Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Virtual Prayer Room at Assembly

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by Noel Santiago, Leadership Minister

Our Conference Assembly, November 7-8, will celebrate the theme “On Earth As It Is In Heaven,” based on the Lord’s prayer: 

9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,  12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9b-13, ESV)

Once again, delegates and participants will have the opportunity to access a prayer room as part of the assembly. This year it will be a virtual prayer room. This will be a first but we want to continue to adapt and adjust to these changing times. 

During these prayer times we have experienced God’s presence ministering among us. God has encouraged, healed, and empowered persons as they have spent time in the prayer room. 

The virtual prayer room will be available via zoom on Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 11:00 am – 1:15 pm (EST)/8:00 am – 10:15 am (PST). Intercessors will be available to pray with those who desire prayer.

The purpose of the prayer room is:

  • To pray and intercede for the delegates as the Spirit leads and as they deliberate.
  • To pray for and minister to anyone who would like prayer.

Even though this will not be an in-person event, we have found that God still moves mightily in our midst when we gather to pray, even if it’s virtually.

As we look ahead to our virtual gathering in November, consider taking time to pray for the Conference Assembly. Pray for our leadership, the delegates, and all who will be present. Pray that God’s unfolding reign will come in great power as we gather. Pray that God’s presence will be evident as God’s Spirit moves, walks, and enlivens our interactions. And, if you are so desire, feel free to drop in via zoom and pray online with us during the assembly.

Members of Mosaic Conference will gather virtually for the Conference Assembly this year.  Celebrating the theme “On Earth As It Is In Heaven,” assembly will be held on November 7-8, 2020, on a combination of platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom.

Young Adults Take Lead in Times of Trouble

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by Cindy Angela, Digital Communication Associate

Over the summer months, four young adults worked as summer service workers in four Mosaic Conference congregations.  Graciella Odelia (Nations Worship Center, Philadelphia PA), Christopher Jong (Philadelphia Praise Center, Philadelphia PA), Ser Luther (Whitehall congregation, Allentown, PA), and Alex Padilla (International Worship Church, San Gabriel, CA) participated in a ten-week program through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) that helps young adults of color in the U.S. cultivate their leadership skills within their community.

Graciella Odelia distributed groceries in South Philadelphia with the help of Mosaic Shalom Fund.
Photo provided by Graciella Odelia

As the needs in the community shifted due to the pandemic, the summer workers and their supervisor had to quickly adapt their plans to better serve their community.  “My job for this summer was supposed to be coordinating a vacation Bible school for the children in my church. But because of COVID-19, that didn’t work out,” Graciella Odelia explained.

Instead, Odelia produced videos for Nations Worship Center virtual church service, organized Zoom meetings, and helped pack groceries and deliver them to families in need.  “God called me to serve the church and to help my community during this difficult time,” Odelia reflected.

Christopher Jong distributed free clothes in South Philadelphia this summer.
Photo provided by Christopher Jong

Christopher Jong echoed the same sentiment. Jong was born in Philadelphia but was raised in Indonesia. He moved back to the US when he was 17 years old. Being a summer worker helped him reconnect to his South Philadelphia roots. “PPC [Philadelphia Praise Center] was the first church I was introduced to when I reached the US and I felt connected to the people ever since,” Jong recounted.

Initially, Jong was to organize a summer camp that got cancelled. So Jong and his supervisor, Pastor Aldo Siahaan of Philadelphia Praise, had to adapt and make new projects for Jong to work on. “We created projects such as grocery shopping service, free care package distribution, translation services and many more,” Jong explained.

Screen capture of a video interview with Ser Luther

Summer worker, Ser Luther, worked with the Whitehall congregation in Allentown, PA. During the week, Luther helped out at Ripple Community Inc’s (RCI) Community Building Center. On the weekends, he helped the Whitehall congregation with various tasks for their Sunday service. He prepared PowerPoint presentations, managed Zoom meetings, and even led worship services.

Luther’s supervisor, Danilo Sanchez (of RCI) observed, “Halfway through the summer I noticed a change in him. He became much more comfortable talking with new people at the center and public speaking.”

Alex Padilla led children’s Zoom Sunday School for International Worship Church in California.
Photo provided by Alex Padilla

Meanwhile in California, Alex Padilla balanced online classes at the University of Colorado while also being a summer worker for International Worship Church (San Gabriel, CA). Padilla has been attending International Worship Church for a few years, where Pastor Buddy Hananto saw his potential and asked him to be a summer worker.

One of Padilla’s favorite tasks this summer was creating a virtual Sunday school class. “It was an incredibly valuable experience to be a teacher of faith to the next generation,” he shared.

This summer, these young adults may have taken on different roles and responsibilities, but all of them learned to lead, to adapt, and to keep trusting God in times of trouble.

Creating Helpful and Spirit-Filled Community

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by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford (Harleysville, PA) congregation

Margaret Zook

“How lifegiving it is to recognize that our congregations are not just alive on Sunday morning,” shares Margaret Zook, Director of Collaborative Ministries for Mosaic Conference. This new part-time role serves as the team leader for accompaniment relationships with Conference Related Ministries (CRMs).  

“There is such a richness in our CRMs,” reflects Zook. “They each have a unique origin and focus on meeting a particular community need.”  Zook anticipates assisting congregations and CRMs to bring their skills and knowledge together more intentionally in order to create a more helpful, just, and Spirit-filled community.

Zook brings a wealth of experience to this new role, having worked for and leading several CRMs in southeastern Pennsylvania. For over 20 years she served as Executive Director of Souderton Mennonite Homes, a CRM that was created in 1917. Then five years ago, after Souderton Mennonite Homes merged to become part of Living Branches, Zook was called back to serve as Director of Church and Community Relations. She has also served on numerous boards of community organizations, including 10 years on the board of Penn Foundation, another CRM.

Wib and Margaret Zook celebrate their anniversary COVID-style.
Photo provided by Margaret Zook

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with CRMs through my professional life and board work,” shares Zook. “These experiences have made me see the value of being connected to and supported by the conference.” 

In her role Zook will visit the CRMs and relate to their boards and leadership. She will listen to and share the stories of their missions, successes, and needs across the conference. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to walk along the existing and new and emerging CRMs,” Zook explains. “Hearing, seeing, and sharing the transforming work that is being done is such an honor.” 

Zook knows the value of a conference network for these organizations. “A foundation of faith and a connection to church sets CRMs apart from other nonprofit organizations,” she shares. “It gives a sense of accountability that is a stabilizing force for an organization.” 

Margaret Zook and some of her grandchildren.
Photo provided by Margaret Zook

Most of Zook’s life has been in southeastern Pennsylvania, both intentionally as well as by birth. “I have loved my congregation [Salford] and my community,” Zook reflects.  She has a fairly large extended family, which includes ten grandchildren. She enjoys visiting her family in Florida and Colorado and staying in touch with them however she can. 

Zook and her husband value walking together, and currently have a goal to walk the entire Perkiomen Trail, in sections. She is an avid reader and is a member of two book clubs. She enjoys gardening and friendships.  

Professionally and personally, Zook identifies her faith as a motivating factor for life. “My faith drives me in a way I can’t put fully into words,” she explains. “It is who I am and what I do, and it leads me to service. I believe God has placed us here to make this earth a better place, to serve the beautiful earth and its people.”

Congregational Profile: Iglesia Seguidores de Cristo (Followers of Christ Church)

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by Javier Márquez

Editor’s Note: Mosaic Mennonite Conference anticipates welcoming eight Florida congregations (that were formerly part of Southeast Mennonite Conference) at this fall’s conference assembly.  This is the third of eight congregational profiles we will be sharing in preparation for the assembly on Nov. 7-8.

The church building of Iglesia Seguidores de Cristo in Sarasota, FL. Photo by Javier Marquez

At 4:00 am a light comes on in the building of the Seguidores de Cristo church in Sarasota, Florida.  Every morning, leaders and other members of the congregation gather to pray. Their faith and passion to reach others motivates them to do this every morning, and is helped by the good weather in Florida. 

Since the 1990s, Seguidores de Cristo (Followers of Christ) Mennonite Church has been an active group of Latin American immigrants from different countries, such as Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Each Sunday, congregants arrive for worship at this church with colonial architecture. They also participate in Bible studies regularly throughout the week. The church has now expanded its outreach and has opened new locations in Tampa, Bradenton, Gaimamy, and Sarasota.

The  congregation prays together for a member in need. Photo by Javier Marquez

The church is a community made up mostly of  immigrant families who come to Sarasota, FL, devoid of a host community. The brothers and sisters of the church are deeply committed to the discipleship and gospel of Jesus Christ.  On any weekend, the church will meet to pray at dawn, perform youth services, fast, worship, go on evangelistic journeys, and accompany immigrant families when receiving bad news from their countries of birth.

On a recent day, the regular congregational schedule was halted. The community came together to accompany some Mexican brothers and sisters who had received very sad news from Mexico. Their sister died due to advanced cancer and was unable to be with her family in Florida because of immigration restrictions. Immediately, church members arrived at the church to gather with this family as they grieved this difficult news. 

Sunday mornings, the congregation gathers for Bible Study, worship, preaching, Sunday School, and a final farewell. The Seguidores de Cristo Church is a strongly united congregation, with a marked vision of evangelism and discipleship.  Together, they desire to accompany and welcome their neighbors, in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Rooted in Indonesia, Growing in God

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by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford congregation

“I’ve always been interested in creative work, in making things. It is how I spend much of my free time,” shares Cindy Angela, Digital Communications Associate for Mosaic Mennonite Conference. “When this job opportunity became available, I believed it was God’s calling.” 

In early September, Angela began in this new role, which includes managing the conference’s digital communications, such as creating content for and updating the website and social media channels. It also includes video editing, graphic design, and coordinating the translation of documents. Because Mosaic Conference operates in many languages, including Chinese, English, Indonesian, Spanish and Vietnamese, ensuring that communications are accurately translated is an important ongoing project. 

“I am looking forward to working in many mediums to share the stories of Mosaic Conference,” says Angela. “Most recently I worked as a graphic designer and in marketing. Having the opportunity to work on a wider scope of projects, including video editing, writing, and translation will be energizing.”

Angela is originally from Indonesia and moved to Philadelphia, PA to study Communications at Temple University. She found it difficult to adapt as an international student. But, when she found Philadelphia Praise Center (PPC), a Mosaic Conference congregation, where many other Indonesians attend, she felt incredibly blessed. 

Photo provided by Cindy Angela

“When I moved to America, I didn’t want to leave my homeland behind,” recalls Angela. “The PPC community became a home away from home for me. I was able to stay connected to my home culture but also be connected to other cultures, languages, and worship styles,” Angela reflects. “PPC connects me to my roots, but God has also allowed me to grow there.”

Previously Angela worked as a Summer Service Worker at PPC through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which helped her connect to the broader Anabaptist family and gain deeper clarity around Mennonite beliefs. Now Angela is very involved at PPC and has worked as a graphic designer, multimedia coordinator, social media manager, and video editor for the church. 

Photo provided by Cindy Angela

She met her husband, Andy, through her involvement as a singer on the praise and worship team. Cindy is from Surabaya, Indonesia, and Andy is from Jakarta. Though these cities are on the same Indonesian island, they are separated by 500 miles. “We would’ve never met if it weren’t for PPC,” Angela shares. 

In her free time, Angela likes to cook Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian food. Sometimes she cooks US American foods, like pulled pork and coleslaw. She also plays the ukulele and collects board games. 

Angela hosts two podcasts, one in Indonesian with her husband, where they share about their experience as immigrants to the U.S. The other one is in English, with her friend who is learning Bahasa Indonesian. 

Over the past seven years of her journey in the United States, Angela has seen and felt God taking care of her. “I always give 100% of myself and I let God do the rest. This is how I moved to a new country, this is how I got this job, and it is how I live my life,” she reflects.

What Does it Take to Prepare for a Virtual Assembly?

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by Brooke Martin, Conference Assembly Coordinator

Phone calls, emails, Zoom meetings, processing, testing, writing, texting, researching, discussing, and more is happening in preparation for Mosaic Conference Assembly weekend on November 7-8, 2020. With virtual Zoom delegate sessions on Saturday the 7th and live-stream, conference-wide worship on Sunday, November 8, there is much to do.   

The conference board is preparing for the delegate gathering to take place in the space of a few hours through Zoom on Saturday, November 7,  instead of through the traditional in-person sessions for an entire day. 

Our Sunday worship planning includes both live and pre-recorded multilingual elements. César García, president of Mennonite World Conference, will bring the morning message. Sunday’s worship will offer a glimpse of the depth and breadth of the Mosaic Mennonite Community, who worships and lives for Jesus. 

The communications team is carrying a much heavier load this year with a lot of coordination and detailed planning around Saturday’s large group Zoom sessions.  Simultaneous interpretation is needed and being prepared for in Vietnamese, Cantonese, Indonesian, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. 

How can you prepare and help?  

  • Read and watch for weekly updates about the assembly in Mosaic News.
  • Write the assembly weekend dates (November 7-8) on your calendar now. 
  • Delegates, please read your emails. 
  • Encourage your congregation to join in the conference-wide worship on Sunday, November 8 at 11am (EST)/8am (PST).    
  • Contribute to Sunday’s worship by sending in a recording of you (or someone in your congregation) reading the Lord’s Prayer in the language of your choice (click here for more information).
  • Pray for all 2020 delegates, the Mosaic Conference Board,the conference-wide worship service on November 8, and for the assembly planning team as preparations continue. 

I am so thankful for the Mosaic Conference Assembly Team of staff and volunteers who are giving their time and energy into preparing for this time together. Thank you Cindy Angela, Tami Good, Kristine McClain, Emily Ralph Servant, Hendy Stevan Matahelemual, and Scott Roth for your prayers, energy, and time.

The theme for the fall assembly, “On earth as it is in heaven,”  is based on the Lord’s Prayer. As we prepare for our virtual gathering,  let us pray (Matthew 6: 9b-13, ESV):

“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.

 Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.” 

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 

Amen.

Seeing With New Lenses

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by Hendy Matahelemual, Indonesian Light congregation (Philadelphia, PA)

When I was a little boy, I wanted to wear glasses. I used to play with my parents’ glasses. I would put them on, but of course, I could not see clearly.  My parents would discourage me from playing with their glasses. But I felt so cool when I did. Both of my parents wore glasses and some of my friends at school did too. So for me, glasses were cool. That’s why I was a bit disappointed knowing that my vision was just fine, 20/20, and I didn’t need glasses. That was a long time ago.  

“20/20 vision” is a term used to describe normal visual acuity measured at a distance of 20 feet. At the beginning of 2020, I was excited in my faith, believing that God would give me a “perfect vision,” but my excitement changed after the pandemic hit. Now six months have passed. Seeing God’s vision each day is not easy in 2020, or maybe we just need to see it with a new lens. 

What is God’s vision for me this year? The writer of Proverbs said, “When there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV).  I often pray, “God, I want to see what you see, I want to feel what you feel.” Sometimes I get a revelation, and sometimes I don’t. But one thing is for sure: God always gives me a new lens. God always shows me a new perspective. 

No one could predict 2020 was going to be like this: pandemic, war, police brutality, racial justice issues, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, economic crises, and more.  No one saw it coming, but is this a new thing?  

The book of Ecclesiastes (1:9) says,  “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (NIV). Maybe this is right; there is nothing new.  Maybe the reason that we don’t see it is because we choose not to see it. 

Every aspect of humanity has fallen. In the era of the fastest 5G internet connection, humanity is still very slow to forgive and forget. Most humans still choose to retaliate rather than turn the other cheek. It feels like the four horsemen are just around the corner. 

My friend said to me recently, that at this particular time, she can really understand the proverb, “Ignorance is bliss.”  It’s easier for us to wear our comfortable glasses instead of wearing the glasses that see all this messy reality. God wants us to have “perfect vision,” seeing the world as this big mess that only Jesus can heal (both in Spirit and with His second coming). Or as my friend said, “There’s no Messiah without a Mess.” 

Seeing with a new lens means that we see reality as it is, fully embracing pain, fear, struggle, and suffering to the fullest before giving it to God. Sometimes seeing with a “perfect vision” means that you will have blurry vision, a vision with less clarity, due to the tears in your eyes. These tears come because you finally understand the pain, struggle, and suffering in our humanity.  

Sometimes seeing with a new lens is seeing with a grieving eye. As Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4, ESV).

Congregational Profile: Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church

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by Javier Márquez

Editor’s Note: Mosaic Mennonite Conference anticipates welcoming eight Florida congregations (that were formerly part of Southeast Mennonite Conference) at this fall’s conference assembly.  For the next several weeks, we will be sharing the profiles of each of these congregations.

Members of Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Congregation pray together. Photo credit: Javier Márquez

Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Shalom (Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church) began in 2019 and continues to grow and strengthen through prayer, evangelism, and service to others. Currently 20-25 adults and children gather regularly in the church building on Machado Street in Tampa, Florida. 

The congregation began as a church plant on May 26, 2019. Pastor Secundino Casas and his wife, Jesenia Casas, were leaders of this “cell” in the house of a member of the congregation. 

Now the congregation meets in the same building as College Hill Mennonite Church. The College Hill congregation has opened their doors so that this community of Spanish-speaking believers can carry out their faith activities. The two congregations share service opportunities, like a community food, clothes, and toy distribution every Wednesday, for those in need in Tampa.

Pastor Secundino Casas preaches on a Sunday morning. Photo credit: Javier Márquez

Pastors Secundino and Jesenia Casas, a married couple from Mexico, promote the church’s mission, “Share Jesus’ love for others, serve, and evangelize.” This vision is clearly reflected in the different actions they perform as a community of faith.

Church members actively work at discipleship and evangelization through community Bible studies and outreach. One day in the midst of an outreach campaign, a man, who did not speak Spanish, asked the members to pray for his life because he “could feel the presence of God in them and in what they are doing.”

Pastor Secundino (on truck) delivers food to the community. Photo credit: Javier Márquez

Despite having little time to attend church activities, many single working mothers living in Tampa have found a place of welcome at Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church. This reality has motivated church leaders to organize help for these families, offering childcare at the church  for women who work.

Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church is a community committed to building peace.  On their church sign, along with service times, is the verse, “Blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).