JENN SVETLIK STAFF PROFILE
by Mosaic Communication Staff
“I deeply appreciate Mosaic’s missional, intercultural, and formational priorities,” shares Jenn Svetlik, editor/writer for Mosaic Conference. “I feel humbled and privileged to be able to hear so many stories from diverse people from various cultures and perspectives and help share them widely within our Conference.”
Since 2020, Jenn has occasionally written articles for Mosaic News. She joined the Mosaic communication team on a short-term basis in September 2023. She recently was invited to stay on in a continuing role. In early 2024, her part-time role will include editing, writing, and overseeing the production of the weekly e-newsletter Mosaic News.
“This fall, I got to know the Conference much more deeply through writing and editing articles and coming to Assembly for the first time. I have been awed by how passionate the staff is about being faithful to God’s call for us as a Conference,” Jenn shares. “So, when I was asked if I would like to continue and expand my work with Mosaic, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!”
Jenn is a cradle Catholic who grew up in the suburbs of Houston, TX. Her growth into a personal faith commitment coincided with her youth group’s study of Catholic social teaching. As part of that formation, the group spent time at the Houston Catholic Worker, a house of hospitality for newcomers arriving from Central America. Those transformative years led her to continue to work in houses of hospitality in Austin, TX during college and develop her capacity to speak Spanish.
Jenn first encountered Mennonites and Mennonite theology through connections within the Catholic peace movement and at Sojourners, in Washington DC, where she was a fellow in the organizing and advocacy department after graduating college. During that time, she met Sheldon Good, who eventually became her spouse.
Her first decade of post-college professional experience was spent working in faith-based nonprofit organizations in Washington DC, including several years with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, accompanying volunteers in Nicaragua, Tanzania, Micronesia and the US.
After leaving DC, Jenn, Sheldon, and their oldest child served briefly with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Iraq, before settling in Lansdale, PA.
Jenn has an MA in Theology from Washington Theological Union and is passionate about faith formation opportunities. She has the opportunity to put that passion into practice as Children’s Ministry Director at Salford (Harleysville, PA), where she is a member.
Jenn also works supporting fundraising and communications for Roots of Justice, an antiracism training organization. She is also a teaching assistant for the online education program of the Center for Action and Contemplation.
In all these roles she is excited about the intersection of formation and communication and how communication can support deeper faith formation work.
Beyond her many paid jobs and caring for her two elementary-school aged children, Jenn enjoys being active and spending time outdoors, such as swimming, biking, kayaking, yoga, and gardening. “Having my hands in the soil, supporting plants in their growth, making compost, and harvesting and sharing fresh food are all central spiritual practices for me,” Jenn shares.
She also really enjoys camping with her family, especially at Hickory Run State Park in the Poconos. “Growing up my family did lots of camping road trips to National Parks across the country. Between those memorable trips and travel as an adult, I have had the opportunity to visit 46 of the 50 states.”