Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Chaos or Community: Living the Way of Christ’s Peace

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The title of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s last book is Chaos or Community: Where do we go from here?  In it King proposes a movement that incorporates both Republicans and Democrats in a nonviolent movement toward beloved community.  In this movement, King sought to advance a way toward mutuality, dignity, and fairness. Though written over 50 years ago, the book addresses issues we are still confronting today.  “The failure to pursue justice is not only a moral deficit.  Without it social tensions will grow and the turbulence in the streets will persist. . . “

In a week where our nation stands on guard prepared for possible violence in the streets, we stand as witnesses to the peace of Christ and King’s beloved community. We have lived through violent times as a conference community before. We have even been tempted to take sides with political parties, with the forces swirling around us.  Yet, over the long haul, our commitment remains unwavering to naming Christ as Lord. In following Jesus, we commit to the path of nonviolence that Dr. King directed toward change in our country.

This Martin Luther King Day, we recognize the lingering effects of white supremacy in our culture and lack of justice that cause Black and Brown people pain, trauma, and fear. As a white person, I acknowledge the ways that I and other white people have perpetuated racism that denies the image of God in all people. We acknowledge, lament, repent, and move toward right-relatedness.  

As Executive Minister, I recognize the pain, fear, and longing for justice among Black and Brown members of our conference. If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it (I Cor. 12:26). One of the most important things I have learned as a white dude in the past year is to believe what people of color in our conference are saying about their experiences and observations.  I have too often found myself quickly explaining or questioning, rather than simply listening.  

This listening posture requires me to settle myself profoundly in my identity as a child of God and to let go of defending my political, racial, and personal predispositions.  I’m not perfect at it, but it’s a spiritual commitment. I’m grateful for colleagues in our conference who continue to trust me to lead, accompany, and listen alongside in both struggle and celebration. This shared commitment to listen will strengthen our community.

As part of our ongoing intercultural transformation work, the Mosaic intercultural team will host a conversation with Rev. Dr. Drew Hart on his most recent book Who will be a Witness? on Thursday, January 28 at 3pm EST/12pm PST.  Many Mosaic credentialed leaders received this book as a gift from MennoMedia this fall.  The intercultural team will then lead a series of book study conversations around Dr. Hart’s book in the next month.  Read more here.

In receiving God’s new name for us as Mosaic, I believe we seek to embrace the differences across our conference. These differences pulled together in the Spirit’s wisdom create a powerful and beautiful witness. We become a glimpse of the beloved community that the world so desperately needs in our mutuality, love, and persistence in living out the way of Christ’s peace.

On this Martin Luther King Day, I invite us to remember our commitments to the way of Christ’s peace. In the days ahead, let us not give into the fears and frustrations that may surround us.  Christ is Lord. The dream of justice is still coming as surely as the morning even after a long night.  

Also remember our conference-wide prayer time this week. You can join by zoom at 12pm EST/ 9am PST with leaders from Pennsylvania, California and the Metro DC area. Zoom Link

This holy justice is right-relatedness that engages others with dignity, respect, kindness and the fruits of the Spirit.  In a time when our country feels fraught with struggle, I want to underscore clearly that our tradition, as in the way of Dr. King, sees no path of violence that will bring about God’s reign.  Instead, violence in word and deed, betrays the cause of Christ.  The beloved community is the sign of God’s reign with us now.  And in community together, all of us can have what we need and God’s grace will be evident with great power (Acts 4:32-33).

Band of 5 Boys Make Mischief, Speak using Signs, Run and Hide from Ana, and Study on Computers

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This article is translated to English by Andrés Castillo. Original article appears in Mosaic News En Español: Banda de Cinco Niños Hacen Travesuras, Hablan por Señas, Corren a Escondidas de Ana y Estudian en Computadores por Javier Marquez

Photo from Official Centro de Alabanza Facebook Page

These days they lift their faces between their screens and notebooks to look at themselves, laugh together in mischief, play with words without using their voices, instead signaling with their hands; and sometimes the bravest will even get up from his chair, run, and return immediately to place without Ana noticing. They are a small band of 5 boys: Abdiel, Andrés, Eric, Marc, and Jexson. Once in a while, just two or three join together at 440 Snyder Ave, but be it five, seven, or more, all must arrive at 8:30 AM with breakfast eaten.

Ana picking up cookie crumbs

The boys all arrive in the same way: backpacks on, lunch and snacks packed, and with the energy and attitude sufficient for a long day of study. Earlier than the boys, to scan the floor for things like cookie crumbs and adjust the seats and tables, arrives Ana Cortés. Our Mexican friend Ana, at first impression, may not be much of a conversationalist, but is always sure to be present where she can offer services or help.

There is Usually More than One Child Studying on the Computer in Every Household

A few months ago, the church Centro de Alabanza of Philadelphia opened its doors to receive children from the community during the school day in its facilities. In the present, due to COVID-19, school buildings have closed down, but classes continue online. This decision and the possibility of connecting every child to his or her class—usually more than one student in each household—come with many implications, such as the difficult adaptation of the children to their new learning environment, the strength to be in front of a computer for seven to eight hours, and the ability of the parents to provide tutoring for their children.

Children Alone for a Few Hours
Photo from Official Centro de Alabanza Facebook Page

Among the families who make up Centro de Alabanza, the majority being immigrants, it is common that both parents of the children work. Thus, accompanying their children while they study from home isn’t an easy task. Many of them have had to adjust their schedules, while others have had to spend extra money on childcare—complicated when one takes into account the economic circumstances for immigrants during this pandemic. Many must simply leave their children alone for a few hours until they return from work.

Tutor to Accompany Children and Make Sure they Study

This has been the fundamental motivation for Centro de Alabanza to think about providing this service. Indonesian pastor Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center) shared the idea with pastors Fernando Loyola and Letty Cortés (Centro de Alabanza) about learning assistance that was already offered at Philadelphia Praise Center. They saw an opportunity to bless and assist more than one family in the church, and communicated this to their daughter, Ana Cortés. She accepted to become a part of the idea, offering her time as a tutor for children who attended the church.

Photo from Official Centro de Alabanza Facebook Page
“Malo si sí, malo si no” (Bad if Yes, Bad if No)

Ever since, the boys regularly arrive at 8:30 AM, carrying their backpacks with their lunches packed. At 3:45 PM, they leave with their homework done and games to finish for the next day. Ana helps them read and write when needed, and she admits that it hasn’t been so simple. “I’ve had to work on my patience,” she says. This is well understood, as many times the children seem to have, as a personal anthem, the rock song by Aterciopelados/Bolero Falaz, which shouts that in the adult world, “malo si sí, malo si no” (bad if yes, bad if no).

Baby Mouse at the Bottom of a Trash Can

“One time,” Ana tells me, “the youngest boy went to the kitchen to peel and orange, and I heard a scream. When I turned to look, he was running, terrified.” Ana went to investigate what had happened, and it turned out that there was a baby mouse at the bottom of the trash can. The boy wanted the mouse to be stepped on, hit with a broom, smashed with a brick, or even thrown in a washing machine. Ana was not so cruel, and resolved to simply take it out of the church. When the boy found out Ana’s plan, he began to sob frenetically. “Teacher, don’t take it out because it’ll die from the cold!” It was winter, and the boy cried all afternoon at the thought of the mouse freezing outside. Since then, against Ana’s instructions, the children have been leaving food under their desks for mice who might seek shelter from the snow, and something to eat.

A Message for All Seasons: Finding Grace and Joy

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The sunrise comes earlier each day in the new year and the morning sky is lit with brilliant colors.  The wise men have followed the light and found the Christ Child.  

But, here at home, the news continues to be frightening, the numbers continue to climb, the lines are long, and the anger and the violence dim the light.  It may feel at times as though, being masked, “We come to the Garden Alone,”  seeking community when we are told to keep our distance from each other. It is difficult to find joy these days.       

At a recent December clergy workshop by DaySpring Counseling, a service of Penn Foundation, Rev. Sue Conrad Howes, Director of Pastoral Services at Penn Foundation and a member of Mosaic Conference, spoke of finding joy and grace. She reminds us that finding joy is a cultivated journey and not necessarily the same as happiness.  

I invite you to watch Chaplain Sue’s practical message, entitled, “Finding Joy this Masked Season.” She engages us with her humor, practical suggestions, and stories of making space for joy, giving, and sharing self-grace. The message resonates for 2021.  May it do so for you as you lead from and with God’s joy and grace.    

Video provided by Penn Foundation

Our Conference Related Ministries (CRMs), in their varied ways, continue to provide basic life-supporting necessities, healing, hope, and places of security and safety. In a recent email to the Penn Foundation staff, from Penn Foundation’s President and CEO, Wayne Magrauer, Magruaer wrote,“ We have faced challenging times before and emerged to brighter days strengthened by the experience. Please continue to have faith and heart, knowing that your work has never been more appreciated or important.”  

Please continue to pray for the leaders and staff of our Conference Related Ministries, the hands and feet of our Conference beyond our churches, into the homes and hearts of our communities.  

Celebrating our African-American Culture

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Charlene Smalls, minister at Ripple (Allentown, PA), is passionate about educating our African American community of its rich history and rich roots. Her passion is heightened now, in this time of grief and trauma due to COVID-19, our inability to gather with family and friends in community, and racial unrest and injustice. She invites all of us to awaken to the needs of the Black community and work together to address those needs.

“Awaken my brothers and sisters to the rich roots and culture of the Black men and women that you sit with, mostly in silence. Embrace us as a people, a culture, and a community,” Smalls said. “Sit with your heart rather than just speaking from your education and your book learning and look at the picture. You can not speak to an issue that you haven’t lived.”  

From December 26 to January 1, Smalls shared about Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration of African and African American culture, with her congregation. “I heard about diversity, diversity, diversity when I came into the conference. I learned about the Mennonite faith, accepted it, and celebrated it as my faith,” said Smalls. “Kwanzaa celebrates and affirms black people. I invite you to learn and celebrate our culture, accomplishments, and principles with us in the same spirit that I celebrate with you.”  

Yvonne Platts, of Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life, has been celebrating Kwanzaa for many years. Because of COVID-19, she went online to share the principles. She hopes that people can see and embrace the beauty, strength, and gifts of Black people.  

Minister Charlene Smalls and Yvonne Platts posted videos of their Kwanzaa celebrations on Facebook. Learn more about Kwanzaa through these videos that our sisters recorded with commitment, love, and passion.  

“Kwanzaa offers a new dialogue on Black culture, about our positive contributions to the world, and not just the negative stigma of race,” says Dr. Adam Clark, associate professor of theology, Xavier University. “The beauty of Kwanzaa is it doesn’t start Black history from slavery,” explains Clark. “It actually starts us as inventors of civilizations.”

Kwanzaa, comes from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” or “first fruits of harvest.”  It is celebrated annually, December 26 through January 1. 

The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa include: 

  • Unity (umoja)  – To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. Unity in Christ – Ephesians 4:1-6;11-13
  • Self-determination (kujichagulia): To define, name, create, and speak for ourselves.  Take Hold of the Prize – Philippians 3:12-17
  • Collective work and responsibility (ujima): To build and maintain community; to make our brothers and sisters’ problems our problems, and to solve them together.  Working Together – I Thessalonians 5:12-18
  • Cooperative economics (ujamaa):  To build and maintain our own businesses and profit together from them.  Community Harvest – 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
  • Purpose (nia): Our collective vocation is one that builds and develops our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.  Caring for One Another – Hebrews 13:1-7
  • Creativity (kuumba): To always do as much as we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.  Sharing Our Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
  • Faith (imani):  To believe fully in our parents, teachers, leaders, people, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. Faith, Love and Understanding – Ephesians 1:15-25

The primary symbols of Kwanzaa are the seven candles, candle holder, unity cup, placemat, crops, corn, and gifts. A key custom during Kwanzaa is the daily lighting of the Kinara, the candle holder. The black candle symbolizes the people themselves, the red candles are for the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the green candles represent the Earth or the abundance of future possibilities.

Encouraging Discipleship

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Doylestown (PA) Mennonite Church’s theme for 2021 is “Look instead for what God can do,” based on John 9. Pastor Randy Heacock shared the words of encouragement he wrote last week to his congregation, in response to the attack on the Capitol in Washington, DC. 

January 7, 2021 

I found it difficult to sleep last night. Yesterday was perhaps the most disturbing day in my life as a citizen of the United States. I was too young to really feel the impact of the Kennedy assassination as well as that of Dr. Martin Luther King.  September 11, 2001 was certainly a low point. 

I do not want to relive the details of yesterday, but to see a political protest, led by our elected president, turn violent, disrupt the work of our congress, and threaten the safety of our nation’s capital causes me to be afraid, outraged, and disappointed. If not entirely, it was predominantly led by people who share my skin color and probably some who would claim to share my faith. 

As I prayed, my mind went to our newly introduced theme for 2021, “Look instead for what God can do.”  I am more convinced than ever of our need to both learn and practice this very thing.  Just yesterday I wrote these words of encouragement to my congregation:   

January 6, 2021 

For the remainder of this month, I invite us to practice focusing on those things that are worthy of praise. Perhaps the first place to start is to stop listening to and giving our attention to things that are not worthy of praise. Last I checked radios, televisions, computers, cell phones, and all electronic devices have “off” buttons.  

I suggest we begin the discipline of either turning such things off or at least changing the channel/source when they report things that are not worthy of praise. We will do well to turn off any source such as news feeds, radio personalities, political pundits, or even Christian media, which do not encourage trust in God and love for others. 

What if we assessed the sources we daily tune in to by Paul’s test of being pure, honorable, commendable, and worthy of praise?  Are we willing to turn such things off?  Are we even aware how much of what we take in on a daily basis is not commendable, not pure, and not worthy of praise.  

In order to prepare our hearts and minds to look instead for what God can do, let us  take the first step by making room for those things that are worthy of praise.   It is not a matter of letting the two compete or discerning which side has more to offer but rather what it is that we give our energy and time. 

May we be surprised what God can do in us when we turn off those sources that are not worthy?

Please join me in praying that we, as the people of God, will learn to look instead for what God can do.  May we be diligent to turn off all sources that are not pure or worthy of praise. May we guard our own thoughts and conversations to focus on that which is pure, commendable, true, and worthy of praise.

Let us humble ourselves so that we can see what God can do!

Pastor Randy

Conference Related Ministries (CRM) Profile: Healthy Niños Honduras

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The main focus of Healthy Niños Honduras is to help children and families that are suffering from malnutrition in Honduras. Healthy Niños Honduras (HNH) is a continuation of the work of promoting community health that the MAMA Project began in Honduras over 30 years ago.  

Healthy Niños brings medical brigades to poor, rural communities in Honduras. Photo provided by Healthy Niños Honduras.

Malnutrition is one of the main problems in developing countries, affecting mostly children under five years of age, compromising their immune system and leading them to infectious diseases or death in many cases. Many malnourished children grow up with physical or mental disabilities that forever limit their potential. 

Healthy Niños runs a nutrition center in Honduras. We use a very inexpensive technology program where children and families can recover from malnutrition in 1-3 months with medical care, good hygiene, nutritious food, and safe water. It’s an act of showing the love of Jesus through meeting basic needs and giving children the chance at surviving and thriving.

Malnourished children and families go to the Healthy Niños Center to recuperate and learn about healthy and living. Photo provided by Healthy Niños Honduras.

Every year, HNH sends ten or more mission teams to work in the remote areas of Honduras. Through the groups, Healthy Niños is able to provide 15,000 medical consultations in 65 communities. We also provide concrete floors and water filtration systems to families. We distribute 1.5 million deworming medications and more than 500,000 prenatal vitamins, thanks to our partners, The Worm Project and Vitamin Angels. 

The mission teams offer first-hand experience as the team members can see the reality of the families in Honduras, work with them, and help them to break the malnutrition cycle. Healthy Niños is in constant contact with the communities providing them education and help for better living conditions.

Due to COVID-19 and the recent hurricanes that devastated much of Honduras, we have been unable to send teams in the past ten months. However, our Honduran staff has been busy distributing food to the communities in need. More than 6,000 people received food through HNH. The Honduran staff is ready to carry on the medical and dental brigades as well.

Providing water filtration systems and concrete floors to families prevents the cycle of intestinal parasites and malnutrition. Photo provided by Healthy Niños Honduras.

We are also able to restart the warehouse construction project in Honduras. This building will be 3,000 square feet in size and will help us with all of our Honduran operations. The completed warehouse will give us the ability to store and distribute food and materials more easily to the communities in need.

We are grateful for the opportunities to continue to serve the people in Honduras by providing hope and love, in Jesus’s name. Thank you for the partnership with Mosaic Conference.

Prayer Requests:

  • For financial support: our specific need currently is for the warehouse project that has a matching donor up to $200,000.
  • For opportunity to provide assistance to communities in the greatest need.
  • For families, that they will continue to work at improving their home and health to make a better future for their children

A Mosaic Reflection on the Siege of the Capitol Building

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As people who seek to be formed into the image of Jesus, we acknowledge that we have often idolized our nation, our government, and even democracy itself.  Our cries of “How could this happen here?” make clear our tendencies to consider ourselves better than others, which does not reflect the mind of Christ.

For the sin of American exceptionalism, we repent.  We stand in solidarity with sisters and brothers around the world who live with political upheaval and violence every day.

As people committed to mutual transformation through intercultural relationships, we acknowledge the racism that fueled yesterday’s rally and siege of the Capitol.  We grieve the continued power that white racial narratives hold over us as a nation and, particularly, as followers of Jesus.

For the sin of white supremacy, we repent.  We recommit to pursuing biblical justice and right relatedness in our lives, communities, and country so that all people may experience God’s abundant life.

As people called to join Jesus in healing what has been broken in our relationships, neighborhoods, and the world, we acknowledge that too many of us find our identity in our national citizenship or political party. At the same time, others of us are quick to look the other way in the face of evil in order to maintain a superficial peace that harms rather than heals.

For the sin of complicity, we repent. We accept our identity as the Body of Jesus–the way, the truth, and the life—as we join God’s work of making all things new.

Strangers at the manger scene: Seeking truth then and now

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This year I have kept the wise men on the other side of the living room through Advent and Christmas. I have moved them closer to the nativity set as Epiphany approached. They reached their spots near the manger on January 6.

The wise men journey across the living room, to the manger scene in the background. Photo provided by Steve Kriss.

The wise men often seem like overdressed extras in the manger scene. Their gifts are seemingly impractical, likely pawned to pay for the escape to Egypt. Yet they are essential to the story of Jesus for us.

The wise men were spiritual seekers and culturally different. They looked for and read signs in the sky. They were somehow ready for our Messiah king, born as a baby.  Their commitment to seeking the truth was so high that they walked for days to a small town in Palestine.  They didn’t let human understanding, privilege, or power stand in the way of seeking out the truth that God had revealed.  

This week we mark Epiphany or Three Kings Day. I’m fascinated by the character of the wise ones, seeking and finding. They are a holy disruption and exemplars of faithful pursuit. Their visit triggers the state apparatus and forewarns Mary and Joseph of the coming killing of the innocents. They are people who read the signs of the times and pursue the truth of the Christ. 

And I want to be like them.

In last week’s ING podcast, sponsored by Mosaic Conference through MennoMedia, Dr. Soong-Chan Rah highlights the difference between possessing truth and pursuing truth. In pursuing truth, Dr. Rah points out that we continue the journey of discipleship and truth-seeking. In that pursuit, we are shaped and reshaped by our encounters with Jesus. This means a vibrant ongoing relationship with Christ that is anything but boring. This pursuit challenges, reforms, and also embraces us.

We are in a time when truth is frequently contested. Admittedly, there is much to mistrust in the principles and powers at work around us.  However, like the wise ones of old, we must be smart as serpents and innocent as doves in our navigation.  Despite, and maybe even because of the cultural complexities around us, we are called to remain undaunted in our pursuit of truth. We are especially called to be vigilant in the pursuit of truth that is incarnate in Christ, born of Mary, who lived, died, and was resurrected.   

This year I’m leaving my manger set out longer, through the marking of MLK Day and past the presidential inauguration, to honor the pursuit of truth. It will also allow the wise ones, who were across the living room all Advent, to linger a bit longer at the creche scene.  I’ll leave it out as a reminder to me, to make their journey and holy pursuit my own.  

I imagine they hugged loved ones and said, 
“We’ll be back soon.” 
And when loved ones said,
“Don’t leave,”
“It’s risky,”
“You don’t even know what you’re chasing,”
I imagine they put lips to foreheads and said, 
“There is a light in the darkness. I must chase that.” . . .⠀⠀⠀

—from Epiphany Poetry by Sarah Are