Intersections

Jessica Walter

So we see that heeding God’s call can mean leaving home and all that is familiar. It can demand our accumulated wealth and security or dare us to place our blessings, even our lives, at risk. It can also mean simply living where we are but with an entirely new set of priorities. In every case, our particular vocation in God’s service arises from our response to the basic call to radical availability.–Gerritt Scott Dawson

The above quote illuminated the screen in the auditorium at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School on Thursday of Spiritual Life Week last month. I was attending mostly to support my friend, Lana Miller, who was leading the week. But as I read the quote and allowed its meaning to sink in, tears rose to my eyes.

It seemed to be the culmination of the stirrings that my recent experience as a chaperone with Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s LEAP program had ignited. While leading my group and experiencing Guatemala I learned to live in a way that valued relationship over task and inspired me to give God and the people of God the priority in my life. Finally, this re-prioritization I had been struggling to understand and manifest in my life made sense. I now understood that I was being inspired by God to learn to be “radically available” right where I am “but with an entirely new set of priorities.”

This issue of Intersections includes a series of stories with few common threads but all of them are inspiring stories of the people of Franconia Conference becoming “radically available” to wherever and whatever God calls them.

Emily Graber, Lauren Derstine, Brendon Derstine, and Larissa Landis all listened to the shoulder-tapping call to not only risk going away from home to ask tough questions about faith and find the answers, serve another community, and interact with new people but were also willing to serve and learn right where they were.

The congregations at Plains Mennonite Church, Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, and New Beginnings Community Church found ways to be radically available to God by making outreach in their communities a priority through creative summer programing.

West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship’s new pastor, Lorie Hershey, tells the story of continually saying “yes” to God’s call to dance with the Lord wherever he may lead. While Pastor Paulus of Plains Mennonite Church shares how his relationship with Christ has inspired a life of holy fear and faithful obedience.

Conference Related Ministries—Community Home Services, Penn View Christian School, and Camp Men-O-Lan—have all shared stories of staff, volunteers, and students who recognized Dawson’s assertion that, “In every case, our particular vocation in God’s service arises from our response to the basic call to radical availability.”

Community Home Services Executive Director Diane Tihansky highlights the radical service of CHS Nurse Aide, Lori Detweiler who has been working above and beyond her job to raise funds for low-income clients. Penn View Christian School’s 7th grade Science teacher, Harry Anselmo, found a fun way to not only provide a memorable lesson in science but also helped his students “deepen their appreciation for God’s creation while interacting with and engaging in discussions about the wonder of God’s unique design.” And Camp Men-O-Lan highlighted how Finland Mennonite Church’s youth were radically available to the camp this summer. They not only provided meaningful support to the camp and its campers but also grew in faith and confidence through their service.

Finally, this issue of Intersections provides the profile of this year’s Conference Assembly keynote speaker, Gilberto Flores, who never imagined that his work with the Mennonite church in Guatemala “would one day [lead him to] be called to work with churches in the United States.” I’d guess he never imagined that his radical availability would also help inspire my own radical availability to God when he volunteered to lead the LEAP Guatemala trip that I accompanied this past summer. Gilberto’s spirit and example while leading in our exploration of Guatemala–its churches, and its people inspired me to strive to see God and the world through his eyes.

These stories inspire us all to hear God’s invitation to radical availability, wherever we are.

Krista Ehst, Perkasie
with Jessica Walter
krista.ehst@gmail.com

During summer months, it sometimes feels like every other corner church has the same acronym posted boldly on their sign. “VBS,” otherwise known as Vacation Bible School, is an annual event many parents and kids look forward to once school lets out. Every Vacation Bible School has a different theme or approach, but most of them are valuable week-long programs that invite church and community children to spend five or so days learning about the Bible, playing, and fellowshipping with one another.

This past summer a few congregations held programs that took a different shape than the typical form of VBS. Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, a Partner in Mission in Philadelphia, PA, New Beginnings Community Church in Bristol, PA, and Plains Mennonite Church in Lansdale, PA, offered extensive summer programs in attempts to connect more deeply with their surrounding communities and neighborhoods.

OXFORD CIRCLE
The Summer Education Program at Oxford Circle has been up and running for the past four years, reaching its highest numbers this year with an enrollment of 36 children. From late June through August many children from the neighborhood walk over to the church every Tuesday through Thursday for a free afternoon of fun and learning. Each year has a particular theme, and summer ‘07 was focused on “Walking the Path of Peace.” The children explored what it means to be peacemakers through many creative mediums, discovering that peace is not just an abstract idea, but something they can live out in their everyday lives. Whether through an art project, an interactive drama, or an afternoon spent listening to local Christian rapper Cruz Cordero, the children found many exciting ways to engage with the theme of peacemaking and apply that theme to their daily experiences.

“I’ve been moved by how the kids have jumped in with many ideas of how to spread peace in the community,” says camp director Peter Koontz. Koontz, a Summer Ministry Inquiry Program participant from Goshen, Indiana, who had, had some hesitancies about heading up the program. But as he got to know the campers, he grew to deeply appreciate those relationships and found inspiration in their free-flowing and simple ideas for spreading peace in the community. As Koontz sang, read, and created with these children he listened to their suggestions to cook for the poor and sing and dance for sick people and realized he had “been blessed by seeing God’s face in a place [he] didn’t necessarily expect to.”

NEW BEGINNINGS
God’s face has been evident in the Bristol area this summer as well. There, in the Venice Ashby neighborhood, New Beginnings Community Church offered its third year of summer camp. During the months of July and August, local children met from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday and Friday to play games, have Bible study, memorize Bible verses, make crafts, and spend time with the other children and volunteers.

Felicia Moore is a college-age member at New Beginnings and has devoted her past few summers to making this program happen. She sees it as an invaluable resource not only for children, but for the parents and broader community.

“The children [of Venice Ashby] cry out for activities and camp all year around,” Moore says, “They love the counselors and volunteers that give up their time and energy to help out. Most of them just want attention and a safe place to hang out and have fun. The community center in this area has been closed for a few years and so our members are trying to fill in that gap. The program helps parents by providing affordable camps and other resources. The children receive breakfast, lunch, and take home any arts and crafts projects they do. Having Bible lessons and reading programs reach the educational side that most events don’t offer. Above all we give parents a chance to go to work without worrying about leaving their children at home.”

There were ups and downs as Moore worked hard to pull off another summer of camp using fairly limited resources. Some days seemed to stretch on forever as she faced the kids’ exuberant energy and tried to answer their endless questions about God and life. But like Koontz, she felt blessed by her experiences and the many things she gained from her campers’ “examples of love and curiosity [as they] live out an everyday child-like faith.”

PLAINS
As Plains Mennonite Church reviewed their busy summer on a late August Sunday morning they joined in thanks proclaiming, “Let all the peoples praise you, God!” With unquenchable energy for celebration, outreach, and peacemaking Plains fully utilized their adjoining park facilities, Plains Park, this summer with outdoor movies, community events, and programming for children and youth.

For five Wednesday nights in mid-summer Plains hosted an evening program entitled “Peace in the Park” where children enjoyed music, games, crafts, and Bible studies focused on issues of day to day peacemaking. Plains also welcomed junior and senior high youth, for four mid-summer Sunday evenings, to their “Get Psyched” program. During their recent Sunday morning review one 7th grade youth, Taylor Mirarchi, commented on how fun her first summer with the program was. She enjoyed the games and Bible studies as well as being able to invite her friend Amber to join the group.

Plains was able to not only provide meaningful summer programming for youth but also provided times of fun and outreach to their surrounding community. Their community celebration “Party in the Park” drew over 600 people from the surrounding community where neighbors played games, ate food, and enjoyed fellowship with each other. They also held several family movie nights. As the warm weather persisted Plains continued to host events in their park.

When next summer rolls around, there will undoubtedly be many exciting options and opportunities for Vacation Bible School. Keep an eye out, though, for those programs that may not have the flashiest themes or the most resources, but are quietly and diligently working to reach out and offer something to their communities.

Peter Koontz (standing) helps a Summer Education Program participant with a craft project at Oxford Circle; Summer camp. Participants play a game at Plains’ Get Psyched program.

, Plains

My parents worked all of their lives with Christian missionary schools in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. The Lord called my father to heaven when I was 10 years old. So, my mother took total responsibility of our family. There are a total of six siblings. My mother took lead of family prayers everyday in our home; one in the early morning and one in the evening. During each prayer meeting we started by praising the Lord with a hymn or song, my mother read a suggested bible reading and passage from the “Daily Devotions” book, and then she closed with a prayer.

Right from my childhood I feared the Lord for He is God the Creator. This holy fear inspired me to live closer to God by attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible School during my childhood and then church worship services since 11th grade. I also attended many gospel meetings and evangelistic meetings in my hometown. Since my boyhood I wanted to become a faithful servant of God and a preacher of the Word and Gospel of Jesus Christ, for which I have been having peace in my heart.

I was a student at Nagarjuna University during the academic years of 1985-87. While I was in my final year of my Master’s degree, I had a strong desire to repent for my sins one night and asked the Lord to forgive me. From that moment on, my desires have changed and I have so much interest in the Lord and reading the Bible, Christian books and literature. My habits have changed. My interest turned from movies to the church, gospel and evangelistic meetings, and seminars. Before I came to the United States, I worked for a little over three years as a graduate Professor in Wesley Degree College for Men (a minority institution of the Church of South India).

After spending four years in Seminary in Hatfield, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, I graduated with a M.Div in 1998. During the final year in seminary studies, a couple of the Professors came and tapped my shoulder and asked, “When are you starting a Church?” I could not answer. I smiled and asked them to pray for me. I know in my heart and have been listening to His voice that there is “a God’s call to serve Him”.

The first time I visited Plains Mennonite Church to participate in the worship service was in September 2000. In the Lord’s time, in the summer of 2001, my family and I became members in the family of Plains. The Lord opened the door to serve as a Pastoral Intern for a short period of time under Mike Derstine, Lead Pastor of Plains. I thank the Lord for this opportunity as a gift through the Church Council of Plains congregation. From that point on, I have been privileged to teach along with the teaching team for the Adult Bible Sunday school class for seniors. Plains has also given me the opportunity to serve the Lord as a delegate to Franconia Mennonite Conference and on the Church Council.

I have been serving as a Chairman for Penn Bible Fellowship (PBF). PBF is not a church but is a congregation. We gather every fourth Saturday in the Plains Mennonite Meetinghouse to praise and worship the Lord through a regular formal worship service and also for fellowship of the Community. The congregational members are from the Mennonite Church, other denominations, and evangelical groups. As part of the ministry, I have been serving in planning regular worship services, giving communion, and doing visitations. Through this ministry and through counseling and teaching ministries in person, on the phone, and electronically, I have peace in my heart that I have been doing what the Lord has called me to do — to serve faithfully and with a serving heart.

Diane L. Schmeck-Tihansky, MHA
dtihansky@communityhomeservices.org

Excerpt from a letter written by Lori Detweiler, Community Home Services Certified Nurse Aide, to her co-workers:

“More often than not, we are the bright spots in our clients’ lives. The Lord has truly blessed me with this work ministry. I have my frustrating moments like everyone else, but God gently reminds me of my own parents, grandparents, and even my sister. In fact, I have realized that my clients are just an older version of me! While we are living our hectic lives, juggling work and family, our clients are also struggling to gain some of the independence they once had long ago. We are doing such important work here, but we need to remember that we are not just serving clients; rather we are serving our clients through Christ.”

Caregivers like Lori are the heart of the eldercare home health ministry of Community Home Services. Lori is a role model to others; she doesn’t stop caring about her clients at the end of the day. This year, Lori volunteered with other CHS staff and board members to organize and support the first CHS Walk-for-Seniors. This event raised funds to offset the care needs of low-income clients who are living at a poverty level of less than $12,000 per year. Single-handedly, Lori also obtained donations to purchase a new mattress for a bedridden, low-income client to bring comfort to her severe arthritis.

Is work a measure of holiness? I think so. “Workers are called to pursue justice. Work is not a burden. It is a way to support our families, realize our dignity and promote the common good by participating with God in his ongoing creation. Decisions made at work can make important contributions to the ethics of justice. Faith-based organizations (and employees) often have the difficult responsibility of choosing between competing values in the marketplace. This is a measure of holiness.” *

During my challenges of directing a non-profit ministry in a world of “benchmarking” (comparing against other agencies in the marketplace) and profit and loss statements, I reflect on what CHS is about. It is about one-person of integrity and compassion, like Lori, providing care in the home of another person who is lonely, frail, and elderly, like our own loved ones and neighbors. And someday, like you and me. It is about answering God’s call for our lives as a reflection of God’s love and a measure of holiness.

Conference Related Ministries like Community Home Services need the encouragement, support and prayers of God’s people in order to thrive and sustain work environments of holiness – so that we can reach others through Christ – not only today, but into the future.

*Excerpts from: Everyday Christianity, 1998; and Health Progress (Mike Garrido), September 2007

Heidi Painter, PVCS English Teacher
hpainter@pennview.org

Imagine basking in the sizzling summer sun, spending time with your friends, snorkeling in a crystal clear river, and swimming with manatees. If you’re thinking that this sounds like a great vacation, you’re wrong – partially.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience was an optional summer field trip, called Habitat H2O, for 34 students from Penn View Christian School. One student, Maddie Clemens said, “It was the best part of my summer.” And, while the students really enjoyed themselves, this trip was not just fun and games. This educational trip provided a new threshold for an appreciation of and participation in scientific studies.

Current and former Penn View Christian Middle School students were led by Harry Anselmo, 7th grade Science teacher, and accompanied by several parent chaperones to the Gulf Coast of Florida this summer. Their mission was to observe natural ecology and life in the fresh water, salt water, and brackish water areas between Tampa and Sarasota. Students were expected to log journal entries and attend classes where they learned about food chains, food webs, and the importance of annual flooding. Esther Frustino even recalled being able to dissect a shark!

In addition to the studious part of the trip, students were able to deepen their appreciation for God’s creation while interacting with and engaging in discussions about the wonder of God’s unique design. Three highlights included swimming with manatees, snorkeling down Rainbow River, and a canopy walk through Myakka River State Park. Mr. Anselmo reflects that students were delighted by the response of the manatees as they did belly rolls. He also added that it was interesting to observe students’ individual growth while overcoming personal obstacles such as putting on flippers for the first time or handling a leaky face mask.

Students grew in their love and understanding of science, and they grew in their relationship with their teacher. Sam Wilkins remarked that, “Mr. A is always funny in class, but in Florida, he was so funny that I couldn’t believe it was the same person!” In sharing the simple acts of sleeping, eating, and learning, “we became like a family,” comments Mr. Anselmo.

The concept of this trip had been an idea in Mr. Anselmo’s mind for a while, but when he found the organization World Strides, he knew it was a good fit for Penn View. Though the organization is not Christian, the program, which Mr. Anselmo found to be more educationally based than many, offered a multitude of opportunities for discussion about God and the design of creation. Colleen Mynaugh thought, “This trip showed that God’s love for the world is amazing.” She went on to say, “This was the probably one of the best experiences of my life.”

The learning, however, did not end in Florida. Mr. Anselmo admits to having frequent discussions with students about things they observed, learned, and experienced while on the trip this past summer. Students who were perhaps too young to participate this time are already anticipating the next science trip that Mr. Anselmo will be offering. Penn View Christian School is pleased to offer opportunities for learning during the summer months and hopes to continue this in the future.

Karen Roberts
kroberts@menolan.org

Every summer Camp Men-O-Lan is blessed to have summer staff members from nearby Mennonite churches. Usually there are only one or two youth from any particular congregation. But this past summer Finland Mennonite Church’s youth group provided five excellent counselors for the overnight and day camp programs.

Finland Youth Director Dave Landis encouraged them to get involved as a way of serving Christ and sharing their faith. Through his encouragement, four Finland youth participated in Men-O-Lan’s annual spring training for high school students who were exploring the possibility of summer camp work.

One of Camp Men-O-Lan’s goals is to mentor summer staff members so that they grow spiritually and gain experience that will help them become Christian leaders. Recently Dan Kratz, a day camp counselor from Finland, shared, “From dealing with the children, I learned to be more patient.”

He shared that he has learned to transfer what he learned into other areas of his life in which he needs patience. Dan’s sister Jennifer, a sophomore at Gordon College, was a resident camp counselor. She expressed that when she first came to camp, she had doubts about being able to adequately lead the girls in her cabin. After camp ended, she said, “I’ve learned that with God, I’m capable of doing things I never thought I could do.”

When asked what was the main impact of the summer, day camp counselor Samantha Keegan, another member of Finland’s youth group, responded, “Seeing the whole staff work together as a team and growing together spiritually.”

The mother of one of the high school age counselors recently shared that working at camp helped her son come out of his shell. Upon returning from camp, for the first time he is sharing publicly and has joined the youth worship team. He told her that one of the campfires during staff training week had a strong spiritual effect on him.

Two of the counselors didn’t want to miss out on the Finland youth group’s work camp mission trip. Believing that the trip was an important outreach, camp leaders made arrangements for them to be off that week. When they returned to camp they were able to share their experiences with campers. One of them was overheard telling campers, “If you ever get a chance to go on a missions trip, do it!”

Finland Mennonite’s participation and support was mutually beneficial. Their youth grew in many ways from their experience at camp. And campers at Men-O-Lan benefited from the good role modeling, love, and spiritual input that these counselors gave over the summer.