Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Articles

A New Normal, With Thanks

by

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thes. 5:18, ESV)

During this 2020 Thanksgiving week, the Apostle Paul challenges us to, “Give thanks in all circumstances!” I confess that I have not always had a very thankful spirit or attitude this year. In fact, with the pandemic, heightened political tensions, and disagreements within the church as to how we can gather safely, my focus has often been far from thanksgiving. Instead, it has been side-tracked to focus on self-preservation, complaining, and trying desperately to hold on to what I once knew as normal.  Balancing church and faith, and life in general, have felt far from normal this year.

In past years, my ability to give thanks in all circumstances seemed to be easier than it is now. Indeed, my Thanksgiving Day celebration was simple. It was a once-a-year acknowledgment of God’s blessings, blessings that I fully expected to receive from God for me and my family for our faithfulness. 

The day of celebration included family as well as special foods, like oyster filling and pumpkin pie, and always started with a time for everyone around the table to share what they were thankful for. It was beautiful, it was simple, and it was predictable. Playing out the script of the day gave me the feeling that I was blessed. And it felt normal. 

But Thanksgiving is not about me feeling blessed. It is about being thankful to God, in all circumstances. In reflection, the normalcy of my Thanksgiving has always been changing. 

My parents and my sister who were always integral parts of the table celebration have gone home to be with the Lord. My siblings now have their own times of celebration with their families. My children have grown up and are not always able to be present at our gathering. Even those who once contributed the oyster filling and the pumpkin pies are no longer able to be with us. The table and the people around it has always been changing, and that is ok. I have realized that my perfect, scripted Thanksgiving has actually never been normal.

Although it has taken me many years to see this clearly, this realization is even more of a reason to give thanks. I now see that the portrait of the perfect Thanksgiving Day that I have painted in my mind is really a work in progress; it is never finished. 

I also see now that God has always been present and working in my life (and in the world around me) in spite of circumstances and changes, and that is something to really be thankful for. Although family and traditions help make Thanksgiving enjoyable, the importance of understanding that we are nothing and have nothing without God is what is central. Whatever the circumstances, God is with us and should be the center of our thanks.

Due to COVID-19, my family will not be together for Thanksgiving this year.  I know that this is true for many people. We call it a “new normal,” but perhaps it is just normal, like each one of the years before this one. What is the same is that we are all called to give thanks to God. 

Perhaps with this attitude of thankfulness, we will also be able to see and appreciate that thanksgiving is not just a yearly occurrence, but an everyday experience. 

Photo provided by Mike Clemmer

25 Days of Advent Family Devotional

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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.