Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

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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.

Notes to Pastors

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A Call to Prayer
Pastors and credentialed leaders, you are invited to a time of prayer for the Franconia Mennonite Conference and the ongoing process of moving forward as God leads. You are probably aware that the nomination process for board members will be completed this month. We will meet at the Franconia Conference center, Thursday, June 10, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, June 17, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. You are welcome to bring a member of the prayer team of your congregation along with you to join in prayer. Come to intercede on behalf of the church.

June Prayer Gathering
The June prayer gathering of Franconia Mennonite Conference will be held on Saturday, June 19, 10:00-12 noon at Doylestown Mennonite Church. The focus of the June prayer gathering will be “Hearing God”, taught by Ruth Hendrickson, prayer minister at Washington Crossing Methodist Church. Come to learn and be inspired, to grow in your understanding of listening to God’s voice and to pray together.

Lunch and conversation with Alan Hirsch
Alan Hirsch, author and founding director of Forge Mission Training Network, will speak at a special luncheon for pastors, ministry leaders, and guests on Friday, June 25, 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Biblical Seminary, Hatfield. Alan is involved in Biblical’s online education initiatives and is the 2010 commencement speaker. He is also a part of the leadership team of Christian Associates, a missional church-planting agency focusing on Western Europe. A free box lunch is provided with registration. For more information, registration or questions, please contact Bea at 215-368-5000 x 158 or C4ml@biblical.edu.
Biblical Seminary

Notes to Pastors

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Spiritual Guidance for Leaders

A Spiritual Guidance for Leaders class is being offered this fall by Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation and will be taught by Mary Etta and Linford King. Congregational leaders guide the souls of the people they serve. This introduction to spiritual companioning provides essential understandings and skills for this ministry. For complete class information and brochure click here.