Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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Participating in the movement of God’s spirit:Invited into the 'dance of cooperation'

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Ken Beidler, West Philadelphia
kenbeidler@yahoo.com

On Sunday, March 14 amid joyful music and dancing, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship (WPMF) celebrated the ordination of Lorie Hershey. The afternoon service welcomed participants from the many diverse communities that have shaped Hershey’s call to ministry, culminating in a litany of blessings and a liturgical dance that had everyone out of their seats and dancing in the sanctuary.

Focusing on Paul’s words in Galations 5:25 “since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”, Leonard Dow, pastor of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, invited Hershey and WPMF to the “dance of cooperation” in which pastor and congregation participate in the movement of God’s Spirit.
Tracing the theme of dancing through the Scriptures from the prophetess Miriam to King David and into the early church, Pastor Dow, exhorted the congregation to trust that God will help us learn the right steps to move into faithful service in the world.

Three years ago, WPMF, an urban Anabaptist congregation extended the call to Hershey to be their pastor. Hershey, a 2005 graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary M.Div, moved to Philadelphia with her husband, Brent and two children, Dillon and Eden.

Sylvia Horst, chair of the WPMF Human Resources Committee shared the affirmations of numerous leaders and others in the congregation. Addressing Lorie on behalf of the congregation, Horst said, “Lorie, you have indeed shown strong and clear gifts in working with WPMF. As a leader you are steady and reliable, exemplifying integrity and a Christ-like spirit. You coordinate well, with appropriate attention to detail. At the same time, you are able to let go of plans when necessary to allow the Holy Spirit to work. You listen with insight for what God might be saying to us.”

Invited guests representing the varied congregations and church institutions that have helped to shape Hershey’s call to ministry offered blessings as she enters a new chapter of ministry. After each blessing, a bright colored strand of cloth was woven into a tapestry which was given to Hershey. During the reception that followed the service, attenders were invited to write a personal message and include it in the tapestry.
Franconia Conference Representatives, Noah Kolb, Pastor of Ministerial Leadership and Marlene Frankenfield, Conference Youth Minister, offered prayers and words of challenge to Hershey as she stepped into ordained ministry.

Julie Prey-Harbaugh, the worship leader, led the congregation in responding with the words, “Together as one body, we pledge to you our support that you might freely exercise the ministries of leadership committed to you. Our material gifts, our prayers, our counsel, and our encouragement support you. We pray that you may be given a deep love for those whom you serve and that Christ might be expressed through you in word and deed.”

John Pritchard, pastor of Calvary United Methodist, which owns the building in which WPMF worships and Rabbi Lauren Herrmann of Kol Tzedek Synagogue, read Psalm 150 in English and Hebrew.

A deep sense of gratitude to God permeated the service of ordination, heard in the joyful music, strong drumming and WPMF’s intergenerational choir’s singing of the African-American spiritual, “Guide my feet.” From the opening song, which celebrated God’s presence “Here in this Place”, the congregation, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary of ministry in Philadelphia, was led in a celebration of how God calls and raises up leaders to build up the church and extend God’s Kingdom.

In her response to the service, Hershey utilized the metaphor of the dance to describe her calling to WPMF. She said, “Ten years ago I couldn’t have imagined that I would be standing here being ordained. If I were to use one word for my journey to this point today it would be “movement”. Movement towards God, with God and movement in myself: towards wholeness in my understanding of God and myself. This congregation has been dancing for 25 years now. While some of the dance steps may have changed over the years, the DJ has remained the same.”

photos provided by WPMF

Peaceful Living’s fall conference: The divine power of friendship

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Ella M. Roush
eroush@comcast.net

From September 24 to 26, Peaceful Living will hold its biennial conference on honoring a place for people with disabilities and their families in the faith community. This year’s theme is “The Divine Power of Friendship.” In addition to presentations by renowned experts in the disabilities field, representatives of seven congregations will share their journey over the past two years as part of a Congregational Coaching pilot project. They signed on at the conclusion of the 2008 “Honoring a Place” conference, agreeing to work together to foster inclusion within their congregations with assistance from Loretta Moyer, Peaceful Living’s Congregational Coach. Since then, these faith communities – including several Christian denominations, a Jewish synagogue, and a Hindu temple – have been confiding in one another on the successes and challenges of inclusion. On September 25, they will recount their valuable experiences and invite more faith communities to join them.

Internationally known ethicist Hans Reinders, Ph.D., will provide the keynote speeches on September 24 and 25 at Souderton Mennonite Church and a sermon on September 26 at Salford Mennonite. Dr. Reinders is the Willem van der Bergh Professor of Ethics and Mental Disability at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. He is the author of “Receiving the Gift of Friendship: Profound Disability, Theological Anthropology and Ethics,” published in 2008. Dr. Reinders is the parent of a child with a disability.

Friday’s schedule will target professionals involved in the delivery of care for people with disabilities. These professionals include CEOs, directors, direct care staff, state and county agency staff, and Individual Service Plan (ISP) teams. Dr. Reinders will discuss the application of ethics to workplace dilemmas. He will also explore the gift of friendship for people with disabilities. During the breakout session, attendees will discuss and begin to develop a practical implementation plan based upon Hans’ teaching. Alternatively ISP teams may apply learning directly to the creation of an ISP.

Saturday will be geared toward faith community staff and lay leadership as well as people with disabilities and their families. Keynote speeches and workshops will offer tips, tools, and wisdom on developing or continuing your congregation’s progress toward becoming a community that truly welcomes people with disabilities and taps into the unique gifts they bring. A distinct track, led by Dr. Ed Tick, author of “War and the Soul,” will offer guidance on developing a ministry to veterans. Twenty-four practical breakout sessions are available from which attendees may choose three to attend.

Saturday evening will feature a celebration of Peaceful Living’s 10th Anniversary to be held at the Franconia Heritage Restaurant. All are welcome to help us honor those who have made possible this decade of growth. An auction of artwork made in Peaceful Living’s Creative Gifts Program will take place at the dinner.

On Sunday Dr. Reinders will deliver the morning sermon and lead a discussion of it during the Christian Education Hour that follows the sermon.

All facilities used throughout the conference and accompanying activities are handicapped accessible.

Learn the full details of the conference by visiting www.peacefulliving.org. Check out the Peaceful Living Friendship Pilgrimage Blog on the website as well.

Junior High Lock-In: Be a follower!

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The annual Jr. High Lock–In was held from 9pm on Friday, March 12, to 7am on Saturday, March 13 at Christopher Dock. This event is sponsored by Franconia Conference, Eastern District and Christopher Dock. Over 63 sponsors and 264 Jr. Highers representing 20 different congregations came out for a night of games, worship, movies and pizza.

This year’s theme was Be a Follower, 1 John 3:1 – See how very much our Father love us, for he calls us his children and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Stretch Dean, pastor to teens and their families at Immanuel Church of the Nazarene in Lansdale, was the speaker this year. Stretch kept their attention with his fun entergic personality, even though it was late. He challenged the kids to be a follower of Jesus compared to the many other choices and invitations to follow that they are faced with each day. Nate Stucky, youth ministry student at Princeton Theological Seminary, led us in meaningful time of worship through song.

Each year there is a game that kids have to work as a team to complete for a prize that will put them into a drawing for the grand prize. This year they had clues that led them on a path they needed to follow to get to the next clue. Youth leaders were stationed around to ask them questions when they arrived, sending them on the journey to the next clue. The grand prizes included copies of the book Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and Voice of the Martyrs and gift certificates to local restaurants!

Participants were asked to bring in school supplies to make school kits for the MAMA Project (www.mamaproject.org). The table overflowed onto the floor with school supplies that will be shipped to Honduras and handed out to the children in the villages.

The night was full of fun activities to choose from…soccer, basketball, dodge ball, human Dutch blitz, wallyball, karaoke, Rock Band, movies, and crafts.

Thanks to everyone that helped to plan and carry out all the activities and a special thanks to all the youth leaders that bring their youth group and commit to be here the entire night.

photos by Jessica Walter

Notes to Pastors

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Spiritual Guidance Training
Kairos School of Spiritual Formation and Franconia Mennonite Conference’s School for Leadership Formation invite you to consider participating in Spiritual Guidance Training. This one-year program, designed specifically for clergy, pastors, and congregational leaders, will be held in Telford, PA. The class meets one Wednesday per month, September 2010 through May 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For a syllabus or more information call 717-669-2957.

Gateway Course offered in Fall 2010
Anabaptist History and Theology, a Gateway course, is being offered by Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Lessons will acquaint students with the almost 500-year sweep of Anabaptist/Mennonite history and experience, focusing on key turning points both
in history and belief. Karl Landis, Ph.D. and Mark Wenger, Ph.D. are the instructors. Classes will be held at Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown, PA, October 1 & 2 and December 3 & 4. For more information and registration, visit www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary/gateway.

Notes to Pastors

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MCC Speakers

If your congregation is looking for someone to fill an open speaking assignment this summer, consider using a speaker or speakers from Mennonite Central Committee. Nearly 30 speakers are available to share on a wide range of topics and with many different groups. To learn more about these speakers, contact Larry at 717-738-0885.

Notes to Pastors

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Conference Board Communication Update
May 4, 2010

The Conference Board met on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 and addressed the following agenda items:

Dwelling in the Word – Blaine Detwiler read Acts 2 and then led in prayer.

Approval of Minutes – The Board acted to approve its board minutes and to ratify committee minutes.

Religious Worker Visas – The growth of intercultural ministries within Franconia Conference brings new challenges. A key issue continues to be religious worker visas that allow immigrant pastors to work in the United States. The board will seek to become better informed about this process as a number of visa applications are currently in the works.

Mennonite Health Services Alliance Consultant LaVern Yutzy Report – The Board welcomed Conference Consultant LaVern Yutzy, the non-board Conference Review Steering Committee Members (Mike Derstine, Joy Sutter (co-chairs), Donella Clemens and Beny Krisbianto) and Mennonite Church USA Denominational Minister Linford King.

The Board received and considered the report and recommendations from LaVern Yutzy and acted to approve the Immediate or Near Term Considerations #1-9. The Board would like to note that this action/decision was made in the midst of considerable pressure and stress rather than processed through prayerful discernment.

Board member Yvonne Platts, of Nueva Vida Norristown New Life congregation, submitted her immediate resignation and excused herself from the meeting. Board member Karen Moyer, from the Rocky Ridge congregation, submitted her resignation the following day.

The board acknowledges that the Conference is in need of much prayer and wisdom as well as an informed and aware constituent community to enable a healthy system to emerge among us. May God grant us what is most needed for the sake of the world.

Notes to Pastors

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Sandy Landis, Franconia Conference prayer ministry coordinator, will be taking a leave of absence from June 21 – September 7. Feel free to continue to submit prayer requests to her throughout the summer.

Notes to Pastors

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Immigration Resources
Immigration in the United States is a complex issue. Balancing biblical teaching with respect for law is not easy. Mennonite Central Committee East Coast is therefore inviting your congregation on a journey of dialogue and group study on this issue. We hope this process helps you and your church develop a theology of immigration. More than that, we hope it will lead to informed, creative advocacy that is both biblically balanced and politically responsible.

For those interested in exploring the immigration issue, Mennonite Central Committee offers a listing of resources at www.immigration.mcc.org/. Worship aids from MCC Washington Office may be found by visiting www.washingtonmeno.org/newsletter/spring09/worship-resources . A video from Mennonite Church USA Executive Director Ervin Stutzman may be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyG4JKesRY4.