Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Norristown New Life Nueva Vida

Witnessing to God’s Image

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by Noel Santiago, Leadership Minister

Volunteers from Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life Church (NVNNL) assist community folks who have expired, lost, or stolen IDs and need assistance in navigating the governmental systems to gain access to a new ID.

Today’s world provides us many opportunities to witness. From sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to serving, giving, and being present, the Holy Spirit empowers us.

Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life Church (NVNNL) sees itself as a witness through the work of their Photo ID clinic. NVNNL received a conference Missional Operation Grant to empower their work. Here is their report of the work: 

1. What went well?

Our photo ID clinic in February was hugely successful. Fourteen volunteers assisted 58 persons who were seeking assistance to renew expired photo IDs, replace lost/stolen photo IDs, and obtain birth certificates and Social Security cards necessary to apply for photo IDs. People were grateful and relieved to finally resolve the challenges of their identity documents. 

The clinics are a wonderful opportunity to share God’s love and bounty with folks who are struggling in poverty and the harsh realities of illnesses and homelessness. Our church continues to be an example of “true evangelical faith” as we engage with our community. 

2. What new opportunities did you discover?

The COVID-19 shutdown affected our plans for a clinic in May because state offices were closed and we could not host a large group of people. We continued to serve a few people on a case-by-case basis.

Members of Iglesia Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life Church provided assistance to 58 community members seeking assistance at their Photo ID Clinic in February. 

Meanwhile, conversations earlier in the year with the director of the Hospitality Center (a day shelter for persons experiencing homelessness in Norristown and a ministry of the Norristown Ministerium) began to bear fruit. This summer, we formed a new partnership with the Hospitality Center to host our next two clinics outdoors in a way that battles both poverty and the coronavirus. We do not want to miss the blessing of sharing with our neighbors in need.

3. Share a story that inspired you. 

One man was so thrilled to finally be able to get an updated photo ID. He had fallen on some hard times and spent some time in prison. He is trained as a restaurant cook and had a job waiting for him if he could just get his ID. When NVNNL hosts fellowship meals again, he wants to come and cook for us. 

Most of us have no idea of the difficulties faced by not having a plastic card with our picture and personal information on it. Having a state-issued photo ID unlocks so many doors. It is a tremendous relief for those who cannot afford the fees or figure out how to navigate the system. 

Many of our clients recognize this as a gift from God and our church. We often encourage people to explore their relationship with God, and invitations to engage with our congregation are always given.

Jesus was once asked if the people should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked for a coin and was given a denarius. He then asked whose image was on it? They responded, “Caesar’s.” Jesus then stated, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:15-17, NIV)

The next question that could have been asked is, “What belongs to God?” A further question would be, “Whose image is on you?”

As NVNNL works at providing “a plastic card with their picture and personal information on it,” we are all called to remember that it is the image and likeness of God that is imprinted on each human and therefore worthy of dignity and respect.

May we continue to bear witness to this truth so that our communities and world will know and experience the good news of God’s love in Jesus.

Already and Not Yet

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Recognizing What is and Hoping for What is Yet to Come –  Revelation 7:9-14

by Marta Castillo

When a baby is born, even when still in the womb, they already are a person, with physical traits, personality, and family.  What we don’t know yet is how this baby will grow, and learn, and who she will become.  She is already a person … but she is not yet all that she will become.  In a baby, we recognize what is and we hope for what is yet to come.

Our hope this Christmas season and in our everyday lives is built on what we already believe to be true about God, true about Jesus, and true about ourselves in Jesus Christ … while trusting that what we do not yet experience or see will be fulfilled as promised by God.

Jesus, the promised Messiah, was already born in this world. He already lived. He already died. He came back to life to save us and yet the world is still waiting for full restoration, healing, and shalom.  When Jesus was born, he was already the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and Messiah who had come to save the world.  When we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we celebrate the birth of a baby … we celebrate that the Word (Jesus) became flesh to dwell among us … we celebrate “Emmanuel” (God is with us).  As he grew and learned about this world, he became all that God intended him to be – a teacher, healer, mentor, friend, and Lord.  He was just, loving, true, faithful, and righteous. We celebrate what has already happened: the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  We celebrate in hope, looking forward to the “not yet”, the things that have not yet happened but are promised to be.  We wait for the day when Christ comes back for us and we can experience what we read here in Revelation 7.

In Franconia Conference, we already live the reality of worshiping together in unity and diversity and yet we have not experienced the glorious, full worship before the throne with the multitude.  In some ways, we in Franconia Conference already have a head start.  We have learned to worship God through the cultures, preferences, and languages of others. We have learned to continue to worship even when the assembly is singing in a different language.  We have learned to pray along when the person is praying in a language that we can’t understand with our own knowledge.

In a book called, Apocalypse and Allegiance, Nelson Kraybill writes, “True worship of God transcends time, culture, language, and nation. “  He says that when we worship God, we join a vast multitude of saints from all peoples and all eras of history.  When we see “ourselves as part of this multitude, it makes us less likely to idolize our countries.  We are less likely to let issues and perspectives of our own generation eclipse the shared wisdom of saints through the ages.”  One day, none of these things will matter, we will simply worship before the throne of our salvation and the victory already won.

We have already chosen to be faithful and receive the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ but we still continue our journey and have not yet received our reward.  The call of Revelation is to be faithful.  When we receive salvation, we are set free by the blood of the Lamb and clothed in righteousness.  We are redeemed to be faithful only to God and not to the other gods of this world.   We are to be faithful to God in times of persecution and turmoil.  If we are faithful, we still stand before the throne, robed in white and made worthy of heavenly existence.

We already experience the presence of God in our lives and church community and yet we have not experienced the fullness of the shekinah glory of God dwelling among us.  Oh, the wonder of being in the very presence of God! At Nueva Vida Norristown New Life, we sing a song “Holy Spirit, fill this room, shekinah glory, sweet perfume.  We need your presence, we need you. Shekinah glory fill this room”  Shekinah glory is the very presence of God.  And yes, there are times that we already “feel/experience/know” in our spirits that God is present with us.  It may be during times of prayer or worship or when we are attentive to God’s Spirit, whether we are alone or in communion with others.  Shekinah is God’s presence and glory dwelling with us.  It is already with us.  And yet one day, we will know the fullness of God’s Shekinah glory.  Revelation 21:3 “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them.  To dwell with God is to be fully sheltered.

We already are shepherded by Jesus and cared for by God and led by the Holy Spirit but we have not yet experienced the hunger-free, thirst-free, tear-free life that we will one day experience in the new heaven and new earth.  We already know the comfort, the peace, the joy, and love of walking with Jesus, our shepherd.  And yet, there are many of us who are experiencing sickness in our bodies and in our minds.  We live with sorrow and brokenness of relationships and loss.  We feel like we don’t have “enough”.  We are bound by circumstances, addictions, and sins.  We already know that Jesus came to earth to set us free and allow us to become new creation and yet, we are still thirsting for the spring of the water of life. We are waiting for completion, for shalom.

We walk in hope today, in a hope rooted in the “already” and looking forward to what God has “not yet” done but what God has promised to do.  The call is to be faithful…stand firm…and continue to worship God and Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am confident of this, that the one who “already” began a good work among you will bring “what is not yet” to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

 

 

Cuidándonos entre Mujeres / Sister Care

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by Marta Castillo

Sitting, learning, laughing, crying, and sharing in a group of 30 Spanish-speaking women leaders and pastors is an experience that is unrivaled.  The Spirit of the living God flowed freely and powerfully, voices were raised in excitement, prayers were spoken, and life experiences shared in joy through the pain.  I was privileged (as a white Spanish-speaking woman) to be included in the invitation and I am thankful that Franconia Conference supported myself, Pastor Marta Castillo (Nueva Vida Norristown New Life), and Pastor Leticia Cortes (Centro de Alabanza), in our trip to Oregon last month to participate in the Sister Care Seminar in Spanish.  Going through the training was healing and meeting strong Hispanic women leaders from all over the United States, including Florida, Texas, California, Iowa, and Pennsylvania was inspirational.

As the Mennonite Women USA website says, “seminars provide women with tools for ongoing personal healing, recognizing and celebrating God’s grace in their lives, and responding more confidently and effectively to the needs of others in their families, congregations and communities.” It has been used all over the world and been translated in several languages, but this is the first time that the training was held in Spanish with the hope that we would take the materials and skills to our conferences and congregations.  Pastor Leticia Cortes Castro and I are committed to sharing what we have learned with other women in our churches and in our conference.

Pastor Leticia sent a note to Franconia Conference to express her appreciation. As members of Franconia Conference here are her words to you:

I want to thank all the support that was given to Marta Castillo and me, God’s servant, to travel to Portland, Oregon, and to be able to take the workshop “Sister Care” in Spanish. That was a great blessing for our lives.  Personally, I feel strengthened and encouraged to share with others what I learned.  The topics are of great interest to our Hispanic community and we were able to identify that many of the themes that were shared are necessary to help us as women.   I shared a monologue of the biblical reading of the Samaritan woman and it touched me deeply.  Something happened during that time that I shared that passage and it is very special for me.   I identified with the Samaritan woman, feeling forgiveness and loved directly by the Messiah.  Another part of the workshop that was wonderful was that the teaching was in my own Spanish language.  The extraordinary thing was that what I learned I could put into practice immediately with a sister in Christ who felt bad spiritually and I could share with her and pray together.  We felt like God used that moment to give her peace and joy in her life.  We are so grateful to God for all the wonderful women that we met and that we will continue our sisterhood and friendship at a distance.

Thank you again, in Christ
Pastor Letty Cortes Castro
Centro de Alabanza

What is the Significance of the Church Building?

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By Marta Castillo, Franconia Conference LEADership Minister and Pastor at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life

Several years ago we almost lost our church building to a sheriff’s sale (a type of auction on properties that have either been repossessed by a lender or seized to satisfy judgment liens or tax liens). We said to ourselves, “the church is people; the church is not the building.”  Thankfully, by God’s grace and support from Franconia Conference, we did not lose our church building .  However, as I attended two building-centered events this past weekend, I was paying careful attention to the question, “If the church is people, what is the significance of the church building?”

For churches that have been in existence for 100 years or more, buildings may be a given and are rarely given a second thought, except for repairs and additions. For a congregation just starting out and growing, buildings are more than just a location; they are central to mission, identity, and community.

On Saturday evening, we celebrated with Centro de Alabanza (Center of Praise) in Philadelphia at the dedication of their building. A much-needed larger space in a Spanish neighborhood, this was made possible by Centro de Alabanza’s fundraising efforts include tamale sales and a car raffle, along with generous support from other Franconia Conference congregations. It was a joyful event of thanksgiving and praise, renewed covenant, and anointing before the Lord. Families brought forward wooden blocks inscribed with their family’s name to construct a building showing community, committing themselves to build on the foundation that “has already been laid, which is Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:9-11).

Pastors Fernando Loyola and Letty Cortes said of their new building, “First of all, we feel honored and thankful for the mercy and backing of God in this Hispanic ministry and for us to have a building means to have a place to worship the Lord in freedom and in power concentrating on the mission work of extending the Kingdom of God.  It will help us be more responsible in stewardship, and the location is an area where there are many Latino groups. We believe that God has sent us here to be an example and to reach more souls for Christ.”

The following day, Sunday, January 29, members from Bethel Mennonite, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life and Christian Community Baptist came together for a time of celebration and remembrance. Over 29 years ago, Bethel Mennonite and Nueva Vida Norristown New Life joined together, selling the original Bethel building to Christian Community Baptist.  Members of all three congregations celebrated together in a time of remembrance and worship in the same building where former Bethel members had put down their spiritual roots.  Christian Community Baptist members thanked Nueva Vida Norristown New Life and Franconia Conference for sharing with them a well-cared-for building that was already filled with the Holy Spirit.

As the first church in Acts met in homes, today, we see that God’s provision of these physical spaces — church buildings — allow “the church” to worship, be together and do mission for God. They provide space where more of us are able to join in fellowship with one another, and often are used to bless our surrounding communities as our doors are open for other groups to utilize the space. We thank God for these physical spaces that allow us — “the church” — to worship and do the work of God’s Kingdom.

That’s What the Church is Supposed to Do

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By Marta Castillo, Pastor at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life

“My mom just said that she can’t handle it!  She is not willing to take care of the kids. She is afraid that it is going to be too much for her. What am I going to do?  I have to go to rehab or I am going to lose my children.  This is my last chance.”

God’s Spirit nudged me so hard I almost fell out of the chair I was sitting in.  The words that came out of my mouth surprised me.  “We will do it.  We will form a team from people at the church and we will support your mother and take care of the children so you can go to get the care that you need.  Don’t worry.  That is what church is supposed to do.  We will work it out.”

helping-handsAnd amazingly, yes, we did.  I sat down with my sister in Christ, the social worker, the boyfriend, and the grandmother and we worked out a schedule of care that included having me sleeping on the living room floor several nights a week so the children could stay in their own home overnight.  The boyfriend covered the nights that he wasn’t working, and the grandmother covered afternoons and early evenings.  We signed the children up for half day summer camp at the program where I worked.  Church members planned special trips to the park, to their houses, and the zoo for the weekends and picked the children and their grandmother up for church on Sundays.  There were offers to help buy groceries, prepare meals, and provide transportation.  The whole team supported the core figure, the grandmother, as best as we could for three weeks.

Last Sunday, my sister in Christ told me that in June she will celebrate her one year anniversary of being drug-free.  She faithfully attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings, has a job and a car, and has no fear that her children will be taken away.  She is outspoken about the wonderful works God has done in her life and thankful to the team who made caring for herself possible.  Challenges remain, but she knows that she is not alone, her mother is not alone, her family is not alone.  She has company on the hard, long journey.

There are times when acts of hospitality make no logical sense in our culture and even in our church thinking.  Being hospitable is inconvenient and stretches us beyond our comfort zones.  We are not sure of the “how” but we are sure of the “why”.  We must be hospitable to represent the hospitality of our Lord who welcomes all in the name of Jesus.

Reflection on Hope for the Future

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Recently, three of our Franconia Conference members took part in Hope for the Future, an MCUSA gathering of leaders of color from across the church. These gatherings are designed to explore the ways that power, privilege, cultural bias and racism function in our denomination. As Franconia Conference continues to strive to be intercultural and give all people leadership opportunities, this event provides a way for our conference to speak into the denomination and also to gain resources to help equip our leaders.

Colleen Brockington, member of Norristown New Life Nueva Vida Mennonite Church attended the most recent Hope for the Future gathering. Read more about her experience at the event here: https://themennonite.org/questions-and-concerns-determination-and-confidence/

Celebrating 25 years of Unity In Christ

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By Marta Castillo

Norristown12 Corinthians 1:20-22 says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

During the weekend of July 11, 2015, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life (NVNNL) celebrated 25 years of life together since integrating three Mennonite churches of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds in Norristown. We celebrated with a worship service by acclaimed pianist James Crumbly, a concert with Crumbly and Friends and a pig roast and fiesta.

Norristown2As the body of believers at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life, family, friends, and community celebrated 25 years of God’s faithfulness  and goodness to us and marveled again at the beauty of God’s promise to provide everything that we need to fulfill the calling that we have been given.  Our calling is to be a diverse body of believers who: Worship the Lord in unity; Experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit; and Proclaim the gospel of reconciliation through Jesus Christ in word and deed.

Norristown3Together, we speak the “amen” to the promises that God has given us and the “yes” in Jesus.  We speak the “amen” when we serve and proclaim in our community.  We speak the “amen” when we pray and seek to do God’s will.  We speak the “amen” as we continue to love the Lord and allow God’s love to flow through us to others.  We speak the “amen” as we commit to speaking against injustice and racism and to be a witness to the power of God for unity and peace.  Amen, amen, and amen!

Norristown4Now, as Nueva Vida Norristown New Life moves beyond the 25 years, we look to God for new vision and strength.  We commit ourselves to living God’s promises together, anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit until Jesus comes.

Norristown5

 

A special thank you to the NVNNL planning committee, to those who provided the funds and food to make this celebration possible, and to those who traveled from near and far to join us in the celebration.

Marta Castillo is one of three pastors as NVNNL.

Living God’s Promises Together: 25 Years and Beyond

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By Sharon Williams

NVNNL photo 6-11-15 webNueva Vida Norristown New Life (NVNNL) is celebrating 25 years of unity in Christ! The congregation came together on July 1, 1990—a most unusual integration of three Mennonite churches of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds in Norristown.

Everyone in the Franconia Conference community, former members and attendees of the four congregations, and the Norristown community is invited to the Homecoming Fiesta and Concert, Saturday, July 11. A free pork roast dinner will be served outdoors at 5:30 p.m., followed by a concert with James Crumbly and Friends at 7 p.m. at the church. An offering will be received to support the congregation’s Enlarging Our Place in God’s World fund.

james crumbly 6-11-15James Crumbly of Tampa, Florida, is an accomplished pianist and composer  who led worship at the 2010 Franconia Conference Assembly, and has ministered several times with the NVNNL congregation. He taught Jazz Ensemble, Adult Voice Ensemble, and Songwriting at the Patel Conservatory of The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. His strong background in classical, gospel, and jazz gives him a uniquely eclectic sound. Enjoy a sample of James’s piano artistry.

The worship celebration, Living God’s Promises Together, will be held Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. James Crumbly will lead worship with the congregation’s bilingual worship team and pastors Ángel Tamayo, Marta Castillo, and Ertell Whigham.

The congregation is also hosting Mennonite World Conference guests for our outdoor worship service on Sunday, July 26, 10:30 a.m., followed by a fellowship meal. Everyone is welcome, and we especially hope to welcome persons en route to the Philadelphia airport following Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg.


Sharon K. Williams is a musician, editor and congregational/non-profit consultant. She serves the Lord with the Nueva Vida Norristown New Life congregation as minister of worship.