Conference News

Stephen Kriss

Franconia Mennonite Conference leaders recently met with young leaders who crafted and signed the Open Letter to Franconia Conference, which calls for a more inclusive Franconia Conference.

Before making the letter available on the Internet, a group of these young leaders requested a meeting with Noel Santiago, Franconia Conference executive minister. The letter is now posted online and continues to garner signatures from those who support the inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons in the life and leadership of Mennonite congregations.

Franconia Conference staff Ertell Whigham, Jessica Walter and Randy Heacock, assistant conference moderator and pastor at Doylestown (Pa.) Mennonite Church joined Santiago in the conversation with young leaders–Amanda Yoder of the Blooming Glen congregation, Christian Allebach from Souderton church and Maddie Ruth, Emma Ruth and Justin Yoder all from the Salford congregation.

According to Santiago, “The conversation together between these young persons and conference leaders was cordial, healthy and informative. I believe we were able to hear and understand what these young persons wanted to communicate and commend them for the approach and grace in which they communicated it. While it is evidently clear that we’re at very different places of understanding and practice, nonetheless, this gathering was one expression of the resolution on following Christ and growing together even as communities in conflict.”

The resolution was one of three passed at the Mennonite Church USA denominational assembly in Columbus, OH, in July. Across the church, youth and young adults have been mobilized toward action and engagement out of the conversations in Ohio, particularly around issues of human sexuality.

Franconia Conference continues in dialogue with Alpha (NJ) Mennonite Church toward discernment of future relationship and postures together after the congregation’s move toward openness to members and leaders regardless of sexual orientation. Details on that process will be released in the near future.

Sheldon C. Good

Franconia Mennonite Conference plans to relocate its offices from Souderton to Harleysville to further follow through on the Conference’s Vision and Financial Plan.

“We are confident,” executive minister Noel Santiago said, “that this move will help us make the most of the properties we own in such a way to continue to release more dollars for ministry not only here locally, but regionally and globally.”

The conference will relocate to office space on Yoder Road in nearby Harleysville, adjacent to the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania. The new office — most recently occupied by T.H. Properties — measures 3,200 square feet in usable space, a reduction of 5,800 square feet from the current location in the Souderton Center. The conference plans to sublet the second floor of the Yoder Road property.

Henry Rosenberger from the Plains congregation has been a key resource person serving alongside the conference property committee during the planned relocation. Rosenberger said it makes sense for the conference to relocate near MHEP and that having the two offices together provides “a wealth of resources,” which depict “the story of our local faith community.”

The move stems from a recommendation from the conference Vision and Financial Plan team to downsize office space. According to the “Real Estate Recommendations” from the plan team, the “office should relocate and downsize its square footage…”

Meanwhile conference-related ministry Care and Share Shoppes, which currently operates from the other end of the Souderton Center, has been growing by “leaps and bounds and is in need of more space,” Santiago said. Care and Share will occupy the vacated space, along with an additional section of retail area no longer needed by Berean Christian Stores (formerly Provident Bookstores).

Ultimately, the Franconia Conference Vision and Financial Plan team recommended the move “to solidify the financial base of the conference and focus the leadership of the conference on the leadership of ministry, rather than the management of property.”

“It’s a very good decision financially,” Rosenberger said, “and the new facility is properly sized for the conference.”

Santiago also believes the move from Souderton to Harleysville lines up with the plan team’s goal. “The spirit of [their] recommendation is retained in our move outside the center,” Santiago said.

In early June, Carla Ferrier, of Doylestown Mennonite Church, joined the Franconia Conference staff as Administrative Services Assistant.

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.”

“She brings gifts that will enhance and expand in complimentary ways the gifts of others on staff, board and committees,” Noel Santiago, executive minister for the conference. “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. “The Lord brought me here,” Ferrier said. “God has a plan. His ways are not ours.”