Mosaic Mennonites

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Prepare a Way

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It was my first-time visiting Vermont as an adult, and I wasn’t disappointed. Boulder-strewn streams meandered through lush forests, surrounding open meadows, and backed by hazy mountains.  As I visited Bethany congregation (Bridgewater Corners, VT), I spent the weekend eating outdoors and sitting in congregational meetings where I could feel breezes through open windows or sitting circled in the shade of established trees. I enjoyed the beauty of nature as well as the beauty of new friendships and deepening connections. 

All this beauty was linked by a network of windy roads—some of which were cracked and crumbling.  Vermont has been enduring a series of floods that have stretched its aging infrastructure to the limits.  After the first flood this summer, crews worked quickly to rebuild destroyed roads while residents worked just as hard to clear out muddy basements, repair impassable driveways, and replant gardens.  And then it rained again. And again. And again. 

I heard the fatigue in our Mosaic siblings as they talked about what has felt like an exhausting cycle of rain and repair this summer.  They’re self-sufficient and determined, but they wonder when the rainy season will end. This is unprecedented.  No one seems to know. 

As I drove home through the picturesque countryside on Sunday afternoon, skirting construction cones and passing crumpled bridges, I resonated with their weariness. 

I feel like my summer has been crumbling around me.  Unreliable childcare has framed weeks when one crisis bleeds into the next. Every time I put out one fire, I turn around to learn a congregation has left the conference or my computer has crashed or my daughter’s camp is canceled or someone is angry about something else.  We’re patching the roads, but everywhere I turn, they keep crumbling around me.  How many times have I caught myself crying out, “Can’t I catch a break?” 

I thought about the long-time residents of Vermont explaining what it would take to flood-proof the roads— a significant change in infrastructure or even relocating the roads entirely.  It feels impossible.  As I drove past detour signs and washed-out streets, I found myself crying out to God: Is this all there is? For Vermont, for my family, for the conference? 

Something stirred in my heart: Do I trust the Holy Spirit to go ahead of me, preparing a way? 

I would like to say I experienced a rush of peace at the thought, but instead I felt my insides breaking open. I knew the turmoil of the father who fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Ï believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) 

Do I truly believe the Holy Spirit is going ahead of me in my life, ahead of us as a conference, ahead of our communities in Vermont, and preparing a path before us? I can’t see a way right now, yet the deepest part of me yearns to trust that God’s Spirit is leading us by the hand around the ruts, patching up the crumbled lanes, even building a new road in the wilderness, one beyond the reach of life’s flooding (Isaiah 43:2, 14). 

I believe; help my unbelief! 

For the last couple of weeks, my prayer has been simple and heartfelt: “Prepare the way! Holy Spirit, come.  Prepare a way.” We don’t see how.  We don’t know what kind of journey it will be.  Just prepare a way before us.  Please. 

Editor’s note: Through Bethany Church and Bethany Birches Camp in Vermont, our Mosaic community is actively involved in assessing and providing for the essential needs of families impacted by the storms, flooding, and ongoing rains mentioned in this article. Bethany Church is working directly with a family with 3 children who lost their home and all their belongings. The congregation is providing funds for clothing, books, toys, and building supplies with the limited means available. If you would like to join in this work of caring for those in need in Vermont, especially this family and the surrounding community, please send donations to Mosaic Mennonite Conference (designate for Bethany Birches Flood relief) at 1000 Forty Foot Rd., Suite 100, Lansdale, PA 19446.

Guard Each Other’s Dignity

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In the creation story found in Genesis, God declares that all of humanity carries the image of the Divine. This means that every person we encounter carries the image of God and their dignity should be protected. We should not be causing harm to one another nor do we get to decide who carries the image of God. Instead, we should be protecting each one’s dignity and seeking biblical justice and right relationships with one another. That looks like standing alongside the abused, the vulnerable, and the stranger the way Jesus did.  

Those who are consistently harmed by the way the church or our society is structured often are the first to show care when others are being hurt. I remember the wisdom of a Mosaic conference leader who observed that when immigrant communities were under attack in South Philly, the black community rallied to show support. And when the black community in Norristown was hurting, the immigrant community from South Philly returned the support. The mutual care and support didn’t happen just because the churches were in the same conference and it wasn’t just because they were communities of color; they stood up for one another because they understood the command from Jesus to protect the image of God in one another and to defend the defenseless. 

I recently participated in the webinar Racial Justice/Queer Justice: Fractures and Intersection in the Mennonite Church, sponsored by Raleigh Mennonite Church and the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. The conversation centered around ways to work for both racial justice and queer justice and to recognize that there are multiple layers to our identities. The panelists in the webinar said that there are some people who are willing to work for racial justice but not queer justice. Likewise, some people who advocate for queer justice have trouble working at racial justice because of racism woven into fabric of our culture. They suggested that the missional work of the church is to become more like Jesus, who invited and welcomed all people to follow him as disciples and to become a part of the new creation. 

I’ll admit, it’s only been the past several years that I have become more concerned with queer justice, and I still have more to learn. This webinar was helpful to point out my blind spots when it comes to queer justice. Part of what I teach when I speak about racial justice is that we are created in the image of God and therefore reject any hierarchy that says some humans are better than others. I have come to realize that, if I’m willing to hold that truth when it comes to racial/ethnic communities, then I must extend that same truth for people who are part of the LGBTQ community. I desire for all people to be part of the body of Christ and not to experience harm.  

Right now, both immigrant and LGBTQ communities in Florida are experiencing harm. There are laws that are making it difficult for people to freely live their lives, so that they are living in constant fear. This is not theoretical–there are pastors and churches in our conference who are facing these realities. How can we protect the image of God in one another and stand with those who are hurting or afraid? 

One of the quotes from the webinar that I wrote down comes from James Baldwin. He said, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” We may not all agree with the philosophies behind or techniques practiced by advocates of racial justice or queer justice but let us all at least agree not to deny the image of God in each of us. As Mosaic Conference, let us be Spirit-led and act like Jesus who stood with the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the stranger. 

I Keep Learning

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Outside the window of my home office, the bluebird keeps returning to her nest.  I wonder why.  She built the nest, entertained suitors, chose one to share in the feeding of her nestlings, and then sat on the fence and watched her babies fly away.   

Maybe she returns to the comfort of the familiar. Maybe it’s her forever spot.  I could watch all day, thinking of the line, “Nothing but bluebirds all day long,” in the song, “Blue Skies,” by Irving Berlin.  

Perhaps like my bluebird, I tend to return to familiar places, people, and experiences.   There is such a powerful comfort when I align myself more closely with what I already know, especially when I’m tired.   My bluebird was very busy; is she tired and feeling vulnerable?  Tuck in and rest your weary head, my bluebird. It is okay to rest. 

Photo by Marian Brandt on Unsplash

Soon, with wings fluttering, she is off.   Under a bird’s wings are fragile skin and bones easily able to be damaged, but with the wings down, the bird is protected and guarded.   So why would she lift her wings, and why be so vulnerable? What is so important that she takes the risk?

I watch from behind my window, safe and guarded.  During life, it is easy to watch in my comfortable spot and explore less of the unknown. I have had experience of the good and bad times and have less time left to make use of new possibilities.  Why take the risk?

I can either spend time in safety behind my windows, or I can open the door. How do I balance bold risk with wise safety? When self is yelling, “No, no, too risky!”, the Spirit may be whispering, “There is great Christ-exalting joy in this to be had.”  Open the door, and don’t miss the joy.   

I look again. Is that my bird at the feeder?  The flock of birds noisily thrashes around on the feeder, and then the next group heads in for its share.  Then it’s the ground feeders’ turn.       

Who hangs out with whom? Where and what do they like for lunch?  I don’t know, but an Oxford team that studied bird behavior noticed that birds rarely arrive alone. Birds come in groups–for birds, social connection, or community, is a matter of survival.  

Why should I take the risk and join the people groups and the noisy discussion around what is important for survival?  Why should I risk moving beyond the doors, the locks, and my alarm systems?

“Be friends with one another, kind, compassionate and generous.  Serve one another and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (a paraphrase of Ephesians 4:32 and 5:21). That’s the community of faith: individually and together, we become mature and grow in Christ. To my bird feeder friends, seed, friends, and nourishing social connections are God’s natural gifts for growth and security.  Maybe we humans can risk the call to community.

Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash

What is the price of a bluebird?   Some loose change, right?  God cares what happens to them even more than we do.  God pays greater attention to us, down to the last detail – even numbering the hairs on our aging heads!  So don’t be intimidated.   Go on, rest, risk being vulnerable, and then join the noisy community.  You all are worth more than a million bluebirds (something like Matt. 10:29-31). 

To read more: “Community: God’s design For Growth,” by Howard Macy from NavPress. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Like Ruth, Immigrants Know Risk — & the Value of Sharing Burdens

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I have been reflecting on what it means to be a first-generation immigrant. The biblical story of Ruth resonates deeply with me. 

Before accompanying Naomi to a foreign land, Ruth expressed her profound commitment by saying, “Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay” (Ruth 1:16, NIV).  

As an immigrant, choosing where to go involves an element of faith, as the future unfolds with unknown possibilities. 

Ruth’s commitment didn’t end there. She continued: “Where you die, I will die — there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:17, NIV). Rejecting the easier option of returning to her own people, Ruth prioritized the relationship with her mother-in-law, Naomi. 

Ruth, a Moabite, willingly left behind her family and homeland to venture into a foreign land, where she would reside among unfamiliar people. She knew the risks. 

One risk, for Ruth and for immigrants today, is being made to feel unwelcome. “Go back where you came from” — whether spoken or unspoken — is a common challenge. If someone were to heckle me and demand I go back to my country, my response would be, “I am not a tourist. I am an immigrant, and I intend to stay.” 

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

For some immigrants, returning to their home country is not an option. They may have fled persecution or violence or severe economic hardship.   

When immigrants arrive in a new country, they often isolate themselves, avoiding the settled population’s rejection. This was not the case with Ruth and Boaz. They worshiped a God who breaks barriers and reconciles people, turning foes into friends. 

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Serving in an immigrant community in Philadelphia, it is crucial for me to journey alongside individuals and families, helping them settle in and preparing them for the tribulations that lie ahead. 

Many immigrants have a hard time finding a place to stay. Property owners typically demand background checks, credit scores and proof of income, which new immigrants often lack.  

To resolve this predicament, Mennonite churches and families in Philadelphia step in by offering temporary housing. They provide rent-free accommodations until the individuals or families can secure a more permanent residence. 

Building friendships and alliances, sharing burdens across cultures and generations, are of utmost importance. We should not hesitate to ask for help and extend assistance to others.  

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The burden of tests and tribulations is lightened when we face them collectively.  

Ruth relied on the generosity of others. As a first-generation immigrant, she did not own any land, so she collected food from leftovers. Her story reflects the experiences of immigrants who work in less desirable jobs — leftover jobs that others avoid. 

Ruth recognized she needed a local person’s wisdom. She placed her trust in Naomi, diligently following her instructions. She found another ally and friend, Boaz, who provided protection. Ruth didn’t hesitate to ask for help. She told Boaz, “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family” (Ruth 3:9, NIV).  

Spreading the corner of one’s garment symbolized a marriage proposal. Ruth boldly asked Boaz to marry her, and he said yes — although the Torah prohibited marrying a foreigner. But, as boldly as Ruth, he was willing to take a risk. 

Photo by Austin Kehmeier on Unsplash

I believe that as our relationship with God deepens, we become more sensitive to the needs of others, fostering reliance on one another, regardless of our country of origin, taking risks and sharing burdens. 

This article originally appeared in Anabaptist World and is reprinted with permission.  

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

What might you want to do someday as a result of today?

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by Marco Güete

Routine and habit intertwine and shape our daily lives. This includes our work, ministry, food, exercise, entertainment. Routine and habits are created and learned; it all depends on our interest and purpose.  

Personally, I found walking for exercise very boring and didn’t like it. One day everything changed. Russ Eanes, former Executive Director of MennoMedia, mentioned that he was planning on walking 800 km in Spain. I became interested and then researched, read books, listened to podcasts, and watched a movie on the subject. Eventually, my desire to do the Camino de Santiago and to walk 800 km (500 miles) in Spain was born.  

I set a date to walk the trail and established a routine of walking six miles three times a week, regardless of the weather. I decided to walk to train myself and to establish a routine, which later became a habit. As a result of my new walking habit, I have been inspired with this question, “What might you want to do someday as a result of today?” by Greg McKeown in his book, Essentialism. 

“Ultimately, your habits matter because they help you become the type of person you wish to be,” said James Clear, an author who writes about decision making and habits. “They are the channel through which you develop your deepest beliefs about yourself. Quite literally, you become your habits.” Walking became my habit. 

On May 16, 2023, I left my house in Sarasota, FL and arrived in Astorga, Spain, 25 hours later. I slept less than two hours on the trip. I was again dazzled by the beauty of the city’s architecture dating back to the 15th century. The year before, I had finished the second part of 260 km in Astorga. The next day, after a comfortable night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, I was ready to start walking the last series of 14 stages, which was 260 km, to reach Santiago de Compostela. 

Wearing hiking boots, a backpack, a wide-brimmed hat, and a waterproof jacket, I took my first step on May 18, with the temperature at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That day and the following, the legs walked automatically. James Clear said, “A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.” 

I completed the Camino Frances de Santiago in three years, walking approximately 266 km each year. This path is the most popular and traveled by walkers from almost all over the world. The first year a pastor friend accompanied me, and the following two years I walked with my wife. She also trained alongside me. 

One of the beauties of the path, apart from the landscapes, is the relationship and communication with other walkers. We are all doing the same: walking through plains and mountains; crossing rivers in the rain and the sun; feeling hot or cold; eating and drinking almost the same.  

On the Camino, we walkers are all the same, regardless of race, profession, culture, or language. We become friends and   greet each other with the phrase: Buen Camino.  This is a time when we become more human and more spiritual, and where we can see God’s creation in ourselves without prejudice. 

I walked with two purposes: the first to achieve my personal goal and to raise funds for the Instituto Biblico Anabautista (IBA). The purposes were fulfilled with the help and love of God and his Spirit, to whom I give glory and honor. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Marco Güete

Marco Güete is the Leadership Minister for Florida for Mosaic Conference.

How Do I Walk the Second Mile? 

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by Brooke Martin

How do I disciple and walk with someone whose perspective, theology, or experience is not my own, or is different than the majority of people in my congregation? I know I am supposed to love them, but how? What if this is a person whose identity conflicts with my church’s view but they are an active part of the congregation, looking to me as their pastor or youth leader? 

In a culture that dismisses anyone with a different understanding than our own, we can quickly lose track of our call to be Third Way people. Jesus taught that there are not just two options in times of disagreement or conflict; instead, he encouraged his followers to seek out a third way, to completely change the dynamic of disagreement. 

Jesus illustrated this concept with the example of “walking the extra mile.” The law stated that a soldier was allowed to make a civilian carry his heavy pack for one mile only. Jesus told his followers to walk the extra mile. Imagine the soldier turning at the mile mark, anticipating a glare of disdain as the civilian shucked the heavy load. Instead, as the soldier turns to the civilian, the one who is called to the Third Way, continues to walk with the load. Do they make eye contact or have a clarifying conversation? Both the soldier and the civilian would change from their usual ways of thinking and engage differently during this next mile. The power dynamic has shifted: the situation and their relationship with one another has changed. 

At Spruce Lake’s Engage Conference for youth leaders, I experienced a modern-day example of Third Way living when I listened to the storytelling of Art Pareira, the Director of Community Care for ReVoice. I anticipated that Pareira would share his list of why he was right and others were wrong; instead, I had a “second mile” experience. Pareira’s call to youth leaders was to not stop at the first mile but to continue walking with their youth to a deeper level of care and consistency.  If we just focus on our duty to fulfill our understanding of God’s law, we miss the opportunity to journey deeper and further towards where Christ is calling us on the “second mile.”  

As a celibate gay man, Pareira lives and ministers out of his own experience and theological perspective, naming that he takes “hits” from all sides, not being progressive enough for some or conservative enough for others.i Still Pareira continues his call to walk on. Pareira understands and accepts others may have different theological understandings, and he respects those differing convictions.  He does, however, call Jesus-followers not to stop there but to continue as shepherds who are willing to walk beyond the first mile. In the second mile, he calls for the caring of people and encouraging consistency in ethical living across all sexual orientations. 

With this “second mile” mindset, the Mosaic Youth Formation Team has created a Healthy Conversations guide for youth leaders and others who desire tools for conversations across differences of all kinds. We pray this guide will be a resource and encouragement so that, together, we can continue the journey of faith formation by walking beyond the first mile into the holy second mile of truly loving our neighbors. 

Introducing the Healthy Conversation Guide

This document is a guide, not curriculum. It is meant to give a foundation for how to have healthy conversations on difficult topics such as human sexuality, gun violence, politics, substance use, and racial justice in a way that can be adapted to multiple contexts and cultures to align with the life and ministry of Jesus.

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iArt Pareira has chosen a celibate lifestyle because of his belief affirming that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. This belief is also affirmed by Spruce Lake Ministries. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Brooke Martin

Brooke Martin is the Youth and Community Formation Pastor for Mosaic Conference. Brooke lives in Telford with her husband, Nathaniel, and their two children.

A Trip to the Mountains

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by Michelle Ramirez

Often, the view you least expect is the one that ends up impressing you the most. That was the key learning that stayed with me when returning home from a recent youth trip.  

Early in March, I was blessed to be invited to speak at a youth event at my cousin’s church in Raleigh, NC. When I learned about the event, I was excited, but aside from knowing that it involved youth and that I would be speaking, I knew nothing else.  

When I arrived in Raleigh, I learned that the event would actually be taking place in Gatlinburg, TN, and we had to drive there from North Carolina. As someone who grew up going on road trips, this excited me even more because I know the best part about road trips are the views along the way.  

I had met the youth from North Carolina before, and they knew me as well, but this event provided an opportunity to get to know them even better. The event started with a sermon on the importance of placing God as the foundation and how important it is to see God in everything around us.  

The mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. Photo by Michelle Ramirez.

I reminded the youth that just as God created each one of us, He also created the huge mountains, and our foundations need to be secure to grow so tall. The next day was even better, as we had the opportunity to go and explore the Ober mountains in Gatlinburg. The view from the mountains was truly astonishing, compared to flat Florida. I was surprised to see the world wasn’t so flat; although my ears were constantly popping, which wasn’t so pleasant. 

After returning from the mountains, it was time for my second sermon, which focused on being vulnerable with the Lord and being open to doing things God’s way and not the world’s way. I gave an opportunity for all the youth to speak and share what they were feeling and thinking.  

As the youth were speaking, I realized that just like the mountains, each one had a perspective or view I wasn’t expecting. I had known who these young people were, but I was blessed to have the opportunity to get to know them further and to experience the beauty in them that was waiting to be seen. This reminds me that often the prettiest view isn’t always what we see on the outside, but rather seeing the Love of God every one of us has on the inside. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Michelle Ramirez

Michelle Ramirez is the Youth and Community Formation Coordinator for Florida for Mosaic Conference.

Prayer as Surrender

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by Josh Meyer 

Franconia Mennonite Church recently engaged in a month-long series on prayer. We spent four weeks considering the purpose, posture, power, and practice of prayer. It was a rich and meaningful time, marked by biblical teaching and practical application. I was reminded once again that prayer is much more than bringing to God my list of wants, desires, and needs. It is a radical act of worship that reminds me who I am, who God is, and what life is all about.   

In short, prayer is surrender. 

Prayer is a radical act of worship that reminds me who I am, who God is, and what life is all about.   

[1] Prayer is surrender to the reality that there is someone more ultimate than you.

It’s natural for each of us to shrink our field of hopes, dreams, and daily concerns down to the small turf of our personal wants, needs, and feelings. Prayer is surrender to the worldview of the first four words of the Bible, “In the beginning, God…,” and as such, it reminds us of our rightful place. 

[2] Prayer is surrender to the reality that you need help. 

Prayer means humbly confessing that we are not autonomous, self-sufficient beings. We were not designed to live independent, detached lives. Prayer reminds us that we cannot be what we were made to be or do what we have been called to do without the personal, gracious, and continuous intervention of the One who made us. 

[3] Prayer is surrender to the reality that there is wisdom greater than yours. 

Prayer confronts us with the fact that we are not as smart as we tend to think we are. There is so much we don’t know or understand. Prayer reminds us that life is not found in our limited understanding, but in surrendering our lives to the care of the One whose understanding spans from before origin to beyond destiny and includes everything in between. 

[4] Prayer is surrender of your right to live as you choose. 

Prayer is bowing our knee to the reality that there is a limit to our personal freedom. This chafes against the rugged individualism of our culture. Yet Scripture reminds us that while “it is for freedom that Christ has set [us] free,” we are not to use our freedom primarily to indulge our own desires; instead, we’re called to use our freedom to serve others in love (Gal 5:1, 13-14). Prayer reminds us to consider not only our own interests, but also the interests of others (Phil 2:4). 

[5] Prayer is surrender of your hopes to God’s grace. 

Prayer is remembering that there is no hope in life and death that does not result from the grace of God. In prayer, we give up our hope in the self and place our hope in Christ.   

May you experience the Presence of Christ in a particularly deep and meaningful way as you surrender yourself in prayer.   

Josh Meyer

Josh Meyer is a Conference Leadership Minister and the pastor of Discipling and Preaching at Franconia Mennonite Church.