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Franconia Conference Wednesday Morning Prayers

Beginning Wednesday, February 1 and continuing through Wednesday, April 11, a group will meet at the Mennonite Conference Center, 9:00 -10:00 a.m. to pray. Our prayers will be focused on praying for the region which includes the Franconia Mennonite Conference congregations, Partners in Mission, and Conference Related Ministries. Everyone is invited to join our hearts with the heart of God to seek first his kingdom.  Pastors and ministry leaders, you are invited to send any prayer requests and praises for your congregation/ministry directly to Sandy Landes, prayer ministry coordinator.

 

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast

Friday, February 10, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – “Worship and Mission After Christendom” with Alan and Eleanor Kreider, authors of the book by the same title.  Alan and Eleanor Kreider are American Mennonites who lived in England for thirty years and were at the heart of the emerging Anabaptist movement there. Their jointly authored book explores the relationship between worship and mission and how this relationship is crucial in post-Christendom. In worship the followers of Jesus are equipped to participate in the mission of God. This book explores the dynamics of the kind of worship that will equip and inspire us to be missional disciples.

MennoMedia Resources

MennoMedia sends the following message:  At MennoMedia, we desire to create resources that help people live and share their faith from an Anabaptist perspective. You may already be familiar with our print, video, radio, and web-based materials. We continue to be in conversation with people in our congregations to develop new resources, and are thankful for those who are willing to share their expertise in many areas in order to create additional resources.

One on-going resource that we print are weekly bulletins, which may be ordered with or without worship resources on the back cover. Those who order the bulletins with worship resources know that the resources follow the lectionary texts and are appropriate for corporate worship or other settings.

The worship resources are written by members of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. We need writers who are able to reflect theologically and who can help lead others into a worship experience. I’d appreciate if you take a few moments and think about who, from your conference or district, would be a good writer for our bulletin worship resource series.

Please send names and contact information of people who have the ability to write worship resources to Mary Ann Weber at MaryAnnW@MennoMedia.org.

Notes to Pastors

 

Upcoming Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast:  Not far around the corner is the Friday, February 10, – “Worship and Mission After Christendom” with Alan and Eleanor Kreider, authors of the book by the same title.  Alan and Eleanor Kreider are American Mennonites who lived in England for thirty years and were at the heart of the emerging Anabaptist movement there. Their jointly authored book explores the relationship between worship and mission and how this relationship is crucial in post-Christendom. In worship the followers of Jesus are equipped to participate in the mission of God. This book explores the dynamics of the kind of worship that will equip and inspire us to be missional disciples.  This event will be held at the Mennonite Conference Center.  We hope you will be able to join us.

 

 

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER for the January Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast:

When:  Thursday, January 12, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

What:  Discussion about peace and justice learning and witness happening and being envisioned

Led by:  The joint Eastern District and Franconia Conference Peace & Justice Committee

Where: Mennonite Conference Center, 569 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

To register:  call the Mennonite Conference Center (267-932-6050)

Registration deadline:  Friday, January 6  

Breakfast donation:  A $6.00 donation is suggested for the breakfast.

Upcoming P&L Breakfast:  Also, not far around the corner is the Friday, February 10 – “Worship and Mission After Christendom” with Alan and Eleanor Kreider, authors of the book by the same title.  Alan and Eleanor Kreider are American Mennonites who lived in England for thirty years and were at the heart of the emerging Anabaptist movement there. Their jointly authored book explores the relationship between worship and mission and how this relationship is crucial in post-Christendom. In worship the followers of Jesus are equipped to participate in the mission of God. This book explores the dynamics of the kind of worship that will equip and inspire us to be missional disciples.

Plains Mennonite Church has 20 copies of Stuart Murray’s book “Church After Christendom” that are available for another church if they would like to have them. If you are interested in these books, please email Plains Mennonite plainsmc@verizon.net .  First come, first served.

Pastors are invited to consider joining ministry colleague, Steve Kriss, as he teaches “Cultural Interpretation and Engagement” February 20 – 23 at Biblical Seminary, Hatfield.  This class is part of the Doctor of Ministry program at Biblical Seminary.  A special note: for pastors in Franconia Mennonite Conference, Biblical is offering a special audit fee of $399 to encourage you to be a part of this vital conversation. If you need further information, please contact Rev. Darryl Lang at 215-368-5000 x 147.

AMBS offers Two Spring Online Courses:

• Turnaround Strategies for Churches, taught by Gerald Shenk, sessional instructor. This course examines dynamics of church renewal, with strategies for change that seek to be true to the Gospel and to the congregational context.

• Biblical Foundations of Peace and Justice, taught by Mary Schertz, professor of New Testament. Study pertinent biblical passages and historic peace church understandings while reflecting on peace and justice praxis today.

Tuition discount: Tuition will be cut in half for first-time online students at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary who are not yet enrolled in any theological education program.  Register by January 10 to receive an early registration discount.

 

Don’t forget your camera!

How is your congregation celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas this year?  Share your celebrations with the rest of the conference by sending descriptions, memorable quotes, and photographs to eralphservant@mosaicmennonites.org by January 2, 2012.

 

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center presents, “Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders” on March 19-23, 2012 at Grace Episcopal Church in Wilmington, DE.  All details regarding fees, times, etc. are included in a brochure available from the home page of their website: http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/.   This course is designed to equip judicatory leaders, pastors, and other leaders, with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict.  This institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.

 

Upcoming events from AMBS Church Leadership Center:

Lent Planner: Where Do I Sign?

Presenters: Marlene Kropf, Rosanna McFadden and Allan Rudy Froese

Saturday, January 14, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. EST

Register by December 30

 

Leadership Clinics:

Monday, January 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. EST

Register by January 5

• Immigration and the Congregation (Iris de Leon-Hartshorn, Saulo Padilla and Andre Gingerich Stoner)
• God’s Story, Worship and the Arts (Rebecca Slough)
• Gathering for New Pastors (Nancy Kauffmann and Karen Martens Zimmerly)
• Turning Disgust, Demoralization and Depression into Empowerment for Ministry (Gregory A. Hinkle)

Pastors Week 2012: Understanding Revelation for Today

Presenter: Loren L. Johns, with a special session by J. Nelson Kraybill

Monday, January 23, 7 p.m.-Thursday, January 26, 3:30 p.m. EST

Register by January 5

 

Healing the Spiritual Wounds of War

Presenter: Carolyn Holderread Heggen

Wednesday, February 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Register by February 15

 

Pastors and Business Leaders: Partners in Leadership and Ministry?

Presenter: David B. Miller

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Offered in Mt. Eaton, Ohio by AMBS, MEDA and Mennonite Church USA.

Registration opens January 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast:  Join in the discussion January 12, 2012, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., on peace and justice learnings and witness that is happening and being envisioned in our congregations.  The Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast will be held at the Mennonite Conference Center.  Several pastors will report on current study and action in their congregations as well as dream of possible new initiatives.  There will be opportunity for all to share thoughts and ideas.  In this anxious age let us seize the opportunity to give witness to the Gospel of Peace in our congregations and communities.  A $6.00 donation is suggested for the breakfast.

 

Sister Care is coming to southeastern Pennsylvania!  This seminar, sponsored by Mennonite Women USA, will be held at Souderton Mennonite Church on Friday, March 23 (7:00-9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, March 24 (9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).  We believe this will be an excellent resource for women in your congregations and hope that you will help us promote it.  You will be receiving a letter by email shortly with more information.  Cost is $40 and scholarships are available.  Lodging arrangements will be offered for those traveling from a distance.  Translation will be available in Creole, Indonesian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

New resources posted on the Franconia Conference website for pastors:

1.  Be sure to visit the School for Leadership Formation page of the Franconia Conference website for a complete listing of upcoming Pastors’ & Leaders’ events as well as a listing of previous presentations and links to the their respective video or podcasts (http://mosaicmennonites.org/mission/school-for-leadership-formation).

2.  Kairos School for Spiritual Formation is offering the following free Saturdays for Pastors:

• “Noticing God’s Nudges” with Nancy Bieber – Saturday, January 7 only (Register by December 23, 2011)
• “How Do I Know It’s You Speaking, God?” with Barry Young – Saturday, February 4 only (Register by January 20, 2012)
• Guided Silent Retreat – Saturday, March 3 only (Register by February 17, 2012)
• “In the Image of God: Beauty & Creativity“ with Richard Weaver
  Saturday, March 31 only (Register by March 16, 2012)
• “A Contemplative Heart Engages the World“ with Susan Classen – Saturday, May 5 only (Register by April 20, 2012)

For more information, please visit the Equipping Opportunities and Resources page under School for Leadership Formation or the Kairos website at http://on-the-journey.org.

3.  The video cast of the Pastors/Chaplains and Spouses breakfast is now on line and can be viewed from the Franconia Conference website under Media and Video gallery.  Hopes were to have it posted last Thursday, but we encountered some unexpected delays—but it is there now!