Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Notes to Pastors

Notes to Pastors

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Gateway Course offered in Spring 2010

Ananbaptist Leadership, Polity & Effectiveness is the next Gateway course being offered by Eastern Mennonite University in collaboration with Mennonite Conferences in southeastern Pennsylvania. Stephen Kriss, director of communication and leadership cultivation for Franconia Mennonite Conference and Donella Clemens, a regional and national Mennonite church leader, will lead the course. The course goals are to provide a foundation for self-care of congregational leaders, develop an understanding of possibilities for Anabaptist leadership within the Northeast Corridor, and cultivating a general familiarity with denominational polity. Dates for the course are February 5 – 6 at the Discipleship Training Center, Norristown, PA and March 5 – 6 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Lancaster, PA. For more information and registration, visit www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary/gateway.

Notes to Pastors

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Building Ministry Alliances That Benefit Each Other

You are cordially invited to a conference at Frederick Mennonite Community on Thursday, February 11 entitled, “Building Ministry Alliances That Benefit Each Other.” The conference is designed to build more effective working relationships among congregations, conferences, and conference related ministries. The facilitators for the day will be Keith Stuckey, CEO of Anabaptist Provider Group, and John Hendrickson, CEO of Frederick Mennonite Community. The event is hosted by Eastern District Mennonite and Franconia Mennonite Conferences, and Frederick Mennonite Community. More details will be available soon. Questions may be directed to Brad Mellon at 610-754-7878, ext. 229. We hope you will plan to attend.

Notes to Pastors

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January Prayer Gathering

A prayer gathering for equipping, encouragement, prayer and worship will be held on Saturday, January 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center’s new location, 569 Yoder Road, Harleysville. Noel Santiago, Franconia Conference Executive Minister, will be teaching. Pastors, intercessors, prayer team members and interested persons are invited to come and receive a blessing. For more information, visit www.mosaicmennonites.org/prayer.

Conference Center Holiday Hours

The Mennonite Conference Center (569 Yoder Road, Harleysville) will be closed for the holidays from Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1. The office will reopen on Monday, January 4.

Notes to Pastors

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Christmas Open House
You are cordially invited to a Christmas Open House at the Mennonite Conference Center’s new location, 569 Yoder Road, Harleysville, Monday, December 14, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. The Mennonite Conference Center is home to the offices of Franconia and Eastern District Mennonite Conferences. Everyone is welcome to visit the new location and meet the staff at this joyous celebration of the season.

Sunday School Teacher Seminar
A seminar for Sunday School Teachers will be held on Saturday, January 16, 8:15 – 11:15 a.m. at Plains Mennonite Church. Come enjoy a morning of workshops addressing the needs of many Sunday School teachers. Seminars will be offered on the following topics: nurturing the faith of children, managing and engaging every student in the classroom, teaching tweens and teens, and creative ways to use the Gather ‘Round curriculum. All participants will be able to choose two of the four seminars offered. Registration is FREE. For more information on the event and how to register your Sunday School leaders contact Ruth Yoder at 215-249-3011 or rhy@verizon.net.

Notes to Pastors

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Mennonite Education Publications
Mennonite Education Agency now offers free subscriptions to a number of electronic MEA publications that will help you to stay connected to the work of MEA and to the broader issues and events of Mennonite education.  Questions may be directed to 866-866-2872.

Emma Alderfer Landis, the founding director and manager of food services for Christopher Dock Mennonite High School for 35 years, died on Saturday, November 21 at the age of 90. A memorial service will be held at the Salford Mennonite Church on Sunday, December 6 at 3:30 p.m. The family will receive friends at the Salford Church from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Notes to Pastors

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Creation Care Retreat
Creation Care: Stewards of the Earth, February 12 – 14 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, offers a wealth of resources for leading your church toward environmentally responsible practice. Join others who are passionate about caring for the Earth in an interactive, inspiring weekend sponsored by Mennonite Mutual Aid, Church of the Brethren, and Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. To register, or for more information, visit www.laurelville.org or call 800-839-1021.

Afghanistan Resource
Mennonite Church USA has prepared a new handout which explains why Mennonites believe troops do not bring security. President Obama is taking counsel on whether to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan. Our Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective says, “Led by the Spirit, and beginning in the church, we witness to all people that violence is not the will of God. We witness against all forms of violence, including war among nations, hostility among races and classes, abuse of children and women, violence between men and women, abortion, and capital punishment.” As a leader, you can use this new resource to begin in the church to witness that violence, including this conflict, is not the will of God. You might distribute this brochure in mailboxes in your congregations, bulletins or place on your literature table. Please encourage prayers as mentioned on the handout, as well as letters to elected officials.

Notes to Pastors

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Mennonite Central Committee Resource
Curtis Book, MCC East Coast Peace and Justice Coordinator is available for seminars, sermons and workshops at your church on any of the following MCC related topics:

-Connecting with MCC at home and abroad
-A biblical sermon on a peace and justice issue relevant to your congregation
-Exploring peace roots in the Kingdom of God and Anabaptistism
-Conflict Transformation: How to Talk When we Disagree
-The Biblical Mandate to Welcome the Stranger and Illegal Immigration
-Challenging Youth to Live Faithfully in the Midst Three Allegiances, The Cross, The Flag and The Globe

Curtis may be reached at cbook@mcc.org or by calling 215-423-4194.

Breakfast at Doylestown Mennonite Church
The November Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, November 19 will be held at Doylestown Mennonite Church, 8 – 10 a.m. The topic is “Human Sexuality and Communities in Conflict”.

Notes to Pastors

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Pastors and Chaplains Appreciation Breakfast
Mark your calendars! You are invited to an Appreciation Breakfast for Pastors, Chaplains and their Spouses on Tuesday, December 8, 8 – 10 a.m. at Towamencin Mennonite Church. An inspiring program meant to bless each minister and spouse is being planned. Watch for more information and your personal invitation.

Franconia Conference’s School for Leadership Formation presents:
The November Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast, “Human Sexuality and Communities in Conflict” will be held on Thursday, November 19, 8 – 10 a.m. Come to talk together about sexuality, to hear how conference and congregational leaders are working at current issues like the Columbus resolution on communities in conflict and the Open Letter to Franconia Conference.  A $5 donation will be requested to cover the cost of the meal. The breakfast location is to be determined.