Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Jennifer Svetlik

“God With Us” In the Liminal Spaces 

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by Jennifer Svetlik

Catholic priest and writer Richard Rohr talks about the importance of “dwelling together in the liminal space between life and death.” This past Christmas my family and I lived in this liminal space.  

In December, as I traveled to rural central Texas to be with my dad, brothers, and extended family, one of my youngest uncles, who had struggled with heart disease for 15 years, was in the hospital. After the first of two expected heart procedures, he initially improved. Until he didn’t. 

Within days, he was no longer able to live without the medical interventions that were fully supporting his heart. He elected to have the supports removed and knowingly face death. 

The grace with which he faced his fate was moving. As he visited with small groups of family members throughout the day, he regaled us with stories, gave us advice on how to enjoy life, and had his first root beer float in many years. 

Amid the tears, I experienced several surprise glimpses of God’s presence. While filling my water bottle next to a woman cleaning the bathrooms, she encouraged me, in Spanish, to “drink the good water, with ice,” from the machine around the corner. As we started talking about my large extended family that was gathered to say goodbye to my uncle, she showed me where I could get free coffees and sodas, and offered me encouragement from Ephesians 2:6, “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus” (NLT). Her care and hospitality were a balm. 

Soon after his supports were removed, my uncle went on hospice care. However, he did not die in “minutes to hours” as predicted. So, family members began to keep vigil with him.  

My family returned to my dad’s home in the country and awoke the next morning to another glimpse of God’s presence in the liminal space we found ourselves in. One of my uncle’s heifers – one of dozens of cattle that graze on the prairie land my dad lives on – was pregnant. We thought she had an infection that might take her life and her baby’s. Instead, she successfully gave birth to twins! 

The surprise twin calves being bottle fed on my father’s ranch land near Shiner, TX. Photo provided by Jennifer Svetlik.

The twins were very weak and unable to nurse. They began to bottle feed. Their lives, and my uncle’s, were hanging in the balance. The line between life and death was noticeably thin. 

Two days later, both calves died. Their mother kept watch over them, even after their bodies were moved to the back pasture, as vultures and coyotes moved in to feast.  

As my relatives kept vigil with my uncle at the hospital, the whole herd of cattle moved to the back field and stayed close to the bodies of the calves, until there was nothing left but bones. 

The whole herd of cattle keeps watch as vultures feast on the calves’ bodies. Photo provided by Jennifer Svetlik.

The day after the calves died, so did their would-be caretaker, my uncle. 

Amid the liminal space between life and death, Father Rohr says, is where transformation takes place. “There alone is our old world left behind, though we’re not yet sure of the new existence,” he says. 

“When we embrace liminality, we choose hope over sleepwalking, denial, or despair,” Rohr says. “The world around us becomes again an enchanted universe, something we intuitively understood when we were young and somehow lost touch with as we grew older.” 

The night my uncle died, my family built a bonfire in the yard and allowed the kids to roast marshmallows as we wondered why some live and some die, and how life and death are all wrapped up in the same sacred space. 

Jennifer Svetlik

Jennifer is Communication Associate/Editor for Mosaic. 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. 

Passion for Helping Others in Word and Deed 

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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.  

Jenn Svetlik and her youngest child kayak at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia.

“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.  

Three generations of Svetliks make vánočka, Czech Christmas bread, in Texas.

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.  

Jenn Svetlik (far right) with her spouse, Sheldon Good (far left), and children during a family vacation to Montreal, summer 2023. 

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.” 

Nurturing Accessible Children’s Ministry

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by Jenn Svetlik

Mosaic Conference declares, “We believe God’s design is for all people in all places to flourish and to be transformed by loving, mutual relationships with God and one another.” Persons with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent (having developmental or neurological function that differs from what is considered “typical”) are a part of this beautiful mosaic.

“Some of the children in our early elementary Sunday School class have trouble sitting and staying in their chairs. These children have specific sensory needs for movement,” shares Rachel Mateti, Children and Youth Minister at Plains (Hatfield, PA) Mennonite Church. “The barrier to their learning was the expectation to be still and quiet. To help with their sensory needs, we purchased wobble seats for our classroom. When using them, the children are more focused and able to follow the lesson.”

This is a small example of what a congregation can do to remove the barriers that disable certain people, so that all divine image-bearers can participate fully and share their gifts.

God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

1 Cor 12:6-7, NLT

Plains has been working at this effort for over a decade, seeking to understand the barriers that people with disabilities face, and making both community life and facilities welcoming to persons of all kinds of abilities. Heather Gingrich, who leads the congregation’s Autism Support Group, recently co-wrote an article for Anabaptist Disabilities Network about their support group, congregational learning, and their new inclusive playground and accessible park.

Spring Mount (Schwenksville, PA) is another Mosaic congregation who has been working for years to make their space welcoming for those with autism and sensory processing needs. The emerging work at Salford (Harleysville, PA) on building community with neurodivergent children was recently featured on the Shine Curriculum blog.

About 20% of people are neurodivergent or have a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability. That means there are families in our congregations who are impacted. “In being proactive about planning to welcome families impacted by disability, I think back to the old movie Field of Dreams,” shares Mateti. “If you build it, they will come.”

These are some examples within Mosaic Conference, but some of us have been curious about other congregations across the Conference:  

  • How have you been working at creating accessible environments for people of all abilities?  
  • How does your congregation understand disability?  
  • How do you talk about inclusion of those with disabilities and neurodivergence?  
  • What are you doing or would like to be doing?  
  • What questions do you have about this work and what support would benefit your congregation?
Children play in the spinning cocoon that is part of the new accessible, sensory-friendly playground. Photo provided by Plains Mennonite. 

We are gathering congregational leaders (pastors, children’s faith formation leaders, and volunteers) for a workshop with the Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) on Saturday, January 27, at 9 AM-12 PM/ET. We hope you might join us either in person at the Mosaic Conference Office in Lansdale, PA or via Zoom.  

The workshop, Nurturing Accessible Children’s Ministry for families of children with disabilities or neurodivergence, will be led by Bonnie and Lyle Miller of ADN. Some of the topics will include:  

  • Congregational Vision: what is the goal of a congregation in increasing accessibility? How can we proactively plan to welcome families with different needs? How can we create a sense of belonging that values each person who comes through our doors, and their unique gifts?  
  • Relating to families: Identifying needs, communication, and creating care plans 
  • Community: Nurturing care for the whole family, congregational awareness and education

Click here to learn more and register for the workshop with Anabaptist Disabilities Network on Saturday, January 27. Suggested registration is $25/person. The registration deadline is Friday, January 12.

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.

What to Expect at Assembly 2023 

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By Jenn Svetlik

When Mosaic Conference gathers for Assembly on Saturday, November 4, it will be just the second time our conference has gathered fully in-person. Hundreds of delegates and congregational leaders from California, Florida, Vermont, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania will convene in Souderton, PA to join for worship and prayer, fellowship, strategic planning, discussion, and active listening.  

“Assembly is an opportunity to get to know the breadth and depth of our Conference community,” shared Angela Moyer Walter, Conference Moderator. “So much good work gets done virtually within our Conference. That work in committees is so valuable, but nothing is more important than gathering in person and really getting to connect more deeply.”  

“Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, violence in the Middle East and in many other places, we are called, as people of Christ’s peace, to bear witness to God’s emet, God’s powerful kindness and faithful truth,” Moyer Walter continued. Conference Assembly offers an opportunity for Mosaic delegates and guests to do so, across a variety of differences.  

The day will begin with worship, vibrant music, and a sermon by Hyacinth Stevens of MCC East Coast, who will offer much to reflect on about following Christ in community.  

There will also be the opportunity to recognize newly credentialed leaders. Gathering to anoint and pray for these leaders is a sign of hope for all who are gathered. It is a reminder that God calls new leaders, gives them wisdom, and empowers them to do the work that God has given to our Conference.  

During Assembly, we will also acknowledge the four congregations who have left Mosaic within the past year.  

There will be an extended period for lunch and relationship building, and time to visit the Exhibit Hall, to connect with others beyond one’s own table groups, and to visit Conference Related Ministries and other agencies.  

In the afternoon, delegates will gather for continued discussion around commonalities, differences, and tensions among Mosaic congregations, and an opportunity to work at Mosaic’s strategic plan together. 

“In preparation for Assembly we have been fasting and praying the scriptures together to prepare to listen well to God and to one another,” said Moyer Walter. “At Assembly we are invited to listen to God together, to set aside our own perspectives, and get to know our collective body and listen together.” 

What to Expect: Prayer Room 

The Pathway Forward Process invites us “To share in the practice of continued prayer and fasting so that we may discern, yield, and listen to the Spirit among us.” 

All are invited to take time during Assembly to spend time in the prayer room.  It is provided as a space for intercessors to gather and pray onsite for the Assembly participants and proceedings. Intercessors who are not onsite can commit to praying from where they are. Each is invited to pray for a one-hour block of time from the start of Assembly until its conclusion. 

Any assembly attendees who want a quiet space for prayer and reflection can visit the prayer room. (The prayer room will be located in a room off of the back of the sanctuary. Please follow the signs.) If an intercessor is present, they will be available to pray with any who comes in and desires prayer.  

While the focus of the prayer room centers on the Assembly proceedings, the prayers can include personal concerns that attendees may have beyond the Assembly agenda.  

In the delegate sessions, we will learn about rhythm and peacebuilding with a drum, led by Makinto, Associate Pastor of Los Angeles Faith Chapel. Participants should bring a handheld rhythm instrument such as a tambourine, drumsticks, or a shaker egg. (Or plan to clap along.) “Rhythm is a heavenly heartbeat that touches the body and mind and interconnects different parts of our essential being. It heals our heart, it soothes our soul,” Makinto shared.  

In the afternoon, those gathered will celebrate communion, an embodied practice that unifies us as followers of Jesus. “The intention in celebrating communion at Assembly is to gather as the body of Christ, from many congregations and groups in the context of Mosaic, to remember the new covenant and Jesus’s return,” said Marta Castillo, Associate Executive Minister. “It is a unifying and holy space to be in together.”   

Beyond the Saturday main event is a weekend of connecting and being community together. It begins on Friday with the Renewing Nations and Generations annual gathering for People of the Global Majority/People of Color. The gathering is a chance to reconnect, worship together, eat together, and learn together on this year’s theme of migration.  

We look forward to seeing you at Mosaic’s Assembly on November 4. For further information, please see Mosaic’s Assembly website.  

Jenn 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.

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.

God is Present: Introducing Ebenezer Mennonite Church

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by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford congregation

Ebenezer Mennonite Church began in June 1958 as part of the Hispanic ministry of Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale, PA. It started as a community for Puerto Ricans who came to the area to work in summer agriculture. Rev. Guillermo Chewing was the first pastor and Earl Stover also played a vital role in the church. In 2005, the church became independent from Grace, moved to Route 113 in Souderton with a new pastor, and changed its name to Ebenezer Mennonite Church. In November 2009 the church moved to the Zion Mennonite Church building in Souderton, PA, where they continue to meet, with Bible study at 11:00 am and worship at noon on Sundays. 

“God in his mercy has been present in our congregation, manifesting his power and sovereignty in the midst of trials, in the process of changes in our church,” says Hilda Vinces, a leader in the church.  “We have had sick members in which God has manifested his power by giving them healing, and we feel his Holy Spirit in our midst because he has strengthened us when church members have passed away.” 

In addition, Hilda shares, through technology, “Ebenezer has been able to reach other people internationally. Although the church has diminished in number of members for different reasons, the Lord has brought new members. God has blessed us for being firm in our faith in Christ.”

Iglesia Ebenezer had previously been a part of Eastern District but left when Grace congregation became independent. Now the church seeks to join Franconia Conference because they recognize the value of relating to and uniting with other local Mennonite Churches. 

“Through the Conference we can … acquire resources that will help us grow as a church and to learn from others and their ministries, and apply these ideas, led by the Holy Spirit, to our own church,” Hilda adds. 

Iglesia Ebenezer represents some of the initial work in Eastern District Conference ministering alongside Spanish speakers. We are glad to welcome Ebenezer as a congregation of Franconia Conference at the same time as we are in the process of reconciling with Eastern District,” Franconia’s Executive Minister Steve Kriss reflects. This is all reconciliation work, he points out—learning from shared history, honoring a shared story, and believing that God is bringing the congregation and the two conferences together to do a new thing.

The Latinx community continues to grow in Bucks and Montgomery counties where many of our congregations have been rooted for generations. We hope that with the sisters and brothers at Ebenezer, we will continue to cultivate a vibrant Anabaptist witness and community together.

Summer Interns to Serve and Learn

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by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford congregation

Listening for God’s calling. Serving their home communities. Learning from new communities. Cultivating pastoral skills. These are some of the hopes that six interns bring to their time of service and formation with Franconia Conference this summer. They come as part of the MCC Summer Service Program, the Ministry Inquiry Program, as well as the Conference’s own summer placements.

As part of the MCC Summer Service Worker Program, Jessica Nikomang will work at Philadelphia Praise Center. This summer she will direct a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for kids ages 5-12 as well as work with the Indonesian community around the church and her neighborhood, providing translation support and other help. After the summer, she will begin studies at the Community College of Philadelphia as a first-generation college student in pursuit of her dream to be a school counselor.

This will be Rebecca Yugga’s second summer serving at the Crossroads Community Center in partnership with her home congregation, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship. Rebecca studies Nursing and Spanish Language/Hispanic Studies at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). She will be planning activities for children and build on leadership skills and strategies she cultivated in the program last year.

Graciella Odelia

Graciella Odelia will serve at Nations Worship Center, which has been her home church since 2013 and where she is an active member of the worship team. Graciella studies Biology and Chemistry at Eastern Mennonite University. She will be organizing the summer VBS program in July and August at Nations Worship Center.

“Seeing kids excited to worship God makes me look forward to what God has in store for the next generation. By participating in the MCC Summer Service program, I hope to discover how God can use me in His church,” Graciella shares.

Andrés Castillo

As the Conference’s summer placement, Andrés Castillo, a member of Nueva Vida Norristown New Life, will serve as a communication intern for the conference. Andrés studies English at West Chester University. More of his writing, photography, and videos will be shared on our website throughout the summer. Andrés is excited to make connections in his communication work between Christ’s teachings and the social issues about which he’s passionate.

Justin Burkholder, who attends Deep Run East, will be working with the conference’s south Philadelphia Indonesian congregations. He will be serving with the peace camp at Indonesian Light Church as well as summer VBS programs at other congregations. Justin is in Intercultural Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

“I grew up traveling into Philadelphia just for ball games or cheesesteaks and I was disconnected from the lives of people living in the city,” Justin shared. “I am looking forward to building relationships and learning what it looks like to serve the church and community in South Philly.”

As part of the Ministry Inquiry Program, Luke Hertzler, who studies Bible, Religion and Theology at EMU, will be working with Whitehall and Ripple Allentown congregations. Luke will help at Ripple’s Community Building Center and garden and test out gifts on Sundays at both Ripple and Whitehall.

“We hope Luke will bring new ideas and energy. Right now we are forming gift groups at Ripple and I hope Luke can give some direction to this new model,” Danilo Sanchez, co-pastor for Ripple Allentown shared. “Internships are important to Ripple because we care about raising up leaders. Ripple is a different kind of Mennonite church and we like to show young adults that pastoring and church can take a variety of forms.”

Summer interns are an important part of Franconia Conference’s commitment to leadership cultivation. “Each year it is a gift to interact with this next generation of leaders. We learn alongside them and contribute to their formation in the way of Christ’s peace,” Franconia’s executive minister Steve Kriss shared.

We are grateful for and look forward to sharing more about the work that these six young people will offer Franconia Conference this summer!