Intersections

Gwen Groff , Bethany
bethanym@vermontel.net

I was looking forward to San Jose for several reasons, some more noble than others. Coming from rural Vermont, I wanted to watch a big city fireworks display on July 4th, sing hymns in a gathering with more than two tenors, and take in some great workshops.

The part I was most surprised to enjoy, though, were the delegate sessions. One day, the youth joined around our tables, and we learned from the young man who joined our group about his ideal church, which includes a chocolate bar. I then realized that our table was my ideal church.

We had racial and age diversity, and we represented the most amazing assortment of church models: one led by a white male lead pastor; one with a co-pastor team, a man and woman, both married, but not to each other; one with a woman lead pastor; one with no paid leadership; one with no members; along with a retirement community. The member-less church was made up entirely of homeless or mentally ill people, and their pastor said that given the issues their congregation deals with, they could not possibly draw membership lines between who’s in and who’s out.

Our group sometimes felt like we were often rubber-stamping decisions that had already been made before we came to San Jose. We were usually presented one side of an issue, which allowed most items to pass without much dissent. While this creates a sense of unity in this new denomination, it seems to make delegates’ work less vital. One of the delegates in our group noted, “Surely these topics were hotly debated in the Constituency Leadership Council before being presented here. Why aren’t we allowed to hear any of those dissenting voices?”

An exception to this pattern, however, was when we discussed, but didn’t vote on, a statement that calls for an, “end [to] the practice of disciplining or expelling congregations.” Perhaps because no vote was expected opposing sides were presented, as two conference ministers offered differing perspectives. As a signer of the statement, I thought I had looked at it from every angle. But the statements of the ministers, the reflections of my table group, and the widely varied thoughts offered in the open mic discussion, enlarged my perspective.

I suspect I was not the only one at San Jose sitting with the ideal church. I wonder if others wished we had a little more work to do together.

photo by David Landis

Daniel Landes, Doylestown
daniel.landes@emu.edu

The Mennonite church is dying.

Or should I say, my Mennonite church is dying. I don’t mean my specific congregation but the Mennonite church that I have known all my life. The same church in which I was raised as a child, baptized, and welcomed into as a member, is facing certain extinction, and yet that gives me hope for the future of Mennonites in this country.

I didn’t come to this conclusion in a week, but my trip as a delegate to San Jose for the Mennonite Church USA Convention opened my eyes to this reality. When Mennonites from all over the country gathered for a week of business, worship, and seminars, the signs of extinction were clear.

The church that I believe will die is a Mennonite church that refuses to let go of 300 years of tradition. This church was in clear view in San Jose, but at the same time I witnessed another church in San Jose that has given me hope for the future. Both churches were evident when the 2006 Mennonite Member Profile was presented in a delegate session. Seventy percent of Mennonites in the United States are over the age of 45. This is in contrast with a survey in 1972 when only 46% of us were over the age of 45. The end result of this trend is a church that literally dies out, but I don’t think that is the future.

Another part of this profile was a look at a sample of Racial/Ethnic congregations. The results from these congregations present anything but a dying church, either physically or spiritually. During the past five years, around a quarter of new members who have joined the church have fit into the Racial/Ethnic category. These churches and their members are more likely to be evangelically minded and less tied down to their local communities.

This became clear when I had the opportunity near the end of my week in San Jose to meet with some young adults from Franconia Mennonite Conference. This included some members of the Philadelphia Praise Center, a multi-racial congregation and Franconia Conference’s newest member congregation. In conversation with these young adults I saw hope for the future of the Mennonite church. Here were Mennonites who were truly focused on the reign of God with none of the apathy that seems to weigh many of our congregations down. I also found this passion for a Mennonite church that looks different in other ways at the Convention. In worship we sang songs in many languages and in many styles. Speakers challenged us to combine the strengths of our Mennonite heritage – such as our peace witness – with a desire to live and share the love of Jesus.

I ultimately left San Jose wondering: how can this aging church I know, tied down from centuries of being separated from society and maintaining uniformity in theology and practice, survive?

I went to the convention as a delegate and enjoyed participating in the sessions, but what I will remember from my time in San Jose was meeting the members from Philadelphia Praise Center. The church will not become extinct if we can learn from churches such as Philadelphia Praise Center. The problem is that we must leave behind much of what it means to be a Mennonite if we want to follow their example. Are we ready to let the church mired in tradition die and embrace a Mennonite church that will live the call?

Gay Brunt Miller

One word can make a difference! In a former role, I vividly remember the day I misread my boss’s handwriting and typed “now” instead of “not” in a letter to the FDA. It almost cost me my job and my company significant credibility.

For the past six years we have referred to Franconia Mennonite Conference’s relationship with 23 entities beyond congregations as “Conference Related Organizations” (CROs). This term has become well-accepted and understood in Franconia Conference circles. These “entities” with whom we have a formal relationship include four schools, three camps, four groups that serve senior citizens, two historical organizations, three organizations that provide services to clients and families with mental or developmental challenges, a radio ministry, a prison ministry, and five groups that are local branches of broader church initiatives (MCC, MEDA, or MDS).

As I relate to these organizations and their leaders, one common theme consistently emerges. For these organizations and their leaders, what they do and how they do what they do is important. Their work and calling is more than to be a business or a social service agency. These organizations truly see their work as ministry.

And over the past five years we’ve been sharing their stories. Intersections has featured many stories of how these organizations have touched lives in the name of Christ. Over the years articles with tiles such as “A Moment of Grace,” “Help for the Least of These,” “Counting Blessings,” “Faith Walk Leads to Holy Moment in CD Pond,” “Entertaining Angels,” “Repentance and Renewal in Zurich and Beyond,” “Anatomy of a Calling,” “Walking the Talk,” “Neighbor Helping Neighbor,” “Vigil for Peacemakers,” and “The Gospel is Our Daily Mission,” belie the stuff of ministry, not just business.

This is something to celebrate! This is ministry with credibility. These ministries may be imperfect and made up of fallible people, yet God is using them and those of you who are part of them to do ministry in this region and beyond. Christ’s admonition in Matthew 25:35-36 calls for many groups, both literally and figuratively: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” This is the very essence of what God has called us, as followers, to do!

The transition of language, from “Conference Related Organizations” to “Conference Related Ministries,” is one small way that Franconia Conference can recognize and continue to build the integrity of these relationships into relationships that transcend administrative paperwork and into living and vital partnerships of joining hands and hearts to do the work which Christ is calling us all to in this region and in this world.

God is doing good things through these wonderful ministries, and I believe that God wants to do even greater things, as all of us who make up Franconia Conference — congregations, Conference Related Ministries, and Partners in Mission — continue to seek how God wants to use us… together… to God’s glory, in this region, and in the broader reign of God.

Photos from Bethany Birches Camp, Plymouth, VT. Kristina Landis of the Franconia congregation is visible in the photo on the bottom right. All photos by Tim Moyer of the Blooming Glen congregation.

Sara J. Kolb, Plains
sjkolb1@verizon.net

Care & Share Shoppes, Inc. began its mission here in the Souderton Center on November 3, 1975. This was a vision that came to fruition by Wayne Clemens, Norman and Janet Vincent, Bob Kratz, Harold and Myrtle Mininger, and the late Walton Hackman. By April 10, 1976, the first $10,000 check was given to Russell Musselman, Franconia Mennonite Conference treasurer, who handed it to John Hostetler, Mennonite Central Committee Material Aid Director.

When Care & Share began in 1975, 40 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations provided the volunteers and a monthly donation to help cover the rent. These were ways that the churches were directly involved. As customers entered the store, they were reminded by the signage– that this mission was being done “In the Name of Christ,” the MCC motto.

Today the operations continue with the same values and integrity even though there have been several changes of location for the business over the past 32 years. We have moved from where the Franconia Conference offices are presently, to four individual stores at the other end of the shopping center. Generous donations come in daily, which keep the clothing, furniture, and variety stores well stocked. Each donation prolongs the usefulness of quality used items. A purchase from an MCC thrift shop improves people’s lives by supporting the work of MCC and saving the earth’s resources – recycling and reusing. Ten Thousand Villages stocks new items each month from 32 developing countries. The sale of these items assists families with housing, food, and education for their children. We are very blessed as needs are met in our community and around the world.

We presently have 28 paid employees. However, our operation is only successful because of our 774 volunteers. Ten of the original volunteers are still volunteering with us today. One of those persons is Nancy Mininger. Nancy began volunteering because of an invitation from her mother-in-law, Myrtle Mininger, to sort clothing. She volunteered in a variety of ways, including working with Ruth Houpt to set up displays in the Clothing Shoppe. Presently, Nancy volunteers about 20 hours a week. Nancy’s busy sorting and pricing seasonal items, toys and other items donated to the variety store. She helps on the dock when needed, volunteering at least one weekend a month. Nancy is a member of the Frederick Mennonite Church, where she has volunteered a lot of her time by playing the piano, teaching Sunday School, and lending nursery care. She organizes the volunteers from Frederick Mennonite Church who occasionally volunteer on a Friday evening, and in recent years Nancy’s husband, Ray, has volunteered his construction abilities. Ray also presently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. Their six grandchildren have all volunteered here at different times. The mission begun by Harold and Myrtle Mininger has continued on for several generations!

From 1976 to present, we have contributed over $8,000,000 to MCC. It is because of our mission and the support of our community that this has been possible. Our Board of Directors and General Manager oversee the work of the three thrift stores and Ten Thousand Villages. Each shop has an advisory team. This team provides support for the manager, makes suggestions about the operation of the shoppe, and gives the shoppe team advice about new or on-going projects in the shoppe. In Montgomery Newspapers’ recent Reader’s Choice awards we were voted the 2007 #1 Thrift Store Winner.

Dottie Reed, Souderton
dlreed472@comcast.net

My husband and I are retired from full-time occupations and are now busy with volunteer church and community activities. Shouldn’t we be relaxing more, traveling more? We are getting older and some things are harder for us, but we still have skills and expertise that could be used.

John 13:14 says, “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash each other’s feet.” Jesus often instructed his followers to serve others and Jesus served by putting others first. And so it was that my husband Keith and I decided that we could serve the Lord by using our skills with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) for the month of January.

After the holiday break, long-term volunteers began arriving at New Iberia, Louisiana. These “long-termers” were from Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta. What a diverse group! Our commonality was that we were there to serve the Lord.

Keith’s first challenge was to build a center beam, 2 x 12 x 46 feet long. With others pitching in, the beam was quickly built, but Keith began to fear that human power alone would not be able to lift it. A set of short-term volunteers arrived that Sunday night, fifteen of whom were from Franconia Conference congregations. All 30 pairs of hands hoisted the beam into place. “Oh me, of little faith!” The beam was lifted and placed it in the correct position within 10 minutes.

After the beam was up, everything began to fit. When we needed framers, we got framers; when we needed roofers, roofers arrived; and when we needed dry-wallers, they came or volunteers who were willing to learn.

When Keith first met Miss Janora Arceneaux, the beneficiary of the house, her first question to him was, “Do you really think you can finish my house in seven weeks?” “With God’s help and willing hands, we will,” replied Keith. She continued to have doubts.

Miss Janora’s 14 year-old son, Jacob, would come home from school and ask what he could do to help. Each week he wanted to meet the new volunteers and get to know them.

I was asked to serve as a cook with three others. At first I was disappointed that I would not be able to be out among the survivors, but there were many opportunities to interact with the homeowners and hear their stories.

When we left home, we were only planning to be away one month. But with Keith’s expertise in plumbing, electrical, and carpentry skills, he was asked to stay for another month, to which we agreed. Since I had obligations at home, I could only stay for one more week.

On Friday, February 23rd, four dedications were held: one for a brand new house, two for renovated houses, and another for a church. Each homeowner was presented with a wall hanging (quilted by MDS Sister-Link friends from Colorado and Pennsylvania), a Bible, and a copy of, “The Hammer Rings Hope,” along with hugs and tears of joy from the volunteers.

We heard one thing over and over again: “You’re here. You said you would come on Monday, and here you are.” Often landowners are promised work by a local firm or another group, but no one shows up. We were asked many questions: “Why do so many people give a week of their vacation time to come help me? They don’t even know me.” “Why would they leave their families to come here?”

“MDS can only build houses. It is up to the owner to make it a home,” said Rudy Janzen, a long-term volunteer from Alberta, at the dedication for Miss Janora’s new house in Delcambre, LA. The seven foot block foundation was laid in December. With the help of volunteers, including many from Franconia Conference, the house was completed in seven weeks.

What brings you to volunteer your time and energy? No matter if you remove debris, muck out basements, tarp a roof, drywall and muddle for the first time, or cook for the volunteers, the followers and the body of Christ are active, alive, and witnessing.

Jenifer Eriksen Morales
jeriksenmorales@mosaicmennonites.org

I was eight years old, but remember the moment clearly. The table at the front of the sanctuary was set, and the Alpha congregation was silently praying. I tried to pray, but was overwhelmed by the stirring within and around me compelling me to go to forward. I followed the movement of the Spirit and left my chair. Although my parents said I could not take communion and had to wait until I was older and baptized, my need to follow the pull of Love was strong. I walked over to my pastor, knelt down next to him, and whispered, “Uncle Henry, I love Jesus and Jesus loves me. I know I’m young and not baptized, but I want to follow Jesus and I need to be a part of Christ and this church. Please, can I take communion?”

Pastor Swartley swept me up in a giant hug. He interrupted the congregation’s prayer, told them what I said, and asked those who agreed I could participate to stand. The entire congregation stood. Many had tears in their eyes. I don’t remember the taste of the bread or the grape juice. But I recall being included at the table and the embraces from the body of Christ following the service inviting me to know and follow Jesus. In hindsight, I realize as I awaited the congregation’s response, I was looking at a church in the midst of a moment of divergence. History, tradition, polity, faith, and past, present, and future experiences collided with my question. This was a significant moment in my spiritual journey and for the congregation who later decided to regularly include children at the Lord’s Table by serving crackers and grapes.

Because I was blessed to be raised in a home dedicated to the Christian faith, and a Mennonite church, my journey in life and faith are interrelated. While I can name situations where a deeper understanding of God, community, and self emerged, I have no “testimony” but rather numerous stories of God at work in, around, through, and in spite of me as the Holy Spirit continues to call. I was pushed to transcend various comfort zones in my choice to attend Eastern Mennonite University. A semester in Central America opened my eyes to issues such as poverty, racism, international relations, and literacy. Living and worshiping with a Catholic family helped me see spirituality through the eyes of others and challenged my Mennonite understandings.

In the middle of my tenure at EMU God called me to short term mission work in Bethlehem, the West Bank. This proved arduous, as I experienced turmoil from the political situation, cultural differences, and difficult team dynamics. Though I learned much and gained a deep love and appreciation for the historical and worldwide church, I returned to EMU doubting myself, my faith, and my God. Friends and the campus pastor supported me through this painful experience. In the end, my relationship with God, and my Anabaptist identity deepened. Remarkably, during this tumultuous time God continued to work. I discovered an interest in working with people from different countries, and my friends encouraged me to pursue pastoral ministry. A seminary course, “Growing Churches,” awakened a passion for church growth and redevelopment. Though I was certain of my calling into ministry, I struggled with my role as a woman due to the tradition in which I was raised.

Instead, I began coordinating an adult and family literacy program. I entered this job ill-equipped and hesitant. Through God’s wisdom, guidance, and grace, much determination, a passion for the people and community I served, and a supervisor who taught and mentored me to lead confidently, I developed the skills necessary to provide leadership for the program through a time of transition which led to rapid and sustaining growth.

In the meantime, my home congregation at Alpha was going through a difficult period and the congregation gave me space to lead. They allowed me to bring ideas that enabled the small church to subsist in a new and meaningful way with ample opportunities to hone my preaching and teaching skills. Their trust was both humbling and empowering. Though the church didn’t traditionally support women in ministry they came to understand and respect my call. The same people to embrace me as a called child also helped me embrace and test my calling as a woman leader. Their support gave my husband and me the courage to move our family to Indiana so I could follow God’s call to study at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, IN).

While at AMBS my faith became more grounded in scripture and theology. I was able to discern and claim my passion and gifts for teaching, working interculturally, and leadership. I found this most visible in the area of growth and development. I realized a need in the church for support during times of transition and felt specifically called to work in this area as an interim pastor and a resource person. I am committed to helping church leaders develop practices that enable congregations to cope in the midst of change. Through opportunities to study, worship, and serve with congregations in transition and turn-around, I have seen God at work reconciling, transforming, and equipping congregations.

The many stories I hear of God at work in Franconia Conference congregations as they participate in Jesus’ mission are exciting. I sense a dedication to following God’s call to the continual process of learning and growth along with the vision, passion, grace, and courage required to do so. I am attracted to the rich history, the ever-increasing diversity, and the commitment to “equip leaders to empower others to embrace God’s mission.” I suspect at times history, tradition, polity, faith, and past, present and future ideas and experiences collide. But I am certain God is at work creating and recreating, restoring and renewing. For this reason I look forward to ministering with and in the congregations of Franconia Conference.

Felicia Moore, New Beginnings
fmoore@mosaicmennonites.org

Pastor Jon Moore wrestled with the idea of becoming an ordained pastor. He started attending Bristol Mennonite Church (which became New Beginnings Community Church soon afterward) in May of 1986, through a relationship with Raymond Jackson, the congregation’s pastor at the time. Moore gave his first sermon in August that year and was later appointed as a chairperson to the administration council in December.

After some time at New Beginnings, Moore began to feel God calling him to participate in ministerial leadership trainings. In 1999, Pastor Moore returned to help the congregation, becoming interim pastorate. He was interested in ministry, but the idea of ordination seemed far-off .

After years of discerning, people from near and far came to celebrate and witness Pastor Jon Moore’s ordination on May 20, 2007. The special day started with an unusual morning worship at New Beginnings congregation, filled with a time of testimonies and “hallelujahs.” Everyone was invited to a special fellowship meal before the afternoon service.

In the afternoon, the sanctuary was crowded. The whole congregation was part of the service in some shape or form. Many chose to celebrate by presenting a praise dance or simply sharing a word of encouragement. Conference Minister, Ertell Whigham,
who has known Pastor Moore for years, officiated. He stated, “When you’re licensed, you do ministry. When you’re ordained you are ministry. The ministry is you.” Many present nodded and agreed with an “amen.” At the end of the service, Pastor Ertell asked the church council to surround Pastor Moore so that everyone could extend their arms in prayer. Gifts were presented to Pastor Moore and he was dressed in a white robe and given a new Bible. It was the first time in Franconia Conference that an African American was ordained by another black American pastor.

Pastor Moore believes that ordination means his life is now about ministry and shows a long-term commitment to the leadership at New Beginnings. He wants to be realistic with people but to show something different about God’s love. He says, “My hope is to touch lives, one at a time.”

photo provided by Jon Moore

Mary Lou Cummings, Perkasie
cumminghome@comcast.net

According to the teachings of Eastern Mennonite University professor, Dr. Lisa Schirch, peacebuilding is a verb full of adventure, drama, and creativity. Learning how to build peace has not only taken her to Iraq, but also to West Point and Carlisle Military Academies as well as Joint Forces Command – not the usual pacifist’s approach.

In her experiences in Iraq with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Schirch found that community development projects – digging wells, sharing water, starting small businesses – were natural peacebuilding events. “Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish people came together as they worked out how to build the well and how to share the water,” she said. “And the development projects created jobs for young men in villages where the unemployment rates have soared to 50-70 percent. Imagine what American cities would be like if the unemployment rates were that high.”

As she was preparing to leave, Iraqis came to her and said, “It was wonderful that you came here to teach us about peacebuilding with MCC, but what are you doing about U.S. foreign policy at home?” According to Schirch, she’s heard that countless times before while working in various places around the world, and most recently while she was in Indonesia this past May.

Her response to this question is to spend about two days each week in Washington, D.C., meeting with many different groups and individuals, members of Congress, and military personnel. Her ability to listen with genuine respect often gains her access to real conversations. For example, Schirch says she hears two sets of questions that usually begin the conversation on peacebuilding. The first is, “Why do other countries hate us? What will keep us safe?” The second is,“How can we protect the American way of life? How can we keep our cheap oil and protect our economic dominance?”

“Well, war has not produced the hoped-for safety; in fact it has been drastically counter-productive. So, what would work better? To protect the American way of life for the next 40 years, the U.S. will have to reserve for itself half of the planet’s resources. That may not be viable! It is time for creative new thinking.”

In her presentation, Schirch described a national security strategy as a three-part framework: development, diplomacy, and defense. All three are important. However, while the U.S. spends $1 billion per week on the Iraq War, it only spends half of one percent of the national budget on international development assistance, and much of that serves only to bolster U.S. interests. Schirch directs a project called The 3D Initiative at Eastern Mennnonite University’s (Harrisonburg, VA) Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, a project that aims to advocate for more balanced spending and effort in development and diplomacy.

“The failures in Iraq have many people in the military beginning to lose their faith in firepower and interested in thinking about a different way of building security. The military academies are introducing courses on conflict resolution.”

One reason for much of her travel abroad is that universities in many countries ask for help to initiate peacebuilding and conflict resolution courses in their curriculum. This is new and positive, as it has become clear – on an international scale – that war does not produce much. Except hatred.

For more information, see 3Dsecurity.org or The Little Book of Strategic Peacebuilding, by Schirch. Photos provided by Mary Lou Cummings