Intersections

Sheldon Good, Salford

If you want to build it, they will come. Over the past five months, four Franconia Mennonite Conference congregations have traveled to Philadelphia to help construct Oxford Circle’s new church building: Covenant Community Fellowship, Blooming Glen, Franconia and Salem.

Dan Freed and others at Covenant Community Fellowship know the importance of mutual aid for church building. “Franconia Conference helped us at Covenant purchase our current building,” said Freed, an electrician from Bergey’s Electric. “We see this as an opportunity to give to someone in a similar way.”

Freed has trekked down nine times since spring to help remodel the building, which sits caddy-corner to Oxford Circle’s current facility. “I expressed a commitment at the beginning of the project that we could at least wire the sanctuary,” Freed said, “which has now expanded to include the entire first floor – sanctuary, Sunday school rooms, and so on.” Covenant is also a committed financial sponsor of the building.

Bergey’s Electric has been a valuable partner in Freed’s work. The company has provided tools, time off on short notice and helpful advice. So far, 10 other electricians from Franconia Conference congregations have given 19 days of work toward the building project.

“God has orchestrated this to be possible,” reflects Freed. “God is leading in this and providing all these people to come and get this done.”

Leonard Dow, senior pastor at Oxford Circle who went to Christopher Dock with Freed, agrees, “The large pool of professionals from Franconia Conference congregations have helped establish our strong foundation. These relationships aren’t out of the blue. It’s wonderful to build relationships out of a mutual respect and strength.”

A recent relationship has been formed with youth from the Franconia congregation. Mike Ford, Senior High youth pastor at Franconia, led eight youth and two other adults on a project in June. Ford noted how important it is to consider connections both globally and locally, “I’m excited for our youth to meet a need in their backyard.”

Esther Frustino worked with the Franconia group in June and returned in July. “I thought I didn’t know them, though they are still part of God’s family,” said Frustino, who will be a sophomore at Christopher Dock next year. “I wanted to not only meet them but form new friendships through working together.”

Frustino also formed deeper connections with persons in her youth group. “I didn’t feel particularly close to the youth group,” Frustino said. “It was amazing the connections we made, both spiritually and friend-wise. It took going out of Franconia to do that.”

At first, Jacob Ford wondered why Oxford Circle wouldn’t hire a contractor. He then realized the long-term equipping impact of service groups. “With many crews, many people can learn a new skill that they might not otherwise learn,” said Ford, who will be a sophomore next year at Souderton Area High School.

Thanks to a connection with Fred Kauffman, MCC East Coast representative, five youth from the Salem congregation participated in their first service project. Bruce Eglinton-Woods, pastor at Salem, and ten volunteers set up air mattresses, sleeping bags and crockpots in June. But they didn’t need their crockpots for every meal. “On Wednesday night, a family brought pizza for the kids,” said Eglinton-Woods. “Once the work day was done and we had some food, the youth took water bottles and apples and went bowling in the parking lot. Some of the neighborhood kids came over and played with them.”

Amanda Souder, a Salem youth, led a devotional through song the last day the group volunteered. She noted that people sometimes feel alone in the world. The song was a reminder that no one should feel alone; God is always present. “She observed that we’re building this church so that these area kids can know that God is here and they are not alone,” Eglinton-Woods said.

Derek Godshall, Salford

As we slowly inhaled we would say, “Yahweh” and at the same time the Holy Spirit would be present in the cool air we breathed. Exhaling we would breathe out our warm breath containing the Holy Spirit into the world to work in the hearts of people all over the globe. This is one way my youth group spiritually prepared for the upcoming convention. I continued this practice for five minutes everyday at convention to help refocus myself on God. This daily practice seemed to cleanse me of the things that distracted my attention from God.

Going to convention I prayed that I would receive a sense of spiritual and communal encouragement for a decision I needed to make. During the first worship service I found myself feeling a bit uncomfortable with the unexpected style of worship. Entering into convention I expected a familiar setting to that of my own congregation––quiet hymn singing Mennonites––just a few thousand more than at church. To my surprise the only aspect that held true to my original expectation was the number of people. The majority of songs were praise songs and many of the speakers were animated, speaking wholeheartedly.

In reflection this was a blessing because I quickly became very comfortable and found myself becoming encouraged by the Holy Spirit through the songs and speakers. In particular Shane Hipps, pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Phoenix, was a blessing in the way he compared our bodies to soil, showing that there is only one difference between my body and dirt. That difference is breath––the breath the Lord put into the chest of Adam––and the breath he put into mine. Being in an environment I was not accustomed to helped illustrate to me the fact that the things you need most do not always come in the familiar packages you were expecting.

During convention I experienced an internal struggle, deciding whether or not to become a part of the Mennonite Church and, more importantly, publicly confess my love for and belief in Jesus Christ through baptism. The encouragement I prayed for came in many forms, some of which I did not expect like the worship mentioned above, but other times it came in ways that I fully expected and prayed for.

One of these means of encouragement was through our youth group’s daily meetings during convention. During these times I often felt the Holy Spirit moving in me as I breathed in the words of the other members of my youth group and was filled with the interpretations that I missed from the sermons. These sessions helped demonstrate to me the importance of community, especially in continuing to grow in my faith.

With all of the encouragement I received from convention, which helped me grow more confident in my faith, I also received new questions to ask myself. I began to ask myself if what I was doing, through my faith, was enough. The main spark to this self-inquiry was Shane Claiborne. He spoke about the difference between being a follower of Jesus Christ, who tries to model their life after Christ’s, and merely a believer, who believes in Jesus but does not necessarily make sacrifices to follow Christ’s example.

This brought me to my question, am I a follower of Jesus Christ or just a believer? At this point I am not sure what my answer is, but I know what I want my answer to be. I desperately want my answer to be, “Yes I am more than a believer, I am a follower of Jesus Christ.” That desire to really be a follower of Christ along with the encouragement I felt from the Holy Spirit during convention is what ultimately helped me to quash my hesitations toward becoming a member of the Mennonite Church and of the global body of Christ followers.

To start my journey to becoming a follower so that I may continue my spiritual growth I have decided that I am ready to be baptized. So what will you choose to be, a follower of Christ or simply a believer?

Jessica Walter, Ambler

I have to admit, I wasn’t all that excited to go to this year’s Mennonite Church USA convention in Columbus, Ohio. I haven’t been to a convention since my stint as a house manager with Eastern Mennonite University’s production of the play Torba which was performed at the 2001 Nashville assembly. Before then I had only attended as a youth and really enjoyed myself. However, I had a hard time believing going as a delegate would be enjoyable, at all.

But I felt compelled to accept the invitation and participate in the business side of the denomination I hold membership with and work for.

In hindsight, I can say that I am glad to have been a part of the delegate sessions and to have had the opportunity to participate in our denomination in this way.

My delegate table group was comprised of eight people from across a wide spectrum of age, geographical location and life experience. During the week each of them surprised me with their willingness to be open, listen and participate together in the delegate process even when our opinions, perspectives and, sometimes, beliefs differed. This was especially helpful when frustrations with the process and tough topics arose.

During one of the sessions tables were invited to listen to updates on MC USA’s work on producing National Identity materials as per a 2007 Assembly resolution. We then had time to discuss and reflect on where we see challenges engaging our culture in our own ministries.

I was surprised by a rural Ohioan Mennonite pastor who shared that in his church if it is labeled Mennonite, its suspect. He continued to share that his parishioners will readily listen to the perspectives of Christian radio talk shows whose viewpoints are filled with a fearful slant and lack any similarity to the teachings of Christ. Other table members admitted experiencing the same in their congregations.

Another table member, Janet, shared a story of her congregation’s past that is shaping its present. Janet’s congregation is in rural Montana, surrounded by mountains and ranches and no other Mennonite congregations. During the World Wars of the 20th century young Mennonite men across the country were ridiculed, beaten and ostracized in their communities for objecting to serve in the armed forces. The Mennonite community in Montana experienced the same. Janet shared that her church still bares bullet holes from an attack and the pulpit has a large burn mark from a failed bombing attempt. In the face of these acts of violence the Montana Mennonites continued to stand up for their commitment to nonviolence and nonresistance.

However, Janet explained that today with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan her congregation still holds onto the fear of those past attacks and chose to not fly a “Pray for Peace” flag for fear of what the community would say or do.

This story hit me hard. For a while now I’ve been trying to figure out why it is that we, as Mennonites, seem to be proud of our courageous heritage yet act as if we are afraid to really be who our theological ancestors were. I have wondered if the fear caused by the persecution suffered by our ancestors has been passed down from generation to generation. If this is the case why hasn’t the courage been passed down as well?

I’ve heard that it takes ten positive compliments to outweigh one negative critique. This adage suggests that it is the negative that is easier to believe and be formed by than the positive. Is the same true about the spirit of fear? Did the generations that followed our persecuted ancestors, both long past and more recent, pass down only the pain and fear from watching their loved ones get hurt?

I cannot blame them for that, it is human nature to be afraid, especially in the face of violence. But why are we afraid of things we have never experienced and therefore have no cause to be fearful?

We have a choice here: be afraid of what might happen if we do or say anything out of the ordinary or courageously follow Christ where ever he may lead. We can continue to be shaped by the fear of the generations before us or we can trust in God and act from that trust and faith.

What legacy will we leave behind to the next generation of Mennonites?

Lora Steiner

Goshen College professor John Roth tells the story of early Anabaptists in Europe, who were pushed to the margins of society and geography because they refused to conform to the state church, yet still managed to draw people to their fold. When the new converts were asked why they had joined the Anabaptists – a group viewed by broader society as radicals and heretics and riff-raff – they replied that in times of crisis, it was the Anabaptists who showed up at their doors to help.

I think of this story sometimes as I walk along the streets of Bristol, in southwestern England. I came here through Franconia Conference’s partnership with the Anabaptist Network of Ireland and Britain, to do research for an organization called Workshop.

Workshop is just that: a series of weekend workshops offered in cities across England which look at a variety of issues in Christianity today—spiritual disciplines, ethics, apologetics, mission. Workshop was started in 1983 and has no denominational affiliation. It doesn’t have official stances on many issues. Instead, it seeks to help people understand a broad range of perspectives and creates space for discussion.

People come to Workshop for a variety of reasons. Some come because they haven’t found much space in their churches for questioning or imagination; others want to go to seminary and use Workshop as a way to explore further theological study; and some end up at Workshop because despite how fed up they are with the church, they still want to believe.

Part of my task—the part that’s not hard to describe but nearly impossible to measure—is to be present, to build relationships, and to affirm that Anabaptist-minded people in the United Kingdom and Mennonites in the United States have something significant to offer each other.

Anabaptists in Ireland and the United Kingdom have consciously chosen to identify with the values of early Anabaptists. They didn’t grow up or even become Christians with an understanding of Christianity as a non-violent faith, but I’ve found wonderful community here. Workshop students ask thoughtful questions about their faith; a family with four small children holds weekly Shabbat meals; people work in victim-offender reconciliation and re-entry programs for people leaving prison; my hosts have graciously opened their home to me for the summer.

The other part of my task is to help Noel Moules, the head of Workshop, think about how to move from a solely classroom-based curriculum, to a variety of formats that may include books, DVDs, or podcasts, that can be used by groups outside of the U.K. In the process, I’m learning a lot about publishing and researching technology and media. Eventually I’ll help Workshop write a grant proposal to fund the project.

There’s a sort of romance to being here in the country that birthed Jane Austen and my favorite Potters, Beatrix and Harry. But there’s reality, too: only about 35 percent of British people believe in God or a divine being; only five percent attend church. (In the U.S., these numbers are over 90 percent and 30 percent, respectively.) I know that membership and attendance numbers are dropping in the United States, too, and sometimes I wonder if our churches will follow this same trajectory.

As Stuart Murray Williams points out, North Africa was once predominately Christian and Turkey and Ireland hold the ruins of magnificent cathedrals and monasteries. I wonder if I will one day feel as alien in my own country as I do here; if one day I will have to learn to sing an old song in a new land. Will Christianity eventually seem as antiquated and irrational as it does to many English people now?

Almost every week it seems there is a column in The Guardian, a U.K. national newspaper, from a philosopher or thinker whose work I admire, writing that God is a myth that is just no longer necessary in this day and age. It seems to me that most of these men (somehow, they’re always men) are simply choosing a different sort of faith and indoctrination. My challenge is to seek to understand them anyway. Hopefully one day, should they need it, I’ll be able to knock on their door, casserole in hand.

Lora Steiner is a seminary student at Drew University Theological School. She was part of the Franconia Conference staff from 2007-08. Her work in the UK is supported by Spring Mount congregation, Philadelphia Praise Center and Ripple Allentown as a way of learning and investing in missional equipping and development with global partners. Lora returns to the U.S. for her final semester at Drew Theological School this fall.

Sheldon Good, Salford

In December 2008 the National Bureau of Economic Research made it official: the United States entered a recession a year earlier, in 2007. For the past year, individuals and corporations have felt the effects of the recession. But what about church-related organizations like Franconia Mennonite Conference?

Data from a 1968 to 2005 survey by Empty Tomb, a Christian service and research organization, indicated “that church member giving does not necessarily decline in a recession.”

“That may be because the church community is often regarded as the layer next to the family in terms of relationships, accountability and clearly urgent needs,” said Sylvia Ronsvalle, executive vice president of Empty Tomb, in a recent article for the Christian Century.

According to a more recent survey, The Barna Group said that as of November 2008 – before the recession was identified by government officials – one in five adults said they had decreased their giving to churches or other religious organizations. Perhaps the current recession has invited a new milieu.

In fiscal year ending January 31, 2009, Franconia Conference revenue, gains and support totaled $1,319,032, an increase over 2008. “Franconia Conference staff have been aware that funds are tight and have been good stewards of the conference’s resources,” said Conrad Martin, director of finance.

Franconia Conference completed a three-year transition that ended in 2008, which enabled labor costs to be reduced significantly in 2009. Karen Moyer, Franconia Conference board member and chair of the vision and financial plan team, said this allowed the conference to refrain from reductions in current staff hours or salaries.

“Along with the restructuring of executive positions and the recommendations of the vision and financial plan team, the newly-formed, three-tiered budget responds to the call for stronger financial accountability,” Moyer said.

“Appropriating funds this way depends heavily on individuals and congregations to support specific missional initiatives.” Franconia Conference’s Vision and Financial Plan was affirmed by delegates at the annual assembly in 2007 and continues in implementation on review in 2012.

Franconia Conference generated significant additional revenue in fiscal year 2008 from FMC Properties, an organization which includes a number of the conference’s property investments. FMC Properties provided the conference with $714,844 in rental and maintenance income, an increase of 10 percent from fiscal year 2007.

“One of the key God-given resources we have are the properties of Franconia Conference,” said Noel Santiago, conference executive minister. “Our vision and financial plan calls for us to maximize these properties in such a way that helps free up a greater percentage of contributed dollars towards our various ministries.”

Congregational contributions to the conference from fiscal year 2008 to 2009 decreased less than one percent. Other contributions increased $143,959 (61 percent), mostly a result of increases in estate gifts and Worm Project contributions.

“Generous contributions from congregations, individuals and conference related ministries are helping us weather this time of significant financial downturn,” Santiago said. “Additionally, the focus of our Vision and Financial Plan team has helped us discern the activities, tasks and responsibilities that are to be undertaken, and as a result, costs have been kept down.”

Largely a result of the recession, total investments by the conference lost $260,918 in value, a decrease of 30 percent. This includes investment market losses of $117,043. Remaining decreases came from grant disbursements for local and global mission, conference support and capital expenditures.

2008 Conference Revenue at a glance, year ending January 31, 2009

Total Revenue: $1,319, 032

Congregational contributions: $636,094, Down 1% from 2007

Property income: $714,844, Up 10% from 2007

Other contributions includes estate gifts and special initiatives: $263,013, Up 61% over 2007

More information is available at stewardship.mosaicmennonites.org

Franconia Conference is audited annually by Detweiler, Hershey & Associates, Souderton, PA. Copies of the audit are available by emailing Conrad Martin at ccmartin@mosaicmennonites.org

Jay Gordon, Jr., Grace

Q: Describe the range of emotions you have felt over the past couple of months.

There is deep sadness about leaving behind what is really a way of life for me, and shifting to something unknown. I will miss this place. Dock has been professionally stimulating for me, and it has also been my spiritual support, my church family, my faith community. What am I going to do without all that? But I am excited to go to Mennonite Education Agency, and excited to take the best of what Dock is, out and beyond to bless other educational institutions.

Q: The Dock community has already begun talking about your legacy and what we think it is. What legacy do you believe you are leaving to Christopher Dock?

If I have a legacy I hope it will be my intention to carry God’s light and further His kingdom. I have always tried to work from a base of ‘organic’ leadership, praying that God would provide the right people, and that I could, as a leader, allow teachers to develop professionally to the point where they can do their best work. This place is nothing without those who teach on a daily basis. If teachers feel empowered and free to do their best it makes Dock a special place for students.

Dock faculty see teaching as their vocation and calling. Because of that, Dock is a model of education that works. “Building Community” was genius—and it came from faculty! They brainstormed about an educational program with Anabaptist distinctive, and came up with the “Building Community” concept. It has now unfolded into a four-year experience all linked to curriculum—an integrated way to work at faith-infused distinctives that complement the academic, spiritual and lifestyle choices of students.

Q: In your view, what is the greatest impact Dock has had on students? On faculty? On parents/families?

The way Dock encourages lifelong learning and lifelong spiritual formation. There is a sense of “settledness” here that allows education to happen in the classroom, that creates a space where hard questions can be asked and people can talk in a safe environment. Students learn to trust questioning and discussion, that they will have an opportunity to change their mind. An engaging classroom prepares students for whatever they choose as a next step, whether they decide to go to college, work in business, have a family, or go and do service.

It’s an absolute thrill to see the children of former students enter Christopher Dock. We are always blessed when Dock grads let us know how much the educational program here has kept up with the times, how it has continued to shape and grow them as people, and how it has provided so many opportunities for them to test their God-given abilities.

Q: How have you grown as a person, as a leader, as a follower of Christ as a result of your experiences here?

This community taught me everything I needed to know about leadership. They have been patient. They have challenged me, provided professional support and allowed me to grow. They have been gracious, and for that I am grateful.

One of my models as a leader was Elmer Neufeld who was president of Bluffton when I taught there. He taught me about humble, organic leadership, and how one can empower people to shape the institution. That was a huge influence in my life. Going to Lehigh for my superintendent certificate also helped me refine my leadership thinking.

The board members I have worked with, including five board chairs, were all very influential in helping me to lead within this community as a unique region for Mennonite education. Donella Clemens was the first board chair I worked with. She helped me understand how much this strongly supportive community values people.

The passion and care of this place is really a result of a community of people committed to living their faith in practical and authentic ways that take care of the least of these and bless the whole. This school is just one example of how that plays out. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to get to know the people who were on the ground floor of all that—people like Paul Godshall and Horace Longacre, who were mentors and contributors and caretakers of this school.*

*See the Spring 2009 issue of Lamplighter for the full interview.

Megan Blank

On April 6, Peaceful Living’s new group home, Jubilee House, located on the campus of Rockhill Mennonite Community, welcomed its first residents. “There’s a real family feel and compassion in the way the staff relate to the clients,” Sue Krauss said, whose son Tom is a resident.

A partnership between Rockhill Mennonite Community and Peaceful Living, it took 12 years of persistence and perseverance to make Jubilee House a reality. “We see ourselves as spiritual advocates for these people,” Executive Director Joe Landis said, who has been involved in this field for 38 years.

“My approach to developing a service or care is to respond to what parents say,” he continued. “It eventually goes as the parents say, anyway – they have been such strong advocates in the community. We’re committed to what the family wants.”

Group homes have often been in demand in Pennsylvania. Currently, 23,000 people across the state are on waiting lists. In 1996 while working at Indian Creek Foundation. Landis began a dialogue with 50 different families about the need for such a group home in this region.

“For some, home care is best,” Landis said “From the state’s point of view, the group home at the time was dying out. They said those people should live with their families or in family living which is a kind of foster care. Now, some people like that, but it’s not for everyone. These families wanted a group home.”

Landis then thought of the format of a retirement community, and the advantage of having one in close proximity to the group home. It would also give the parents a choice to retire at the community, and thus, remain close to their children.

Several local retirement communities entered the dialogue. Souderton Mennonite Homes eventually gave land for Reliance House, built for higher functioning adults. It was Wayne Clemens, the board chair at Rockhill Mennonite Community, who took up Jubilee House.

“Wayne Clemens told me, ‘I want to respond to the individuals who need 24-hour care,’” Landis said. “He’s always had a special interest in these people – that as Mennonites, we should take care of them.”

“It was just the right thing to do, that simple,” Clemens said. “

The process wasn’t easy though. “It is extremely complicated to get funding and provide care,” Landis said. “As we went on, it got more and more complicated. Most of the cost comes from staffing, as 24-hour care would be needed. Reliance House is one person for eight people, this was two to three for six.”

After Landis left Indian Creek in 1999, he tried to keep the Jubilee House dialogue going. Rockhill hired Landis in 2004, who had recently formed Peaceful Living, for the project. Landis began contacting the state legislature. State Rep. Paul Clymer tried to help pass the project in 2006, but failed.

By the spring of 2007, several families had left the project. Even Landis began to grow weary planning to only “give it one more shot.” Landis continued to meet with other legislators, but “wasn’t hopeful.” A meeting was arranged with Kevin Casey, Director of the Office of Developmental Programs in Harrisburg. At the meeting, they learned of a plan to pay 100 percent for these families.

Ground was broken in July 2008, costing almost $1 million. The house, set in a quiet, wooded area of the RMC campus, features a screened in porch, large living room, kitchen and dining room with all the modern facilities. Each resident has his and her own room.

Another special factor about Jubilee House is the effort the staff undergoes to keep its residents involved in their faith community. “Tom was a part of church all his life, it would’ve have been very hard, he’d miss it,” his father, Al Krauss, said. “He’s been liking living there very much.”