Mosaic Mennonites

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The Resilience and Faith of Hispanic Church Pastors During Hurricane Milton

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By Javier Márquez  

Hurricane Milton’s passage through Florida left a trail of destruction, but it also became a moment of strength and hope for the Hispanic churches of the Mosaic Conference. The pastors of these communities experienced uncertainty, yet their stories reveal unwavering faith and a supportive network that kept them steadfast through the storm.

Preparations and Protection

Pastors Secundino Casas and Haroldo Núñez, along with other conference leaders, shared their experiences of preparing for Hurricane Milton. Pastor Casas recounted how, despite having time to prepare, they focused on gathering essential supplies like water, canned food, and gas. They also boarded up windows to protect their homes from strong winds.

“The first thing we did was entrust ourselves to God in prayer, and then we took shelter in a place we considered safe,” he said. This initial act of prayer was a shared response among pastors, who saw faith as an additional layer of protection.

Pastor Núñez added that their preparation included practical measures such as securing windows and doors and having a generator ready for days without electricity. They closely monitored weather reports to stay informed about the storm’s progression and evacuation needs.

“Staying calm was key. We knew what was coming but didn’t let ourselves panic,” Pastor Núñez emphasized.

The Storm: Faith and Resilience Amid the Crisis

As Hurricane Milton hit, the pastors faced uncertainty with trust in God. Despite calls from concerned family and friends, the community remained united in faith.

“We trusted that God would take care of us,” said Pastor Núñez. This calmness was vital during moments of difficulty, especially when communication and electricity were lost.

However, emotions were mixed. While their faith remained steadfast, conflicting feelings arose. Pastor Casas expressed that, on one hand, he fully trusted in God’s protection, yet on the other, he felt some guilt for not leaving Florida before the storm, particularly as he saw fear in his daughters’ eyes.

“Although my faith stayed strong, I felt helpless and guilty seeing the fear in my daughters,” he shared.

Community as a Pillar: Mutual Support During the Storm

The church and local community played a crucial role during and after the storm. Pastor Núñez highlighted the support from church leaders who sent encouraging messages and the active involvement of neighbors in Ellenton.

“The greatest support came from our neighbors. Everyone was helping each other,” he noted.

Despite material damages, including fallen trees, destroyed fences, and damaged roofs, the unity and faith within the community stood out. Pastor Casas described the strength of the faith community:

“Shalom is a very close-knit community, and in situations like this—good or bad—we always come together.”

This unity was evident in the mutual support shared throughout the emergency.

Aftermath: Damage, Challenges, and Hope for Recovery

After the hurricane passed, the damages were significant, but thankfully, there were no fatalities.

“The hurricane struck around 9 p.m., and although the 100 mph winds caused some damage, there were no fatalities,” Pastor Núñez reported. Fallen trees and twisted fences were the most visible damages, but the community quickly began repairs.

Pastor Casas faced flooding on his property and the loss of several trees.

“It was devastating to see the destruction, but at the same time, we knew God had spared our lives,” he expressed with gratitude.

Despite the material losses, the community remained resilient, driven by faith.

An Unyielding Inspiration: Trust in God’s Promises

Throughout the hurricane, both pastors found inspiration and comfort in Scripture. Pastor Núñez recalled Psalm 27:1, which gave them peace and hope:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

Pastor Casas leaned on the promise of Matthew 28:20, reminding them that God is always with them, even in the most challenging circumstances.

A Testament of Faith, Unity, and Strength

The pastors’ and their communities’ response to Hurricane Milton stands as a testament to faith, unity, and resilience. Despite the damages and fears, their hope in God and mutual support were the pillars that sustained them through the storm.

This experience not only strengthened the local church but also highlighted the power of community during times of crisis.

The Heart of Worship

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by Josh Meyer

I was recently asked to define worship in exactly six words. After a bit of thought, I offered the following answer, “Seeing God accurately and responding appropriately.” Anytime we get an accurate glimpse of who God is and are moved to respond, that’s worship. My friend, music director, and worship theologian Helen Eastburn puts it this way, “Worship is drawing near to God as God draws near to us.”

Another definition, offered by my former seminary professor, suggests that “the inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.”   

I love how this definition emphasizes that: 

  • Worship begins with God  
  • Worship leads to deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God  
  • Worship leads to praise from our lips  
  • Worship leads to acts of love in serving others  

Particularly in a consumeristic culture that trains us to evaluate experiences based on their enjoyment or benefit to us, I’ve found it helpful to be reminded that worship is not primarily about us. 

  • Exalting God is not about what we get out of it; it’s about choosing to praise and trust God regardless of our circumstances because we have faith that God is good. 
  • Worship is about giving God glory, not seeking to receive something for ourselves. We’ve already received – which is why we worship. Worship is a response. We’ve received the good news of Jesus Christ, the suffering, sacrificial love of a Father who sends the Son, and who sends the Spirit, so that we might be saved…in this life and in the age to come.
  • Worship is always, ultimately about God. 

A few years ago, I read a short post by pastor reflecting on the nature of worship.   

For the last three years I have had the immense privilege of serving in Honolulu. Yes, that Honolulu, in Hawaii. The one where the sun shines most every day, the temperature is always perfect, and the ocean is just a short walk away. What’s ironic about this is that I was born and raised in Anchorage. Yes, that Anchorage, in Alaska. While 7-year-olds here in Honolulu were learning the importance of sun safety and SPF, I was learning (the hard way) why not to lick the school flagpole in the middle of winter. Sometimes I feel like my life is one big contrast.  

Perhaps that is why I love the picture of worship in Leviticus 9:23-24. “When the people saw it (the Glory of God), they shouted for joy and fell facedown.” The people of Israel saw the glory of God and their appropriate response was to shout with joy AND fall facedown to the ground. It seems like the ultimate dichotomy, exuberance and contriteness, celebration and reverence.  

What an amazing visualization of this response to who God is, the worshipper bowing face to the ground but alight with a radiant smile! This paradox is our appropriate response to God. It’s not one or the other. It’s not even a balance between the two. It is both sides in all their fullness, together becoming our answer to the question of how we will respond to a glimpse of who God is.  

May we do that together as a people of faith across Mosaic Conference.  

May we see God accurately and respond appropriately.  

May we draw near to God as God draws near to us. 

May we bow in reverence and celebrate with joy.  

Josh Meyer

Josh Meyer is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference.

A New Chapter: Philadelphia Praise Center Dedicates PAX Center

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by Cindy Angela

On a sunny fall afternoon in South Philadelphia, the streets around 18th and Wolf Streets were buzzing with excitement. The energetic sound of Indonesian praise music filled the air as people filled the main sanctuary of the renovated building of PAX Center, the new home for Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center (PPC). About 200 congregation members attended PAX Center’s building dedication service on October 26, 2024.  

Photo by Haris Tjio

Earlier that day, PPC hosted an open house to invite the community to tour the historic space—formerly home to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church—and explore all the building has to offer. 

‘Pax’ means peace in Latin, and it is exactly PPC’s hope for the building.  

“We want to bring light in the darkness, bring hope to the hopeless, and to bring peace to the entire community,” shares PPC Senior Pastor Aldo Siahaan.  

The building serves as a worship space for the PPC congregation, and PPC also hopes that PAX Center can be a blessing to other organizations and the neighborhood. Along with PPC’s activities, PAX Center is already being used by a Spanish-speaking congregation, gamelan (Indonesian traditional music) practice by a local organization, a preschool, as well as hosting other community events.  

Every Sunday, the first floor of the parsonage is transformed into PAX Cafe, a welcoming pay-as-you-wish café open to everyone in the community. 

For 18 years, PPC had worshipped in a building on McKean Street in South Philadelphia. As the congregation grew in size, it had become evident that they were outgrowing the space.  

In 2023, through Mosaic Conference’s Executive Minister, Stephen Kriss, PPC learned that this historic property on 18th Street was for sale. After a long process, PPC was finally able to acquire the building in July 2024. 

Executive Minister Stephen Kriss and Mosaic Conference received an appreciation gift. Kriss also delivered the message during the building dedication service. Photo by Haris Tjio.

“We are very grateful for Mosaic staff and board members who walked with us faithfully during the entire process until we finally got the mortgage and closed on the building,” reflected Siahaan. 

Within three months of purchasing the 200-year-old building, PPC completed several renovations to accommodate the needs of the congregation. PPC now has space for two services, a youth service, and three Sunday School classes every Sunday.  

“An overcrowded space is no longer an issue and now we can truly focus on discipleship,” said Siahaan.  

Photo by Haris Tjio

Cindy Angela

Cindy Angela is the Director of Communication for Mosaic Conference. She attends Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center, and she lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Andy, and son, Noah.

Peace Nights Connect Mosaic Youth

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by Rachel Mateti

 

The fall 2024 Peace Nights were funded in part by a Mosaic Conference Missional Operations Grant (MOG) requested by Salford (PA) Mennonite. The grant helped to cover expenses for food, supplies, and transportation for the Mosaic youth groups who participated. 

 

This fall, youth from around the southeastern PA congregations of Mosaic Conference have the unique opportunity to come together to learn about the peaceable way of Jesus through fellowship, formation, worship, and games.  

The original idea for the Fall 2024 series of four Peace Nights was a collaboration between Ambler (PA), Salford (PA), Zion (Souderton, PA), Whitehall (Allentown, PA) and Plains (Hatfield, PA), with the support of Mosaic’s youth formation team.  

A slide from the teaching portion of the “Peace with God” session on Sept. 14. Photo by Rose Bender Cook.  

 

The first Peace Night of the series took place in September at Zion, on the theme of Peace with God. Around 70 persons were in attendance, including youth and leaders from the above-named congregations and Souderton (PA), Ebenezer (Souderton, PA), Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA), and Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA). The second meeting took place on October 6 at Plains with the theme “Peace with Self.” 

“The idea for Peace Nights started as a way for churches in southeastern PA in Mosaic Conference to share resources and provide programming for youth faith formation,” shares Andrew Zetts, Associate Pastor of Youth and Outreach at Salford.  

Youth and leaders from Whitehall (PA) Mennonite. Photo provided by Rose Bender Cook. 

 

“As I ran the idea by other Conference youth leaders, a few goals emerged. In addition to sharing resources and gathering a critical mass of youth in one place, we wanted to live into Mosaic’s intercultural priority and bring youth from various geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds together to develop meaningful relationships; and to teach peace theology as a foundational part of living out the ways of Jesus.”

At Plains, the youth group is small but growing, with grades 6-12 together. It can be hard to provide spiritually invigorating activities for a large age range. Peace Nights are one of the few places they can interact with other Mennonite peers in a church setting. 

Youth from eight congregations work together during the games portion of the first Peace Night. Photo by Rose Bender Cook.  

 

Instead of one shared culture, multiple cultures are represented at Peace Nights. Instead of most kids knowing each other, the majority are meeting for the first time. Awkwardness abounds, but a willingness to participate has prevailed. Through games like 9 squares (provided by Bloomin Glen [PA] Mennonite), and “Get -to-Know-You” Bingo (crafted by Andrew Zetts) youth have opportunities to make connections while having fun. Good food energizes everyone to talk and fellowship around tables deepens relationships. 

Loud voices singing together in worship has been a blessing. Youth seeing other youth singing boldly invigorates the whole group and creates a spirit of readiness for our teaching time. Teaching is followed by discussion groups that give youth a chance to come together and internalize the message they have heard. It is beautiful to observe. 

Participants from Deep Run East led worship. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual.  

 As Andrew Zetts shared, Peace Nights have a many purposes (sharing of resources, teaching peace theology, making connections outside our own congregations) but I also see Peace Nights as a place for youth to belong. Even those who might have held back in the beginning of our gathering seem to find their place throughout the night.  

Being Mennonite in our modern world can sometimes make a person stick out or feel different. Being a Christian youth can also feel alienating at times. Finding a place of belonging is, therefore, vital in keeping our youth engaged, connected, and inspired to follow Jesus. 

Peace Night worship. Photo by Mike Ford. 

The third Peace Night took place at Zion on Saturday, Nov. 9, 5-7:30pm; the theme was Peace with Creation. Our last gathering will be on Sunday, December 8 at Plains where we will look at Peace with Others; all Mosaic youth in 6th-12th grade and their youth leaders are invited to join us.

Plans for future gatherings in 2025 are underway and will be shared with congregations soon. As a leader, I am encouraged to see this vision come to fruition and to hear other leaders express their sense of energy and hope for the future of these gatherings. 

Participants gather outside for games. Photo by Hendy Matahelemual. 

Rachel Mateti

Rachel Mateti is the Children and Youth Minister at Plains Mennonite (Hatfield, PA). She is married with three kids and lives in Telford, PA. She enjoys reading when she finds the time and recently picked up running as a hobby.

In An Upper Room in Mexico City

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by Noel Santiago

Leaders from Mosaic Partner in Ministry RIMI met in Mexico City from September 19-21, 2024. Coming from Mexico, the USA, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia, they gathered for their annual meeting. RIMI is the Red de Iglesias Misioneras Internacionales (International Network of Missionary Churches). The meeting took place in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities. 

The La Paz congregation was started by Franconia missionaries Kirk and Marilyn Hanger, along with Mennonite Brethren missionaries Jonathan and Juanis Pritchard from Kansas and Mexico. Leticia Cortes, who had worked with the Hangers at Palabra de Gozo church in Mexico City, helped start Iglesia Cristiana La Paz. Later, Leticia married Fernando, moved to the US, and together they now pastor Centro De Alabanza, a Mosaic member congregation in South Philadelphia. 

Amid Mexico City’s noise—barking dogs, street vendors shouting, a constantly-ringing mini church bell used as a doorbell, and the sounds of cars, buses, motorcycles, and people— we had to focus hard on listening to make sure we heard each other clearly over the noise. 

The purpose of this annual gathering was to worship, pray, and connect. Leaders shared ministry updates from each country, supported and prayed for one another, and planned how to best organize a growing and multiplying movement of churches, leaders, and groups. 

The work involved reviewing RIMI’s mission and priorities to keep ministry aligned with its vision. The main challenge was creating a structure that stays organized and flexible without becoming rigid. Like Mosaic, they used pillar statements as part of their guiding principles and have focused them on missional discipleship; building lasting relationships; developing self-sustaining churches; sending called individuals to other cultures; starting and multiplying churches; and organizing in organic, life-giving ways. 

The highlight of the meeting was hearing stories of God’s work in different countries, with people coming to faith in Jesus. One story involved a RIMI leader who was invited to speak at a community funeral. The family appreciated his message so much that they asked him to return a month later to share more from the Bible. Three months later, a Bible study group formed. Similar stories were shared from all the countries. 

Current numbers churches connected with RIMI. Image provided by Noel Santiago. 

RIMI focuses on finding and empowering leaders with a vision for starting new churches or groups. When they identify such people, they come alongside them, and if agreeable to all involved, they start working together. 

They accompany and equip pastors of established congregations and sponsor Generación Sana, an annual international youth gathering focused on raising up and empowering young people for ministry. 

Many in these countries face challenges for ministry, including concerns about personal safety due to violence, travel uncertainties, and limited resources. Despite these obstacles, people shared stories of God’s faithfulness and how God supported them in their work. 

A crucial part of RIMI’s leadership meetings is the intercessory team. In addition to being active members, they listen for how God is speaking and moving among them. Their insights are regularly sought during decision-making. 

RIMI’s vision is to see people transformed by Christ to impact all nations. Their mission is to connect and multiply churches and ministries to fulfill God’s purpose. They value leaders who serve in underserved areas and who demonstrate healthy relationship skills, discipleship and empowerment, teamwork, and holistic ministry engagement. 

Pastor Kirk Hanger sums up a central piece of RIMI’s as follows: “We provide mentoring, coaching, encouragement, training, and spiritual support to leaders as well as a network of people who share a common vision and commitment to Christ”.  

In Mexico I was struck by the deep gratitude those present expressed for the opportunity to serve. Whether it was through preparing meals, ministering to one another, hosting guests, or running errands, their joy was truly evident. I pray I can capture a bit of this joy in my own heart as I seek to serve others. 

God keeps inviting and expanding Mosaic’s reach across the world. May God continue using this church-planting network to share the good news of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world. 

RIMI leaders meeting in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz, México. Photo provided by Noel Santiago.  

Noel Santiago

Noel Santiago is the Leadership Minister for Missional Transformation for Mosaic Conference.

Being Part of the Multitude

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by Marta Castillo

Thirteen people were recognized as newly credentialed leaders at the 2024 Mosaic Conference Assembly. They represented seven nations, four continents, five languages, and ten Mosaic congregations. What a beautiful sight! What a wonderful work of God’s Spirit!  

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

Revelation 7:9-10, NIV

Salvation belongs to our God! These are the leaders that God has called forth and into Mosaic from the east, the west, the north, and the south. These are the ones whose lives and ministries share the Good News. These are the ones who bring their calling, faith, experiences, culture, and love to share with us. What a powerful experience to be joyfully received and acknowledged by the gathered assembly and immediately empowered to anoint others in that space of hospitality and grace! 

After years and years of receiving predominantly white males as newly credentialed leaders, we began to see white women emerge as leaders alongside the men. Now we are experiencing a significant shift toward a diversity of men and women that reflect the multitude of heaven. It is cause for celebration and will mean a shift in the ways we are “conference” together.   

Do we understand what these shifts mean to our system? Being together is the same and yet different. Prayer is the same and yet different. Worship is the same and yet different. Making decisions is the same and yet different. Time is treated differently, and we flex to be less linear and less concerned with completing tasks and getting to business. We make time to drum together.  

We ALL need to graciously move aside to leave space for others. Our covenants of conversation are necessary to leave more room for Spirit movement and voices that are new and different as well as those who have been around for a long time.   

We are all feeling it; a deep sense of being welcomed and belonging and at certain times feeling out of place and unsure, no matter who we are. When prayers are spoken in only Spanish, Indonesian, or another language and there is no interpretation. As people around us at Assembly greet each other with hugs and excitedly chatting in a language we don’t understand.  

Pastor Effiem Obasi (left) with Leadership Minister Jeff Wright at LA (CA) Faith Chapel.  
Pastor Segundino Casa’s (center) ordination at Iglesia Menonita Shalom (Tampa, FL), being blessed by Leadership Minister Marco Guete.  

If you are used to understanding everything that is said everywhere you go, it is hard. If you are used to a certain way to process decisions and carefully track time and productivity, it is hard. If you are used to being more focused on the conversation and not watching the clock, it is also hard.  

If you are used to being the only one in the room who doesn’t understand or looks different, it is freeing to hear others speak your language and look like you. In whichever of these experiences, you find yourself, be gentle with yourself and others in the discomfort and in the joy. 

We are learning to be united in diversity. We are being mutually transformed. God is moving quickly before us and we are seeking to be obedient by getting out of our own way to receive the gift of being together in new ways, to see new people in leadership, and to experience being part of the “multitude.” Together we worship God and cry out, “Salvation belongs our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 

Let’s recognize that our experience together is beautiful and complicated as we “embody the reconciling love of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world.” 

Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo is the Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference.

Assembly 2024: Walking Humbly with God, Together

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Nearly 350 people gathered for Mosaic Mennonite Conference’s Assembly on November 2, 2024. The annual Assembly opened with worship (livestream available here), which included energetic singing led by a worship team from seven Mosaic congregations.  

The focus text for the Assembly’s theme, Walk Humbly with God, Micah 6:8, was read in eight worshiping languages of the conference, Cantonese, Creole, English, Indonesian, Karen, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Posters of bibles depicting the scripture in each language, were colored by guests of the Conference-Related Ministry (CRM) Ripple Community, Inc. The youth dance group from Whitehall (PA) Mennonite honored the Humble King.

The worship team had seven Mosaic congregations represented.

Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards preached on reclaiming humility as a marker of Christian identity, which he defines as “a way of life rooted in submission to God and demonstrated in actions that foster mutuality rather than competition.” 

He believes that the U.S. church will “have a stronger witness, more fruitful influence, and increasingly more Christ-like reputation if we recover what humility is meant to be,” which is neither a “self-help strategy” nor “something we can turn off and on.”  

Pointing out the various ways that humility is described in the scriptures, he said, “Humility has a trajectory. It starts out as submission to God, and then moves out like a projectile to influence others.” 

The theme scripture, Micah 6:8, was read in eight Mosaic worshipping languages. The bibles were colored by guests of Ripple Community, Inc., a Mosaic CRM. 

The time of worship included a prayer in three languages for Mosaic’s discernment around relating the MC USA, and for discernment in the upcoming U.S. elections, and a prayer for the thousands of employees, volunteers, and people impacted within the Mosaic Conference-Related Ministries (CRMs). 

Those gathered honored two credentialed leaders who had died in the past year and Boyertown (PA) Mennonite, which has closed. Thirteen new Mosaic leaders (newly credentialed or transferring credentials) were anointed and then offered anointing for all who wished to receive it. 

Thirteen credentialed leaders, who were credentialed or transferred their credentials over the past year, were anointed and then anointed anyone who wished to receive a blessing.  

Following worship was the morning session, where 170 delegates committed to a table covenant, engaged in relationship building, and reflected on what from worship would inform their work for the day. Communion was shared in the table groups, and the three new Mosaic member congregations and one new CRM were welcomed: Ark of Christ (Westminster, CA), Bethel Worship and Teaching Center (Levittown, PA), and Resplandece Mennonite (Pembroke Pines, FL and Barranquilla, Colombia) and The Worm Project (Lansdale, PA).  

Time for lunch, fellowship, and visiting with the leaders of Mosaic’s CRMs and other agencies followed the morning session.

In the afternoon delegate session, Mosaic Conference’s Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo and Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation Danilo Sanchez shared about Mosaic’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2027, which is the primary outcome of a two-year strategic planning process led by Mosaic’s Pathway Steering Team, and the Vibrant Mosaic Program.    

The plan is centered around five pillars: Clarity/Identity, Communication, Leadership Development, Relationship Building, and Reconciliation, and some of the proposed activities include: study groups for history and theology, expanding the Ambassadors young leaders program and Nations and Generations gathering, a Mosaic cookbook, training in peace circles for resolving conflict, and mechanisms for more two-way communication. Delegates shared feedback on how they envision their congregations and CRMs participating in the work, and what challenges they anticipate.   

Makinto and Mukarabe Makinto, Associate Pastors of LA (CA) Faith Chapel and Directors of CRM Amahoro International, led the group in a powerful peacebuilding and drumming ritual, guided by Micah 6:8. 

Makinto and Murakabe Makinto led those gathered in a peacebuilding drumming ritual, guided by Micah 6:8 and related scriptures.

“Our time spent drumming is us being Mosaic,” Mosaic Conference Moderator Angela Moyer Walter reflected after Assembly. “When we drum, we are having fun together, soaking in scripture, listening to one another and our different rhythms, and making a beautiful song for God.” 

The afternoon included discernment on redefining Mosaic’s relationship with MC USA. Read more about the delegate sessions and the vote on partnership with MC USA. 

After the vote, the Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center youth worship team led the gathered body in songs of praise. Leadership Minister for Formation Rose Bender Cook led a body prayer of surrender, reminding those gathered that “humility is a posture of the heart.” 

Philadelphia (PA) Praise Center youth worship team led the gathered body in songs of praise.

Beyond the main event, the weekend included a brunch at the Dock campus of CRM Living Branches (Lansdale, PA) with Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards for CRM and BIPOC leaders, the annual Nations and Generations Gathering for BIPOC leaders at the CRM Mennonite Heritage Center (Harleysville, PA), and Sunday pulpit swaps and visits by Mosaic leaders.  

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family. 

Pathway Recommendation Receives 71% Affirmation at 2024 Mosaic Assembly

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Nearly 350 people gathered for Mosaic Mennonite Conference’s annual Assembly on November 2 at Souderton (PA) Mennonite’s meetinghouse. Guided by the theme “Walk Humbly with God,” and the text of Micah 6:8, the day opened with worship and opportunities to fellowship and make connections (a report on all the Assembly’s activities is available here).  

During the morning session, 170 delegates from congregations and Conference-Related Ministries (CRMs) engaged in conversation and shared communion. They welcomed and prayed for three new Mosaic member congregations (Ark of Christ [Westminster, CA], Bethel Worship and Teaching Center [Levittown, PA], and Resplandece Mennonite [Pembroke Pines, FL and Barranquilla, Colombia]) and one Conference-Related Ministry (CRM) (The Worm Project). In the afternoon session, delegates voted on a ballot item focused on Mosaic’s relationship with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). 

Mosaic credentialed leaders led Communion at table groups, in six languages.
Three congregations and one Conference-Related Ministry were welcomed as Mosaic Conference members and received prayer.  

Among the guests that were present were Jon Carlson, Moderator for Mennonite Church USA (MC USA); Glen Guyton, Executive Director of MC USA; Michael Danner, Associate Executive Director for Church Vitality of MC USA; Camille Dager, Chief Communication Officer for MC USA; Wil LaVeist, Senior Executive of Advancement of Mennonite Mission Network; Amy Gingrich, Executive Director of MennoMedia, and Leonard Dow, Vice President of Community and Church Development of Everence. There were guests and delegates from 12 U.S. states, Mexico, and Colombia.  

In the afternoon delegate session, Mosaic Conference’s Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo and Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation Danilo Sanchez shared about Mosaic’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2027, which is the primary outcome of a two-year strategic planning process led by Mosaic’s Pathway Steering Team, and the Vibrant Mosaic Program. Delegates offered verbal and written engagement with the plan within their table groups.  

Executive Minister Stephen Kriss opened the presentation on the Pathway Steering Team’s recommendation of partnership, rather than membership with MC USA. He led with a time of prayer and a recognition that “this has not been an easy time” within the life of Mosaic.

“For some of us, [the relationship with MC USA] is a sacred relationship, for others it is a challenge. For some of us the relationship is new and undefined… For some it represents family, generations, and connections that go beyond this space and this time,” Kriss said.  

When addressing the leaders of MC USA, Kriss said, “I repent of any sense of arrogance in our conversations together,” and regarding what may happen after the vote, regardless of outcome, he said, “We commit to trying to work this out… We will work in good faith and a sense of openness. I will work with a sense of vulnerability.” 

MC USA Moderator Jon Carlson addresses the delegates. 
Mosaic Associate Executive Minister Marta Castillo and Leadership Minister for Intercultural Transformation Danilo Sanchez share about the strategic plan. 

Kriss committed to the delegates a sense of transparency, “to be as clear as we can about the process…We want you to know what is happening and what is true.” Kriss then gave the floor to Carlson and Guyton to address the delegates. 

Carlson acknowledged that for many people, “at times, it feels like to be Mennonite is to spend an awful lot of time explaining ourselves,” and yet we want our church to be a safe place where we can “quit explaining ourselves and just be…When there becomes a need to explain ourselves within church, it’s easier to just separate and create a new space.”  

Carlson added, “My sense is that Mosaic has spent a lot of time needing to explain yourself to those in denominational leadership… your approach to multicultural ministry, your growth pains…and it’s exhausting.”

He continued, “I believe there is space for welcoming and belonging for every part of Mosaic within MC USA if that is where you want to be…I am open to doing the work of figuring out what are the structures that give us life, what are the areas of friction and disagreement, and where current structures aren’t serving us well, how can we update and modify those.”

Guyton shared some of his journey to becoming a Mennonite. “If I can belong in this institution for 31 years, I know that there is a place for anyone. God has called me to this place, and I pray that you find the place God has called you to.”  

The delegates discussed at table groups the grief or challenges that they personally, their congregation or their CRM would experience with a redefined relationship with MC USA, and the signs of hope and life, as they look to the future of Mosaic.

In the afternoon delegate session, feedback was received by delegates in written form by table leaders as well as word clouds that were updated in real time. Mosaic Leadership Minister for Strategic Priorities Emily Ralph Servant reads feedback aloud. 

Delegates were then asked to vote on the ballot, which read: “To affirm, with gratitude, the work and recommendation of the Pathway Steering Team to establish a robust partnership with Mennonite Church USA, and to bring recommended bylaw amendments for delegate discernment at the 2025 Mosaic Conference Assembly.”  

The ballot item is a request from the delegates to the Mosaic board, which the board will need to carry out with MC USA during the next year. The voting process used a green-yellow-red system to more effectively hear dissent.

The three-color voting system was explained in three languages.

The vote passed with 71% affirmation, which means that Mosaic Conference leadership will be working toward defining a relationship of partnership with MC USA. 

MC USA has previously stated that “conversations related to partnership are ongoing and likely require MC USA delegate approval.” 

“Continued dialogue with MC USA leadership is very important, so that we don’t just splinter and cut each other off,” Moderator-Elect Roy Williams said, reflecting after Assembly. “We are made of many parts – it’s in our name – and how we move forward in exploring partnership will shape us as a Conference moving forward, too. My challenge to MC USA and to Mosaic is how can we improve the relationship that we have.” 

Mosaic Conference materials for delegates provided some information about the concept of partnership with MC USA: “We identify as Mennonites and desire an ongoing relationship with MC USA to help ground us in the Anabaptist story. At the same time, reducing the time spent struggling with MC USA structure and policies will allow Mosaic’s leaders to focus on our strategic plan, conference priorities, and identity work. We acknowledge that this change will not resolve the differences in our congregations around human sexuality and we are committed to discerning our conference posture as an early step in implementing our strategic plan.” 

There were 69 delegates (40%) who voted “I affirm,” 52 (31%) who voted “I affirm with reservation,” 34 (20%) who voted “I do not affirm,” and 15 (8%) who abstained (according to Mosaic Conference bylaws, abstentions are counted as “no” votes). 

Acknowledging the variety of perspectives of delegates, Mosaic Conference Moderator Angela Moyer Walter said, “Some of us are excited, some are confused, sad, or angry, and God is with us in this journey.”  

“There is a clear sense of trust and affirmation from the delegates for the discernment and recommendation of the Pathway Steering Team,” Moyer Walter said, when reflecting on the vote after Assembly. “And yet as we have seen throughout the Pathway process, a breadth of diversity in perspectives and experiences within Mosaic. We are taking all the feedback heard throughout Assembly to the board meeting later this month and it will shape our way forward.”  

*This article was updated on 11/7/24 to reflect the language written on the cards used for the vote. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Editor & Development Coordinator for Mosaic. She grew up near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.