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.
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.”
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.”
The 2008 graduating class at 
“Excellent Trouble: Finding the Humor and Heart in Biblical Relationships” will be performed at 
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.
Miriam, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., came to Salford in 2000 as an associate pastor. Mim was ordained in 1992 at Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Ind., and serves on the boards for 
Regular attendees and guests filled the sanctuary for the special installation service. Family of Mim and Jim provided the offertory music; Donella Clemens, Franconia Conference Minister, led the pastoral commitments; and Salford members as well as visiting friends of Mim and Jim offered words of blessing. Richard and Ruth Weaver, spiritual directors from Ephrata, Pa., administered the anointing of oil; and Salford’s adult and children’s choirs provided additional music.