Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

formational

The End of Youth Ministry? 

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by Michelle Curtis

I don’t like to read books alone. So when Brooke Martin, Pastor of Youth & Community Formation for Mosaic Conference, invited me to join a book study group for The End of Youth Ministry? by Andrew Root, I jumped at the chance.  

The book study group, comprised of youth Pastors and leaders, gathered around back porches and youth rooms to discuss a few chapters every other week. We lamented the difficulties of leading youth ministries in 2023. We shared how much we love our youth and how much we want them to know Jesus’ love. We waded through the philosophical parts of the book, trying to make sense of how they apply to middle schoolers.  

Some of the biggest takeaways felt like both “aha!” moments and also a reminder that youth ministry should not be different than any other ministry in pointing people to the core of our faith. We, with Paul, proclaim Christ and him crucified. Root’s writings challenged us to help youth walk toward the cross, not away from it.  

© Andrew Root

Instead of focusing primarily on fun, Root told how walking with youth toward the suffering they see and experience can help us all to see our stories as part of Jesus’ story of death and resurrection. When we walk toward suffering together, we can start to see and name how God brings new life out our death experiences. The whole book is based on how a youth group was transformed by the experience of gathering together in a hospital waiting room when one of their members almost died. There they had an opportunity to hear stories of how God brought life out of death in the lives of two adults in their church.  

Among our book study group of youth pastors and directors, I was the only one whose job title didn’t formally include youth or faith formation. I serve as co-Pastor of Ambler Mennonite Church along with my husband, Jacob, and we’ve shared the role of starting a monthly youth group over the last few years.  

Sometimes I feel jealous of churches with the staff and size to gather their youth together every Sunday and Wednesday. But I’ve realized that one of the gifts of our small church is that we are intergenerational by necessity. When we put together boxes of food for our neighbors each December, we intentionally invite the youth, but the whole church has to come together to make it work. We’re too small to do otherwise.  

When my parents were in youth group, it was their whole social network. They had activities most days of the week. Instead of longing for that past, Root encourages us to understand what has shifted over the last few decades. Instead of trying to compete with all the extracurriculars filling the lives of our youth, Root encourages us to see clearly what youth ministry is for: joy. It’s for helping youth to experience the joy in community that grows out of walking through suffering together and seeing how God brings life out of death.  

We’re all still chewing on the book’s implications for each of our ministries. I’m thinking more about how to walk with our youth toward the cross, and how to help them find themselves in God’s story.  

Youth Groups completing various challenges during the Mission Impossible event at Souderton (PA) Mennonite in September 2023. Photo provided by Brooke Martin. 

To be clear, Root is not advocating that we do away with fun. He ends the book in a Dairy Queen with ice cream and friendship. In that spirit, we ended our book study with coffee and Yum-Yum donuts, celebrating the relationships that we’ve built through these weeks together.  

Michelle Curtis

Michelle Christian Curtis is co-pastor of Ambler (PA) Mennonite Church with her husband, Jacob.

Personal Advent Resources for Pastors 

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Photo by Max Beck on Unsplash

“As a congregant, I was able to soak in Advent in a special way, but as a pastor, I find it harder to stay focused when it’s my job to ‘make Advent happen,’” admitted Michelle Curtis, Co-Pastor of Ambler (PA) Mennonite. 

Advent can sometimes get so busy for pastors and congregational leaders that personal devotion time can get sidetracked. To support fellow pastors during this time, a few Mosaic pastors share recommendations, reflections, and resources.  

“I enjoy the calm centeredness of the Advent wait,” shared Sandy Drescher-Lehman, Pastor of Methacton (PA) Mennonite Church. “It’s been hard for many people to understand the importance of saving the hymns of Jesus’ birth until the end of the month when the rest of their lives are influenced by Christmas decorations and gift buying for two months before the actual celebration of Jesus’ birth.” 

“I come from a family that was distrustful of anything ‘high church’ and was also anti-ritual,” said Pastor Nathan Good, Pastor of Swamp Mennonite Church (Quakertown, PA). Pastor Nathan explained that his congregation has a strong history of embracing rhythms of the church calendar and has stronger rituals and practices in these areas. “I have come to appreciate these seasons more as a result,” Pastor Nathan reflected.  

“More than simply a liturgical season, Advent is remembering that God is with us, for us, and in us, this is our eternal hope, for Christ’s return in glory,” shared Tomas Ramírez of Iglesia Luz y Vida (Orlando, FL). “Even when we put up lights and exchange gifts as others do in this season, for us who are centered in Christ and his coming, we are focused on hope.” 

Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash

Hendy Matahelemual, Pastor of Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA) reflected, “Our church is focused on the Jesus story and how we can become more Jesus-centered in our theology and practice. So that’s what Advent means to me … to really understand the work of Christ from the beginning.”  

“In Advent, we wait for God to act and find that God acts through fragile and broken humanity,” shared Nathan Good.  “So even though we feel weak and unable to make a difference, we know and trust that God can use our fragile efforts to transform creation through love.” 

Looking for some personal (or congregational) nourishment this Advent season? Here are a few recommended resources from other Mosaic leaders:  

Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ. Recommended by Hendy Matahelemual, Indonesian Light Church (Philadelphia, PA). 

Bless the Advent We Actually Have Free Advent Devotional by Kate Bowler, which includes scripture, blessings, reflections, and discussion questions to “make the act of waiting holy.” Recommended by Sue Conrad Howes, West Swamp (Quakertown, PA) 

The Grand Miracle from the Christian History Institute, featuring gorgeous art, scripture, and writings of C.S. Lewis. Recommended by Michelle Curtis, Ambler (PA). 

Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal by April Yamasaki, this book is helpful for those struggling with an anti-ritual past. Recommended by Nathan Good, Swamp (Quakertown, PA) 

Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado. Recommended by Tomas Ramírez, Iglesia Luz y Vida (Orlando, FL). 

Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens. Recommended by Andrew Zetts, Salford (Harleysville, PA) 

25 Days of Advent Family Devotional, available in six languages, daily verse of scripture telling the Christmas narrative, created by Brooke Martin, Youth and Community Formation Pastor for Mosaic. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is a member of the communication team, helping with editing, writing, and content creation. She was born near Houston, TX and spent a decade living in an intentional community in Washington DC, before moving to Lansdale, PA with her spouse, Sheldon Good. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Washington Theological Seminary. She serves as Children’s Faith Formation Director at Salford Mennonite (Harleysville, PA). Jenn has two elementary-school-aged children and loves biking, camping, gardening, and vermicomposting with her family.

Where Should Our Offering Go?  

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Children Decide via Consensus

by Jennifer Svetlik

In April, the elementary Sunday School classes at Salford (Harleysville, PA) Mennonite Church spent several weeks learning about decision-making via consensus. Then, they used the consensus method to decide where to dedicate the children’s offering that has been collected since last September. 

During the pandemic, the congregation had stopped passing offering baskets. When basket collections were brought back last fall, the worship team invited children and youth to serve as ushers. These same ushers then separate all the coins and one-dollar bills from the offering to serve as a children’s offering. 

During the Sunday School classes, the students learned that consensus decision-making differs from voting because instead of the majority winning, the desires and needs of the whole group are considered. 

One participant shares his thoughts while holding the “talking rock” while another participant listens attentively. Photo by Jill Drummond.

The students first practiced deciding via consensus about what snack to have.  There were three possible snack choices. It took almost the whole class time, but once the group came to a consensus, it was the most creative snack ever served during Sunday School! 

Then the group learned about three different local Conference-Related Ministries (CRM): Bike and Sol (East Greenville, PA), Crossroads Community Center (Philadelphia), and Ripple Community Building Center (Allentown, PA). They looked at photos, websites, and videos showing the impact of the work of each ministry. Then the children talked about which ministry should receive the offering. The conversations about this were extensive because each ministry does such good work.  

Participants raise a colored card to indicate whether they agree with the proposal (green) or that they can “live with it” (yellow). Photo by Jill Drummond.

Some students had given or purchased bikes at Bike and Sol and were able to speak first-hand about the work. Some students were moved by the welcoming space and the art therapy that is offered at Ripple’s Community Building Center. Other students, convicted about the prevalence of gun violence and that all kids and youth should have safe places to play and hang out, passionately advocated for Crossroads Community Center. 

In the end, the group decided to split the money three ways. This was hard for some students who felt like a particular group was doing the most important work, but it was a way to include everyone’s interests. 

The whole process took two and a half class sessions. “We learned that consensus decision making takes a lot longer than voting! But it felt good because everyone felt included,” one participant shared. 

“Being able to be the ones to decide where this money goes felt really important,” another student shared. 

Observing these children learn, listen well to each other, and creatively generate solutions was a real joy and a unique faith formation opportunity. 

Some of the guidelines used in the Salford children’s decision-making process. Photo by Jill Drummond.

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer Svetlik (she/her) directs children’s education and justice Initiatives at Salford Mennonite Church and works in fundraising and marketing for Roots of Justice. She and her partner Sheldon have two young children and live in Lansdale, PA.

How Do I Walk the Second Mile? 

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by Brooke Martin

How do I disciple and walk with someone whose perspective, theology, or experience is not my own, or is different than the majority of people in my congregation? I know I am supposed to love them, but how? What if this is a person whose identity conflicts with my church’s view but they are an active part of the congregation, looking to me as their pastor or youth leader? 

In a culture that dismisses anyone with a different understanding than our own, we can quickly lose track of our call to be Third Way people. Jesus taught that there are not just two options in times of disagreement or conflict; instead, he encouraged his followers to seek out a third way, to completely change the dynamic of disagreement. 

Jesus illustrated this concept with the example of “walking the extra mile.” The law stated that a soldier was allowed to make a civilian carry his heavy pack for one mile only. Jesus told his followers to walk the extra mile. Imagine the soldier turning at the mile mark, anticipating a glare of disdain as the civilian shucked the heavy load. Instead, as the soldier turns to the civilian, the one who is called to the Third Way, continues to walk with the load. Do they make eye contact or have a clarifying conversation? Both the soldier and the civilian would change from their usual ways of thinking and engage differently during this next mile. The power dynamic has shifted: the situation and their relationship with one another has changed. 

At Spruce Lake’s Engage Conference for youth leaders, I experienced a modern-day example of Third Way living when I listened to the storytelling of Art Pareira, the Director of Community Care for ReVoice. I anticipated that Pareira would share his list of why he was right and others were wrong; instead, I had a “second mile” experience. Pareira’s call to youth leaders was to not stop at the first mile but to continue walking with their youth to a deeper level of care and consistency.  If we just focus on our duty to fulfill our understanding of God’s law, we miss the opportunity to journey deeper and further towards where Christ is calling us on the “second mile.”  

As a celibate gay man, Pareira lives and ministers out of his own experience and theological perspective, naming that he takes “hits” from all sides, not being progressive enough for some or conservative enough for others.i Still Pareira continues his call to walk on. Pareira understands and accepts others may have different theological understandings, and he respects those differing convictions.  He does, however, call Jesus-followers not to stop there but to continue as shepherds who are willing to walk beyond the first mile. In the second mile, he calls for the caring of people and encouraging consistency in ethical living across all sexual orientations. 

With this “second mile” mindset, the Mosaic Youth Formation Team has created a Healthy Conversations guide for youth leaders and others who desire tools for conversations across differences of all kinds. We pray this guide will be a resource and encouragement so that, together, we can continue the journey of faith formation by walking beyond the first mile into the holy second mile of truly loving our neighbors. 

Introducing the Healthy Conversation Guide

This document is a guide, not curriculum. It is meant to give a foundation for how to have healthy conversations on difficult topics such as human sexuality, gun violence, politics, substance use, and racial justice in a way that can be adapted to multiple contexts and cultures to align with the life and ministry of Jesus.

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iArt Pareira has chosen a celibate lifestyle because of his belief affirming that God intends marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman for life. This belief is also affirmed by Spruce Lake Ministries. 

The opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference.

Brooke Martin

Brooke Martin is the Youth and Community Formation Pastor for Mosaic Conference. Brooke lives in Telford with her husband, Nathaniel, and their two children.

Spruce Lake Introduces New “Gap Year” Program

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By Moraya Tellado

Renew is an opportunity for young adults to learn in a close-knit community. Photo by Bethany Brown.

Renew! That one word is filled with so much hope, life, and vibrance. It is part of the reason why Spruce Lake Christian Retreat Center and Camp, a Mosaic Conference Related Ministry (CRM), chose that word to be the name of its new gap year program.  

Many high school students graduate tired of school, unsure of what they want to do next, and not confident in their identity. Often students use college as a guide to figure out what they truly want to do and who they really are as persons. This can cost them, both financially and personally. Renew gives those students time and a structure to explore questions, such as: “Who has Christ created me to be?” and “What is my purpose in life?” 

Spruce Lake believes that taking time to answer these questions can propel young people to a future filled with drive, purpose, and passion. A year of discipleship can help students find their identity in Christ and seek out his plans for their lives. This experience has an invaluable impact on future success in college and/or the workforce.  

Learn more about yourself and God as part of Renew. Photo by Bethany Brown.

 

What does this look like practically? Students receive intentional one-on-one discipleship and coaching with experienced and mature staff. Renew participants also have the chance to earn 24 college credits outside of a traditional classroom, using hands-on experiences to teach important lessons. These credits, taken through Anchor Christian University, will be guaranteed to transfer to many Christian colleges and universities, including Lancaster Bible College, Cairn University, and others.  

Renew provides opportunities for Christian growth for young adults. Photo by Bethany Brown.

Being part of Renew means participants will get the chance to go on an international missions trip, partner with the local church, and receive paid ministry experience at Spruce Lake or at Pinebrook Retreat Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. Students will get the opportunity to fully refresh and renew before deciding to enter college or the workforce. 

Whether you work with graduating high schoolers in your ministry or know a high schooler personally, Renew might be just what they need to point them towards Christ’s direction for their lives. Costing $15,000 for a full year (with work study and non-credit pricing available), Renew is cheaper than a first year at most Christian colleges while providing participants with the chance to grow, find their passion, and be renewed.  

“So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

For more information on Renew or to apply, click here! 

Moraya Tellado

Moraya Tellado has been serving with Spruce Lake in many different capacities since 2015 and is currently the program manager for both SL Day Camp and the Renew Gap Year Program. She graduated from Liberty University in 2018 with a degree in education and enjoys using her degree in many unique and fun ways at Spruce Lake.

What I Learned About Anabaptism from Mosaic Institute

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By Kevin Opett

“In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all matters, love.”

“In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all matters, love.” These words left an indelible mark in my understanding of Anabaptism after participating in the Introduction to Mosaic Class, offered by Mosaic Institute and led by Steve Kriss and Rose Bender Cook. 

As part of Mosaic’s credentialing process, seven classmates and I spent time on Zoom and in person learning about the development and contributions of the Anabaptist movement to the Christian story. We read books, traveled to rural and urban churches, visited historical places, and talked with memorable people who represent the diverse makeup of Mosaic.

The Introduction to Mosaic class at Fern Rock Retreat.
Back row:  Ramona Pickett (7 Ways Home Fellowship), Brandon Landis (Finland), Tracy Commons (Swamp), Scotty Meiser (Bristol Redemption), Steve Kriss (Mosaic staff), Susan Alloway (Bristol Redemption), Hilarion Chidi Ihezuoh(LA Faith Chapel); Front row:  Michelle Ramirez (Luz y Vida), Kevin Opett (Alpha), Rose Bender Cook (Mosaic Institute staff).
Photo by John Drescher-Lehman.

Our cohort was a microcosm of the conference: it included both life-long Mennonites and newcomers to the fold, Americans and immigrants, as well as representations of several racial/ethnic backgrounds. Each of us had our notions of Anabaptism challenged, expanded, and enriched.

We started out as strangers but ended up as brothers and sisters who care deeply for one another. We enjoyed deep discussions and sought to understand our different perspectives as we galivanted around Pennsylvania, to Souderton, Harleysville, Philadelphia, and Lansdale. On the final in-person day of the class, a sabbatical retreat at Fern Rock bonded us together as we sang praises to Jesus and shared what he is doing in our hearts.

I was fascinated to learn that Anabaptists were not always the “Quiet in the Land,” a people who kept to ourselves. Far from being docile, our forebears were radical, urban-based, and adamant that Christians are to spread the gospel far and wide. Relentless persecution from other Christian traditions led to a centuries-old retreat into isolation that only now seems to be turning the tide, as our story widens and deepens with new cultures and people adding their unique perspective to the Mosaic story. We are being reacquainted with the Great Commission to go and make disciples of the nations by the fresh movement of the Holy Spirit in our world. 

The course offered a solid foundation to understand the Mosaic vision of being a Conference where homogeneity is not a prerequisite to cooperation. Like a patchwork quilt, no two congregations look or function the same. Mosaic includes both rural, traditional churches as well as urban immigrant congregations. There are multiethnic and multilingual congregations. Some were established 100 years ago, while others are just starting out. This array of diversity makes Mosaic Conference unique and beautiful.  

The diversity enables a person like me, whose background resembles a denominational kaleidoscope, to feel welcomed and to thrive just as those who can trace their ancestry back to the earliest expressions of the movement. We can each find our place in Mosaic and mutually support one another as we strive to live out the teachings of Christ and share the Good News to the communities around us.  

On behalf of my classmates, Brandon, Chidi, Michelle, Ramona, Scotty, Susan, and Tracey, I wish to convey our sincere appreciation to all who made this class so rewarding. The time you invested in us and the stories you shared allowed us to experience such a meaningful time together. We hope we have been as much of a blessing to you as you have been to us!

Kevin Opett

Kevin Opett resides in the Philadelphia area and currently serves as pastor of Alpha Mennonite Church in New Jersey. You will usually find him toiling in the yard of his new house or cooking international cuisine when he is not engaged in ministry work. Kevin just celebrated 21 years of marriage to his beautiful wife, Petra. 

Lent, Anabaptists, and Sausage 

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As a child, our Mennonite church had a few traditions, but Lent was not one of them. Traditionally, Lent was not observed by most Mennonites.    

Of course, we would celebrate the children on Palm Sunday. And, Shrove Tuesday was a glorious feast of yeasty home-made donuts.  It was Ash Wednesday that started the discomfort. What did those ashes made from last year’s palm branches say about my faithfulness or discipleship? 

Historically, Anabaptists have been reluctant to participate in the rituals of Lent. On the first Sunday of Lent in 1522, in Zurich, Switzerland, a gathering of people seeking church renewal challenged the rules of the Lenten fast by eating smoked sausages.  This action was a symbolic beginning of the Reformation in Zurich and a precursor to the Anabaptist movement.  (To learn more, click here.) 

Today, more Mennonite churches are observing the full liturgical calendar, including Lent. My church is one of them. Why now? Why sacrifice? Why fast as part of the Lent season?   

I like food, potlucks, fellowship meals, and dessert any place, but definitely in church. But maybe now, Anabaptists are hearing a renewed call to seek God. In this seeking of God, we are called to practice the discipline of surrender and sacrifice. And in doing so, we join others on the path to the cross during Lent.   

OK, I can give up donuts.  

But, Randolph Haluza-DeLay says, “Giving up donuts is obviously a superficial example,” even if I think of it as a sacrifice.

Maybe sacrifice and surrender mean opening new space for God to work. For example, a Lenten fast may be a social media fast, or giving up one meal a day to use that time to pray, or avoiding a regular leisure activity and instead spending time with a lonely neighbor.

What if I let the drama of Facebook unfold without my participation for 40 days?  I fast to reduce my attachments and find space for new ways. What if I use that claimed space for spiritual renewal, prayer, meditation?  For me, this is the reason for Lent now.   

Fasting is a personal choice. But I welcome the Lenten season’s focus on the life and death of Jesus as I fast.  I know that Lent doesn’t end at the cross. Easter Sunday is coming – a time for celebration, singing, sunrise services, and Easter cake.     

For we know that – 
God is our only hope, 
Feed us from your mouth, that we may see the poor, 
Listen to the lonely, and nourish our hungry neighbors 
In the strength of your Annointed. 

-from Take our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book

A Joint Sunday School Experiment

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by Jordan Luther, Zion (Souderton, PA) congregation

If your congregation is like mine, then you are familiar with the revolving door of Sunday school attendance most summers. This summer, however, the situation was different. With most of our congregation still worshiping from home, we needed to rethink how we do Sunday school—especially for our children.

Pastor Jordan Luther waits for virtual Sunday school to start.

Our youth group has been meeting virtually for youth group and Sunday school throughout the pandemic. One day I floated the idea about meeting as a joint Sunday school class of all ages, K-12. I was clear from the beginning that I could not teach this class alone. I needed help. 

When I asked the youth group if they would be willing to help, I was amazed with their response. Not only did they agree to help, but they agreed to be co-leaders and share responsibilities with me!

The following week at youth group we built our five-week summer Sunday school curriculum from the ground up. The youth were really helpful during the planning process, sharing what they believe is most important for Sunday school from a kid’s perspective. I learned two lessons that I hope never to forget from these sessions.

The first lesson the youth taught me is that stories are important. Stories are easier to remember than Bible memory verses. (Sorry Psalms and Romans … maybe another unit!) The youth shared with me about which Bible stories are relatable and memorable to them. 

We took notes on our favorite Bible stories and made a plan. Thankfully, all of the stories the youth chose were featured in Shine On: A Story Bible curriculum which made reading and sharing the story much easier for our younger classmates.

Second, the youth taught me that Sunday school should be a fun experience. “Don’t be boring,” was one youth’s advice to me. “Adults like to talk; kids need action.” This comment made it crystal clear that playing games is important to our faith development too. 

A different youth suggested that we should create original prompts in Quiplash 2 and Drawful 2, two online games that we play regularly together, as a way to have fun while going deeper into the Bible story. The youth and I created the prompts ahead of time after reading the Bible story together. Our prompts were meant to inspire everyone’s imagination and give us permission to wonder about some of the missing details of the story. Think Jewish midrash meets Family Feud. That was our Sunday school environment.

Our joint Sunday school sessions had their hiccups too. Sibling rivalries are just as apparent on screen as they are in-person. Poor wifi connections meant the occasional robot voice and frozen screen. 

Even with these hiccups in mind, I am still grateful for this joint Sunday school experiment. It was a great opportunity for our younger kids to reconnect, our youth to lead and participate in the planning process, and for me to consider fresh approaches to family ministry.