Conference News

By Laura Lehman Amstutz
laura.amstutz@emu.edu

LANCASTER, Pa. – Want to learn more about pastoral care, non-violence or congregational revitalization? Eastern Mennonite Seminary at Lancaster is offering evening and weekend courses on these topics.

• Marcus Smucker, pastor and seminary instructor, will teach “Pastoral Care: Ministry to Persons Throughout the Life Cycle,” on four weekends, Sept. 12-13, Oct. 10-11, Nov. 7-8; Dec. 5-6. Class will meet 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 5-9 p.m., Saturdays. This course will be taught at the EMS Lancaster.
• Jon Rudy, peacebuilding consultant, will teach “Active Non-violence: Nurturing Peaceful Transformation” at Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, Pa. 6-9 p.m. Mondays evenings, beginning Sept. 8 and ending Dec. 15. Rudy will teach the same course at EMS Lancaster 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings, beginning Sept. 9 and ending Dec. 16.

David Eshleman, pastor and bishop, will teach “Congregational Revitalization” 6:30-9:10 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 11 – Dec 18. This course will be taught at EMS Lancaster.

In addition, the seminary will offer two online courses during the fall semester:

• Gerald N. Shenk, professor of church and society at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, will teach “Ethics and Non-violence: Sermon on the Mount.”
• Dorothy Jean Weaver, professor of New Testament at EMS, will teach “New Testament: Text in Context.”

Both courses begin Aug. 26 and end Dec. 12 and may be taken for academic credit or non-credit. Registration ends Sept. 8.

For more information on courses at EMS Lancaster, contact Julie Siegfried, pastoral studies administrative assistant, at 717-297-5190 or email lancaster@emu.edu . More information is also available online at www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary.

EMS Lancaster offers a variety of study opportunities for those interested in pastoral ministry .

photo provided by Eastern Mennonite Seminary

by John Tyson
jtyson@mosaicmennonites.org

On June 23, the Franconia Conference board gathered at Lakeview Mennonite Church to navigate through reports of current ministries, listen to what has happened over the past months and discuss the future.

Before the meeting began, Lakeview Pastor Blaine Detwiler gave a tour of Lakeview’s scenic location in the hills near the border of Pennsylvania and New York. Pastor Detwiler also shared the rich history of the Lakeview congregation and its current missional vision.

With a clear understanding of the history of our surroundings, the meeting was soon underway. First on the agenda was a discussion of actions around the Vision & Financial Planning recommendations. The actions are meant to enrich overall equipping, credentialing, covenanting, and financing for congregations and individual leaders alike. The hope is to bring forth further partnerships and networks with a missional value, financial transparency, and sustainability.

Executive Minister Noel Santiago shared his observations and revealed new principles that shape his approach to up-and-coming ministry. The first principle, according to Santiago, is that we are moving away from sit-down dialogue to conversations as we walk. Secondly, experiments and experiences should now take precedence over explanations and proposals. Thirdly, if something works in an urban setting, it will work in a suburban setting, but not vice versa. Lastly, said Santiago, we need to generate structures that contain the “substance of Heaven” versus only programs and plans. The principles were agreed upon as relevant to all Franconia Conference ministries.

After lunch, the board re-convened for the Conference Leadership Team ministry updates. Noah Kolb shared how there are many able pastors in Franconia Conference who are ready for ministry. Gay Brunt Miller reported on the partnership with Anabaptist leaders in the United Kingdom and their recent and positive visit with the conference. Since Steve Kriss was leading ViaVerano in Spain, John Tyson (a summer ministry intern from the Souderton congregation) reported on his behalf that the leadership cultivation and communications department is vibrantly moving in the right direction with a large number of Ministry Inquiry Program participants and a communications sector ahead of the local market. Conference financial advisor Conrad Martin shared updates on the financial viability within Franconia Conference. And finally, Noel Santiago shared about emerging partnerships and new congregations working alongside Franconia Conference.

The board discussed the vision of this year’s upcoming conference assembly. Style of worship will be a challenge, especially considering how many languages are spoken within the congregation, but this diversity is also recognized as an amazing gift. The board also talked about recent reconciliation efforts with Swiss Mennonites and Amish communities.

View the photo album

by John Tyson

Souderton Mennonite Church is coordinating an effort to assist a neighboring church, Zwingli United Church of Christ, that suffered extensive damage from a fire on June 19.

On the day of the fire, Souderton Mennonite contacted Zwingli UCC and offered help.

“The pastor mentioned that one of the needs that came to their mind right away was their Vacation Bible School, which turned out to be planned for the same week as ours. We offered to incorporate them into our morning VBS, or let them use our building for their evening plans. They chose the latter, so we will both have VBS the first week of August. They also asked for our prayers which we assured them they would have, and added to our corporate prayers on the next two Sundays, the option of a special offering that people could give for their needs. We are also collecting the supplies they’ll need for their VBS activities,” said Associate Pastor Sandy Drescher-Lehman.

In addition to offering space for Zwingli UCC’s summer vacation Bible summer school program, Souderton Mennonite is also collecting donations of items for the educational department of the church as well as monetary donations. Items needed for vacation Bible school include baby food jars (four or eight ounces), wrapping paper cardboard rolls, sand for a sand art project, CDs (old and new) that are no longer wanted. Other items needed are crayons, pencils (regular & colored), markers (washable and permanent), washable paint, glue (liquid and sticks), scissors, and construction paper (white and colored).

Checks made out to Souderton Mennonite Church designated for “Zwingli UCC Fire Fund” will be accepted for the next few weeks. Checks should be mailed to Souderton Mennonite Church, 105 W. Chestnut Street, Souderton, PA 18964. Donated items labled “Zwingli UCC” can be dropped off at Souderton Mennonite Church.

For further information, please contact Dan Sell or Mary Benner at 215-723-3088.

The boards of directors of Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods Community today announced plans to affiliate under a common parent company. Together, the communities serve more than 1,350 residents on campuses in Souderton, Lansdale and Hatfield, Pa.

By joining two strong retirement and family living communities, the boards expect to experience benefits in the areas of employee, leadership and board development; professional expertise; fiscal management; and strategic planning. Through the transition and beyond, both communities are committed to providing consistent, high quality services to their residents.

“We firmly believe we can do more together. Our vision is simple,” explained K. Leon Moyer, board chairperson for Dock Woods. “By joining, we will strengthen these two exceptional communities and enhance the services provided to our residents, while also expanding the reach of Anabaptist senior care services in Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Both communities are sponsored by Franconia Mennonite Conference, an area conference of Mennonite Church USA which is headquartered in Souderton, Pa. Since the early 1970s, Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods Community have periodically explored the possibility of joining their efforts to best meet the needs of older adults and families in the Indian Valley and North Penn regions.

James L. Rittenhouse, board chairperson for Souderton Mennonite Homes, noted, “The boards of both communities determined that the time was right to pursue affiliation. After a careful assessment to ensure that a strong fit was possible, both boards enthusiastically endorsed the prospect of turning this enduring vision into reality.”

The new parent company is expected to be formed by the end of 2008. The board of directors will be comprised of seven board members from each community, plus one new board member. K. Leon Moyer will chair the board and James L. Rittenhouse will serve as vice chair. Edward D. Brubaker, president and CEO of Dock Woods Community, will serve as president and CEO of the parent company.

“We are committed to enhancing the ministries of both communities,” said Brubaker. “At the same time, with a growing aging population, we owe it to our region and our churches to expand the reach of Anabaptist senior care services in Southeastern Pennsylvania. We look forward to affirming the distinctives that give each community a unique identity, while being responsive to the increasing need that calls us to respond.”

About Souderton Mennonite Homes

Souderton Mennonite Homes is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community affiliated with the Franconia Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Located in Souderton, Pa., Souderton Mennonite Homes has grown since 1917 to offer a wide range of housing, support services, and life enriching activities for approximately 450 residents.

About Dock Woods Community
Dock Woods Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community affiliated with the Franconia Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Through Dock Manor and Dock Village, Dock Woods Community also offers affordable senior and family housing for those who qualify for rental assistance. Situated on two spacious campuses in Lansdale and Hatfield, Pa., Dock Woods Community offers a wide range of housing, support services and life-enriching activities for more than 900 residents.

by John Tyson

Seven members of Franconia Conference received scholarships to attend a day long symposium entitled, “Pilgrims on a Journey: Exploring Mennonite Spirituality Past and Present.”

The symposium, which took place on May 31, “came out of the desire to investigate spirituality in order to preserve and interpret its meaning for today’s church community,” said symposium organizer Forrest Moyer, who works at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, Pa. “Spirituality is a relevant topic. There is interest growing in Catholic spirituality, but we want to look at our own heritage.”

The morning session consisted of an overview of Mennonite expressions of spirituality, beginning with its origins in the 16th century and leading up to the 20th century. Several theologians and historians, including Dr. John Rempel, professor of theology at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Salford Mennonite’s Dr. John Ruth, and Dr. Dawn Ruth Nelson, of Methacton Mennonite Church, explored the forms of spirituality used by Anabaptists. Prayer, baptism, hymns, and fraktur were highlighted as the modes often used by Mennonites of the past as they sought to express communal and individual spirituality.

After examing historical roots, the symposium shifted in the afternoon to focus on contemporary Mennonite spirituality. The audience joined in the conversation as it turned towards contemporary Mennonite spiritual experiences within the community. The scholarships from Franconia Mennonite Conference broadened the dialogue and diversified the audience which gathered to further explore spirituality from a Mennonite perspective.

Ken Ray, a scholarship recipient, affirmed the symposium’s value. “I want to broaden my spiritual horizons. I am here with my church family to find discernment for my life,” he said.

Another scholarship recipient, Topher Maddox of NewStart Fellowship, came to the conference–as some others–rather unfamiliar with the how Mennonite spirituality had been expressed in the past. “I desire to understand the history of Mennonite spirituality in this community; I want to hear the stories. It is important, however, to learn how to marry them with new traditions of spirituality. I appreciate and value the emphasis of artistic spirituality as seen in the art of designing fraktur.”

In the midst of the thought-provoking and informative symposium, where almost all forms of spirituality had been discussed, Tamela Prather took the floor and announced, “Every day is sacred.” The conclusion left little else to be said.

Read through the Bible and you will find countless stories of men and women relating to each other: David and Bathsheba, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Samson and Delilah. What really happened when Jacob awoke the morning after his wedding and found himself married to Leah, instead of Rachel? What did Abraham and Sarah say after being told they’d have a baby late in life?

“Excellent Trouble: Finding the Humor and Heart in Biblical Relationships” will be performed at Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield, Pa. on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. The show, written and performed by Ted Swartz and Ingrid De Sanctis, connects us to a God who can and who longs to be part of our everyday relationships.

“Excellent Trouble” is written in the style of Ted & Lee, creators of “Fish-Eyes” and “Creation Chronicles,” which focus on the humor and heart of biblical stories. The material is colorful and surprising, from wit and wordplay to silliness, but always probing what God and humans do in relation to one another. Foundational to the work is the belief that with humor we can teach, heal and build community.

Ted Swartz lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In 1987, he graduated from seminary and began a ministry that took him, not to a pulpit in a congregation, but to more than a quarter of a million people across the United States and into Canada, Kenya, Japan and beyond. For the past 15 years, Ted toured as part of Ted & Lee TheaterWorks. Since Lee’s death last May, Ted has been working with a variety of actors to continue the “Ted & Lee” tradition of using humor as a means to open the heart to courageously and honestly look at important things. Along with writing and acting, his loves include his wife, three sons and baseball. In that order.

Ingrid De Sanctis is a writer, director, actor and teacher and has worked with Ted for more than a decade. She has taught full time at Eastern Mennonite University and Clemson University, and also spent four years at Willow Creek Community Church as an associate director of drama. She recently served with Americorps, using theatre as a tool for empowerment. She is an adjunct instructor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. De Sanctis has won writing grants creating edgy, challenging plays on issues of peace and justice.

Plains Mennonite Church is located at 50 W. Orvilla Road in Hatfield. The show is appropriate for all ages. For tickets, call 215-565-2535 or email cgr1@comcast.net.

Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Mennonite Church is answering God’s call by “Enlarging Our Place in God’s World.”

The intercultural and bilingual congregation is moving into a new season of ministry and outreach. Under its “Acts 2 Ministry,” the congregation is developing a discipleship and housing ministry for single women; is hoping to become a site for The Benefit Bank; serves as a host of ASSETS Montco, a small business training program; is strengthening its global mission connections; and developing “Kingdom entrepreneurship” to support future ministries. Plans for “Enlarging Our Place in God’s World” also include renovations of five properties owned by the congregation. The three-year capital campaign is earmarked for $670,000, with a long-term goal of $2 million.

Services will be held Sunday, May 18 at 10:45 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the Acts 2 Ministry and the recently acquired New Life Plaza Nueva Vida will be dedicated during the second service. Both services will be held outdoors at 25 East Marshall Street in Norristown.

The church will celebrate its 18th anniversary in July and is pastored by Marta Castillo, Angel Tamayo and Ertell Whigham, Jr.

All are invited to worship; for more information call 610-279-5433

visit their website at www.norristownnewlife.com

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