de Horeb (Philadelphia, PA), a predominantly Latino congregation, and Faith Chapel (Los Angeles, CA), a predominantly West African immigrant congregation, were welcomed into Conference membership. Peña de Horeb is a relatively new congregation, while Faith Chapel is an established congregation that realigned its membership within MC USA.

Joining Mosaic’s Church Related Ministries (CRM) is the Midian Leadership Project, of Charleston, WV. The Midian Project is an outreach ministry that develops leaders from the local youth community. Each ministry was showcased in a video log story that included interviews and site visits. Delegates then gave a 99% vote of affirmation for these new members of Mosaic Conference.

Thirteen newly credentialed leaders were introduced and welcomed with words of affirmation from Leadership Ministers.

Credentialed leadership was also celebrated. Thirteen newly credentialed leaders were introduced and welcomed with words of affirmation from Leadership Ministers. The Conference also noted those who were retiring from their years of meaningful service and paid tribute to those ministers who have passed away during past year.

In the second hour, delegates were invited to reflect on the Conference priorities of being missional, formational, and intercultural. A brief missional video told the story of Mosaic Pastor Virgo Handojo, of Jemaat Kristen Indonesian Anugerah (JKIA), of Sierra Madre, CA. In the past year, Pastor Virgo mobilized several Mosaic congregations and invited Mosaic Conference to assist Indonesians on the Island of Java and Sulawesi to access COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic-related assistance. Raising almost $40,000 through the fundraising efforts in communities and matching grants from the conference’s missional operation fund, over 8,000 individuals received vaccinations and other material assistance.

A story of formational work in the Conference was told by a group of Mosaic Conference Latino youth who participated in a Civil Rights tour of the southern USA through Mennonite Mission Network. In learning the stories of a previous generation’s struggle, these Mosaic youth were encouraged and strengthened to engage in their own efforts to work for equality and justice in the world they are inheriting.

Blooming Glen (PA) Mennonite Church, a predominantly white congregation, shared an intercultural story. In response to recent civic and racial unrest, the congregation engaged in a process of study and reflection, utilizing MC USA curriculum and conversations with members from Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, an intercultural congregation in Philadelphia, PA.

Following these stories, delegates were assigned to small groups and invited to reflect on what they heard and experienced in their congregations. Of significant note from delegate feedback was the observation that Mosaic Conference is being mutually transformed by Jesus in our missional, formational, and intercultural competency.

“Mosaic Conference is being mutually transformed by Jesus in our missional, formational, and intercultural competency”

As Indonesian pastors lead missional efforts of global healing and hope, Latino youth explore what it means to be formed by a gospel that undoes the perniciousness of racism, and a white congregation listens and learns from faith communities of color, Mosaic is becoming a transformed body of Christ.

The next Mosaic Assembly will be Saturday, November 5, 2022. We plan, God willing, to meet face-to-face.

Dr. Joe Manickam, Hesston College president and preacher for Mosaic Assembly worship, talks with Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister, prior to Assembly worship on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Worship teams in Los Angeles, CA, and Franconia, PA led Mosaic Assembly worship music in a variety of languages and styles. From left to right, Stephanie Natallia (Philadelphia Praise), Danilo Sanchez (Ripple), and KrisAnne Swartley (Doylestown congregation) were part of the worship team in PA. 

Annoyances, Frustrations, & Inconveniences

by

How do you respond when your plans change unexpectedly causing annoyance and inconvenience? I recently had one of these minor annoyances traveling home from California. My travel plans had to be adjusted after my first flight was delayed.  

As I began processing how this minor annoyance would affect me, I thought about all the negative impacts. How would I spend five hours in an airport waiting for my flight to Philadelphia? Would I be able to get comfortable and sleep on my five-hour, overnight flight? Would I be able to stay awake and get my work done while sleep deprived once home? How will this disruption affect my sleep cycle over the next several days?  

Then I began thinking about others impacted by flight delays and cancellations. Airline staff are overworked and stressed due to staff shortages, added work demands, and a growing number of aggressive passengers. Travelers whose work schedules, vacation, or special event cannot be rescheduled or require additional expenses also are stressed. I understand the increasing impatience and irritability dealing with the annoyance and inconvenience of travel disruptions. 

My thoughts shifted to people dealing with other disruptive and life-altering circumstances: the death of a spouse, family member, or close friend; news of a terminal illness, debilitating condition, medical treatment with major side effects; job loss or transition; house eviction, devastating natural disaster, or resettlement in a new country. What I was experiencing was so minimal in comparison to many dealing with loss, grief, and trauma.  

How would I respond to this minor annoyance and inconvenience? I could not change my circumstances, but I could control my response.  

Three things that helped me were naming and processing my feelings, expressing gratitude for the good that emerged, and accepting what I could not change. I processed my feelings and frustrations by writing this article and talking with family members. I prayed and took a walk. In other annoying situations, I processed my feelings by listening to peaceful music, reciting a scripture, or repeating a calming phrase.  

Reminding myself of what I am grateful for keeps my mind focused on the good that emerges rather than my frustration or resentment. I was fortunate for the option to schedule a different flight, helpful and courteous airline staff, patient and respectful passengers, financial resources to travel, good health and being vaccinated, and supportive family praying for me. 

I could not change my situation, but I could accept my circumstances even with the challenges. Reaching out for assistance from others helped me know I was not alone. My husband helped me look for other flight options and decide which option was best. Several family members sent supportive and encouraging text messages as I waited in airports. I prayed for patience and strength. Having support from family and the Holy Spirit helped me accept my circumstances and gave me peace and hope to persevere.  

I am reminded of these three practices in dealing with life’s annoyances when looking to the Psalms. Psalm 77 begins with a complaint for life’s circumstances. “I am so troubled I cannot speak … Has God forgotten to be gracious?” (Ps. 77: 4, 9, NRSV) This complaint is followed by an expression of gratitude. “I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord … I will meditate on all your work” (Ps. 77:11-12). Gratitude leads to acceptance, bringing peace and hope for restoration. “With your strong arm you redeemed your people” (Ps. 77:15). 

Using these three helpful practices to deal with life’s minor annoyances, encourages me to make choices that offer peace and hope. 

Assembly Countdown Details

by

ASSEMBLY IS THIS SATURDAY!
We are looking forward to our time together.

In final preparation for Saturday, please read the following: 

1 PM – 3 PM EDT | 10 AM – 12 PM PDT

  • The zoom link was emailed to all registered delegates, pastors, and guests on Tuesday, November 2. Zoom links are only emailed to REGISTERED delegates, pastors, and guests. If you have not yet registered, please do so here before Friday, November 5 – 12 noon EDT. If you have registered, but have not received your link, email office@mosaicmennonites.org.
  • On Saturday, all delegates must log-in on separate devices to allow for small group discussions, affirmations, voting, and attendance.
  • When you log in to the Assembly Zoom meeting, please click on yourself, and edit your name to be your first and last name as well as the congregation or ministry you are representing, for attendance record purposes.
  • Be ready to engage in small groups that are multilingual. Please be hospitable as some small group members may need to translate for others.
  • The docket was emailed to all delegates and is available in ENGLISH, SPANISH, INDONESIAN, VIETNAMESE, CANTONESE.
  • For Zoom instructions or questions: watch our video tutorial

Starts at 7 PM EDT | Starts at 4 PM PDT

  • Join a watch party in your area or tune into Mosaic’s YouTube or Facebook page from your home. To find a watch party to attend, see the complete list here.
  • Spanish Stream of the Worship Service will be available via Zoom.

Need to catch up on pre-Assembly info? Read and watch previous articles and vlogs about this year’s Assembly:

Never Too Young for God

by

I remember feeling a calling to the ministry as a young boy growing up in the Catholic Church. In third grade, I was preparing to receive my communion for the first time. I took this very seriously; it was a big deal.  

Leading up to this time, I recall being picked on and teased for my faith. “Kyle is going to be the priest of the family,” I heard.  Even though I was teased, I found a love for God’s church. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, my family stopped going to church before I started high school.  

This was the beginning of some very dark years for me. During my high school years, I was involved with the wrong group of friends, my family relationships were distant, I did not care about my studies, and I had little to no relationship with God.  

In my early college years, I met Alicia, who later became my wife. Alicia told me more about Jesus than I had ever known before. This also led me to have my first interaction at Franconia (PA) Mennonite Church, where I felt a real sense of welcome and community.   

During the Good Friday service in 2015 at Franconia Church, I heard the voice of God. God told me, “This is where I want you; this is where you will raise your family. This is where you belong.” This was the first time I heard the audible voice of God, and I have desired to be obedient to his calling for me to be at Franconia.  

Prior to that, my plan for my life had been one of destruction and sin. Yes, I felt a calling to ministry when I was a boy, but I wanted to ignore that calling. But when I heard God speak, I was open to his guidance and will for my life. I was tired of keeping my back to him. When God spoke, I realized that his plan for my life was better than my own. When God spoke, I was ready to listen. Since then, I have developed a strong desire to share God’s truth and God’s truth alone. 

I have been told that I am too young to be a pastor, too young to be preaching the Word, or too young to be so conservative. In the past, these comments would hurt, and it would cause self-doubt. Maybe I am not ready?  

However, I have taken a new approach to this mindset. I desire for God to use me for the church today and the church of the next generation. Too often I see youth and others feel like they need to take a back seat because they feel too young and inadequate. I want to help them be open for God to use them, whether they are 11 or 43.  

While in my pastoral role at Franconia, I have seen God use the youth in powerful ways, ways that have taught me, and other adults, a thing or two. So, I challenge you: How is God using the children or youth in your life? What can you learn from them? Don’t say they are too young. God can use them just like he can use you!  

A Devout Outsider and an Impulsive Insider

by

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a devotional that Janet Panning, Mosaic Board member, shared at the September 2021 Board meeting. 

In the story of Cornelius and Peter (Acts 10: 1- 48), we have an outsider, Cornelius, who is devout and God-fearing, and an insider, Peter, who is impulsive and enthusiastic.  

Peter is processing his vision regarding killing and eating unclean animals when Cornelius’ men arrive, to invite him to Cornelius’ home.  After Peter’s testimony, Cornelius and his household become believers and the gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out, even on Gentiles. Peter orders them to be baptized in the name of Jesus.  I’m not sure Peter even considered circumcising them at that time.  

But soon, Peter is back with the other insiders, and the issue of circumcision comes up.  In Acts 11, the circumcised believers criticized Peter; “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them” (Acts 11:3, NIV). Peter shares his experience with Cornelius and the work of the Holy Spirit with the insiders. After hearing Peter’s account, the insiders seem to understand. They are excited to hear Peter’s testimony.  

But the circumcision issue doesn’t go away. Peter himself may be wavering and wondering whether he did the right thing. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, has a history of being afraid of what other people think.  

In Galatians, Paul says that Peter used to eat with the Gentiles. But when certain men arrived, Peter began to separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of the circumcised group. Paul is not very nice when he talks about Peter and goes further, saying: “Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ” (Galatians 6:12, NIV)  

Where would the descendants of the Gentiles (us) be without Peter? Peter had a dream and somehow wound up baptizing the first Gentiles.  Peter was impulsive and reacted to what was happening to Cornelius and his family. He seemed to be oblivious to the theological consequences of what he is doing. Yet, later, he may have actually been afraid, as Paul writes in Galatians, and may have wavered because of what people thought. I can imagine what comments would have looked like about the situation on today’s social media.  

Perhaps Peter lacked the confidence that he had acted correctly, since he was acting in faith without thinking of the consequences. Or maybe Paul was right, and Peter just wanted to avoid persecution, so began to separate himself from the Gentiles.  

Peter acted in faith and followed the Holy Spirit which led to an incredible welcoming of all the non-Jews into a faith in Jesus. Is it possible that he did this without thinking through the theological implications and without thinking about the consequences to his own safety or his own reputation? I would encourage us to remember Peter as we discern where God is in our own difficult discussions. 

Where is the Holy Spirit leading us? How can we follow?  Let us remember Peter as we discern where God is when we are among people who are the “outsiders.”  

We also need to have grace to forgive those who, like Peter, waver – perhaps from a lack of courage or confidence. And may we also have grace to forgive the “Pauls” in our lives, who highlight our wavering for all to see.  

May the God of hospitality and welcome, the God of both circumcised and uncircumcised, be with us as we seek to follow Jesus. 

Marta Castillo to Become Associate Executive Minister

by

Effective February 1, 2022, Marta Castillo will assume the role of Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference.

In recent years, Castillo has served as the Leadership Minister of Intercultural Formation and brings strong experience in pastoral leadership and intercultural understanding to the Conference leadership team. She is passionate about the intercultural work of unity in cultural diversity, antiracism, and racial reconciliation.

The daughter of Franconia Conference mission workers, Marta (Beidler) Castillo grew up in both Vietnam and Indonesia. While English is her first language, she lives in a bilingual family and community of English/Spanish speakers and speaks English, Indonesian, and Spanish. Castillo has been shaped by four of the cultural communities in Mosaic Conference and is well attuned to both our Conference’s history and future.

Marta Castillo will assume the role of Associate Executive Minister of Mosaic Conference in February 2022.

“We are very excited to have Marta in her new role,” said Janet Panning, Mosaic Board member and Ministerial Committee Chair. “Marta’s depth of intercultural experience and her fluency in three of our worshipping languages, combined with her deep faith commitment, make her the right person at this time in our Conference life.”

As Mary Nitzsche, the current Associate Executive Minister, moves toward retirement, she will reduce her workload but will remain on Mosaic staff. Nitzsche will continue to relate closely to the Board, along with Executive Minister Stephen Kriss, and will serve as a Leadership Minister. As Nitzsche transitions out, Castillo will continue her work with the intercultural committee while adding responsibilities with the ministerial credentialing process and representing our Conference in public settings.

Castillo is committed to prayer along with active engagement of diverse neighborhoods with the message of Good News. “I appreciate Marta’s commitment to reminding us of the Holy Spirit’s working in and among us. She not only reminds us but demonstrates it through her walk and work,” shared Noel Santiago, Mosaic Leadership Minister for Missional Transformation, who leads a conference-wide prayer time with Castillo each Wednesday at noon (Eastern). “Marta accompanies others with sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading and will bring that sensitivity to her role in helping process and discern leaders’ calling and credentialing.”

Castillo is a graduate of Dock Mennonite Academy (Lansdale, PA) and Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA). She has a certificate in Christian Ministry from Eastern Mennonite Seminary and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership through the Kairos Project (Sioux Falls [SD] Seminary), with an expected graduation date of April 2022.

From 2007-2017, Castillo served as a pastor for Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life congregation. During that time, she served on the Conference board and was Assistant Conference Moderator. She also has worked with the Norristown School District, Bridge of Hope-Buxmont, and as the interim pastor at Wellspring Church of Skippack (PA).

Castillo is married to Julio and has three young adult sons and one granddaughter. She is a member at Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life congregation, where she also serves as an elder.

Creating Spaces

by

Mutual transformation happens when we acknowledge, own, and celebrate our cultural differences, allowing ourselves to be changed by our relationships with God and others.  The theme for the 2021 Mosaic Annual Assembly is “Mutual Transformation,” based on  Romans 12:2-10.   

“Christians are strangers and aliens within all cultures. Yet the church itself is God’s nation, encompassing people who have come from every tribe and nation. Indeed, its mission is to reconcile differing groups, creating one new humanity and providing a preview of that day when all the nations shall stream to the mountain of the Lord and be at peace.” 

from Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article 10 

To be mutually transformed, we need to recognize our status as aliens and strangers in this world.  We “do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of us” (Romans 12:3, NIV). We learn to identify and locate ourselves in cultures, worldviews, families, and systems. Then we decenter ourselves, in order to re-center ourselves in Christ so that we can be reconciled to God and to others. 

Mutual transformation within the framework of Mosaic Conference means that power and equity will shift around the table.  Part of intercultural work is letting go of power and part of the work is empowering others.  

Loosely calculated, in Mosaic Conference, 40% of our staff, 30% of our credentialed leaders, and 20% of our congregations are persons of the Global Majority (a.k.a. people of color) and that number is growing.  (People of the Global Majority (PGM) is an emerging term surrounding race that is arguably the most universally inclusive. Unlike the terms “minority” or “marginalized,” the term People of the Global Majority offers Black, Brown, and Indigenous people – who are numerically in the majority all over the world – an empowering term that encompasses a global solidarity against racial injustice.) 

“the term People of the Global Majority offers Black, Brown, and Indigenous people – who are numerically in the majority all over the world – an empowering term that encompasses a global solidarity against racial injustice.”

One of lesser-known components of fall Assembly is a gathering called, “Nations and Generations,” held for the leaders of the Global Majority (the leaders of color) in our Conference.  Imagine an intercultural space where language, nationality, and cultural differences are recognized and honored.  An “us” emerges from growing relationships and connections as similarities, shared experiences, and unity in Christ result in mutual transformation.  Meeting together is one way for leaders to encourage one another, worship, build vision, and celebrate God’s work.   

This year’s “Nations and Generations” gathering will be held virtually at three different events, in three languages (Spanish, Indonesian, and English).  If you are a person of color/global majority within Mosaic Conference, we invite you to join with other leaders from our Conference, in the language of your choice, to share stories of mutual transformation and empowerment. 

En Español | Dalam Bahasa Indonesia

May God bless us all as we meet together in our Annual Assembly! 

May God continue the intercultural, formational, and missional work of mutual transformation in and among us!