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Lora Steiner

Goshen College professor John Roth tells the story of early Anabaptists in Europe, who were pushed to the margins of society and geography because they refused to conform to the state church, yet still managed to draw people to their fold. When the new converts were asked why they had joined the Anabaptists – a group viewed by broader society as radicals and heretics and riff-raff – they replied that in times of crisis, it was the Anabaptists who showed up at their doors to help.

I think of this story sometimes as I walk along the streets of Bristol, in southwestern England. I came here through Franconia Conference’s partnership with the Anabaptist Network of Ireland and Britain, to do research for an organization called Workshop.

Workshop is just that: a series of weekend workshops offered in cities across England which look at a variety of issues in Christianity today—spiritual disciplines, ethics, apologetics, mission. Workshop was started in 1983 and has no denominational affiliation. It doesn’t have official stances on many issues. Instead, it seeks to help people understand a broad range of perspectives and creates space for discussion.

People come to Workshop for a variety of reasons. Some come because they haven’t found much space in their churches for questioning or imagination; others want to go to seminary and use Workshop as a way to explore further theological study; and some end up at Workshop because despite how fed up they are with the church, they still want to believe.

Part of my task—the part that’s not hard to describe but nearly impossible to measure—is to be present, to build relationships, and to affirm that Anabaptist-minded people in the United Kingdom and Mennonites in the United States have something significant to offer each other.

Anabaptists in Ireland and the United Kingdom have consciously chosen to identify with the values of early Anabaptists. They didn’t grow up or even become Christians with an understanding of Christianity as a non-violent faith, but I’ve found wonderful community here. Workshop students ask thoughtful questions about their faith; a family with four small children holds weekly Shabbat meals; people work in victim-offender reconciliation and re-entry programs for people leaving prison; my hosts have graciously opened their home to me for the summer.

The other part of my task is to help Noel Moules, the head of Workshop, think about how to move from a solely classroom-based curriculum, to a variety of formats that may include books, DVDs, or podcasts, that can be used by groups outside of the U.K. In the process, I’m learning a lot about publishing and researching technology and media. Eventually I’ll help Workshop write a grant proposal to fund the project.

There’s a sort of romance to being here in the country that birthed Jane Austen and my favorite Potters, Beatrix and Harry. But there’s reality, too: only about 35 percent of British people believe in God or a divine being; only five percent attend church. (In the U.S., these numbers are over 90 percent and 30 percent, respectively.) I know that membership and attendance numbers are dropping in the United States, too, and sometimes I wonder if our churches will follow this same trajectory.

As Stuart Murray Williams points out, North Africa was once predominately Christian and Turkey and Ireland hold the ruins of magnificent cathedrals and monasteries. I wonder if I will one day feel as alien in my own country as I do here; if one day I will have to learn to sing an old song in a new land. Will Christianity eventually seem as antiquated and irrational as it does to many English people now?

Almost every week it seems there is a column in The Guardian, a U.K. national newspaper, from a philosopher or thinker whose work I admire, writing that God is a myth that is just no longer necessary in this day and age. It seems to me that most of these men (somehow, they’re always men) are simply choosing a different sort of faith and indoctrination. My challenge is to seek to understand them anyway. Hopefully one day, should they need it, I’ll be able to knock on their door, casserole in hand.

Lora Steiner is a seminary student at Drew University Theological School. She was part of the Franconia Conference staff from 2007-08. Her work in the UK is supported by Spring Mount congregation, Philadelphia Praise Center and Ripple Allentown as a way of learning and investing in missional equipping and development with global partners. Lora returns to the U.S. for her final semester at Drew Theological School this fall.

Sheldon Good, Salford

In December 2008 the National Bureau of Economic Research made it official: the United States entered a recession a year earlier, in 2007. For the past year, individuals and corporations have felt the effects of the recession. But what about church-related organizations like Franconia Mennonite Conference?

Data from a 1968 to 2005 survey by Empty Tomb, a Christian service and research organization, indicated “that church member giving does not necessarily decline in a recession.”

“That may be because the church community is often regarded as the layer next to the family in terms of relationships, accountability and clearly urgent needs,” said Sylvia Ronsvalle, executive vice president of Empty Tomb, in a recent article for the Christian Century.

According to a more recent survey, The Barna Group said that as of November 2008 – before the recession was identified by government officials – one in five adults said they had decreased their giving to churches or other religious organizations. Perhaps the current recession has invited a new milieu.

In fiscal year ending January 31, 2009, Franconia Conference revenue, gains and support totaled $1,319,032, an increase over 2008. “Franconia Conference staff have been aware that funds are tight and have been good stewards of the conference’s resources,” said Conrad Martin, director of finance.

Franconia Conference completed a three-year transition that ended in 2008, which enabled labor costs to be reduced significantly in 2009. Karen Moyer, Franconia Conference board member and chair of the vision and financial plan team, said this allowed the conference to refrain from reductions in current staff hours or salaries.

“Along with the restructuring of executive positions and the recommendations of the vision and financial plan team, the newly-formed, three-tiered budget responds to the call for stronger financial accountability,” Moyer said.

“Appropriating funds this way depends heavily on individuals and congregations to support specific missional initiatives.” Franconia Conference’s Vision and Financial Plan was affirmed by delegates at the annual assembly in 2007 and continues in implementation on review in 2012.

Franconia Conference generated significant additional revenue in fiscal year 2008 from FMC Properties, an organization which includes a number of the conference’s property investments. FMC Properties provided the conference with $714,844 in rental and maintenance income, an increase of 10 percent from fiscal year 2007.

“One of the key God-given resources we have are the properties of Franconia Conference,” said Noel Santiago, conference executive minister. “Our vision and financial plan calls for us to maximize these properties in such a way that helps free up a greater percentage of contributed dollars towards our various ministries.”

Congregational contributions to the conference from fiscal year 2008 to 2009 decreased less than one percent. Other contributions increased $143,959 (61 percent), mostly a result of increases in estate gifts and Worm Project contributions.

“Generous contributions from congregations, individuals and conference related ministries are helping us weather this time of significant financial downturn,” Santiago said. “Additionally, the focus of our Vision and Financial Plan team has helped us discern the activities, tasks and responsibilities that are to be undertaken, and as a result, costs have been kept down.”

Largely a result of the recession, total investments by the conference lost $260,918 in value, a decrease of 30 percent. This includes investment market losses of $117,043. Remaining decreases came from grant disbursements for local and global mission, conference support and capital expenditures.

2008 Conference Revenue at a glance, year ending January 31, 2009

Total Revenue: $1,319, 032

Congregational contributions: $636,094, Down 1% from 2007

Property income: $714,844, Up 10% from 2007

Other contributions includes estate gifts and special initiatives: $263,013, Up 61% over 2007

More information is available at stewardship.mosaicmennonites.org

Franconia Conference is audited annually by Detweiler, Hershey & Associates, Souderton, PA. Copies of the audit are available by emailing Conrad Martin at ccmartin@mosaicmennonites.org

Jay Gordon, Jr., Grace

Q: Describe the range of emotions you have felt over the past couple of months.

There is deep sadness about leaving behind what is really a way of life for me, and shifting to something unknown. I will miss this place. Dock has been professionally stimulating for me, and it has also been my spiritual support, my church family, my faith community. What am I going to do without all that? But I am excited to go to Mennonite Education Agency, and excited to take the best of what Dock is, out and beyond to bless other educational institutions.

Q: The Dock community has already begun talking about your legacy and what we think it is. What legacy do you believe you are leaving to Christopher Dock?

If I have a legacy I hope it will be my intention to carry God’s light and further His kingdom. I have always tried to work from a base of ‘organic’ leadership, praying that God would provide the right people, and that I could, as a leader, allow teachers to develop professionally to the point where they can do their best work. This place is nothing without those who teach on a daily basis. If teachers feel empowered and free to do their best it makes Dock a special place for students.

Dock faculty see teaching as their vocation and calling. Because of that, Dock is a model of education that works. “Building Community” was genius—and it came from faculty! They brainstormed about an educational program with Anabaptist distinctive, and came up with the “Building Community” concept. It has now unfolded into a four-year experience all linked to curriculum—an integrated way to work at faith-infused distinctives that complement the academic, spiritual and lifestyle choices of students.

Q: In your view, what is the greatest impact Dock has had on students? On faculty? On parents/families?

The way Dock encourages lifelong learning and lifelong spiritual formation. There is a sense of “settledness” here that allows education to happen in the classroom, that creates a space where hard questions can be asked and people can talk in a safe environment. Students learn to trust questioning and discussion, that they will have an opportunity to change their mind. An engaging classroom prepares students for whatever they choose as a next step, whether they decide to go to college, work in business, have a family, or go and do service.

It’s an absolute thrill to see the children of former students enter Christopher Dock. We are always blessed when Dock grads let us know how much the educational program here has kept up with the times, how it has continued to shape and grow them as people, and how it has provided so many opportunities for them to test their God-given abilities.

Q: How have you grown as a person, as a leader, as a follower of Christ as a result of your experiences here?

This community taught me everything I needed to know about leadership. They have been patient. They have challenged me, provided professional support and allowed me to grow. They have been gracious, and for that I am grateful.

One of my models as a leader was Elmer Neufeld who was president of Bluffton when I taught there. He taught me about humble, organic leadership, and how one can empower people to shape the institution. That was a huge influence in my life. Going to Lehigh for my superintendent certificate also helped me refine my leadership thinking.

The board members I have worked with, including five board chairs, were all very influential in helping me to lead within this community as a unique region for Mennonite education. Donella Clemens was the first board chair I worked with. She helped me understand how much this strongly supportive community values people.

The passion and care of this place is really a result of a community of people committed to living their faith in practical and authentic ways that take care of the least of these and bless the whole. This school is just one example of how that plays out. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to get to know the people who were on the ground floor of all that—people like Paul Godshall and Horace Longacre, who were mentors and contributors and caretakers of this school.*

*See the Spring 2009 issue of Lamplighter for the full interview.

Megan Blank

On April 6, Peaceful Living’s new group home, Jubilee House, located on the campus of Rockhill Mennonite Community, welcomed its first residents. “There’s a real family feel and compassion in the way the staff relate to the clients,” Sue Krauss said, whose son Tom is a resident.

A partnership between Rockhill Mennonite Community and Peaceful Living, it took 12 years of persistence and perseverance to make Jubilee House a reality. “We see ourselves as spiritual advocates for these people,” Executive Director Joe Landis said, who has been involved in this field for 38 years.

“My approach to developing a service or care is to respond to what parents say,” he continued. “It eventually goes as the parents say, anyway – they have been such strong advocates in the community. We’re committed to what the family wants.”

Group homes have often been in demand in Pennsylvania. Currently, 23,000 people across the state are on waiting lists. In 1996 while working at Indian Creek Foundation. Landis began a dialogue with 50 different families about the need for such a group home in this region.

“For some, home care is best,” Landis said “From the state’s point of view, the group home at the time was dying out. They said those people should live with their families or in family living which is a kind of foster care. Now, some people like that, but it’s not for everyone. These families wanted a group home.”

Landis then thought of the format of a retirement community, and the advantage of having one in close proximity to the group home. It would also give the parents a choice to retire at the community, and thus, remain close to their children.

Several local retirement communities entered the dialogue. Souderton Mennonite Homes eventually gave land for Reliance House, built for higher functioning adults. It was Wayne Clemens, the board chair at Rockhill Mennonite Community, who took up Jubilee House.

“Wayne Clemens told me, ‘I want to respond to the individuals who need 24-hour care,’” Landis said. “He’s always had a special interest in these people – that as Mennonites, we should take care of them.”

“It was just the right thing to do, that simple,” Clemens said. “

The process wasn’t easy though. “It is extremely complicated to get funding and provide care,” Landis said. “As we went on, it got more and more complicated. Most of the cost comes from staffing, as 24-hour care would be needed. Reliance House is one person for eight people, this was two to three for six.”

After Landis left Indian Creek in 1999, he tried to keep the Jubilee House dialogue going. Rockhill hired Landis in 2004, who had recently formed Peaceful Living, for the project. Landis began contacting the state legislature. State Rep. Paul Clymer tried to help pass the project in 2006, but failed.

By the spring of 2007, several families had left the project. Even Landis began to grow weary planning to only “give it one more shot.” Landis continued to meet with other legislators, but “wasn’t hopeful.” A meeting was arranged with Kevin Casey, Director of the Office of Developmental Programs in Harrisburg. At the meeting, they learned of a plan to pay 100 percent for these families.

Ground was broken in July 2008, costing almost $1 million. The house, set in a quiet, wooded area of the RMC campus, features a screened in porch, large living room, kitchen and dining room with all the modern facilities. Each resident has his and her own room.

Another special factor about Jubilee House is the effort the staff undergoes to keep its residents involved in their faith community. “Tom was a part of church all his life, it would’ve have been very hard, he’d miss it,” his father, Al Krauss, said. “He’s been liking living there very much.”

Sheldon Good, Salford

For almost as long as Carla Ferrier was searching for a job, Franconia Conference needed an additional staff person. Fortunately for both, they found each other this summer.

“I had been looking for work for the past nine months, just like many other people,” said Ferrier, a mother of four daughters.

Until recently, Franconia Conference lacked an administrative services assistant. “The role was unoccupied for about six months,” said Noel Santiago, executive minister for the conference. “We’re glad to have Carla in our midst.”

For Ferrier, finding work was a struggle. “I applied for every job I heard about,” she said.

In a testimony of God’s faithfulness, Ferrier and Franconia Conference came together. “I knew God had a plan for me and a place He wanted me to be.”

Ferrier has worked two days a week since June 11. Melissa Landis, administrative services manager, has already noticed Ferrier’s gifts. “She has a conscientious and thorough approach to her work,” Landis said. “Her welcoming and gracious spirit is a real asset to the office setting.”

One must be well-rounded to work in administrative services. Ferrier is uniquely gifted in hospitality and thoroughness, as well as singing, swimming and gardening.

“She brings gifts that will enhance and expand in complimentary ways the gifts of others on staff, board and committees,” Santiago said. “She also has a deep conviction and belief that prayer is central to helping bring the unfolding reign of God into a greater measure of manifestation.”

Ferrier is excited to share the reign of God with others. After all, her search for a job ended in holy matrimony. “The Lord brought me here,” Ferrier said. “God has a plan. His ways are not ours.”

Ferrier, a native of Bucks County, has attended the Doylestown congregation her entire life. She is married to Dave.