Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Service as Worship on 5th Sundays

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There is a unique kind of bonding that happens when people work shoulder-to-shoulder together on a project. The leadership team of Doylestown (PA) Mennonite Church identified the value of this important bond in the sweat, dirt, and hands-on nature of service projects as something they thought would not only help their surrounding community, but also enhance congregational relationships.  

Service workers split logs from dead trees that had been taken down at a Doylestown congregant’s home. The split wood was delivered to several homes in the community for use as firewood. Photo by KrisAnne Swartley.

In late 2019, the pastors and ministry leadership team of Doylestown discerned that congregational life would be strengthened by designating regular times of serving together beyond the church walls. The relational connection that was built in service is special and distinct from the bonding that happens during Sunday morning worship and sharing. It’s not necessarily better, but it is different.   

To be intentional about creating service opportunities, our congregation set aside the fifth Sundays of the months as “Days of Service.” We would worship through working together. 

Even through the pandemic, we still served and worked together at places like Pinebrook Retreat Center in Stroudsburg, PA, The Simple Way in Philadelphia, Ripple Community in Allentown, PA,  A Woman’s Place in Doylestown, PA and at a few of our congregant’s homes.  

“To go” meals are prepared by Doylestown congregants to hand out after the worship service at Ripple. Photo by KrisAnne Swartley.
Doylestown congregants sort and fold donated clothes at Ripple Church for distribution in the Allentown, PA community. Photo by KrisAnne Swartley.

We have seen our relationships enhanced as we laughed, used our muscles, and faced rain, snow, and extreme heat in our adventures together. Friendships across the generations have been forged and deepened as teenagers have worked alongside octogenarians. Brand new relationships have begun as we engaged with people beyond our church walls. 

“Brand new relationships have begun as we engaged with people beyond our church walls. “

Fifth Sunday Day of Service has not always been easy, but it harkens back to a time when Mennonite barn raisings were a significant part of our culture. The sense of community and accomplishment, the unity of purpose and gratitude for each other’s presence and contribution—these are values that we have always held but now experience more deeply. We are thankful for what we are learning and experiencing together as we join shoulder-to-shoulder in work that blesses others and shapes us. 

Service workers from Doylestown Mennonite prepare the outdoor space at Pinebrook for Summer Day Camp this past May. Photo by KrisAnne Swartley.

ABC or DEF: What is Your Faith Community Prioritizing?

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When someone finds out I am a pastor, the typical response is, “You sure don’t look like one.” The next question is typically, “Where do you pastor?” followed by, “How big is your church?” 

There it is: the grading system of ABCs that we have for our faith communities.   

Attendance 
Buildings
Cash 

Often, the success of a church is based on how many people show up on a Sunday. Then, the buildings are examined. What do they look like? How big are they? What is their acreage? Lastly, is the church financially well off?  

What does it mean to use these markers of a “successful” church?  What were Jesus’ ABCs? 

Attendance was anywhere from 12 to 120 for Jesus. Now he had some major services that grabbed 5000+.  But when we look at it, can we really determine the attendance?  Do we even know the real impact? 

Regarding buildings, well, he was technically homeless. Sooo… there goes that one! If we really look at it, he used public places, people’s homes, and the temples.  Kinda makes you wonder… 

As for cash, we know there was a treasury of some sort.  At times people gave money and donated resources along the way, but we don’t see a lot of discussion about the money flowing from his coffers.  In fact, Jesus and having a budget doesn’t seem to jive at all. 

I by no means am saying meetinghouses are bad, having people engage your faith community is wrong, or that having a budget to transact affairs and assist in advancing the kingdom is misguided.   However, these are not the measurements of what a “successful” kingdom community is. 

Instead, I encourage us to consider DEFs:  

Discipleship
Evangelism
Fellowship 

We hear these DEF words often, but many times they seem so nebulous. What do they really mean? 

Discipleship is the pouring in and pouring out. As we get filled with joy from the Holy Spirit, are we able to pour into and receive from others?  It requires a level of spiritual intimacy that allows our faith walk to intersect with others.  

Evangelism is not an attitude of ensuring people are saved. Instead, it is sharing the Good News of the Gospel.  Are people in our church sharing their faith with those who do not follow Jesus? Does a relationship develop from this sharing? Fellowship is joining others on their faith journey and creating community.   

Evaluating DEFs is not based on numbers, but a cultural measurement. Are DEFs happening in our faith community? 

In Matthew 22, “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NIV)  

The essence of these two commandments is DEF.  When we do these commandments, we will make disciples.  Then, we will need more space for all the people we are engaging in our communities. Then, we will have the funds to building the Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. ABC will happen because of DEF.  This is the marker for a faith community.   

What are you chasing after?  Where are you headed?  What can you do to chase after the DEF and make that the mark?  In the end, we can only control our own actions to stand up to the darkness in this world and be the light to those around us. 

Boxing, Food, and Peace: Crossroads Community Center

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Crossroads Community Center is located on N. 6th St in Philadelphia, PA in one of the poorest communities of any major US city. Jesus’ words are the foundation for their ministry: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35-36, NIV)  

Crossroads Community Center is housed in two row homes in the Fairhill community of Philadelphia and serves the community in variety of ways. Each week, Crossroads distributes 3,000 pounds of food to the community. The Center also provides a safe haven to at-risk teens, tutoring, culturally-minded books, swimming, basketball, and even boxing, allowing them to stay safe and learn about the Lord.  

Pastor Juan Marrero has been the Executive Director of Crossroads Community Center since 2005. Marrero also pastors at Christ Centered Church and has a blended family with his wife, Sandra, and seven children. 

Crossroads also has a full-time prison chaplain, Chaplain Ron Muse, who works to support inmates, especially as they transition back to society as returning citizens. Christ Centered Church, where Marrero pastors, was planted ten years ago to provide something “more relevant” for returning citizens, who make up about 70% of the congregation. 

Pastor Marrero often takes youth from Crossroads to Pivott Boxing Academy just down the street. Along with providing discipline, boxing can also be a non-lethal means to end conflict. 

“Once during a gun violence episode,” Marrero recalls, “I met with both parties, and asked, `How can we resolve this peacefully?’” They decided to go to the boxing ring, boxed for two minutes, and it was over.  “No blood spilled and no issues with the police,” reported Marrero. “While it may seem unorthodox, it was a means to a peaceful resolution.” 

In the gospel of Mark, after a man is rid of a legion of demons, he begs to go with Jesus, who responds: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:18-20, NIV). Inspired by Mark 5, Marrero believes that communities should transform and raise up leaders rather than just partnering with outside ministries.  

“When Crossroads gave me my opportunity, I had a hint of the street in me,” explained Marrero. “A graffiti artist’s skills can be honed for good. Kids who like to fight can be trained to box and become role models for discipline. God can redeem the negative and use it for his Kingdom.” 

Pastor Marrero has seen this redemption in many ways, with some Crossroads youth becoming lawyers or piano teachers. “That gives us hope,” he says. “On the other hand, some still struggle; some go to prison. But you don’t give up on them. You walk with them in the midst of their struggles.” It is at this meeting place, this crossroads, that Marrero and his team try to lead the youth to good decisions and how the center got its name.  

Through serving the hungry, providing support for children and youth, and serving prisoners and returning citizens succeed in society, Pastor Marrero and Crossroads Community Center are committed to bring peace to the world. “The word  ‘peace’ comes from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning ‘nothing missing, nothing broken,’” explains Marrero. “God wants you to be whole. Crossroads is a vehicle by which people can connect with Christ and be prosperous and whole in every aspect of their life.” 

Watch the video here:

Can You Bear the Thought?

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Recently I heard a woman say that she was glad that she was fearfully and wonderfully made.  What does it mean to be fearfully and wonderfully made and what does that mean to you?   

I wasn’t sure, so I looked up “fearfully.”  It means full of fear, in an anxious manner, apprehensively, dreadfully, and extremely.  How does that relate to being fearfully made?  How does one behave knowing that they are fearfully made?   

We were not just made full of fear; we were made so amazingly that we come to revere the one who made us.  It is not that we are fearful at all, because God says that he did not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).   

But it says that we are made so well that we have a reverent fear of our creator.  Our Father does not want us to have a timid or cowardly fear of Him or anyone else.  God wants us to know that we were made so well that it is difficult to comprehend.   

When I ponder this word, it stirs up a feeling of being in awe … you know how when something is so beautiful it is hard to keep looking at it?  Or when something tastes so good that your senses feel like they are exploding? That is the fearfully made part.  That is the, “Oh my, look what God did in me, for me, for His Glory” part. That is the, “Oh, thank you Jesus for what you did for them and for you and for us.”   

We are all fearfully made.  So now, can we bear to look at wonderfully?  Can you imagine just thinking about yourself and your issues, your drama, and your thoughts being wonderfully made too?  Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) and that our Lord made us very good (Genesis 1:31).   

“Wonderfully” means full of wonder, in a way that inspires delight or admiration, extremely well. I can barely stand it!  I am so humbled by the thought that God chose to give that to us, you, even me.  I think of the word wonderfully and think “amazement”!   

We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Putting those two words together and thinking about this human form on earth gives me hope. When we live in the fear of the Lord and the wonderment of how God created us, it gives us faith.  We become unstoppable with God!  

What joy if we really believed that and lived it and believed it about everyone else! What kind of world changers could we be? What if we believed that the entire human race is fearfully and wonderfully made, even if they don’t look like you or me, even if they/we limp or stutter, even if our bank accounts are not the same, even if we don’t speak the same language?  

What if we believed that ALL of us are fearfully and wonderfully made, even those of us who don’t even know it yet? How might that change the world? 

The Wait to Serve in Bethlehem is Over

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Andrew & Karen Bush

Andrew and Karen Bush, who have served in international ministry for over 35 years and are members of Methacton (Norristown, PA) Mennonite Church, are currently in Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territories where Andrew is leading the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice (BIPJ). While they are there now, it was not easy for them to get there.   

Scheduled to depart in March 2020, they found themselves stuck in the US when Israel closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Finally, in June of this year, they received special permission to enter the country from the Israeli government. 

A mosque on Nativity Square in Bethlehem. Andrew and Karen Bush are working to promote peace in Bethlehem and beyond. Photo by Andrew Bush.

“It was a long wait,” said Andrew. “We had our suitcases packed for almost eighteen months!   The importance of this project motivated us to persevere.”  

During the Second Intifada’s (2000-2005) violent years, Andrew and Karen lived near Ramallah on the West Bank. In those years, Palestinian Christian leaders inspired them to keep turning to the way of peace in Christ. Those voices need to be heard today.  

That is why Karen and Andrew decided to return to guide the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice’s formation.  The BIPJ is providing a platform for Palestinian Christian scholars and leaders to share what they have learned about peacemaking from living amid intense conflict on a day-to-day basis.

The Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice’s programs promote the reasonableness of peacemaking and the pursuit of social justice.  “It is our conviction,” shares Andrew, “that when it seems that peace is most beyond reach, it is time to redouble efforts in working for peace and justice.” 

Buying produce from a Palestinian woman at the market. Photo by Andrew Bush.

Based on Christian and biblical principles and informed by God’s love for all people, the goal of the BIPJ is to assist local and international peacemakers to be a part of preventing, mitigating, and transforming conflict and establishing sustainable peace and justice in Palestine, Israel, and throughout the world.  The BIPJ is a program of Bethlehem Bible College which has been at the forefront of peacemaking between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities in the Holy Land for more than 40 years.  

At the heart of the BIPJ is the Certificate Program in Peacemaking and Justice in the Palestinian Context. The Certificate Program serves undergraduate, graduate, and other learners. The courses, entirely online, are taught in English and may be taken separately without completing the Certificate Program.  The courses are taught by notable Palestinian Christians and other international scholars and are 14 weeks in length.   

Registration is now open for the course entitled, Introduction to Peacemaking and Justice in the Palestinian Context. It will begin on September 13, 2021.  The course, as described on the website, “explores fundamental concepts in peacemaking and justice, the history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and present realities on the ground; Biblical theologies of peace; reflections on peace and justice from the perspective of Judaism and Islam; non-violence and peacemaking; and the practice of sulha in Arab societies and how it relates to other models of reconciliation.” 

Andrew is a professor emeritus in missiology at Eastern University (St. Davids, PA.) Along with his role as director of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice in Palestine, he is serving as the lead pastor of the East Jerusalem International Church near the Old City of Jerusalem.  

Andrew welcomes inquiries concerning this course at info@bipj.org and looks forward to seeing Mosaic Conference groups in Bethlehem. 

Bethlehem Street. Photo by Andrew Bush.

Need Something? Start Something!

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I love a good DIY project every once in a while. I find joy in making the things I need instead of buying them from the store or paying someone else to do it. I’m not alone. Many people share the same sentiment as I do – just look at how many people turn to Pinterest to fuel their next home improvement idea! 

However, when it comes to a community need, people are more hesitant to start something. It’s so much easier to just participate in something that’s already been prepared by someone else. 

I totally understand why some are so hesitant. Sometimes I am too. Being the one who starts something can be overwhelming. You have to assume responsibility, and you make yourself vulnerable to other people’s judgement. But without anyone sowing the first seed, we’ll miss an opportunity of something great growing among us. If you see a need in your community, maybe it’s God’s calling for you to start something.  

Keep in mind these three simple points, to help you get started: 

1. Start Small 

When you have a grand idea, sometimes it’s hard to even begin! Not all efforts have to start big or are perfect and polished. Most people know this verse by memory: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20 (ESV). Maybe your idea begins with one or two people, and it’s not perfect from the get-go, but that’s okay. Start small, bigger things will follow. 

2. Start Close 

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, bring in people who are close to you. Share your thoughts, concerns, and goals. Maybe you’ll gain a supporter or even a partner. No one can survive alone, and we need to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). 

3. Start Sincerely 

Before starting your great idea, make sure your heart and head are in the right space. Find the purpose of your idea and keep that in mind as you’re starting your journey. God’s provisions and guidance will surely follow. Let this verse from 1 Peter 3:8 (NRSV) give you hope and strength: “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 

I hope this inspires you to kickstart that project or idea you’ve been putting off, no matter how small. 

Diversity in Mission

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This quarter’s Faith and Life gatherings, Diversity in Mission, which met on August 18 and 19, continued our year’s theme of mission. Since the beginning of the year, we have considered mission in relation to culture and with the potential for conflict.  

At these gatherings, we considered diversity in mission as we considered the text of Acts 16 and the choosing of Timothy as a ministry partner, the call of the Macedonian, and Paul’s engagement with Lydia. This gave us the opportunity to ponder how we choose focus and whom we choose to accompany us in our goals.  

This quarter’s gatherings gave us opportunities to share how we might implement these principles in our own churches or tasks, as well as what challenges we are experiencing in our efforts to see our diversity (cultures, attitudes, age groups, etc.) as positive elements in experiencing community. We appreciated hearing what our colleagues are doing and having the opportunity to support each other in prayer. 

Plan now to join together at our next Faith and Life Gathering on November 10 and 11, to discuss Consequences in Mission.  

 If you have found these gatherings helpful and would like to participate in planning, we are in need of another committee member. Contact Penny Naugle at jpnaugle69@gmail.com with your interest. 

Opening My Eyes: Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip 2021

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The Youth Venture Civil Rights Trip (July 16-24) was an eye-opening experience. I co-led this group, sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network, and we visited landmarks of the US Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-60s to learn why our faith calls us to stand against injustice and with the oppressed.

Four youth from Mosaic Conference and I had the opportunity to go on this trip and it was truly remarkable. On this trip we visited different civil rights locations, from museums to national landmarks. On some of our stops we spoke to people who experienced civil injustice firsthand during the 1950-60s, providing us a firsthand view on how African-Americans were treated.

Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…” Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

This opportunity allowed me to see and learn about things and people in a whole new way. The most impactful day for me was when we visited the Lynching Memorial at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. At the memorial were pillars filled with the names of lynching victims from almost every county in the US. As I read the names, I was so impacted, thinking about what they must have gone through in those moments. There were even stories of how some people were lynched for reasons that today would be considered ridiculous. It was truly eye-opening to learn about all the struggles people went through in the past simply for looking different. I thought I knew about civil rights until I saw and read some of the stories.

Another museum we visited was the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This is the famous motel where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on the balcony in 1968. As we made our way through the museum, we were able to see things King did, but also what other civil rights activists did in the 60s. It was a truly educational experience.

The Vouth Venture Group, outside of a house they painted as part of service in the community.

The trip challenged my way of thinking and made me see things from a perspective I thought I understood. I learned more about the injustice that African-Americans went through during this time. As a result of this trip, I am challenged to remember that I have a voice to speak up and defend those who cannot, just like the Bible instructs us to do.

This trip was not only impactful to me but also for the youth who joined me. The value of knowing and understanding history allows us to work to make a difference in today’s society, even if we still have struggles today. Working alongside Mennonite Mission Network for this trip was great, and I hope to partner up and do something like this again in the future. A big thank you to everyone who made this trip happen!

From July 16-24, four Mosaic youth participated in a Youth Venture Civil Rights Learning Tour. Here are some of their reflections from the trip.
“On the trip, I saw this quote, “The human family might be of many colors, but they’re still human, and they possess the personality, the image, the likeness of God, in many ways. So, it is my hope that we can live together and work together… and try to accomplish something in the period of time we’ve got.”
Amzie Moore
“The youth venture trip exceeded my expectations immensely. This trip expanded my view of America’s history with slavery and oppression but also enhanced my view from a Christian stand point. Racial tension has always been a problem in America but the spiritual aspect of the struggle as an American of color hasn’t really been explored all too much, so being able to experience that is really eye opening. It invited challenging conversations with my inner dialogue and with the people who went on the trip with me.

The guest speakers and tour guides introduced us to a whole other experience. Some of the tour guides/speakers actually went through the civil rights movement and gave us a firsthand account of the movement. We were able to see the struggle through their eyes and hands but also the progress through their expression and behavior.

This trip challenged my way of thinking, mentally and spiritually, and invited me to act out against injustice in a way that hasn’t been shown to me before.”
Joshua DeLaRosa
Age 15, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
This trip was meaningful to me in every way. Although I’m a minority, I’m not Black. These aren’t just stories; they’re history and we shouldn’t bury it. I see that a lot, and it disappoints me because no one is willing to deal with the prejudice and injustice that we still see today. I hope everyone can educate themselves & treat others the way they want to be treated.”
Jennifer Colon
Age 18, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“During the Civil Rights Youth Venture trip, I learned what it truly meant to be a person of color during the Civil Rights era in the US. Being a part of this trip allowed me to really see outside of my own “box” and understand what it means to make an attempt to change civil rights today.

I feel like God used this trip to help me understand the spiritual weight behind everything that went on and still goes on to this day. All in all, the youth venture trip was a blessing for my life and I am glad I was able to learn from and experience this trip.”
Isaac Ramirez
Age 20, Orlando, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
“This trip helped me to be open mind and see how other people live. It showed that not everything in life is easy and to be grateful for what I have in my life.

There was this sign in a museum that said, “No negro, No Puerto Rican, No Mexican.” This sign really struck me because I am Puerto Rican and Mexican, but I also get mistaken for Black. I could only imagine how I would have been treated if that sign were present for me in the 1950s.
I would rate the trip a 5/5.

I loved it and would love to go on another one in the future.”
Jose DeLaRosa
Age 19, Davenport, FL, Luz y Vida Mennonite Church
  • Inside the Lorraine Motel Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. The wall reads, “And in a real sense, we are moving and we cannot afford to stop…”
  • “This picture was while we were in Tennessee & I liked it because it really explained part of today’s struggles.” Photo and caption by Jennifer Colon.
  • The group poses outside of a museum in Mississippi. Photo by Jose DeLaRosa.
  • “Seeing this depiction of slaves (at the National Civil Rights Museum) being transported on a boat really opened my eyes to see how bad slavery really was. I felt a combination of anger, disgust, confusion, and just an overall desire to push for a change in today’s civil rights.” – Isaac Ramirez
  • “It’s my favorite picture because we were able to help and do stuff in the community and showed me how being active in a community can help.” – Joshua DeLaRosa