Mosaic Mennonites

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Speaking from within the community: MCC launches new program for young adults

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Cathryn Clinton, Mennonite Central Committee

In January 2009, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) will launch the Seed program, a two-year program for young adults aged 20-30. The program, composed of international teams, will focus on the components of service, reflection and advocacy. It will begin in Colombia, and then expand to other locations.

Eight to 10 young adults from Canada, the United States, Colombia and other Latin American countries will learn together. As people of faith, they will analyze the Colombian context of social and armed conflict, serve in practical ways through local church programs and begin discerning the roles and ways they can transform society and use advocacy in their home communities and beyond.

The program development and vision have been a collaborative process with the Mennonite Church of Colombia (IMCOL), the Mennonite Brethren Church and the Brethren in Christ Church in Colombia. The program seeks to meet the needs of the Colombian church by connecting young adults from North, Central and South America with the Colombian churches work of peace and justice in the midst of violence and poverty.

The reflection component will begin in Colombia with three months of studying language, cultural orientation, global economics, development, peace-building and theology. There will be regular workshops and seminars during the participants’ time of service, so that they can integrate what they are learning with the macro issues of policy, lifestyle and economics in their own home communities.

The participants will individually go to diverse locations in Colombia. They will work with local Anabaptist churches to facilitate their programs for the community. The goal of this time is walking and serving alongside communities that struggle for peace and justice in the midst of difficult situations.

They will have a final two-week session designed specifically to explore advocacy tools in order to communicate and invite others to work alongside the Colombian church.

Daniel Leonard, program coordinator, says, “This is just another piece of the strategy as we continue our work in both advocacy and service…which is speaking from within the communities we are serving in hopes of increasing our capacity to connect large structural issues with people who we have real and authentic relationships with. It is our hope that in doing this we will have greater understanding of how we are connected globally and how we can be better connected.”

MCC is exploring expanding the Seed program to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as locations in the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. These programs will be encouraged to coordinate communication and information with one another, creating a global network.

For more information about the Seed program contact Daniel Leonard at drl@mcc.org.

That illusive something: Historic Peace Church gathering includes a public witness for peace

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J. Fred Kauffman, MCC East Coast

“God is trying to show us something, and we’re just not getting it! Something is right here…” Rev. Elisha B. Morris leaned ahead and gestured, “…right in front of us, and we can’t see it.”

That illusive “something” began to emerge on a June day in Fr. Isaac Miller’s small office within the cavernous 1897 Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. Priest at this Episcopalian church, Fr. Miller was hosting a small group to begin shaping the public witness of a national conference called “Heeding God’s Call: a Gathering on Peace” planned for January 2009 at the Arch Street Friends Meetinghouse.

We were meeting to seek God’s leading and power to confront the deadly gun violence that threatens so many urban youth. Some in the group like Rev. Morris, from Jones Memorial Church of God in Christ, sees the ugly side of life every day as he counsels survivors of gun violence. Fr. Miller, veteran of the civil rights movement, searched for words. “I have no idea how the youth in my church cope with this constant threat. I never had to live with that.” So, what was that illusive “something” that Rev. Morris glimpsed?

Fast forward to October. A diverse animated task group of 10 is meeting around a table and a plan is emerging. We explore civil disobedience as a way to express the seriousness of the issue. Suddenly Rev. Morris gets up, walks around, comes back to sit down and beaming says, “This is the ‘something’ that God had for us back in June! This is it! I can see it now!”

As his message sank in we sensed hope and energy rising as we are finding ways for Christians and other citizens to confront this plague of violence.

The public witness on gun violence, called “We’ve Got Work to Do!” will be held on Saturday, January 17. In preparation for the Saturday action we will focus on a gun shop known to be a source of handguns for street corner dealers and ask the owner to sign a “Code of Conduct.” Developed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns and signed by Wal-Mart, the 10-point code aims to limit the flow of guns to the illegal market. If the owner signs the Code, on January 17th we will rally to celebrate; if not, we will rally to pressure him. We hope to create models for communities to take direct and immediate action to confront the scourge of illegal handguns in addition to our important long-term task of pressing for legislative reform to reduce gun violence.

Heeding God’s Call is a “working gathering” for 700 participants planned for January 13 – 19 and sponsored by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church USA. The vision of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. is at the heart of the conference. One of his co-workers, Dr. Vincent Harding, will serve as Elder for the Gathering. Each sponsoring denomination will send 100 participants, and an additional 300 have been invited from a wide range of other denominations.

The public witness, which will be held on the final day of the conference, will include many other participants as well. Ten congregations in Philadelphia will each partner with two congregations from rural and suburban areas. Anabaptist congregations that plan to participate include: Blooming Glen Mennonite, Circle of Hope (Brethren in Christ), Frazer Mennonite, Oxford Circle Mennonite, Philadelphia Praise Center and West Philadelphia Mennonite. Others plan to join in the Saturday action but not as one of the “triplet” congregational groups. National Gathering participants will join these congregations and hundreds of others from around the city, for morning worship and education about handgun violence. After lunch, all will meet for combined worship and a closing sermon by Dr. Harding. From there we will march to the gun shop for the public witness against illegal handguns.

The Saturday action is an opportunity for active public witness for peace which brings together people of faith from many denominations and faiths, national and local church leaders, the predominantly European American “historic peace churches” and African American congregations working for peace on the streets, as well as urban, suburban and rural churches.

If you and/or your congregation are interested in more information, please contact Fred Kauffman at jfk@mcc.org.

Announcing the Birth of “Living Branches”: Dock Woods and Souderton Mennonite Homes Finalize Affiliation

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The Board of Directors for the new parent company of Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods Community announced on Wednesday, November 26, that the affiliation of the two communities is finalized, and the new parent company will be called Living Branches. Together, the communities that comprise Living Branches serve more than 1,350 residents and employ 600 team members on campuses in Souderton, Lansdale and Hatfield, Pa.

The name was created by Varsity, a leading marketing firm based in Harrisburg that specifically targets the 55 and over population. Varsity collected information from many residents, staff members, volunteers and leaders, which formed the foundation for the new name.

“Living Branches refers to John 15:5, where Jesus tells his disciples that he is the vine and the disciples are the branches, and that if they stay connected to him they will bear much fruit,” explains Edward D. Brubaker, President and CEO of Living Branches. “Our branches are Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods Community, our strength and inspiration comes from God, and our mission is life-giving to all who live, work and serve in our communities.”

Like both Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods Community, Living Branches is sponsored by the Franconia Mennonite Conference, an area conference of Mennonite Church USA headquartered in Souderton.

“Through our parent company, Living Branches, we will continue to strengthen the ministries of Souderton and Dock Woods, while also extending the reach of Anabaptist senior care services in southeastern Pennsylvania,” continued Brubaker. “And, of course, both communities are committed to providing consistent, high quality services our residents have come to expect.”

About Living Branches
Living Branches is a not-for-profit organization serving the needs of older adults and families, with roots in the Franconia Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. It is comprised of two continuing care retirement communities, Souderton Mennonite Homes in Souderton, Pa, and Dock Woods Community in Lansdale and Hatfield, Pa. Through Dock Manor and Dock Village, affordable senior and family housing is also offered to those who qualify for rental assistance. The Living Branches communities employ 600 people who serve more than 1,350 residents.

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Salford student featured on NPR’s “This I believe”

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Along with two other Goshen College students, Sheldon Good, a member of the Salford congregation, wrote an essay for NPR’s “This I believe” project that was selected to be aired on the public radio station in Elkhart, Ind., WVPE-88.1 FM.

“This I Believe” is a national media project engaging millions of people in writing, sharing and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives. National Public Radio (NPR) has aired these short essays since April 2005. “This I Believe” is based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, hosted by acclaimed journalist Edward R. Murrow.

Good’s essay entitled “Sharing a Way of Life” explains his particular belief in the value of sharing food. His essay was aired on Tuesday, November 18 and is now available to read online at thisibelive.org.

Essays by Goshen students Annalisa Harder and Julia Baker were also featured on the Tuesday before and after Good’s air date.

The three students wrote their essays for Goshen College communication courses taught by Professor of Communication Duane Stoltzfus, who encouraged students to submit their work for publication or broadcasting.

Damascus Road Anti-racism Training held in Philadelphia

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The 10th annual Damascus Road Anti-racism Analysis Training for the greater Philadelphia region will be held at Vietnamese Mennonite Church, February 27- March 1, 2009.

The training, derived from the Damascus Road Anti-Racism Process of Mennonite Central Committee US, is designed to equip participants with a biblical basis and an analytic framework for dismantling systemic racism in the church and church related organizations and ministries. This event will help participants lay the groundwork for the long-term work of dismantling racism in congregations, conferences and institutions by training teams, leaders, and supporters from those organizations.

The School for Leadership Formation is a co-sponsor of the event, which is recommended for all conference, congregational, Conference Related Ministry & Partner In Mission leaders; it is open to everyone interested in this work. Dismantling systemic racism is an integral part of Franconia Conference’s vision to be missional, intercultural, and transformational in every aspect of ministry.

For more information, in English and Spanish, on this training; including registration, directions, schedule and lodging; visit damascusroad.mosaicmennonites.org.

The Damascus Road Process of Mennonite Central Committee US provides antiracism educating, organizing, and consulting through congregational and institutional antiracism teams throughout the United States. Additional training and spiritual retreats are available for new and current teams.

Other sponsors for this event include: Blooming Glen Mennonite’s Damascus Road Antiracism Team, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life’s Stand Together Ministry Team, and Philadelphia Urban Ministry Partnership (PUMP), Crossroads Community Center, Kingdom Builders Anabaptist Network, Mennonite Central Committee East Coast, Mennonite Central Committee Philadelphia, Vietnamese Mennonite Church, and White Anti-Racists Caucus East.

For additional information or for comments or questions please contact the event coordinator, Sharon Williams at 610-277-1729 or SharonW@DesignForMinistry.com.

When Coordination “Just Happens”: Introducing the Worm Project’s Worm Warriors

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Elizabeth Swartley Stover, Dock Woods Community
with Claude Good. Worm Project Coordinator

On the evening of October 8th Franconia Heritage Family restaurant served a meal of rice and beans, coleslaw and jello served so good that even a famous local chef wanted the recipe for the beans!

That evening 135 caring people met at the restaurant to hear how God brought together a “special forces” team to do battle against one of humanity’s most loathsome enemies: food-depriving intestinal worms in poverty-stricken areas of the world. The weapon of choice in this battle is a small pill costing less than two cents. For that small amount at least five to ten lbs. of “groceries” can be “bought” for a child over a six-month period (the amount the worms would eat if still there).

God knew that this battle needed passionate, well-trained “warriors” to fight against these hidden enemies. He brought them together in his own way in answer to prayer. Each one has expertise in essential areas.

Worm Warrior Sid Gholson is retired, having worked for Georgia Pacific as a procurement person. His work took him all over the world giving him much experience and knowledge about how the world moves. Sid, and his Warrior wife Crystal, decided to use part of their retirement funds to de-worm children in orphanages around the world. Now they have expanded their ministry beyond orphanages and they have reached 26 countries. They call their ministry, “WOW NOW” or “WIPE OUT WORMS NOW” a name suggested by their ten-year-old granddaughter.

Another Warrior is Aaron Jackson. The 27 year old is the “John the Baptist” of the team, wearing a T-shirt, cotton slacks, a knitted skullcap and red shoes! He gave up his apartment in order to use the rent money he saved to help get Haitian children into orphanages. For a while he slept on the floor of a homeless shelter. Now he travels the world starting orphanages and getting de-worming medication to children. He was asked to appear on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and Larry King Live. As a result, the funds he has raised are sending millions of pills to countries such as Haiti, The Dominican Republic, Sudan, Kenya and Cameroon.

Known as the “Sparkplug”, Warrior Andrew Crawford works for Food for the Hungry in Phoenix, Az. Previously Andrew worked for a pharmaceutical company in their children’s department but he felt a yearning to do something for the poverty-stricken children of the world. The efficiency of de-worming, bringing added food to malnourished children, attracted Andrew to this kind of ministry. Now he and his organization take care of all the many details connected with shipping the pills to the different countries including the cost. He and his organization have now been distributing millions of pills on their own. Their latest goal is to treat 1.5 million families in the country of Burundi – a total of 7.8 million pills for each six-month distribution!

The fourth Warrior is Scott Hendrix. Scott owned a business in Chicago. He sold it because God called him “to work for him.” Within a week Campus Crusade for Christ International contacted him. Now he is in charge of GAiN (Global Aid Network) the humanitarian aid arm of Campus Crusade. Scott and his staff take care of the very difficult custom’s and warehousing issues. But because of their vast experience around the world they know the best routes through the ports.

Thanks to people like Andrew and Scott, 100% of donated funds go to purchasing the pills. There are a lot of “just happens” (God initiatives) in this ministry. One of them was when Andrew and Scott both were delayed overnight in New Orleans due to a canceled flight. They “just happened” to be on the same flight. In the hotel room that night they found common interests and the Worm Project has not been the same since!

Besides other warriors out in the field distributing, there were other warriors present that evening like Beth Beson who flew in from Michigan. She was inspired by Aaron to do something for the country of Cameroon. She is purchasing 1 million pills for that country. Another was Dr. Priscilla Benner and the MAMA Project team. She and the Worm Project are collaborating by sending 2 million pills to Honduras. One other warrior, Howard Schiffer of Vitamin Angels was not able to be present. Their group sends out high-potency Vitamin A capsules (to prevent blindness) also distributed every six months. Now they are piggy-backing the worm pills with their very large distributions.

These warriors work against poverty around the world. If they can keep up to 25% of the children’s food from the parasites, even the food supply of a nation is increased. This team prays for God’s guidance; they see him as the “Great Coordinator,” who wants His children, the least of these, fed.

Colombian speaker highlights the failings of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement

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Becky Felton, Perkasie Mennonite Church

Recently Peace Mennonite Church of East Greenville (Pa.) invited Freddy Caicedo, a Colombian human rights organizer and educator, to share on his country’s current struggles and how United States policies impact his people. Members of Peace and others from Franconia Conference joined Caicedo on a Wednesday evening in October to hear his story and learn what they could do to help Colombia.

Caicedo has worked alongside union members under death threat, organized with Christian based communities and has exposed human rights violations of  indigenous and Afro-Colombians. He gave us an insider’s look at the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which currently is on hold in the United States Congress. According to Caicedo, the trade agreement could more accurately be described as a corporate bail out and would primarily benefit factory owners, large land owners, bankers, narcotics traffickers, the military and the elite of Colombia, as well as multinational corporations. The agreement would also facilitate the exploitation of Colombia’s natural resources and lead to further displacement of whole communities to make way for corporations in areas such as oil, coal, palm oil and logging. Caicedo told listeners of the slave-like jobs that would be created under the agreement including sugar cane cutters who begin work at 3 am and often spend 14 to 16 hours a day in the fields, with no days off, no health care and no retirement benefits. Farmers would be prevented from reusing their own seeds because of a requirement to only use genetically modified seeds and healthcare cost would rise because generic drugs are banned under the agreement.

Free trade agreements with other countries have hurt workers and jobs in those countries as well as in the United States. For instance, the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico in 1994 has resulted in 2 million Mexican farmers losing their jobs, with migration from Mexico to the US doubling since then. It’s not that trade between countries is wrong, Caicedo explained, it’s just that it needs to be “fair” trade, trade that will benefit the workers and protect the environment.

Caicedo called us, as followers of Christ who seek fairness and justice for all, to action. Caicedo encouraged all to visit Colombia, where firsthand experience often impacts our heart. Witness for Peace, who sponsored Caicedo’s speaking tour, hosts numerous delegations to Colombia and other countries who are struggling with injustice each year. He also encouraged us to contact our Representatives and Senators (202-224-3121), especially in the upcoming session of November and December, to vote “NO” on the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Or click here to send an email through Witness For Peace’s “Stop the Colombia Free Trade Agreement!” campaign.

Longacre publishes "Like Those Who Dream"

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“Like Those Who Dream”: Conference pastor publishes book of sermons

Cascadia Publishing House of Telford, Pa, announces the pre-release on November 23, 2008 of Like Those Who Dream, a 200-page book of sermons preached at the Salford Mennonite Church of Harleysville over a fifteen-year span.

The author, James C. Longacre of Barto, Pa, who served in various leadership roles in the Franconia Menninte Conference for four decades, was pastor at the Salford congregation from 1992-2006. His book, subtitled, Sermons for Salford Mennonite Church and Beyond, selects thirty from the more than five hundred sermons he preached during his time at Salford.

Mennonite Seminary President Nelson Kraybill notes the sermons’ “global perspective, dry wit and keen theological insight” that make them “wonderully relevant” to a contemporary audience. Nationally recognized scriptural scholar Walter Brueggeman writes, “Not often do oral sermons ring true in written form … but these do!”

Longacre, who is retired from ministry, will be presented with the first copy of Like Those Who Dream at Salford’s regular Sunday morning service on November 23. The following Friday evening, November 28, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, the public is invited to a book-signing event at the Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road near Harleysville, Pa.

At the signing, Longacre, Michael King of Cascadia Publishing House, and John L. Ruth, a former co-minister of the author, will comment on the uniqueness of this book in the history of the eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite community.

Copies will be available for purchase at the autographing session. Publication and order information is available at Cascadia Publishing House.

For more information on the book-signing event call 215 256 3020.