Articles

Congregational Profile: Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación

October 8, 2020 by Conference Office

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 a profile of one of these congregations.

What is the call that God has placed on Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación (Encounter for Renewal Mennonite Church) in Miami, Florida?

For Pastor José Andrés Mendoza, this question has three clear answers:

Taking care of the faith community
Helping immigrants
Providing hope and trust in God.

Congregational Christmas dinner
(Photo from official church facebook page)

The church community began in 1998 in Miami, Florida by Brother Gamaliel Fallas. Brother Marco Güete, now a Leadership Minister in Mosaic Conference, contributed to the formation of the church by sharing his inspiration of having a Mennonite community in Miami.

Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación is an intercultural Hispanic community, with members coming from many different countries, such as Colombia, Honduras, Argentina, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the US.

The church is deeply and intensely committed to the social reality that surrounds them, expressing to others the love of God and their evangelical call to serve others. Members regularly visit prisons and hospitals to visit those imprisoned and sick. While there, they pray and share food and company with families, patients, and inmates.

A time of intercessory prayer in the midst of worship. (Photo by Javier Márquez)

The church, which meets every Sunday morning for worship, extends its service and contacts throughout the community directly by providing lodging and counseling to immigrants. The church has been organized in such a way that they can provide newly arrived immigrants with food and lodging for a period of two months.

The church also supplies food, school supplies, and grooming tools for immigrant children who are part of a support group called Casa Hogar. Providing hope in this context for immigrants who arrive, leaving behind their families and belongings for the promise of a better future, is an important task of the church.

Congregants during worship at Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Reconciliación.
(Photo by Javier Márquez)

In addition to the constant help and closeness between the brothers and sisters of the church, they also care for the broader community of faith. Bible studies in members’ homes or community lunches, where the cost of lunch is often assumed by one or two church members, demonstrates an expression of love towards each other and the church.

The modest church building could give the mistaken impression of being a community with limited reach. The truth is that this body of believers has a passion and dedication for the call of the Lord Jesus Christ which leads them to continually carry out activities of service, love, and peace throughout the city of Miami.

Engaging Our Workplace with Our Love for Jesus

October 8, 2020 by Conference Office

by Scott Roth, Leadership Minister

There is a gap that happens with people as we transition from our Sunday to our Monday. Recently I read Discipleship with Monday in Mind, by Skye Jethani and Luke Bobo, which explores faith and vocation and how to make them more of a focus in church ministries.

This topic has stirred me as a pastor and organizational leader. How do we create environments that help us to engage our workplace and our love for Jesus?

The woman at the well (John 4) is a reminder of Jesus showing up in daily living. We also see this with the calling of the disciples as they are fishing (Matthew 4:18-22). Time and time again we see Jesus engaging people where they are.

In their book, Jethani and Bobo explain how early church clergy would be on the church property on Sunday. Then, during the week, clergy would head out to the countryside and the villages to engage their people where they lived and worked. Wow! Now, many churches expect the pastor to be at the church during the week, in the office, being on call and in a waiting posture. What if pastors were out of the church building and engaging the workplace?

Recently I have started this process. I invited Laurie to come to my workplace, not the church office, but to Bike and Sol, the non-profit bicycle shop where I serve as director. We sat in the shop area as I fixed a bike. We engaged on a variety of topics involving her life and Jesus. People would stroll in and out and we would interact with them as well. It was such an uplifting time. We got to be the church to a few folks and the Kingdom was present.

Later I visited Scott, one of the owners of Bolton’s Farms, at his workplace. Not only did I get to see Scott in a different environment, but I was able to fly his drone and tour the farm. Through questions and observations, I began to understand what they did and how it operated. I learned that at Thanksgiving, they provide meals to 5000 feasts! This was a reality check that one of our church families was affecting 5000 homes every Thanksgiving. What does that mean for me as a pastor? As a church? As the Kingdom of God?

In the book, Discipleship with Monday in Mind, we are reminded that in Genesis humans were built to work and relate. God needed to rest after creating the world. Work is not a curse. It is a part of us to live.

I want to encourage you to engage your faith with your work. No matter what stage of life we are in, can we engage Jesus where we are? I am not talking about making a sign for your desk or wearing the latest t-shirt to work. Instead, can we find ways for the relationships that we have in our church to also be those that happen during the week? Are we able to invite our church family to engage our work family? Do they need to be separate?

May you find ways this week to see Jesus in your day to day. May you see God moving throughout your work and vocation.

Lessons from Outdoor Worship

October 8, 2020 by Conference Office

by Joyce Shutt, Pastor Emeritus, Fairfield (PA) Mennonite Church

Once the governor lifted restrictions on small gatherings in late spring, our little congregation gathered for outdoor services. That first Sunday was a cautious experiment. We weren’t sure if being outdoors could work.

Fairfield congregation gathers outside for worship this summer due to COVID-19. (Photo provided by Brenda Walter)

Wearing face masks, we set our folding chairs at least 6 feet apart under the huge plane tree that has become our new sanctuary. That first Sunday was more of a social event than a worship service. Starved for social interaction, unaccustomed to worship without music, distracted by traffic noises, we struggled to focus.

But by the end of June we had developed a new rhythm and pattern. Feeling safer outdoors, more people began coming. Our pastor developed a style of worship that fit our new setting. We learned to drop our face masks when talking to better hear each other and simply wait when traffic noise got too loud or St. Mary’s church bells rang their call to worship.

Yes, we have missed the music. Once in a while one of our men plays his harmonica. Occasionally we try to sing with face masks on, but most times we simply read a hymn’s words. Too often the process of merging the text with music can make one lose track of the words. Being outdoors has allowed us to re-discover the poetic beauty of words, especially when voiced together in choral readings.

Now that fall has arrived, few of us are ready to move indoors or consider Zoom services.

The plane tree that served as the “sanctuary” for Fairfield’s summer worship. (Photo provided by Brenda Walter)

Something special has happened over the summer. It’s been elusive, but authentic. We’re discovering a new closeness, a renewed sense of worship. Sitting under the plane tree’s leafy cathedral ceiling while responding to the cold, heat, humidity, and misty rain has helped us gain a greater awareness of God as Creator and Sustainer.

When we worship inside, we humans assume control. Come rain or shine, the show goes on. But outside? Outside we are not in control. Gathering becomes dependent on the weather.

Even so, we have not missed one Sunday. Twice the rain held off just long enough for us to finish our service. During July and August’s wilting heat, the moment we’d set up our chairs in the shade of that precious plane tree, a reassuring breeze would spring out of nowhere. Sometimes the breeze became so strong that the dancing leaves drowned out our words, almost as if to say, “Stop. Listen. Be still and know that I am God.”

Virtual Prayer Room at Assembly

October 8, 2020 by Conference Office

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. ¹⁰Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And 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

October 1, 2020 by Conference Office

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

October 1, 2020 by Conference Office

by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford (Harleysville, PA) congregation

“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)

September 29, 2020 by Conference Office

by Javier Márquez

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

September 24, 2020 by Conference Office

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.

“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.

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.

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