Board Report

Report from the August 15, 2026, Board Meeting

Welcome and Devotion

Haroldo Nunes led a centering devotion from Ephesians 1:15-19, focusing on thanksgiving, service, and the honor of serving God through Mosaic’s work.

Preparing for the Fall Delegate Assembly

The board approved the schedule for Mosaic’s annual Delegate Assembly, which will take place November 7, 2026, at Souderton (PA) Mennonite. The centering Scripture for this year’s assembly is Psalm 116:1–2: “I love the Lord because he hears my requests for mercy. I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me.”

Saturday’s Assembly will include speakers Marco Güete (Mosaic Leadership Minister), Grace Pam (LA [CA] Faith Chapel), and Brent Camilieri (Deep Run East Mennonite [Perkasie, PA]), with worship led by Hendy Matahelemual and Marina Setyati (Indonesian Light Church, [Philadelphia, PA]).

A pre-Assembly gathering on Friday evening, Nov. 6 with dinner and worship, titled, “Celebrating the God Who Listens to Us!” will take place at Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA).

The board also encouraged continued exploration of delegate preparation gatherings as opportunities for Christ-centered relational connection.

Welcoming New Congregations and a Conference-Related Ministry

The board unanimously approved three requests for membership in Mosaic Conference. These new members will be introduced more fully in Mosaic News before the Fall Delegate Assembly:

• Hope Chapel in Temecula, CA
• Iglesia Menonita Casa de Oración (House of Prayer Mennonite Church) in Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
• Destiny’s Daughters in Harrisonburg, VA, joining as a Conference-Related Ministry

“It is a joy to welcome all who have chosen to be part of this Mosaic we are building as we live out Revelation 7:9 together. Our diversity is our treasure!” reflected board member Jenny Alderfer. “We greet all with open arms and great love, as old friends,”

Financial Review

The board received and approved the 2025 financial review presented by Bruce Thomas of Detweiler Hershey, which was characterized by Thomas as healthy. Board members expressed appreciation for the work of the Finance Committee, Treasurer Paulus, and Detweiler Hershey in stewarding Mosaic’s resources. Congregational giving, grant funds, and property-related contributions have remained strong.

“Mosaic Mennonite Conference is financially stable, with valuable property and investments, little debt, and adequate cash available to meet its current needs,” reflected board member Lindy Backues after hearing the report.

“The main challenge is to ensure that regular income covers regular expenses over the long term, especially by finding new rental income, and increasing ongoing support from congregations and donors in the years ahead.”

Leadership Transitions and Nominations

The board also spent time discerning upcoming leadership transitions. Roy Williams (College Hill Mennonite [Tampa, FL]) has announced his resignation as moderator effective December 31, 2026, citing health concerns.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to Roy and his family during this difficult time,” shared assistant moderator Janet Panning (Plains Mennonite [Hatfield, PA]). “We have greatly appreciated his steady and wise conference leadership.”

The board then unanimously called Assistant Moderator Janet Panning to serve as moderator beginning in January 2027, pending affirmation by the delegates at the Fall Assembly.

“Roy’s style, his personality, his long Mennonite legacy, and the gifts he brings have shaped us in particular ways, and that’s something we’ll really miss,” shared Executive Committee member Maati Yvonne.

She continued, “Having a seasoned woman like Janet, who will be able to step up in Roy’s absence, feels like it will be a smooth transition. And looking for a new assistant moderator feels like it will be easy, because there are strong leaders among us.”

The Nominating Committee is now working with the Board toward a board member ballot for the Delegate Assembly to include new moderators and additional board members.

These changes represent a significant transition for the Conference Board. The board and staff are attentive to the opportunities and challenges that accompany this transition and are seeking to move through it with care and discernment.

Executive Minister Updates

Stephen Kriss reported that a yearlong young adult leadership program, an extension of Ambassadors and MCC Summer Service, funded in part by Mennonite Central Committee, will begin this fall with six participants.

Kriss also shared several staff transitions and changes in responsibilities. Brendan Sagastume will take on the role of Assembly Registrar with Sue Conrad Howes’ departure from the staff. Jeff Wright is increasing his time as Leadership Minister of Special Initiatives, and Marco Güete, Javier Márquez, and Paulus Thalathoti have each increased their time with Mosaic. Staff responsibilities continue to evolve in response to the needs of congregations and the wider conference.

The next Conference Board meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2026.

Report from the June 3, 2026 Board Meeting

Assistant Moderator Janet Panning (Plains Mennonite [Hatfield, PA]) welcomed those gathered and thanked them for their flexibility after the May 18 meeting was rescheduled due to a lack of quorum.

Intercultural Committee Chair Emmanuel Mwaipopo (Nueva Vida Norristown [PA] New Life) opened with a devotional centered on love in the life of the church. Drawing on the song Love Each Other by Graham Kendrick, he invited board members to reflect on both the beauty of Christian love and the places where the church continues to struggle with Christ’s call to love one another.

Assembly 2026 Planning

The board affirmed Psalm 116:1-2 as the centering scripture for Mosaic’s annual assembly, which will be held on November 7, 2026, in Souderton, PA.

The board also considered a proposal regarding virtual participation for delegates. At the request of the Executive Committee, conference staff prepared recommendations outlining how delegates with extenuating circumstances might participate remotely.

Following discussion and questions, the board approved a process that will allow delegates who are unable to attend in person because of extenuating circumstances to participate virtually. Congregations seeking virtual participation for delegates will work through their Leadership Minister, with final approval coordinated through the Associate Executive Minister.

Board Listening Session Reflections

Board members reflected on the spring listening sessions they attended and reviewed summaries from gatherings held so far. A final in-person listening session is planned in California later this summer.

Because the first virtual listening session reached capacity, staff recommended offering an additional online gathering. The board supported the proposal, with invitations being extended to English- and Spanish-speaking congregations that have not yet participated.

Several board members expressed appreciation for the healthy conversation guides used during the sessions and encouraged future opportunities for similarly structured dialogue. After the final session, a summary report of all 2026 listening sessions will be shared in a future issue of Mosaic News.

Congregational Membership Changes

The board formally acknowledged a letter from and accepted the withdrawal of Swamp Mennonite (Quakertown, PA) from membership in Mosaic Mennonite Conference, effective immediately, and sent the congregation with blessing.

Strategic Plan Updates

Ministerial Committee Chair Michael Howes (West Swamp Mennonite [Quakertown, PA]) shared updates regarding the credentialing process and changes implemented since the 2025 Delegate Assembly.

As part of the board’s ongoing strategic plan work, members discussed interest in reviewing how the Church Together conference documents – Faith and Life, Grace and Truth, and Going to the Margins – function within conference life. The board will form a group, which will be named at the Executive Committee meeting in July, to review the documents in light of Mosaic’s strategic plan and bring recommendations to a future board meeting.

March Board Retreat Reflections

The board reflected on the March board retreat and affirmed Maati Yvonne for the circle process that she led. Board members also received letters from the Inclusive Pastors Group expressing appreciation for opportunity for conversation at the March board retreat.

Leadership and Ministry Updates

In his report, Executive Minister Stephen Kriss shared that the Ambassadors summer program is underway with 16 participants and that fundraising efforts for the expanded Ambassadors program continue.

He also provided updates on congregations exploring membership in Mosaic Conference. Two congregations are pursuing membership conversations, as well as one potential Conference-Related Ministry. Board and staff are visiting these potential partners.

Kriss also shared updates on efforts to align staffing levels with current workloads and highlighted various ways congregations are engaging with conference ministries and initiatives.

A review for the Executive Minister, which had been planned last year but delayed until this summer, is underway. Carlos Romero, charged with the review process, will be reaching out to individuals across the conference in the coming months as part of the process.

The next meeting of the full Conference Board is scheduled for August 15.