Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Mary Nitzsche

Learning Dinosaur Names

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What was it about Jesus that drew the little children to come running to him? Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15, NRSV)

Wayne and I spent two weeks in May with our nearly four-year-old grandson, William. William is curious, observant, and eager to learn. He is aware of his surroundings and seeks opportunities to explore and learn new things.

Grandson, William, and his beloved dinosaurs. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

On our walks, William noticed bugs, spider webs, rocks, butterflies, squirrels, sounds, and signs. When we approached nature signs at the lagoon, he insisted we stop and read the bird or plant names on the sign (even if they were difficult to pronounce or understand).

William is all about dinosaurs. He is eager to learn all he can about different kinds of dinosaurs: how to pronounce their complicated names, what kind of food they ate, when they lived on earth, and special features they had. His delight in observing and learning is contagious. I could imagine him running to Jesus, sitting beside him, and listening to what he had to say.

William’s curiosity and excitement for learning inspired me. I began noticing spider webs, butterflies, sounds, and rocks on our walks. I enjoyed watching the hummingbird sitting in her nest in a tree outside the window. I was eager to learn more about dinosaurs and even how to pronounce their long, complicated names!

In reading the gospels, we notice that Jesus attracted people who had little power or influence and were not always seen or heard. Jesus valued all people regardless their age, economic status, education, gender, health condition, or faith commitment. Because humans are created with a need to be accepted, loved, and belong, it’s no wonder children came running to Jesus sensing his acceptance and love for them. He saw, heard, and valued them and commanded, “Do not stop them!”

Mary Nitzsche and her grandson, William, read nature signs together. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

Jesus continues on this topic, saying that to experience the fullness of God’s kingdom, one needs to receive it as a child. What child-like qualities are important for receiving and experiencing the kingdom of God? In the gospels, the people responsive to relationship with Jesus were ones who were curious and eager to learn more about Jesus and what he had to say. Little children tend to be curious, observant, and eager to learn. No wonder children came running to Jesus sensing his affirmation for these qualities.

My grandson’s spirit challenged and inspired to approach my faith and understanding of Jesus in a child-like spirit of curiosity, delight, alertness, and openness — to see, notice, and hear what the Spirit is saying to me. At a season of life when knowledge of the scriptures, certainty of belief, and established spiritual practices or rituals, are well developed, I am reminded of the importance of being curious, observant, and eager to learn.

May the little children lead us in experiencing the fullness of God’s kingdom on earth. May our delight in living God’s kingdom values inspire others to come running to Jesus.

A butterfly noticed by Mary’s grandson on their walk. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

Interconnectedness During a Pandemic

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The world-wide spread of COVID-19 has reminded us of our interconnectedness. Unlike other pandemics in recent history, COVID-19’s devastating impact has been wide-spread. The number of lives lost, the inequity and injustices revealed, and the economic toll our world-wide community has experienced supersedes what many of us have experienced in our lifetime. 

World leaders have responded differently to this crisis. Some have acted independently of other nations. Other leaders have drawn upon the wisdom and experiences of other nations when rates of infection and deaths increase or decrease. We have witnessed world leaders coming together for the well-being of all nations to fight this virus. 

It took a world-wide effort of scientists, medical personnel, and drug companies to develop, manufacture, and distribute several different vaccines. A willingness to work together for the common good, transparency with mis-steps and failures, and giving and receiving counsel is essential when dealing with a deadly virus impacting every continent.

In our faith communities, religious leaders have responded differently. Some have acted independently. Some have drawn upon the wisdom and experiences of other leaders and the medical professionals to make decisions for the common good. Some faith communities have suffered greatly while others have discovered new, creative ways to connect and support each other and the people in their neighborhood. Members of some faith communities are disconnected, lacking access to the Internet. Some feel more connected and able to attend an online service they could not attend in person. Some have disconnected from the church, disillusioned by the conflict over how to respond to COVID-19 protocols. Some are more connected to the church and energized by discovering prophetic ways to promote justice in their neighborhood. 

Some new ministries have begun through online formats reaching across our nation and around the world. Bible study, prayer, or support groups have formed. Participation in worship services, ordinations, and memorial services include people living close-by or at a distance. 

Some local ministries have expanded to provide nutritious meals, Internet service, tutoring, and support for children unable to access their virtual school programs.

Thinking of our worldwide interconnectedness in the past year reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26, “But God has arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member (of the body) suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (NRSV). 

Paul is reminding the early church to recognize each member’s value, perspective, skills, and spiritual gifts. In the church, there should be no inequity or dissension among the members if we are living into God’s intention that all are valued and receive care to meet their needs.

Modeled after the interconnectedness of the Trinity, the church is called to honor, value, and care for all members. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each contribute to God’s mission, all members of the church are invited to use their special gifts to serve the whole body. Especially in times of suffering, we are reminded that dissension has no place. Our call is to focus on caring for one another for the common good of all people near and far.

What Can I Learn From a Zoom Conference?

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Reflections of Eastern Mennonite Seminary School for Leadership Training

Mosaic Conference was represented by a number of pastors at the annual Eastern Mennonite Seminary School for Leadership Training, held January 11-15 via Zoom. 

The virtual platform had its pros and cons. Ken Burkholder, pastor of Deep Run East (Perkasie, PA), debated whether to participate in a virtual conference, but did, despite missing connecting in person with friends and colleagues. 

Rodger Schmell, pastor of Deep Run West (Perkasie, PA), liked the virtual format because “[it] allowed me to participate without the hassle of travel and COVID precautions.” However, Schmell agreed with Burkholder, “There is a greater depth of interaction and energy with a speaker when meeting face to face.” 

Sandy Drescher-Lehman, pastor of Methacton (Norristown, PA) Mennonite, and Wayne Nitzsche, pastor of Perkasie (PA) Mennonite, reported that they were more easily distracted with home or church life interruptions, making it harder to stay attentive and connected. Overall, all of us agreed that the overall theme, speakers, and topics exceeded our expectations, despite the drawbacks.

Dr. Meghan Larissa Good was the keynote speaker for this year’s School of Leadership Training through Eastern Mennonite Seminary.  

The theme of the week was “From Surviving to Thriving…God Breathes Fresh Hope.” Meghan Larissa Good, teaching pastor of Trinity Mennonite (Glendale, AZ), presented the  keynote titled, “Leadership in Desert Places: Stories from the Wilderness.”  

Good recounted Moses’ response to God’s call in Exodus 3.  Moses wasn’t sure he was up for the challenge of leading the people saying, “Who Am I?”  But, God assures Moses by saying, “I Am…” affirming the presence and power of God in the moment and in God’s past guidance and actions.  

Burkholder related Good’s reflections to the current challenge of leading during this time of uncertainty observing, “This was a timely word of grace and encouragement to me.” Drescher-Lehman added, “Maybe the wilderness for the Israelites was about learning to trust God so they would be ready, eventually, to build God’s kingdom.” She wondered whether we are using the wilderness of COVID-19 to build our trust in God and discern God’s call. 

Schmell appreciated Good’s seminar, Introducing Communities to the Work of the Spirit. Good’s challenge, “You can’t live a Christ-centered life without the Spirit and you can’t live a Spirit-filled life without Jesus,” inspired Rodger to preach a sermon series on the Spirit.  

Schmell was also challenged in a seminar on anger and reconciliation by Michael Gulker, President of the Colossians Forum. As a person who does not enjoy conflict, Schmell was nudged to see conflict as a “gift rather than a wedge.” Gulker encouraged, “What if we could harness the energy around conflict and use it as combustion for God’s people?”

Wayne Nitzsche appreciated the input of David Fitch, Pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community in Chicago.  Fitch explained that our personal beliefs lock us into positions. In those locked positions, we no longer hear each other or can be in a relationship because we don’t share the same beliefs. Rather than debate and try to convince others of our point of view, we do well to listen and focus on building relationships. 

Drescher-Lehman appreciated, Ministry in a Post-COVID World, led by Amy Gingrich and Joe Hackman, both of Menno Media. The pandemic has accelerated the shifts and trends already impacting the church. Some of these shifts include intergenerational education, cooperation with other churches, partnerships with organizations that are doing their one thing well, welcoming occasional or online-only people rather than assuming everyone will stay so we can count them in our membership. Drescher-Lehman was encouraged that Methacton is already making changes to live into this next phase of Christendom.  

How Do You Wait?

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How do you wait when you are expecting something to happen and the wait seems endless?

Some of us withdraw and get depressed thinking about what we cannot do. Some of us disconnect and focus on doing things that give us pleasure like eating, watching sports or a movie, playing video games, shopping, or reading a book.  Some of us isolate and focus on spiritual practices like praying, journaling, or writing poetry. Some of us get impatient and do something active like exercising, composing music, creating a work of art, or organizing our closets. 

During the COVID pandemic, we are all growing weary of waiting, wearing masks, washing hands, socially distancing, and avoiding in-person meetings and events. 

How do you wait?

As we wait for an accessible and effective vaccine to slow down the spread of this costly and deadly virus, we are also celebrating Advent, a season of waiting. Advent is more than waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus more than 2000 years ago. It is a reminder of the time when Jesus will come again to bring to fulfillment his eternal kingdom. 

God’s people throughout the ages have been waiting for God to free them from oppressive government treatment and policies, personal or communal sin, and disease or hardship in hopes of a better future. The scriptures repeatedly name God’s vision and accompanying promises to restore humanity and all of creation. Scriptures also name the lament, confession, longing, and hopes of God’s people.

Psalms 130 is a poem of waiting for divine liberation. How does the poet wait? From the depths of his being, he cries out to the Lord to listen and hear his voice. He cries out his prayer requests, confession of sins, and hopes from God’s word. Then he becomes silent, to wait for the Lord. His waiting reminds him of God’s steadfast love, power to forgive his sins and the sins of the nation, and promise to liberate.

Many of the gospel texts suggest that this time of waiting is not to be one of withdrawing, disconnecting, isolating, or filling our time with activities. While we remember the past events of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection and anticipate Jesus’ second coming, the gospel writers remind us of Jesus’ teaching to be actively engaged in God’s mission now. Advent is now.

How do you wait? What are ways to wait with hope while staying engaged in God’s mission? During this season when there is increased need, I am inspired to be generous by many individuals, congregations, and organizations in our conference and beyond who are meeting the basic needs of many people. 

Here are a few ideas:

  • Donating money or time to package food items, Christmas gifts, or Mennonite Central Committee kits to ease the burden of those suffering so many losses. 
  • Memorizing a scripture (like Psalm 130) can ease despair and offer hope. 
  • Planning meaningful, family activities that deepen relationships. 
  • Scheduling virtual times with family and friends to keep us connected. 
  • Viewing inspirational concerts, events, and programs online to remind us of God’s creativity, joy, and delight. 
  • Creating a work of art for a family member, friend, or donation to an organization nudges us to serve with joy. (See the photo of my quilt project for my grandson.) 
Mary Nitzsche’s quilt project, a gift for her grandson. Photo provided by Mary Nitzsche.

During this advent season I challenge all of us to wait with hope. May we discover ways to stay engaged in God’s mission to liberate all of creation, for God’s kingdom to be on earth as it already is in heaven. How are you waiting?

What Do I Know About Trauma?

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by Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister

I had planned to participate in a Learning Tour with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in May. The trip to the Borderlands of Arizona and Mexico was cancelled in March due to COVID-19. About then, I learned of a class, “Trauma Resiliency and Healing During a Time of Pandemic,” offered through the Summer Peacebuilding Institute of Eastern Mennonite University. I felt a strong nudge to register for the course. 

My intrigue with trauma healing began during another MCC learning tour to Israel/Palestine in 2015. Hearing stories of trauma and oppression from Israeli Jews and Palestinian Christians and Muslims was very disturbing. I left the country wondering how one group of people who experienced terror and persecution could later terrorize and oppress another group of people? I concluded that insufficient healing of the trauma had something to do with it. This piqued my desire to learn more. 

Mary Nitzsche stands at the wall that separates Israel and Palestine.

Ironically, the opportunity to learn more about trauma healing came while living with the major disruption of a pandemic. Having an easily accessible online course prompted me to register and join 36 other interested pastors, therapists, community organizers, and students from around the world.

While needing to adapt to a new way of living and working during the past four months, I have not experienced the trauma that many others have, such as: personally contracting COVID-19 or having a family member or friend sick with the virus, having a loved one die alone, not having access to good healthcare, losing a job, income, or business and not having financial resources to provide for my family. 

Little did I know when I signed up for the class that another major disruption would occur – the racial violence and unrest due to the murder of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer in Minneapolis. 

On her MCC learning tour to Israel and Palestine, Mary Nitzsche listened to a Muslim woman and Jewish man share about their common experiences of the trauma of losing a loved one to violence.  

The pandemic and George Floyd’s murder exposed so many systemic inequities: access to healthcare, housing, education, job opportunities, finances and police protection. Racial bias and inequality of black, brown, and Native Americans in all of our systems have been ignored or inadequately addressed for far too long. People of color live with trauma on a daily basis that cannot be healed without reforming our abusive systems.

What have my experiences with COVID-19, increasing awareness of racial injustice, and learnings on trauma healing taught me?  Trauma disrupts a person or group’s sense of identity and self-worth, assurance of safety and provisions of basic needs, and trusting, supportive relationships. 

As a privileged, white, middle-class woman who, compared to so many, has had a minimal amount of trauma in my lifetime, I humbly offer my reflections of actions which facilitate healing in traumatized individuals and groups:

Trauma healing takes courage, perseverance, and support. 

  • Tending to basic needs (safety, food, housing, education) restores dignity and value.
  • Staying connected with others reminds us we are not alone.
  • Being humble and willing to learn and grow normalizes our experience and helps us grow in understanding and empathy for self and others.
  • Listening to and telling our stories validates our experiences and helps us integrate the trauma into our entire life.
  • Lamenting and grieving losses is an act of courage and release.
  • Adapting to a new reality empowers us to discover resources we did not know we had.
  • Being grateful helps us experience joy in the midst of suffering.
  • Caring for self gives us perseverance and strength to endure.

Courageously doing the work of trauma healing for ourselves and others requires all of us to do our part so that we do not transmit our unhealed pain and suffering on to others.

Holding Our Faith in Tension Between Life and Death

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by Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister 

For the past four weeks, credentialed leaders have been meeting through Zoom to care, support, and resource one another (learn more here). We have discussed how we are adapting and using new forms of worship, encouraging financial generosity without pressuring or shaming, communicating with our members, offering pastoral care, and navigating end of life and funeral planning challenges.

During this week in particular, we are discovering new ways to walk through the events of Holy Week without being together. Questions emerging from our conversations have included: What about the palm branches we ordered? How do we do footwashing, especially for those who live alone? Do we explore meaningful ways to share communion at a distance or wait until we gather again? Should we postpone our Easter celebration until the pandemic is over?

Hae Lah, Ser Luther, and the twins Em See and Em Thee greeted the Whitehall Palm Sunday truck and were excited receive not only palms but balloons and paper bags with candy and eggs inside! Photo by Rose Bender

In response to these questions, creative ideas emerged: sending an email with instructions for making palms at home to wave during the call to worship; adapting a simple Maundy Thursday or Good Friday service to a Live Stream format; inviting members to submit a one-minute video giving witness to resurrection in the midst of COVID-19 to be played during the Easter service; sending a care package to each family with children as an alternative to an egg hunt.

Perhaps one of the most important questions raised was What do we believe about resurrection in the midst of so much uncertainty, loss, and suffering? The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that illness, loss, grief, and death are a part of our human reality as a global community. We are being forced to acknowledge, not deny or avoid, our human limits, brokenness, and mortality.

Our faith has been shaken. How can a loving God allow so much loss, suffering, pain, and death? Like the crowd that lined the streets to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with waving palm branches, we cry out, “Hosanna, save us Lord.” Do something quick to fix our horrendous mess!!

Instead of immediately and miraculously answering the crowd’s cry for salvation, Jesus faced a week of ridicule, hatred, and questioning by the religious and political leaders, betrayal and denial by his disciples, and a brutal and cruel death on the cross.

We are invited to consider the core tension of our faith as Jesus boldly stated, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it” (New Revised Standard Version, Luke 9:23-24).

The journey from death to life is one of pain, suffering, and loss. This pandemic invites people of faith to hold in tension fear and trust, despair and hope, death and life. The cross and the empty tomb remind us that new life springs forth from death.

After Jesus was crucified, the disciples went into hiding behind locked doors. They were consumed with grief and the loss of Jesus, their teacher. They were uncertain of their future. The first Easter morning, the women returned with the too-good-to-believe news that the tomb was empty and Jesus had been raised to life.

As we take up our cross and daily follow Jesus during this time of COVID-19, what glimmers of hope are you holding onto that point to new life? How can you bear witness to the good news that actions of love overcome evil leading to life in the midst of despair and death?

Surprised and Faithful to God’s Call

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by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford Congregation

Mary and family

Mary Nitzsche was surprised when she was called in 2017 to become Associate Executive Minister with Franconia Conference. She had been an associate pastor at Blooming Glen (PA) congregation for nine years and she expected she would stay there until retirement.

“After reflecting, praying, and listening for God’s call, an inner call began to emerge, coinciding with an external call, where I was affirmed for my work in the conference,” Mary reflects. “I had enjoyed congregational ministry. But my conference role feels like a culminating experience. My journey has not been traditional.”

This wasn’t the first time Mary was surprised by her vocational call; in fact, it has been a theme throughout her life. Near the end of seminary, Mary was preparing to seek a position as a pastoral counselor when Ohio Conference invited Mary to consider serving as a regional pastor. “I didn’t have the training or experience for this role,” Mary shares. “Mark Weidner, the Conference Minister, encouraged me, and he served as an advocate and mentor. I stepped out in faith believing that God would provide, without a guarantee that this calling would be well-suited for an extended period.” 

Although she continued providing some counseling, she began feeling more of a call and love for conference work and realized she was using her counseling skills in unexpected ways. She continued in conference ministry for twelve years, before Blooming Glen surprised her with a call to serve as associate pastor. 

As Associate Executive Minister, Mary gives oversight of the credentialing process and represents the conference at congregational and conference events. She also gives oversight to the conference’s leadership ministers, plans equipping events around conference priorities. and helps plan events for conference-wide ministries. 

The most rewarding aspect of Mary’s job is the relationships with staff and pastors. She also enjoys interviewing credentialing candidates and hearing their call stories. She loves meeting with different groups such as female pastors, chaplains, and retired pastors. 

Mary appreciates her opportunities to join different conference congregations for worship services. “I am in awe of the diversity of congregations in the conference. They are each trying to be true to their context and identifying God’s mission for them,” Mary explains. “To be a strong conference we need to celebrate and honor that diversity, and respect one another in the different kinds of calls we have.”

Mary grew up in the midwest and has been a part of many different kinds of congregations and conferences.  “I appreciate whatever place or congregation I am in, and live in the ‘very now,’” reflects Mary.

Mary’s parents, who both served the church in a variety of roles, were an inspiration and model for Mary. They shaped her love for serving the church through their positive outlook, a willingness to serve, and openness to try new roles they didn’t feel prepared to take on. 

Wayne & Mary in the Canadian Rockies

Mary’s husband, Wayne, is one of the pastors at Perkasie (PA) congregation. They have two adult daughters and one grandchild. In her free time, Mary enjoys hiking, reading, knitting, and sewing. She also enjoys the creativity that comes with the process of cooking and baking. “I find cooking very relaxing at the end of the day, because it is something that has a beginning and an end. With ministry you don’t always see the results right away like you do in the kitchen.” 

A Delightful Surprise

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by Mary Nitzsche, Associate Executive Minister

My husband Wayne and I recently attended a benefit event for a local non-profit, which included an auction.  Surveying the silent auction items, Wayne spotted a beautifully-crafted Martin guitar and asked if I had any interest in it.

I had not played a guitar for over 10 years and had donated my old guitar to a thrift store with no intentions of ever playing again.

The Martin guitar’s beauty and three-quarter-size caught my attention. I agreed to add our bid to the sheet.

Periodically, Wayne checked to see if others were adding their bid. Several times he asked my permission to increase our bid.

Doubt began to creep into my mind each time I consented.  Could I relearn the chords? Would playing the guitar aggravate the pain in my hand? Would I gain confidence to accompany singing in my congregation since I was never that accomplished before? At my age, could I improve my skill?

As the bids increased, I wondered about our dollar limit. The five-minute call came for the close of bidding. Wayne noticed a person at the table increasing their bid. One last time he asked me if I wanted the guitar. I was non-committal, but Wayne was determined, yet courteous. He asked the other bidder how badly she wanted the guitar and learned she was not as serious as he thought.

At the conclusion of the benefit, Wayne and I returned home with the guitar, knowing our donation would make a difference in the lives of people.

After arriving at home, I gently lifted my new guitar out of the case. I attempted to tune the guitar and was amazed that I remembered how to tune it without consulting Internet instructions! When I attempted to play a chord, I couldn’t remember any fingerings. Several days later, I printed a chart of the primary guitar chords. I struggled through the first song, looking back and forth from the chart to the song sheet while playing very slowly.  My confidence was rattled, yet I persisted with a different song.

All of a sudden, something clicked.

My long-term memory caught up with my short-term memory. It was an “ah-ha” moment that I couldn’t explain: the C, G, A, Em, and Am chords came naturally, without even looking at the fingering chart! After playing 20 minutes, my hand ached and my fingers were tender (a sign that I needed to develop calluses). That evening I went to bed cautiously optimistic that the purchase was a good thing.

Several days later, I spent an hour playing my guitar. To my surprise and delight, my ambivalence for purchasing a new guitar and the lack of confidence that I would regain the limited skill I once had was fading. Wayne’s persistence, encouragement, and generosity has inspired me to rediscover my love for singing and playing guitar.

This unexpected gift, a nudging of the Spirit, has given me a renewed spiritual practice for expressing and nurturing my faith.