Mosaic Mennonites

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As We Wait

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By Cindy Angela

In life, we are often asked to wait. We wait through long, year-long processes as well as doctor’s appointments; we wait for small things like food take-out and large milestones, like buying our first house. There are times when we need to wait, and waiting is not easy.

At least it’s never easy for me.

We’re so used to having everything in an instant, especially in this day and age of technological advancements. Photos that used to take weeks to develop, now appear on our phone instantly and can be shared with hundreds of others with a touch of a button. In the age of social media, we’re constantly overstimulated with ideas, information, pictures, and it all screams “NOW! NOW! NOW!” and it makes waiting even more difficult.

Time keeps passing as I keep waiting. Maybe you’re in the same position as me, waiting for an answer, decision, resolution, or closure.

As part of my new year’s resolution, I took a break from social media. During this time, I was able to reflect upon a waiting period that God has put upon my life. I realized some of the benefits of waiting, and it made my relationship with God even stronger.

1. Waiting forces us to slow down

I am a fast-paced person by nature. So when God told me to “wait,” in a way, God is telling me to slow down. When I was a kid, my mom would tell me all the time, “Eat slowly so you don’t choke.” By slowing down, I can be gentler on my physical, emotional, and spiritual self.

2. Waiting makes us pay attention to (and even appreciate) the little details

Last year, my husband and I took a 9-hour road trip to Charlotte, NC. While I could have taken a plane, saving me hours of travel time, I didn’t mind the extra hours spent on the road. I got to enjoy the scenery, visit new places, and had many great conversations. The extra added time can make us pay attention to and appreciate the little details.

3. Waiting helps us get a better understanding of God’s eventual answer

While I believe that God will always provide an answer for us, I learned that God’s answer can range from “yes” to “no” to “wait” (or “wait some more”). The waiting period has helped shape my understanding of God’s eventual answer. I look back at those waiting periods and understand why God told me to wait and to trust in His timing. Waiting helped me to trust God more and to develop a stronger relationship with Him.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31, NLT

As I wait, I’m praying and trusting God, that He will be with me in every step of the way. And as we wait, we might as well enjoy the ride.

Cindy Angela

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

Facing the Dark, Welcoming the Light

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By Brooke Martin

It’s mid-January now. Winter darkness has settled in. Most Christmas decorations are put away along with the ambiance they offer. Christmas outdoor decorations are a rare sight. We have made it past the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Depending on the person, this information ranges from obvious and unmissable to something inconsequential and possibly un-noted.  I find myself noticing the darkness more in January when the joy of the Christmas lights fades and the darkness is more evident. 

In my home, we have white lights that stay up year-round, a strand around the kitchen, and a strand on a wall in our living room. In part this is a practical choice, for the times we come home after dark, welcoming the light to aid us in reaching the light switch without tripping over strewn toys on the floor. 

Warm white lights can offer a cozy welcome and calm respite after whatever the day has brought. As evening calm settles into our house, I can be intentional about unwinding. Sometimes the warm light helps me center in yoga, inviting me to tune-in and listen anew to the Triune God around me. Other evenings I snuggle in with a warm drink intuitively embracing the complement of light and darkness, the cold of winter with the warmth of heat and a blanket. 

Light in the darkness can also be a symbol used to remind my children of the Holy Spirit’s presence watching over them. A lava lamp and small lamp are switched on when my children climb in bed. When their thoughts are scary, or a shadow in the closet tricks their eyes, they come to find my husband and me.   

We have a few practices to engage during these times. Putting the power back in my kids’ control, we flip the image, helping them imagine their fear appearing in a silly or less threatening way. What happens when the scary thing wears a rainbow tutu … how about if it has a clown nose or rides a unicycle? We also equip our children by reminding them that God is with them, we are here, and they are safe. A hug goes a long way.  

We have a prayer that we have taught our children. It is not perfect, it does not mean their room is as bright as daylight. It can be picked apart, but it does name their bravery and remind them that Jesus, our hope, is light. 

“Jesus is with me 
And Jesus is the Light, 
And where there is light, 
There can be NO DARKNESS. 
Help me be brave.” 

As evening comes today or clouds cover the sky, may we also be able find the lights, and may God use them to center and comfort us and to spark hope and bravery. 

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.

I Hope to Bring My Best Self to Assembly 

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By Marta Castillo

Wow!  Can you believe it?  It is only 2 days until the Mosaic Fall Assembly.  Most of my to do list is done, although I am sure there will be some unexpected, last-minute tasks that will pop up.

Assembly participants have begun arriving by plane, train, airplane, and automobile.  I am excited to see friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, from all over – California, Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico, New Jersey, Vermont, Maryland, and PA … A family reunion, Mosaic style with diversity and unity.  I am excited to berbicara Bahasa Indonesia, hablar español, and speak English.  I also look forward to fellowship and eating together, sampling Indonesian food, Mexican breakfast tamales, and funny cake.  I also anticipate with joy the opportunity to worship the Lord in unity in multiple languages, to read the Word of God together, to pray together, to be together.  And yes, to discern together.

I hope to bring my best self to the day of assembly: The self that has spent time in God’s presence

I hope to bring my best self to the day of assembly: The self that has spent time in God’s presence – centering on God, humbling myself, committing my way to the Lord, fixing my eyes on Jesus, and waiting on His Spirit; the self that is curious and is more concerned with being in relationship than being right.  I hope to bring a self that is not easily offended and defensive but that is open to listening and learning to others. 

I hope to bring my commitment to being an active part of a larger community and the belief that each person who will attend and lead Assembly is a person who is loved by God and who is also faithfully seeking God’s will, to follow Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit in the space of their own congregations and communities.   

And above all, I hope to bring with me the comfort, challenge, and greatness of “Chesed” – the loving kindness of God which was given freely to me, even though I didn’t deserve and somehow did deserve, as a child of God.  The steadfast, loving kindness of God that God expects me to extend to others as part of my faithful witness to Jesus.   

I pray that we will bring our best selves.  If you can’t, then still come.  Bring your anger, your pain, your frustration and together as the body of Christ, we will work it out together in the spirit of chesed – stubborn, loving kindness that stays the course because God has stayed the course with us. 

And as we prepare for Assembly, I invite you to pray with me, from Ephesians 3:17-21:  

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

…we will work it out together in the spirit of chesed – stubborn, loving kindness that stays the course because God has stayed the course with us. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

Photo by Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo is the Associate Executive Minister for Mosaic Conference. Marta lives in Norristown, PA, with her husband, Julio, and has three sons, Christian, Andres and Daniel and one granddaughter, Isabel.

Chesed Love is the Air We Breathe

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by Emily Ralph Servant 

This is God’s chesed love in action: providing just what we need, just when we need it.

I stand in my backyard and take a deep breath, filling my lungs with cool autumn air.  “Thank you,” I whisper to the trees, the grass, the purple asters, and hot pink anemone. 

This is God’s chesed love in action: providing just what we need, just when we need it. 

In a complicated process that I really don’t understand, the earth’s plants and trees produce oxygen.  We humans, along with the earth’s animal population, breathe that oxygen in and, in another complicated process that I really don’t understand, turn it into carbon dioxide, which we then breathe back out. 

It turns out, the earth’s plants and trees need that carbon dioxide to make more oxygen.  So, in essence, they breathe in our carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.  We breathe in their oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. And on and on it goes. 

In her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, Potawatomi botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer calls this “reciprocity:” the idea that as we receive live-sustaining gifts from others, we also have a responsibility to care for them in return.  Give and receive, balance and flourishing -together. 

This is God’s chesed love in action: God created an interconnected world in which we need other creatures for our very existence – plants offer humans their unique gift, and we offer our unique gift in return. That’s life-giving, life-affirming love! 

And I wonder whether this is a reminder for such a time as this in our Conference.  God’s chesed love created humans.  God’s chesed love birthed the Church.  God’s chesed love filled it with people from all nations and tribes and tongues and gifts and ideas and worldviews.  God’s chesed love created a world in which we need each other. 

I need the oxygen that you breathe out.  You need the carbon dioxide I breathe out. Without one another – our differences, our gifts, our challenges – we wouldn’t survive. 

Without one another – our differences, our gifts, our challenges – we wouldn’t survive. 

Sameness will kill us. But because of God’s constant, steadfast, and faithful love we have been offered the gift of reciprocity: the gift of living in balance with one another, keeping one another in check, providing for one another, flourishing together. Polarities, opposites, extremes that we may seem – we can find a rhythm of giving and receiving … of love. 

Thanks be to God! 

And thank you—for breathing out the oxygen I need to survive and thrive. I need you. 

(Deep breath.) 

Emily Ralph Servant

Emily Ralph Servant is the Leadership Minister for Formation and Communication for Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Emily has served in pastoral roles at Swamp and Indonesian Light congregations and graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Finding Friendships

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By Randy Heacock 

Last Friday night I performed a wedding ceremony for a couple in Allentown, PA.  The very next day, I led a funeral service in Fairfax, VA.  The man who died had recently celebrated 58 years of marriage with his spouse.  I hope that the newly married couple will experience that many years (and more) of marriage. Although the thought of losing a spouse is hard, typically – but hopefully after decades of marriage – one of them will eventually find themselves saying goodbye to the other.    

In my premarital counseling, I encourage every couple to develop and maintain strong same-gender relationships throughout their lives.  I believe it is equally important for all of us to do this, but I think women often are better at it than men.    

Even those in the healthiest marriages need good friendships outside of their spouse. Photo by Nancy Heacock.

In Genesis, we read that it was not good for Adam to be alone. I believe this biblical witness from the start names our need for connection with other humans.  Our society is infatuated with romantic love and couples, yet both Jesus and Paul call us to a broader community to love and build relationships.  Whether married or not, I believe all of us need to develop significant, non-romantic relationships to love and be loved.  

The first time this came into focus for me was when a good friend lost his wife to cancer at the age of 48.  I saw how his deep friendships nurtured, supported, and gave him strength.  I wondered if we place too heavy of expectations on our marital relationships because we fail to develop and maintain other friendships. It is not surprising many marriages struggle when we place such an emphasis for a person to be “the one.”  

I have been blessed in my journey as I have developed male friendships.  Though I am introvert, I have discovered that I really enjoy hanging out with other men.  Whether I am playing basketball, disc golf, working together, or sitting around a table, I find these friendships energizing.   As my circle of male friends has enlarged, my life has been enriched.   

It has been equally rewarding as this circle of friends has reached far beyond my church/pastoral connections. I believe having friends outside the church has helped be more realistic regarding my expectations towards my faith community. I have learned much from my Catholic friends and from those who do not attend church at all.  There are often refreshingly honest conversations on a wide variety of topics.  Whether we are discussing parenting, job-related issues or sports, the variety of opinions is welcomed. While I do not often engage, many loud political debates also ensue, where I try to discern what makes it so emotionally charged for those arguing.  Through it all, what I appreciate is that all leave as friends and return for more in the weeks ahead.   

My wife claims that I am a “fake introvert”. Regardless, I will keep encouraging all to develop same-gender relationships within and beyond the church.  It takes time, investment, and even a willingness to be uncomfortable.  For me, it has been well worth the effort.  I believe it has enhanced me as a follower of Jesus which is good for my marriage and my church.     

Randy Heacock

Randy Heacock serves as a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference while continuing in his role as pastor of Doylestown Mennonite Church.

What Does Fruit Look Like?

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By Conrad Martin

I was having a discussion the other day with my wife about how people will know we are followers of Christ.  Her answer was a good one. Do we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit of God living in us?  She must have been thinking of Matthew 7:20: “… by their fruit you will recognize them” (NIV).  Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

But I said, these are all intangibles. What does love actually look like… same for joy, peace, kindness, and all of the others?  If we look for goodness and faithfulness, what specifically will we find?  Can we point to something or someone and say, now there are examples of patience and gentleness?  How do we exhibit an intangible?

I wasn’t quite satisfied with the discussion and began to think about the fruit of the Spirit more deeply.  What if I converted the fruit into an adverb form? Could we identify the fruit more easily and tangibly?  What if we use these words instead: lovingly, joyfully, peacefully, patiently, kindly, virtuously, faithfully, gently, and disciplined. 

What if we use these fruit adverbs to inform the way we do our jobs, the way we relate to others, and pretty much the way we do anything? What if we live: 

  • more lovingly by caring for another person’s needs above our own, seeing the other person the way God sees them, and being more forgiving of others?
  • more joyfully by spreading our thanksgiving to God in infectious ways and lifting the spirits of others?
  • more peacefully by working to reduce conflict around us and in us, which leads to wholeness?
  • more patiently by showing a calmness when there is impatience and chaos all around us?
  • more kindly by guarding our negative words and instead lifting others up with words of encouragement?
  • more virtuously by working with the highest of integrity and moral standards?
  • more faithfully by honoring trust that others have in us by being true to our words and true to our beliefs in God?
  • more gently by showing a meekness and humility that casts aside callousness and pride?
  • more disciplined by working free from distractions, not giving into the whims of the moment or sudden impulses and fleeing the desires of the flesh as described in Galatians 5:16-21, the section preceding the fruit of the Spirit passage. 

Would people notice anything different about the way we live our lives and the way we relate to others that reflect the Spirit of God living in us?  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water,” Jeremiah tells us, and points out that such a person “… never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV).  Will people see fruit that shows we have been transformed by the power of Christ and have a personal relationship with him, because we have put our trust and confidence in him?   

As I look back over my list of fruit adverbs, I am humbled at how difficult the list is and how much I need the Holy Spirit living within me.  Exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit is a daily challenge I face for my walk in the Spirit. 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water,” Jeremiah tells us, and points out that such a person “… never fails to bear fruit”

Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV

Conrad Martin

Conrad Martin is the Director of Finance for Mosaic Conference.

Summer or Winter? 

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By Hendy Matahelemual

If you had to choose between summer or winter for a year, which would you choose? I would choose winter. I like the cold weather, and as I write, it is 100 degrees today in Philadelphia. I spent most of my adult life in Indonesia, where it’s warm all year. So winter is an exciting new experience for me. 

Differences in climate don’t just affect the weather – they influence behavior. In her book, Foreign and Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures, Sarah Lanier divides the world in two parts: hot-climate and cold-climate cultures. 

In hot-climate cultures, people tend to be more relational and communicate in ways that promote a friendly environment. In cold-climate cultures, people tend to be more task-oriented and value accurate communication over people’s feelings.  

In a hot-climate culture, where you belong is more important than what you think. The Māori people of New Zealand say, “I belong, therefore I am.” French philosopher René Descartes expressed a cold-climate perspective when he said, “I think, therefore I am.” 

Community life is valued very highly in a hot-climate culture. In a cold-climate culture, people affirm individuality and independence.  These cultures generally follow geography, but not always. Cold-climate culture prevails in some warm regions. 

What culture or cultures do you identify with?

Jesus said we should treat others as we want to be treated. To do this, we need to be aware of the cultures people come from. Our good intentions might cause harm if we don’t understand other cultures. 

As a first-generation Indonesian American, I was excited when I moved to the US. But eventually, I started to feel like an outcast. I didn’t realize how intense my connection to my home community was — and how out of place I would feel when separated from it. 

But this conflict created opportunities. I gained more awareness of how to think as an individual. At first, it was a challenge. I’m not used to being alone. I felt anxious and weak, but when I started practicing independence and adjusting to new expectations, I developed tools to navigate a cold-climate culture. 

For example, I now have more peace when I have push back on my preaching or writing. When people express disagreement directly to me, I learn to not take it personally and learn to see it from the other perspective. I also find I am now more willing to speak my mind and express my feelings directly.  

Stretching is not the goal, but transformation is. Our tolerance of change has its limits. But as we are transformed, we develop new ways of life that make us more complete. I can relate to a wider variety of people because I have learned the ways of both hot- and cold-climate cultures. 

Paul said to the church in Rome, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, ESV). The world has patterns and expectations — like hot- and cold-climate cultural differences — that make us conform to those around us while also separating us from those who are different. These patterns trap us in cultural bubbles. 

If we accept the world’s patterns without resistance, a time bomb is set. Eventually it blows up, turning small differences into big conflicts. 

Try to immerse yourself in a different culture. If you’re a cold-climate person, visit a hot-climate culture, or vice versa. Expect resistance, internally and externally. Broadening your cultural experience will not be easy, but it is worth it. Keep engaging, learning, and praying as the Spirit leads. 

Hendy Matahelemual

Hendy Matahelemual is the Associate Minister for Community Engagement for Mosaic Conference. Hendy Matahelemual was born and grew up in the city of Bandung, Indonesia. Hendy lives in Philadelphia with his wife Marina and their three boys, Judah, Levi and Asher.

Living in Freedom

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By Mary Nitzsche

In the past few years, I have heard a lot of demand for personal freedom and the right to make choices based upon these freedoms—right to possess and carry arms, right to make decisions about COVID guidelines or mandates, right to make decisions about my body, the right to believe and worship without fear. According to our Declaration of Independence, “No one is born with a natural right to rule over others without their consent, and that governments are obligated to apply the law equally to everyone.” Our national anthem states we live in “the land of the free.”  I hope when we read the rights of living in the “land of the free,” we are mindful and acknowledge that all people do not experience these freedoms equally. 

Our Declaration of Independence and national anthem stress the importance and value of personal freedom. But as followers of Jesus, what does it mean to live in freedom? Is our understanding of freedom different or does it mirror what is believed, spoken, or enacted in our country?  

The Apostle Paul taught that love of self and neighbor would guide behaviors and actions, not the ethic of personal freedom. “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 (NRSV) 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to freedom. How does the ethic of love make a difference in the choices we make? 

  • We respect the needs and desires of others as we respect our needs and desires. During this time of COVID, we may choose to wear a mask in the presence of a person who is immune compromised.  
  • We speak and live what we value and believe. We may also choose to respect those whose values, beliefs, lifestyle, and actions differ from ours rather than judge, condemn, or expect them to change and become like us. 
  • We accept others for who they are, not who we would like them to be. We may choose to stay connected rather than disconnect even when it is a struggle. 
  • We choose practices that respect and honor all of creation rather than practices that endanger, harm or exploit. We may choose to ride a bike rather than own a car, recycle, compost garbage, or take our own bags to the store. 

Some of the ways I choose to live in freedom with love as my guiding principle include: 

  • Letting go of a need to control while also paying attention to my needs and priorities. 
  • Holding expectations or plans lightly, aware that expectations and plans may need to be adjusted. 
  • Releasing resentment rather than holding a grudge or letting resentment turn to bitterness. 
  • Letting go of my need to be right, recognizing others have perspectives I need to hear. 
  • Living with doubt or uncertainty even if it appears to be wishy washy or ambiguous. 
  • Accepting the limits of an aging body like forgetfulness, muscle weakness, stiffness, and achy joints. 

My prayer is that I use my personal freedom to speak and act according to the values Jesus taught and lived rather than using my personal freedom to speak and act in ways that elevate my rights, beliefs, and practices above what is important to others. 

Mary Nitzsche

Mary Nitzsche is a Leadership Minister for Mosaic Conference. She and her husband, Wayne, are Midwest natives. They have two adult daughters, Alison and Megan, son-in-laws, Michael and David, and one delightful grandson, William.