Mosaic Mennonites

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25 Days of Advent Family Devotional

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This family faith formation activity divides the Christmas Narrative leading up to Jesus’ birth into 25 days. One card for every day in December leading up to Christmas, Jesus’ birthday! As Christmas day gets closer, the story of Jesus’ birth will also grow.

Available in 6 languages! Click on your language to download:

Instructions:

  • Cut out the verse cards and put them in an envelope. Keep them where your family will read them every day such as on the table to read before a meal. Consider lighting a candle or singing the same Christmas song before reading every day, and pray together after reading.
  • Begin on December 1st, read one new card each day. Be sure to reread the earlier date as well ending with the new card for that day. Doing so will grow the story over the weeks in anticipation of Christmas day. As the month goes on the verses become more and more familiar and family members may be able to recite the story from memory.
  • Use the cards year after year

Psychiatrist Vernon Kratz, MD, Retires After 47 Years of Service

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On July 31, 2020, senior psychiatrist Vernon Kratz, MD, 84, retired after 47 years of service at Penn Foundation, a Conference Related Ministry (CRM) of Mosaic Conference. Dr. Kratz is the only person in the organization’s 65-year history to hold the roles of Medical Director, CEO, and Board Member. He is a member of Ambler (PA) Mennonite Church.

Dr. Kratz is a man of strong faith, incredible integrity, great kindness, and immense optimism. One of his most special gifts is his ability to relate to others. Penn Foundation will always be in awe of the amazing man, doctor, and friend he is. He modeled for all of us how to serve with acceptance, compassion, integrity, and respect.

“I believe that part of the care for a patient is listening and taking time and trying to put the story together and just being there. Remember, sometimes you are the medicine a person needs.” ~ Dr. Vernon Kratz

Be Ye Kind One to Another

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Margaret Zook (second from the right), her siblings, and her mother. Photo provided by Margaret Zook.

From the front seat of the car, my mother would turn to face us.  The commotion from the children in the back seat was too loud for too long. Mother would smile and say, “Be Ye Kind One to Another.”  

From the backseat of our 50’s Chevy, my siblings and I would mutter loud enough for the grown-ups in the front seat to hear, “I’d be kind if (s)he is kind first!” The squabbling from the back seat fell several degrees softer, if only for a few miles. 

What did, “Be kind,” mean to us then? We knew that being kind often entailed sacrifice, putting others’ needs first, and recognizing that we’re all on this road trip together.          

The use of scripture to direct our lives was used frequently in our home. As children, we knew scripture meant what it said. These were timeless biblical teachings that directed our lives then.  And can be so today.   

What does “Be kind” mean today?     

Waiting in line at a roadside truck stop for that first cup of morning coffee seemed unbearable. My lack-of-caffeine headache had long ago set in and we still had miles to go.  Miraculously, a kind person turned, eyes smiling. Sensing my pain, she gestured, “Hey, you can go ahead of me.” With this simple act of kindness, the line at Starbucks, the road ahead, and perhaps life in general, became more bearable.   

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama

Maybe the future of humankind isn’t exclusively in the hands of politicians or leaders.  Maybe the future is, most of all, in our hands. We, who recognize ourselves as part of a much larger “us” on this path, all need each other.

“Kindness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women.”  -Pope Francis 

How interesting to put kindness and courage together!  We don’t often pair these words, let alone ponder how they complement each other. Do we have the courage to be kind?  

Together, let’s choose kindness.  

God, please help us speak the language of Kindness to those both near and far. Remind us that kindness isn’t weak, but requires great courage. Being kind to others may be one of the strongest and bravest things we can do each day. Amen.

Conference Related Ministries (CRM) Profile: Community at Rockhill

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From Hospitality to Radical Mercy and Generosity

The Community at Rockhill offers carefree active living to adults 62 and older on a beautiful 44-acre campus in Sellersville, PA. 

The Community at Rockhill campus in Sellersville, PA.

Rockhill’s nonprofit mission of serving older adults dates back to our founding in 1935 when Katie Alderfer first extended hospitality to an elderly woman who had nowhere to live. While caring for their own five children, Katie and her husband Wilmer began welcoming a growing number of elderly persons, demonstrating a radical mercy and generosity that Rockhill strives to follow today. 

As a nonprofit continuing care community, the needs of our residents and their families are always our first priority. Our Benevolent Care Fund ensures our residents will continue to call Rockhill home if they outlive their resources through no fault of their own.

Our residents and team members come from many faith backgrounds, enriching the fabric of our community. We encourage all residents to live spirited, fulfilling lives. As a community rooted in Mennonite values, there is a sense of belonging, trust and security that produces a generosity of spirit and nurtures lives of meaningful growth. Building on our Mennonite background and principles, we commit ourselves to lead through service and are a vibrant community providing purpose, dignity and compassion for all residents.

Some resident volunteers (before COVID) pack meals for the local RamPack lunch project, serving local children in food insecure households.

A key way our community celebrates our servant’s heart is through our robust Volunteer Program. While our residents reach out to the greater community through a variety of programs and services, they also volunteer to serve each other and invite the public to join them as well. 

There are many ways to get involved with our community and care for residents including pet therapy, participating in intergenerational programs, chapel transportation, craft assistance, reading to residents or simply visiting with a smiling face. As many of our volunteer opportunities are with our most vulnerable residents in personal care or health care, COVID-19 has temporarily reduced our volunteer opportunities, however, we continue to welcome new inquiries to ensure we have a robust list of volunteers when our full program is available.

Celebrating our 85th anniversary in 2020, we currently offer gracious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment living along with continuing care options, allowing all residents to enjoy their independent life with the security of future care if needed.

We are deeply gratified to accept your prayers for both the Community at Rockhill and the greater community. We ask that you:

  • Pray for the safety of both residents and staff. Pray that care for others will compel us to wear masks and observe social distancing.  
  • Pray for civil discourse and genuine compassion as we live in a contentious, divided time.  

First Mosaic Assembly, Live on Zoom and from Orlando

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The first annual assembly of Mosaic Mennonite Conference on November 7-8, 2020 was not what any of us had imagined last fall or even earlier this year.  Nearly 200 persons met together on Saturday by Zoom from their homes, offices, and vehicles and on location at Iglesia Menonita Luz y Vida in Orlando, Florida, for a condensed business session.

Moderator Ken Burkholder led the delegate business session on Saturday. Photo by Emily Ralph Servant.

While it was the first time for the reconciled Eastern District and Franconia conferences to meet under the banner of Mosaic, one of the most significant parts of business included the affirmation of eight new member congregations that were formerly part of Southeast Mennonite Conference.  These congregations had been working toward membership with Franconia Conference previous to the reconciliation with Eastern District.  In many ways, the Mosaic name was imagined anticipating this day of welcome to the Floridian communities.

Also in follow up to the Conference reconciliation documents from 2019, the conference board presented a vision and mission statement for conversation among delegates.  The proposed vision statement, “Embody the reconciling love of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world,” along with a mission statement highlighting the Conference’s working missional, intercultural, and formational priorities, received delegate feedback for further board processing and consideration.   

Meet representatives from each of the eight congregations in Florida that joined Mosaic Conference during Assembly 2020.

While Zoom allowed us to gather efficiently, we missed the hugs, handshakes, and time of fellowship together over Longacre’s ice cream and food that represents the cultural diversity of the Conference.  We missed singing together and stumbling over each other’s languages.  At the same time, the work of the church continued, and I believe the kingdom of God was glimpsed and extended through our two-hour session.

Sunday’s worship included multilingual music led from coast to coast, a children’s story, a “virtual choir” recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and a time of honoring newly credentialed leaders.  General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference César Garcia offered an important message for our time, challenging our mutual care and witness to glimpse the reign of God “on earth as it is in heaven” (the assembly’s theme) both in the midst of our Conference’s diversity and the turbulence of the time and context.

Assistant moderator Angela Moyer Walter (Ripple congregation, Allentown, PA) and Leadership Minister Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center) hosted Sunday morning worship at Assembly 2020.

In a time when so much seems so tumultuous, the work of God continues.  Even in the imperfections and less-than idealness of online meeting, the beauty and possibility of the Spirit’s work with us came through.  Mosaic Conference is emerging in the midst of pandemic and social and political unrest.  The deep love of Christ grounds us, the Spirit empowers us, and the principalities and powers will not prevail.

Tami Good from Swamp congregation (Quakertown, PA) challenged children (and adults) to dream God’s dream for the world.

We will continue to trust the Spirit’s guidance, continue to work and hope, continue to use technology as best we can to connect us in these days of disconnection. Even in challenging times, and maybe even more so in challenging times, the message of Christ’s peace sustains us so that we can bear witness of the love of God in our broken and beautiful world.

Special thanks to all of the delegates who navigated the technology to be present on Saturday as well as guests who were present to bear witness to our time together.   I’m grateful for the hospitality of the Luz y Vida congregation in Orlando and their work to make sure the technicalities of connecting would be possible.  Also, much appreciation to the representatives of each of the Florida congregations who made their way to Orlando so we could be present together for this time. 

And to our assembly planning team who worked hard, carefully, thoroughly to make the virtual meeting and worship possible—Brooke, Cindy, Tami, Emily, Kristine, Hendy, and Scott—thanks for working, believing, navigating, and imagining so that our time together could be meaningful and fruitful.

Grace and peace to each of you from Florida to Vermont, New Jersey to California.  May we continue to live together as witnesses of Jesus, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Assembly Reminders

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Our Conference Assembly will begin on Saturday, November 7 at 11am (EST)/8am (PST). Please log into Zoom 15 minutes early to ensure we can begin on time. 

If you are a delegate, you received an email with the Zoom link for Saturday’s business session, sent Friday, October 30, subject: “Links for Conference Assembly participation”.  If you did not see the email with the Zoom link, please check your spam folder. Contact your Leadership Minister for further assistance.

If you would like Spanish or Indonesian interpretation for Saturday’s business session, click on the Interpretation icon at the bottom of the Zoom screen. 

Please be sure to invite your congregation to join in Sunday’s Conference-wide worship service at 11am (EST)/8am (PST). We hope to have as many congregations in virtual attendance as possible. Please share the links for Facebook or the Assembly Page with your congregants so that everyone may join us virtually.

If you have further questions about the weekend, please refer to the following links:

Please pray for our conference as we join together for our first conference assembly as Mosaic Mennonite Conference. While we wish we could meet in person, we know the Holy Spirit will be present with us.

Congregational Profile: North Tampa Christian Fellowship

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The history of North Tampa Christian Fellowship goes back almost 100 years. In 1927,  Lancaster Conference missionaries started Tampa Mennonite Mission. Three distinct congregations emerged as a result of this missionary effort. The three congregations met and ministered in the neighborhoods of Tampa, FL.  

In the mid 1960s, two of those groups, the Ybor City Mennonite Mission and the Ida Street Mission, merged to become one multicultural congregation. The emphasis of this merged congregation’s outreach was to connect with second and third generation Hispanics living in Florida.  In 1972, the congregation moved to a new location and adopted a new name: North Tampa Christian Fellowship. 

By 2009, North Tampa Christian Fellowship was in need of a “reboot.” With support and oversight by Southeast Mennonite Conference leadership, College Hill (Tampa, FL) Mennonite Church offered support and assistance in re-starting North Tampa.   

North Tampa continued as an English-speaking, multicultural body of believers ministering across diverse racial, cultural, and economic groups. As a church they are committed to Mennonite/Anabaptist principles of missional church outreach, peace and justice, anti-racism, simple living, community, mutual aid, spiritual formation, and worship.

With ongoing oversight from the College Hill congregation and under the leadership of Pastor Carl Walcott, North Tampa Christian Fellowship continues to stand as a city on a hill, signaling to society God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. As a congregation, they invite and call all people to live together as children of God’s family.

Reflections & Resources for Sunday and Election Day

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Commitments for Following Jesus in a Contentious Election Season

by Stephen Kriss, Executive Minister

Seek first the kingdom of God.

Jesus

In a season of heightened political tension, we have sometimes forgotten our primary loyalty to each other as followers of Christ and to God who demands our full allegiance.  God forgive us.

Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you.

Teresa of Avila

Some days we have been overwhelmed by what we have heard and the fear of what may come in the days ahead.  Yet God is with us.

We are people of Christ’s peace.

Menno simons

We remain committed to the way of Jesus who commanded Peter to put down the sword, called us to love our enemies, and pray for our persecutors. Yet Jesus also turned tables in anger at injustice.  

Unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

rev. dr. martin luther king

Our hope does not rest in the political process. The church endures. The Spirit empowers us to bear witness.  We will speak the truth. We will act in love until Christ comes again.

Download this in a printable format

Tersedia dalam Bahasa Indonesia | Disponible en Español

Resources for Sunday and Election Day

As we live in this time of great national tension going into election day, it is easy for individuals and the church at large to lose its way. When bombarded with political advertisements, a call to prayer is needed. We encourage you as leaders to invite your congregation to prayer and careful reflection in the coming days. 

The pastors of Doylestown (PA) Mennonite Church (Randy Heacock, KrisAnne Swartley, Sandy Landes) shared this pastoral call to prayer, written by them, with their congregation. Feel free to use as is or edit for your specific congregation.  

As we head towards this year’s presidential election, there is no question
tensions are high within our society. Fear is evident in much campaigning
and report. Christians have lined up behind both candidates to give their
support. We, your pastoral staff, wish to call us to pray for the following:

Pray that Christians will refocus on God for hope and security.
Invite God to search our hearts and to identify any attitudes and or actions
that call for repentance.
Pray that leading up to the election, Christians will be more interested in
showing God’s love than convincing others for whom to vote.
Pray that Christians will seek to live God’s peace for all people after the
election.
Pray that our actions will cause others to want to follow Jesus.
Pray that Christians will trust in the power of the Spirit to bring change
rather than the power of politics.

A perspective on voting from the Mosaic Conference Intercultural Team

In Acts 1, Jesus sent out his people, telling them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And in many ways, this is the same directive Jesus gives us as we approach the ballot box.

Jesus tells his people to bear witness to who he is in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

  • Think through the issues that affect you and your family. (What is your Jerusalem/Judea?)
  • Think through the issues that affect a community adjacent to yours. (What is your Samaria?)
  • Think through the issues, and how they would affect a vulnerable community, perhaps one that might be far from your social or economic experience. (What is your end of the earth?)

(*excerpts from an article by Nikki Toyama-Szeto in the Asian American Christian Collaborative)

The leaders of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S.’ supporting denominations – Beachy Amish Mennonite Churches, Brethren in Christ U.S., CMC (Conservative Mennonite Conference), LMC – a fellowship of anabaptist churches, Mennonite Church USA and U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches – together requested that MCC U.S. staff prepare this message. We pray for the witness of the church in the U.S. at this tumultuous time.

Choosing Christ’s way of Reconciliation

by Ann Graber Hershberger & Jessica Stoltzfus Buller, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

Nearly 500 years ago, the Anabaptist tradition was born of a small group of believers whose commitment to following Jesus showed an alternative path to the widespread Christian practices of the day, which were bound up in politics and power.

For this group, following Jesus meant orienting their lives around Christ’s call – not as second, third or fourth priority, but as primary. As articulated in their Schleitheim Confession, this included rejection of the sword as their protection, declaring it was “outside the perfection of Christ.”

Their faithful witness inspires Anabaptists in this time of enormous division and upheaval in the United States. Jeremy Miller, president of Rosedale Bible College in Irwin, Ohio, wrote recently in the CMC (Conservative Mennonite Church) Beacon that amid growing polarization, “the country and the church need people of deep character, authentic faith, and a deep reservoir of courage” who orient themselves first and foremost to practicing and embodying the Kingdom of God. 

As Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S., a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches that is engaged in relief, development and peacebuilding work, we offer this encouragement to the church: to restate and reflect our primary commitment to Christ and Christ’s reconciling ministry (2 Corinthians 5:18). We do so in consultation with leaders of Anabaptist denominations that support our ministry.

Too often, our churches do not look different from the world around them – quick to judge and divide, slow to draw together and model unity across ideological diversity. When we do this, we betray our calling to the reconciling ministry of Christ. 

The Bible shows a different way. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit breaks down barriers between people and creates a community that values every language and experience. In Colossians 3, Paul outlines the characteristics of life in Christ: compassion, gentleness, humility, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love, unity and peace. These must be evident in how we relate to one another in every situation.

At a practical level, this means learning how to talk together. Healthy dialogue skills help us engage in ways that reflect God in us. It is a spiritual practice to put on compassion when we don’t agree with one another, to listen more and speak less (James 1:19). 

As we engage in the spiritual work of reorienting ourselves toward compassion and away from judgement, MCC U.S. invites Anabaptist churches to:

  • Restate our primary commitment to God above earthly kingdoms.
  • Follow Jesus, practicing reconciliation, humility, nonviolence, unity and peace.
  • Ask for the Spirit’s guidance in our interactions within our families, churches, society and world.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NRSV)

Mennonite Church USA calls for bold peacemaking during the election
Original Source

By Mennonite Church USA staff

Peacemakers are most needed during times of uncertainty, fear and polarization.

The United States has been dealing with all three in 2020, exacerbated by a pandemic and the urgency surrounding the presidential election.

No one knows what will happen on or after Election Day. The heightened emotions and mistrust across the political spectrum make widespread violence seem more possible than in years past.

As followers of Jesus, what do we do in a time such as this?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Our nation, states, cities and churches need peacemakers more than ever in the weeks and months ahead. Peacemakers do not hide safely behind the status quo, ignoring the rise of violence, while thanking God for personal safety. Peacemakers show up boldly with love and deepen relationships with those who are most vulnerable to bodily and systemic violence. Peacemakers consider the complexity of violence — that structural systems of oppression are already operating in violent ways. Peacemakers look at the roots of violence and join the work to seek transformative justice for all.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Peacemaking is what Jesus demonstrated through his life, death and resurrection. It is what Mennonites have claimed for centuries and often struggled to embody. Now is a time to be bold in our peacemaking. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) We have a community of believers around us and the steadfast teachings of Jesus to guide us through these times.

During this time of uncertainty:

  • We call on government and public safety officials to fulfill their obligation to offer equal protection and access to the voting process for all registered voters.
  • We pray that all candidates and citizens honor the outcome of the election(s) and reject any violent reactions that bring harm to others if there are disputed results.
  • We pray for a Spirit of Peace to hover over our nation, bringing a sense of deep spiritual strength and groundedness during this fragile moment.

We pray that our churches act as agents of healing through nonviolent witness and tangible acts of love and service – even to our enemies — living into our call as people of God’s peace.

This link to a sermon by Josh Meyer, Leadership Minister and pastor at Franconia (Telford, PA) Mennonite Church, entitled, “Navigating Faith and Politics in 10 Easy Steps,” may be a helpful resource for you.

Leadership in Contentious Times

Executive Minister Steve Kriss held a panel conversation for Mosaic Conference pastors on Thursday (10/29) at 5pm/2pm Eastern/Pacific featuring Dr. Todd Allen, Marta Castillo, Sue Park Hur, and Mike Spinelli.

Resources mentioned:

  • The Soul of America by Jon Meacham

  • Compassion & Conviction by Giboney et al

  • Difficult Conversations by Stone et al
  • Prophetic Lament by Soong Chan Rah
  • Ing Podcast by Mennomedia