Conference News

Youth, sponsors, and pastors from 15 area congregations gathered recently for the annual Youth Leadership Retreat at Spruce Lake Retreat Center. Participants came from the Franconia, Eastern District, and Atlantic Coast conferences, as well as Christopher Dock High School. The theme of the weekend was “Leading with Heart, Soul, and Mind: Exploring the Practice of Discernment” and was led by Mennonite Mission Network Service Adventure leader Curt Weaver.

The retreat was planned by Curt; Marlene Frankenfield, Franconia Conference Youth Minister; Scott Benner, Eastern District Youth Minister; and a team of local youth pastors and sponsors. The planning committee found inspiration for the theme of dirscenment for the weekend from David F. White’s recent book, “Practicing Discernment With Youth: A Transformative Youth Ministry Approach,” realizing that with all the choices in life, discernment would be a great topic for the leadership weekend.

Curt noted that his challenge for the weekend was to emphasize “the art of discernment without laying out a specific way of discerning.” Using Matthew 22:37, Curt encouraged the youth to think about “what it means for [them] to be loving enough to discern.” One of his goals was to “uncover the Christian impulse to be loving and affirming of differing view points.”

Curt opened the gathering with a call to create an intentional community for the time spent at Spruce Lake. He acknowledged that youth, with their curiosity and tough questions, have the ability to challenge adults to recommit to their faith. During the weekend, Curt used a spiritual type tool published by the Alban Institute entitled “Discover Your Spiritual Type.” It was followed by a case study that revolved around challenging leadership decisions in congregations. The case study involved discerning a request from Britney Spears to be baptized and become a member in one of the group’s congregations. This exercise helped youth better understand the messy side of leadership because of differences that exist in personal and spiritual lives, as well as in youth groups and churches. The youth were asked to think about what it means to lead a group of people with such diverse outlooks on life and faith.

Brittany Kiser, who is a member of Rockhill Mennonite Church and a student at Christopher Dock High School, really appreciated the spiritual type tool because it helped her “see that there is a place for everyone in the church.”

During the closing session, Curt encouraged everyone to practice Christian traditions and rituals that will shape future acts of “Christ-infused” love. Youth groups ended their time writing a blessing or image on each other hands as a way to remind each other to imitate Jesus with all their hearts, minds, souls and to love others as they love themselves.

Participants enjoyed different aspects of the weekend. Emma Nafziger, of Vincent Mennonite Church and a student at Christopher Dock High School, appreciated the time to reflect, worship, and “recover from a stressful week.” Kate Bender, of Rockhill Mennonite Church, is a student at Souderton High School and was concerned that it would be hard to relate to the youth from other schools but she was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and welcoming everyone was.

The weekend included worship led by Nate Stucky, who is currently a student at Princeton Theological Seminary. There were also workshops for youth and sponsors, with topics such as leading worship, choices after high school, discerning God’s will on the “long- haul journey,” recognizing that life is a puzzle and spirituality can be messy, and acknowledging that when it comes to intercultural leadership and communication there is “no right way to fry a chicken.”

Emma, Kate, and Brittany attended two workshops together. They said the workshops were relevant, more interesting than anticipated, and that they had been challenged to think differently about the issues addressed in each session.

The workshop for sponsors was on mentoring youth. Mike Ford, a youth pastor at Franconia Mennonite Church, facilitated a time of sharing mentoring ideas and resources. The sponsors’ forum on Saturday afternoon centered around paying attention to youth transitions, from junior high to high school to post-high school.

This was Marlene Frankenfield’s tenth Youth Leadership Retreat. She enjoys seeing the relationships between youth pastors and sponsors and student leaders strengthened during the gathering, which is a very important part of the retreat for her. She also appreciates the expertise youth sponsors and pastors bring from their different congregational experiences, which they share with each other. Overall, Marlene enjoys the “informal connection and networking around the edges.”

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The 9th annual Damascus Road Antiracism Analysis Training for the greater Philadelphia region returns to the Campolo School for Social Change, at 10th and Spring Garden Streets, Friday-Sunday, February 22-24.

The training is designed to equip participants with a biblical basis and an analytic framework for dismantling systemic racism in the church.

The School for Leadership Formation is a co-sponsor of the event, which is recommended for all conference, congregational, Conference Related Ministry & Partners In Ministry leaders; it is open to everyone interested in this work. Dismantling systemic racism is an integral part of Franconia Conference’s vision to be missional, intercultural, and transformational in every aspect of ministry.

The training schedule and online registration are available here.

Co-sponsors include the Blooming Glen Mennonite’s Damascus Road Antiracism Team, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life’s Stand Together Ministry Team, and Philadelphia Urban Ministry Partnership (PUMP).

The Damascus Road Process of Mennonite Central Committee US provides antiracism educating, organizing, and consulting through congregational and institutional antiracism teams throughout the United States. Additional training and spiritual retreats are available for new and current teams.

Leaders of seven Mennonite Church USA conferences gathered this month in Lancaster, PA, as they have done regularly over the last seven years. The meetings have fostered relationships between representatives of the Allegheny, Atlantic Coast, Eastern District, Franconia, Franklin, Lancaster, Virginia and New York conferences. The gatherings have also grown something else: a shared vision to reach the megalopolis that extends from Boston to Richmond with an Anabaptist witness for Christ.

Over the years, strategies have been suggested to work at this vision, but little has emerged in very concrete terms; this time something different happened. Because leaders from each conference had previously committed to keeping everyone informed of new initiatives that might cross the traditional geographic boundaries of conferences, leaders from Franconia requested agenda time to share new church initiatives that were emerging.

When tested with the broader group, Warren Tyson, Executive Conference Minister for Atlantic Coast and Conference Minister for Eastern District, proposed expanding the agenda to invite all conferences to report on church planting initiatives now taking place. Tyson asked the group to place dots on a map of the eastern United States which represented all initiatives less than three years old and to identify additional localities where conversations of “early discernment with clusters of residents or working with on-site leaders” were happening.

“I think it would motivate all of us to see what is already happening in numerous locations across our region,” said Tyson, and he was right. To the amazement of the participants, the dots accumulated as each conference shared its list. When everyone had finished, forty-seven dots, spanning from Maine to Georgia, covered the map. Conference leaders noted that many of these church plants are led by racial/ethnic Mennonites. They also openly acknowledge that these new church initiatives have emerged organically, without strategic planning, studies, or heavy financial investments, but clearly as the movement of God.

Gay Brunt Miller, Director of Collaborative Ministries
Franconia Mennonite Conference

By J. Fred Kauffman jfk@mcc.org

Pennsylvania State Representative Rick Taylor recently invited five Mennonite leaders to his Horsham, Pa. office to talk about ways of reducing the amount of illegal handguns in Pennsylvania’s cities. Representative Taylor, who is an active member of Ambler (PA) Mennonite Church, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006.

“Our meeting today is an opportunity for us as Anabaptist leaders in Philadelphia to continue moving forward to proclaim the ‘Shalom of the City’ in the marketplace,” said Pastor Leonard Dow of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, who led the delegation. “We understand Shalom [and] peace as a key component of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

Dow was joined by Lancaster Mennonite Conference Bishop Freeman Miller; Aldo Siahaan of Philadelphia Praise Center; Messiah College student Amanda Arbour, who is also member of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church; and Mennonite Central Committee Philadelphia Program Coordinator Fred Kauffman.

Taylor said he wanted the Mennonite witness to be “heard in Harrisburg as a part of the discussion on handgun legislation.”

“Speak from the heart,” he urged the group. “There is too much political posturing. We need to hear you address this issue from a clear perspective as followers of Christ.”

Representative Taylor has co-sponsored two bills to reduce illegal handgun trafficking: “One handgun a month” (HB 22) and “Lost and Stolen” (HB 29). The first bill would limit the purchase of handguns–not hunting guns or antique guns–to one per person per month and the second would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen weapon within 24 hours. Both bills would slow the flow of handguns from legal gun shops to illegal gun dealers, who are the source of most weapons used to commit a crime.

Taylor himself grew up in the Minneapolis area. He was raised by a single mother and struggled to stay out of poverty. Taylor became cynical about organized religion and stopped attending church, but in 2000 he moved to Ambler and happened to purchase the home of Ambler Mennonite’s previous pastor, Joe Haines. One of his neighbors was also a member of Ambler Mennonite, and through that friendship, Taylor rediscovered faith and joined the church.

“I did not get into politics because of my faith,” says Taylor. “I found faith through my commitment to work for justice in the public realm. My faith is a source of hope and energy to continue working for justice. As long as children go to bed hungry, as long as they do not have health care or good education, and as long as they live in violent neighborhoods—those are my priorities. I want my faith in Christ and my political role to both serve this end.”

At Taylor’s urging, Fred Kauffman participated in the “Speaker’s Symposium on Crime and Violence” which took place in Philadelphia the following day. The event, chaired by Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Dennis O’Brien, brought together twenty-five urban leaders who spoke about ways to reduce violence. Said Kauffman, “Much opposition to rational handgun legislation comes from white men who call themselves Christian. This is not a problem created in North Philly. My plea is that all who claim the name of Jesus recommit themselves to the peace and compassion that Jesus taught and modeled.”

House Bill 22

House Bill 29

Telford, Pa. — Jeffrey Godshall has recently been named trust representative by MMA. Working in the Telford, PA, office he is now serving individuals and institutions throughout eastern Pennsylvania with trust and investment services. Before joining MMA, Godshall worked as controller for Richard B. Souder Masonry, Inc., Telford, Pa., for nine years.

He graduated Suma Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a pre-MBA minor from Philadelphia University. Godshall received the Sara Tyler Wister Award for excellence in scholarship. Living in Harleysville, Godshall and his wife Donna attend Franconia Mennonite Church. He serves on the board of directors of Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania as treasurer and is past secretary of Mennonite Disaster Service of Southeastern Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

About MMA
MMA helps people manage resources in ways that honor God through its professional expertise in insurance and financial services. Rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition, MMA offers practical stewardship education and tools to individuals, congregations, and organizations. To learn more, visit www.MMA-online.org or call (800) 348-7468.

Franconia Mennonite Conference has added two new part-time staff, Tim Moyer of Perkasie, Pa. and Lora Steiner of Madison, N.J. Both will work with the communication team.

Tim Moyer continues on staff after serving as an intern during the summer and early fall through a grant from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Tim, who is a student at the University of Arts in Philadelphia, is responsible for keeping the web site up-to-date, and also serves as a photographer.

Tim is a member of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church originally from Perkasie, Pa., although he’s come to appreciate the diversity and surprise of living in the city. He would like to encourage people from suburban churches connect more with churches in the city. “People view the city as a whole other world,” he says. “It’s really not.”

For Tim, the favorite part of his job is the people with whom he works. “I get excited to work with people who are so skilled and excited about life and enjoy exploring questions and not getting upset when they don’t have an answer for things, but enjoy the process.”

Lora Steiner began working with the conference in August. She is a student at Drew University Theological School, in the Masters of Divinity program. Lora will be responsible for writing news articles and editing press releases. She previously worked with Mennonite Central Committee’s Washington Office.

Lora was raised in the vicinity of Kidron, Ohio, but counts the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia as her second home. She is looking forward to learning about the work of churches that make up Franconia Mennonite Conference, and is excited about having a job that helps her stay meaningfully connected to the Mennonite church while studying in a United Methodist school.

“I’ve come to appreciate many things about the Mennonite church,” says Lora, who is a member of Community Mennonite Church of Harrisonburg, Va. “And I look forward to being involved in a way that will help to challenge me as well as allow me to continue challenging others in the church.”

“I continue to be amazed at God’s faithfulness in bringing to us young, creative and passionate leaders,” says Noel Santiago, Executive Minister of Franconia Mennonite Conference (FMC). “Tim brings a creative, artistic expression that reflects God’s creating nature. Lora brings a passionate gift to craft words that communicate with power. Franconia Conference will continue to grow as these young adults serve and lead in our midst.”

Top photo by: David Landis
Bottom Photo by: Timoyer

The annual Youth Leadership Retreat, held jointly with Franconia Conference, Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Mennonite Conference is set for November 16-18, at Spruce Lake Retreat, Canadensis, Pa. Early registrations are due by Friday, November 2.

This year’s theme is Jesus: Heart, Mind and Soul, facilitated by Curt Weaver with worship leading by Nate Stucky. Curt is a former conference youth minister with Lancaster Mennonite Conference, most recently worked with Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s !Explore initiative and RAD and now works as a leader for Mennonite Mission Network’s Service Adventure program in Oregon. Nate, originally from Kansas, was a youth pastor at Atlantic Coast Conference’s Holly Grove Mennonite Church in Westover, MD, and is currently a student at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Over 100 high school youth and youth leaders are expected to attend this annual event intended to equip and empower toward embracing God’s mission. Saturday workshop leaders include Sheldon Good (Goshen College), Neil Richer (Mennonite Mission Network), Wayne Speigle (West Swamp Mennonite Church), Elizabeth Clemmer (Souderton Mennonite Church), Yvonne Platts (Philadelphia Urban Ministry Partnership) and Steve Kriss (Franconia Conference).

KATHMANDU, Nepal (Mennonite Mission Network) – Few people connect Nepali cuisine to frozen pizzas and tater tots. Yet when Reena Thapa goes to work, she stands at a counter, smoothing bright red sauce over eight circles of pale pizza dough. Her long dark hair is swept neatly under a hair net and streaks of dusty, white flour smudge her apron.

Thapa works at Top of the World, a small business named in honor of Nepal, whose borders encompass eight of the world’s ten tallest peaks. Her experience has taught her more than how to assemble frozen pizzas or fry aalu chop, a spicy local version of tater tots. Thapa and her fellow employees learn to take responsibility and practice integrity in the workplace.

They also have a chance to discover and explore faith in a safe, non-threatening setting.

When she began working at Top of the World, Thapa, frequently fasted and offered penance as a devout Hindu. Born and raised in the village by an alcoholic father and an indifferent mother, she was treated as a second-class citizen because of her gender and low caste. As a result of her social status, she never received treatment for a correctable hearing problem.

Slicing potatoes alongside Bethsaba Nafziger gave Thapa an opportunity to dissect her faith as well. Nafziger, who serves in Nepal through Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee, shared openly of her convictions, but did not push her faith. She did, however, use her knowledge as a part-time nurse to arrange the minor operation needed to improve Thapa’s hearing.

As ingredients of faith simmer alongside the sauces, Top of the World’s kitchen provides jobs for local women in a safe, clean environment. In a country where unemployment in the formal sector hovers close to 50 percent, many young Nepali women are lured to neighboring countries by the promise of a job. When they arrive, they discover that the promised job is working in a brothel against their will. In some regions, Nepali women are prized for their lighter skin that brings higher prices from clients.

“It is a national tragedy – that is played out every day, in front of our very eyes,” said Dale Nafziger, Bethsaba’s husband.

Bethsaba Nafziger began running the business out of her home four years ago. Inspired by a United Mission to Nepal frozen French fries project, Nafziger worked with tater tots, which use up the waste portion of the potato not large enough to cut into fries. About one year ago, they began pizza production.

Basic training at Top of the World begins with the rules of personal hygiene for food preparation. Then the employees learn about taking responsibility and how to measure ingredients fairly. Leaders and participants also discuss business concepts, such as how to make a profit ethically.

“By now, the three [current] workers are completely competent and able to carry on in my absence,” Nafziger said with pride.

In June, Top of the World produced 90 frozen pizzas, 150 pounds of frozen French fries and 20 pounds of tater tots and aalu chop. By September, these numbers should double, said Dale Nafziger, citing the summer monsoon season as the reason for slower business.

Since an abundance of vendors already sell traditional treats that many locals enjoy, Top of the World’s products aim at a specific niche market – upper class Nepalis and resident expatriates.

While working at Top of the World, Thapa began probing deeper into questions about God and salvation. About two years ago, she accepted Christ, and soon thereafter married Prakash Thapa, another believer in the community. Today, the Thapas have a 1-year-old daughter and are actively involved in the local church – a newly established congregation of 40 that dedicated their recently-completed building on July 29. Thapa has invited many others to join, including her formerly unsympathetic mother.

“The greatest reward is seeing these women both grow in their own faith and also draw others to faith through the changed lives that these others see,” Bethsaba Nafziger said.

The Nafzigers serve as partners in Nepal with a number of Franconia Mennonite Conference congregations–Doylestown, Vincent, Rockhill and Providence Mennonite churches.

Photographer: Dale Nafziger

Original Article written by Mimi Hollinger Janzen