Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Luminary Walk of Remembrance and Hope

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Event participants silently walk the path of Salford Mennonite’s cemetery, with tea light candles in hand.

Saturday, March 27, presented a beautiful evening for a luminary walk through Salford (Harleysville, PA) Church’s cemetery. The walk was the kickoff event for a week-long outdoor memorial on the church grounds to remember those who have died from COVID-19. 

The memorial, titled COVID Remembrance and Hope, invites members of the congregation and the broader public to reflect on losses due to the pandemic, both locally and around the globe. 

“This has been a year like no other, for all of us,” shared Pastor Beth Yoder.  “We have known loss, disruption, and upheaval, and we have seen more clearly some of the harsh realities that shape our nation and our world.” 

Each luminary represents the deaths of 1,000 people in the U.S. and the deaths of 5,018 people around the world due to COVID-19.

From Saturday, March 27, to Saturday, April 3, an interactive prayer wall is open to the public on the porch of the historic stone schoolhouse behind the church. The memorial coincides with Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, in which the final days of Jesus and his death by crucifixion are remembered. 

Luminaries lit a path which ended at the historic Salford schoolhouse (built in 1883), where a space for prayer was available. Participants could reflect with art, light a candle, and write a prayer and hang it on the prayer wall. The prayer wall tags included names of people who died from COVID-19, as well as hopes for the future.

“We believe that houses of worship can play a role in facilitating a space for the community to grieve and recognize the deep pain of this time we are going through,” shared Yoder. “It is especially meaningful to provide this invitation to process our personal losses and those of others, during the week when we remember how our God suffered and is with those who are suffering.” 

A second Luminary Walk through the Salford cemetery will be held 7-9 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 3. This is an outdoor event and mask wearing is requested.  Salford Mennonite Church is located at 480 Groffs Mill Rd., Harleysville, PA 19438. 

Love Wasn’t Meant to Die

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When people ask me how many children I have, I usually hide behind humor as I smile and say, “It depends on how you count them.” Do they mean how many biological children I have? Do they mean how many children in our blended family? Do I dare tell them about our baby boy in heaven? Somehow, that question never gets easier.

As a newly married couple, George and I desperately wanted to have a child together. After several painful years of infertility, we finally got the good news that we were expecting!

I launched into “nesting” mode. I read books on pregnancy, decorated the nursery and babbled to anyone who would listen about my dreams for this little life inside of me. And, our precious gift was due in December. Could anything be more perfect? We couldn’t wait.

It was an uneventful pregnancy. But, about two weeks before my due date, my doctor noticed something was wrong. That evening, December 9, 1993, our son was born and died due to a cord complication. We named him Stanley. He had blonde hair, blue eyes and crooked pinky fingers like his dad.

Our family was devastated. The next day was my baby shower. My mother had the awful task of calling everyone to tell them her grandson had died.

My recovery was emotionally difficult. It was Christmas, usually my favorite time of year. Surrounded by bucolic images of a young mother, Mary, cradling her newborn son, I was bitter that I didn’t have a baby to hold.

People’s reactions to our loss varied. Many were compassionate and thoughtful. One out-of-state friend arranged for our local supermarket to deliver prepared meals. My cousin offered to redecorate our Noah’s ark-themed nursery. A co-worker proactively told my work associates about our loss, so I would be spared the dreaded question, “What did you have?”

Unfortunately, some friends shied away from us or broke ties, because they didn’t know how to respond. In truth, we didn’t either.

During those first few months, my emotions ping-ponged from sadness to overwhelming grief to outright, screaming-in-the-car anger at God. How could God do this to us?! To our baby?! I was ashamed that I had these thoughts. I felt so alone. I felt that even God had abandoned me.

Several months later while still raging at God, I heard a song that reminded me that death was not part of God’s plan – and that God knew exactly how I felt. God understood what it was like to watch his son die. And because of that painful sacrifice, I could hold onto the promise of someday cradling my precious boy again. It was a profound “God moment” amid my grief.

I realized that God hadn’t abandoned me. But I had railed against him. Could there be a pathway back?

A faith-based book on pregnancy loss helped me put my fear in perspective. Like a toddler who, in anger, pounds their fists against their parent’s legs and says, “I hate you!” The parent understands that the child is hurting and loves them despite their emotional outburst. 

God understands. God is there. I rested then, as now, in the scriptures that tell us that nothing can separate us from God’s love

(Romans 8:38-39).

I encourage you to step beyond discomfort to reach out to those who have lost a child or grandchild – whether a miscarriage, an infant or a child lost through abortion. Walk with them in the moment. If the loss was a while ago, let them know you remember and care. Give them space to talk about their precious child. Remind them of God’s love. Love them.

Editor’s note:  This is an abbreviated version of Cami’s full story, which you can read here, which first appeared on October 15, 2020.

Stumbling Toward the Cross

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I have crosses in every room of my house.  I didn’t grow up with this tradition, but I remember the dramatic crucifix in the living room of my Catholic aunt and uncle.  It was uncomfortable to my Protestant eyes, a graphic symbol of Christ’s bloody execution, hung above the sofa where I first watched MTV videos in the 1980s.  Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, your familiar form of the cross marks your identity as Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox.  I was never particularly comfortable with the crucifix.

A former nuclear scientist, Parush Parushev, a Bulgarian, tells how a crucifix changed him.  While working in Soviet-occupied Eastern Europe, he traveled to Poland where he met a scientist who had a crucifix in his home.  Parushev said the symbol troubled him and somehow began his journey of openness to the story of Jesus’ life and death that eventually led to his own conversion.  He is now a Baptist seminary professor and theologian.

Image by Robert Allmann from Pixabay

I’m still a bit discomforted by the bloodied Jesus on a cross, even though I am fully aware that the cross and the tomb are empty.  The crucifix is a stark reminder of the horror of Christ’s death. 

There’s something worthwhile about paying attention to the suffering Christ and holding on, even just for a while, to Jesus’ painful, humiliating death that opens the path for our own redemption.  Author James Cone does important work on connecting the idea of the cross with the African American experience of lynching in the United States.  There is much that we can learn yet often try to avoid by looking away.

This year as we emerge, slowly and wobbly, from a pandemic and persevere through a socio-political situation fraught with crisis after crisis, we might need the reminder of Christ’s presence with us in suffering.  The Ghanian song, “In Your Sickness,” minds us that “in your sickness, your suffering, your trials and pain, he is with you all the time.  Persecution, temptations, and loneliness, he is with you all the time” (Hymnal: A Worship Book #585).  From our food distributions, to our open community centers, to our Zoom worship, and stressful work situations, God has indeed been with us. 

Over the next few days, as we remember the Last supper and footwashing, and journey toward the cross, let us hold onto the solemnity of Holy Saturday and lean in toward the surprise of resurrection. I want to be alert to things that might break open my mind toward a fresh understanding, even through familiar words and symbols.  I’m paying attention to God who is with us in the midst of all that is distraught while also anticipating the possibilities of resurrection, new life, and healing.  I wonder where we might be renewed this Holy Week.

I want to remember Christ present in struggle, when things are not yet fully transformed or illuminated.  I also want to trust that God is still working, even in my impatience and striving, and the Spirit can use even the most difficult realities to be turned toward new life. 

Long winters can mean bright springs.   Even when nights and days seem long, resurrection is still coming,  still waiting to surprise us and re-awaken our hearts, souls, and minds toward deepened faith, hope, and love.   

Our Continued Response

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Mosaic Conference continues to process and respond to the allegations of misconduct at Dock Academy in Lansdale, PA. For background, please read our initial response.

Dock Mennonite Academy is a valued part of Mosaic Conference as a place where faith has been shaped for generations within our community.  Our Conference offices are located on the Dock campus, and we value the connection with Dock as a Conference Related Ministry, in a mutual relationship of support and accountability.  We continue to be in regular communication with the Dock Academy administration and board to offer resources, counsel, and prayer.

Conference staff recognize the complexity of the last two weeks for so many in our community and extend our concern and prayers to Dock students, parents, alum, staff, and board members.  We have worked with Dock Academy and Penn Foundation to arrange for pastoral presence and trauma counselors on campus this week and have planned an equipping event for youth leaders on how to identify red flags and empower children and youth to speak up in situations of abuse or misconduct.  Additionally, we welcome anyone to join Mosaic’s weekly prayer gathering (Wednesdays at 12pm ET, via Zoom) to offer or receive prayer. 

The Conference intends to wait for the completion of both the criminal investigation and the civil rights/Title IX investigation of Dock Academy before pursuing any internal review processes and will continue to provide updates for the constituent community.  

In the meantime, Mosaic Conference has partnered with Dove’s Nest to provide resources for individuals, youth groups, and congregations on preventing and responding to situations of abuse or boundary-violation.

  1. The NOTICE handout (pg 16) from the Circle of Grace curriculum identifies key behaviors to look for when boundaries are violated. (Dove’s Nest)
  2. This short video on sexual abuse is from the perspective of a teen boy. It states that boys can be victims of abuse too and that “sexual abuse has nothing to do with sexual orientation.” (Amaze.org)
  3. These age-appropriate guides provide suggestions for talking to children about sexual abuse. (Committee for Children)
  4. Books are a helpful way to introduce the topic of body safety and abuse prevention, especially with younger kids.  This list of books from Dove’s Nest is a helpful resource.
  5. This tip sheet is for talking to children and teens about maintaining healthy boundaries. (Stop it Now)
  6. This article gives questions that parents can ask their children who might have had contact with offenders.  Open-ended questions might include:
    1. What kind of things would you do with him (or her)?
    2. Tell me more about that.
    3. Did he (or she) play with you like other teachers or do something different?
  7. Additional resources are posted on Mosaic Conference’s Church Safety page.  Individual congregations can also contact Dove’s Nest for policy reviews, Zoom or in-person trainings for adult volunteers, and general consultation.

The Kingdom of God, Politics, and Citizenship: Interview No. 2 with César García

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Publicado en: PROTESTANTE DIGITAL – Kairós y Cronos – El Reino de Dios, política y ciudadanía. Entrevista con César García (II)

Translated to English by Andres Castillo.

César García during a conference in Harrisburg in 2015. Photo by Mennonite World Conference.

We continue the conversation with César García, General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference, about his book What Is God’s Kingdom and What Does Citizenship Look Like? (Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 2021). MWC is not only formed by Mennonite churches, but also includes other Anabaptist communities.

Q: César, based on what you said in the first part of our conversation, would you say that the Gospel has economic dimensions?

A: The word “Mammon” comes from Aramaic, transliterated to Greek in the New Testament and only used four times by Jesus to mean wealth, money, or riches. By analyzing what Jesus says about Mammon in Matthew 6, we can come to understand how the economy of Mammon is different and even contrary to the Kingdom of God. “You cannot serve both God and Mammon.” Let’s start with a look at how Jesus talked about money. By creating this character, he warns us of the possibility that God competes with another master in our lives: material possessions. Possessions can enslave us, creating confusion about our purpose, source of happiness, and safety.

Q: What you’ve told me reminds me of anabaptist theologian Ronald Sider’s Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity. How do the teachings of Jesus about not giving in to Mammon come together for Mennonites and Anabaptists?

A: From an Anabaptist perspective, the uncontrollable desire to possess things drives us to sin, but the Spirit of God frees us to practice helping mutually. What I’ve described here as the economy of God requires a significant change in our paradigms. Getting to the point where we limit ourselves for the common good is a miracle, but that’s exactly what our world needs. Nations search desperately for alternatives to consumerism due to the harm it’s causing to our planet. Economists today propose strategies of political control if we want to survive as human beings. There is more consciousness of the need to restrict our insatiable way of life to recuperate the health of the planet. Curiously, Anabaptists have been teaching this for centuries, what we simply call “a way of life” due to spiritual discipline. That spiritual discipline teaches us, among other things, to: 

  • Choose things based on their function rather than the social status they might reward us with. 
  • Reject anything that causes addiction.
  • Enjoy things without owning them.
  • Avoid using credit as much as possible. 
  • Refuse things that are the product of the oppression of others. 
  • Appreciate and take care of God’s creation.
  • Practice generosity.

Q: Changing the subject a bit, what can Christians do to influence society?

A: As Christians know, the church is called to carry the message of reconciliation with God and among human beings. However, the way the message is told has not always been consistent with the results we are looking for. When we analyze the history of the church, we can identify various ways in which the church has responded to this responsibility, various forms in which the church has played a role understood as a people of reconciliation facing society.

The first focus can be called conversionist. It has to do with the belief that the only thing we have to do in order to transform society is put a few Christians in positions of power.

The second option, which can be called transformationalist, seeks to transform society by changing power structures with the implementation of Christian values. 

A third option, the separatist impulse, has to do with distancing oneself from society while rejecting any possibility of fundamental societal transformation.

I’d like to suggest here that, from an Anabaptist perspective, there is another possibility. This possibility seeks to encourage societal transformation through the promotion of healthy understandings of religious freedom from the margins of society.

Q: Would you please explain this other possibility?

A: In the Anabaptist tradition, the nature itself of the church requires the separation of church and state. Given that faith cannot be forced, religious freedom is necessary to guarantee the possibility that the faith springs up. The voluntary decision to follow Christ is evident through baptism, the point of entry to the church. That implies that the church is formed by believers that have decided to voluntarily form a new community—that of the Kingdom of God. This way of understanding the Christian faith and the church demands liberty to choose our own beliefs, values, and ethics. It also implies that there will be people who will choose to not follow Christ. The possibility of saying no to the faith and to Christian values must exist in order to assure that there is an alternative community to that of this world. 

Q: Religious freedom, therefore, is not a synonym of using the power of the state to “christianize” society. What is it?

A: Religious freedom avoids the temptation to depend on human governments to promote the faith, values, or ways of life of Christians. Seeking ways to obtain legal privileges for our own religious group that are higher than those of others is fundamentally incompatible with this perspective. Religious freedom implies the possibility to choose between different beliefs or none, between Christian ethics and others. The policies and values of the Kingdom of God must only be accepted voluntarily by a society through a process of genuine interaction that includes people of other religions as well as those without faith. Christian ethics must present themselves convincingly, with arguments so persuasive that communities of people of different beliefs implement them as a response to their own beliefs, not by force. Laws that reflect Christian values must be determined through dialogue, negotiation, and consensus among people who don’t share the same faith. 

From this comes the conclusion that one of the first ways in which the Christian community influences the society that surrounds it has to do with letting all voices be heard, even those that oppose it. Followers of Christ must stand up for the inclusion of people of other religions and people without faith in the establishment of rules for society. Governments govern for all, not only for Christians. God isn’t interested in coercing people into behaving in ways that aren’t the results of beliefs. Christian ethics—a life that reflects the transforming gift of the grace of God in a Christian disciple—is not for Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, or those without faith; but rather, for the followers of Christ. 

Q: Today in Latin America, there is a growing temptation to be imposing, to believe that it is necessary to make laws that punish those who don’t follow the rules they consider to be Christian. What do you think of this?

A: Influencing within our society in ways that don’t respect religious freedom, that don’t allow people to choose their own lifestyle, will side us with those who throw stones. It will make us oppressors instead of oppressed. It will make us act in a way that will paralyze others with fear.

Conference Response to Allegations of Misconduct at Dock Academy

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Mosaic Conference leadership has been informed of an allegation of inappropriate conduct by Martin Wiens, high school principal of Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, PA.  Wiens has been placed on administrative leave and Dock has contracted with D. Stafford & Associates to conduct an administrative investigation.

As Conference leadership, we have been in conversation with both Dock Academy and the Mennonite Education Agency to discuss how we can provide support and accountability to Dock as they engage with this process.  Martin Wiens is not a credentialed leader in Mosaic Conference.  We will be exploring next steps in the coming weeks as more information becomes available. Additionally, the Conference is working with Dove’s Nest to provide resources for individuals, youth groups, and congregations.

Mosaic Conference remains mindful of the intersecting relationships within our Conference congregations, Conference Related Ministries, pastors, and communities.

Some alumni from Dock Academy may be questioning their own experiences or feeling confused about how they should be responding.  For those who are sharing your stories and concerns, we care about your pain and we believe you.

Family and friends of current students may be worried about their own children.  For those who are angry, uncertain, or fearful, we care about your pain and we hear you.

We care deeply about Dock’s students, staff, and board, many of whom are members of Conference congregations, and the extended Dock community.  We care about your pain and we see you.   We are working carefully with member congregations of those directly involved to ensure they are receiving care. We invite you to join us in prayer for everyone whom this case affects.

Mennonite Central Committee has a helpful resource on talking with children about their experiences of abuse, found here.  If you need to process your thoughts and feelings, we encourage you to talk with your youth leader, pastor, or Conference leadership minister.  Additionally, trained professionals are available for virtual counseling at Penn Foundation, a Mosaic Conference Related Ministry.

Mosaic Conference takes allegations of abuse or misconduct seriously.  If you feel you’ve experienced misconduct or inappropriate behavior at Dock or witnessed it firsthand, contact the Montgomery County District Attorney Detective’s Bureau to make a report (Detective Kate Kelly: 610-278-3582 or kkelly3@montcopa.org).  For more information about Mosaic Conference’s Child Protection policies, please contact Associate Executive Minister Mary Nitzsche.

If you have any information to share about whether school policies and/or federal educational or civil rights laws have been violated, you can contact Stafford & Associates at investigations@dstaffordandassociates.com.  Please provide your name, email address, telephone number, and the reason for your communication; investigators will follow up with you.

If you have information about an instance of child abuse in another ministry context, please report it by calling the child abuse hotline for your state:

Read Dock Mennonite Academy’s statements: March 24, March 25.

Calling All Leaders!

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“We are looking for a new pastor.” These are words I have heard too often in the past several years. During a pastoral transition, there is often heightened anxiety because change is on the horizon. This is a great time for churches to look inwardly for ways they can become a place that is best suited for a new pastor. 

Yet most of the emphasis in the interim is usually placed on who the new pastor will be. Search committees are formed, opinions are expressed regarding desired pastoral qualities, and pastoral fit is discerned. Ultimately, congregations create a pastoral mold that defines what the perfect pastor will look like. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus would be a viable candidate for the open position. 

It is important that the candidate has certain abilities and attributes. But if we exclude persons from our searches who do not have all the gifts on our checklist – highly educated, challenging preacher (just not too challenging), and administratively efficient – we could miss out on the most important gift necessary for a church to thrive in our culture today: leadership.

Leaders do not fit any one mold. They have many gifts, just not usually the same as pastoral gifts. In fact, true leaders often find pastoral positions unattractive because they do not thrive in places that have fixed boundaries of expectations. 

Leaders may have a gift of prophecy rather than preaching excellence. They may lack the pastoral educational requirements but may bring a wealth of workplace knowledge and experience. They may have a clear vision of outreach that may push against the congregation’s long-standing means of evangelism. In fact, many characteristics of a leader are outside of our pastoral expectations.  Consequently, leaders are quickly dismissed from our pastoral search. 

Photo by Mike Clemmer

But I believe that leaders are exactly what our churches today need. Leaders usually have relational skills, adaptability, and a sense of humility that can only come from being called by God. Leaders also work at change organically by influencing and encouraging people to move towards God’s agenda and purposes. They see where God is already at work and lead people to those places. These attributes cannot be defined by a set list of pastoral characteristics but are vital to the health of the church. Unfortunately, people who have great pastoral gifting often do not have leadership gifting. 

Valuing leadership gifting over pastoral gifting will probably cause the walls of many of our churches to quake a bit and make for a bumpy ride for a while. However, a good leader navigates the bumps in the road by adapting to the environment and modeling the vision, thus encouraging the congregation to come alongside and be partners in God’s mission. 

You may be asking, “Where are these leaders to be found?” Good news! They are already in our midst. They are found in businesses, classrooms, medical services, and farms – just look around. They are already in our churches, waiting to be tapped on the shoulder. They may not even be aware of it yet – they need to be called out. God is raising up leaders – let’s call them out!

How Will You Measure ‘Success’ as a Pastor?

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How will you measure “success” as a pastor? This question was posed to me by Jim Lapp in my pastoral credentialing interview sixteen years ago.  It was a poignant, thought-provoking question – one that I’ve continued to reflect on numerous times since then.

In reading James Lapp’s recent memoir, Remember Who You Are: Reflections on Identity, Leadership, and Faith, this question, again, bubbled to the surface for me.  Lapp’s story gives testimony to several ingredients of “success” in life, as well as pastoral ministry, including:

Remember Who You Are: Reflections on Identity, Leadership, and Faith
  • Taking “Long-View” of Christian Faith – Lapp looks back in reflecting on the numerous influences that have helped to shape his Christian faith, and sense of call to pastoral ministry – including his family-of-origin, church community, schools, and life experiences.  Lapp also looks forward in expressing his hope that faith in Christ continues to shape and guide future generations.
  • Wisdom – The depth of Lapp’s wisdom and insight is evident throughout the book in the way he offers keen reflections on marriage, pastoral ministry and identity, leadership, conflict, change, grief, etc.  I particularly appreciated his chapter, “Saving the Mennonite Church” – wise words for us, today!

  • Humility – While Lapp has held various significant roles in the Mennonite Church, he describes these leadership positions in a spirit of humility.   I also appreciate his humility in his willingness to honestly admit mistakes and name regrets.  He devotes three chapters under the title, “Faux Pas.”  Lapp’s humility is evident, as well, in how he highlights ways that his faith has grown and evolved over the years.  In the chapter, “Theological Trajectories,” he helpfully articulates eight themes where he’s experienced movement in his faith perspectives. 
  • Humor – While this would not be the first word I’d use to describe Lapp, the book gives witness to his sense of humor, and “playful spirit.”  From childhood pranks (e.g. rubbing alcohol in a water pistol with matches), to disguising as an FBI officer in a phone call with his father, to “overlaps,” to his “flattop rebellion” .. there are lots of entertaining stories in this book!
  • Gratitude – There is an authentic spirit of gratitude to God for the gift of life and all that life offers throughout the book.  In fact, many of the chapters end with prayers highlighting the words, “Thanks be to God for…”
  • Passion for Justice – Lapp articulates this passion in a number of areas, generously giving credit to ways that his family members have helped to fuel these passions in him.
  • Well-Rounded Life – I learned of the vast-array of interests Lapp has, including: cooking and baking, traveling (e.g. a fascinating trip around the world), walking faithfully and briskly every day, biking, singing, and paragliding with his granddaughter when Lapp turned 70!  
  • Love God/Love Others – Undergirding the broad sweep of this book is Lapp’s deep love for God, his family, friends, the church, and God’s creation.  I found the chapters, “A Tribute to Nancy,” and “Falling in Love Again!” to be particularly heartfelt and moving.

I am grateful to Jim Lapp for sharing the gift of these engaging, humorous, honest, and insightful reflections – giving testimony, in a spirit of grace and humility, to what “success” truly looks like in pastoral ministry and life!

Editor’s Note: To purchase a copy of Lapp’s memoir, Remember Who You Are, send a check (payable to Jim Lapp) for $18 ($15 plus $3 for mailing) with your mailing address to Jim Lapp, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543. Orders or questions can be directed to Mim Book at miriamfbook@gmail.com.